The process for getting a visa to enter Thailand changes according to the reason for your visit, how long you plan to stay, and your country of origin. To enter Thailand, visitors need to provide a passport that is currently valid for travel and has at least six months left on its expiration date.
Read the following to have a better understanding of the visa requirements and how to process the same:
Thailand Tourist Visa
There is a clause that you could be granted a tourist visa upon arrival in Thailand if you are intending to pay the country a visit for tourism purposes and will be remaining in the country for fewer than thirty days. At the point of entrance, you will be given the opportunity to obtain this form of visa for no cost, and it will authorize a stay in Thailand of up to 30 days. Because it is not possible to extend this sort of visa, you will need to apply for a different type of visa if you plan on remaining in Thailand for more than 30 days. You can find more information about the types of visas available here.
Visa for Visitors Who Do Not Intend to Stay Permanently In Thailand You will be required to submit an application for a visa for visitors if you intend to travel to Thailand for a purpose other than tourism, such as studying, working, or conducting business. With this particular category of visa, you are permitted to remain in Thailand for a lengthier period of time — normally up to ninety days — and it is possible to extend your stay if required. There are several various categories of non-immigrant visas that can be obtained, including the following:
- Non-Immigrant Visa “O”: This kind of visa is reserved for those individuals who plan to retire in Thailand or who are married to a Thai national.
- Non-Immigrant Visa “B”: This category of visa is reserved for visitors to Thailand who will be working or conducting business while they are here.
People who are traveling to Thailand for educational purposes are eligible for the “ED” Non-Immigrant Visa, which is a sort of non-immigrant visa.
Required Documents
You are required to submit the following necessary documents in order to apply for a visa that does not apply to immigrants:
- A valid passport that has at least six months of validity remaining on it
- A visa application form that has been filled out and submitted in its entirety
- Passport-sized photographs
- A letter of invitation from a Thai business or organization to visit their establishment (if applicable)
- Proof that you have sufficient cash to maintain your stay in Thailand.
- Proof that you have a return ticket or another ticket for your next destination (if applicable)
It is essential and important to keep in mind that the conditions for obtaining a non-immigrant visa could change based on the reason for your trip and the country in which you were born.
Fees Structure
Fees for Visas The cost of obtaining a tourist visa upon arrival can range anywhere from $40 to $60, although this number is determined by your country of origin. The cost of obtaining a non-immigrant visa can range anywhere from $50 to $100. However, this number is determined not only by your nationality but also by the kind of visa for which you are requesting.
Time Spent in Processing
Since the tourist visa on arrival is issued at the port of entry, the processing time for this type of visa usually is relatively short. Due to the fact that the application for a non-immigrant visa has to be evaluated and accepted by the Thai immigration authorities, the processing period for this type of visa may take longer. It is recommended that you submit an application for a non-immigrant visa at least four weeks before the date that you want to leave the country. This will ensure that your application is handled in a timely manner.
Conclusion
To summarize, the conditions for obtaining a visa to enter Thailand change according to the reason for your trip, how long you plan to stay there, and your country of origin. If you want your trip to Thailand to go off without a hitch and be a success, it is essential to do some study on the specific criteria ahead of time and apply for the correct visa.
