What Are the Types of Thai Visas?
The Thai government offers the following types of visas to foreign nationals:
- Thailand Tourist Visa, which is issued to visa-required foreigners entering Thailand for tourism or leisure activities. This is a short-term visa, which can be issued for single or multiple entries.
- Thailand Transit Visa, which is issued to foreigners who will enter the territory of the Kingdom of Thailand in order to make their way to a third country of destination.
- Thailand SMART Visa, which is aimed at highly-skilled foreigners, encouraging them to work or invest in one of Thailand’s ten targeted industries, including medicine, robotics, aviation, agriculture, biotechnology, etc.
- Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa, which is issued to foreigners entering Thailand for reasons other than tourism or leisure. The Non-Immigrant Visa for Thailand is further categorized depending on the purpose of travel:
- Thailand Work Visa, for foreigners who will take up paid employment in Thailand.
- Thailand Student Visa, for foreigners who want to pursue their academic studies in a Thai educational institution.
- Thailand Business Visa, for foreigners who are traveling to Thailand for business-related purposes, such as negotiations, attending a meeting, etc.
- Thailand Marriage Visa, for foreigners who are married to a Thai citizen.
- Thailand Retirement Visa, also known as the “Ten Year Visa” which is issued to foreigners over the age of 50 who want to retire in Thailand and have independent financial means to sustain themselves without working.
How to Apply for a Thai Visa?
Everyone who is not exempt visa requirements or eligible to get one on arrival has to apply for a Thai visa from one of the diplomatic missions of Thailand abroad, such as an embassy or consulate. The application process for a Thai visa is as follows:
- Contact the Thailand diplomatic mission in your country.
- Collect the required documents.
- Submit the Thai visa application.
- Wait for the application to be processed.
- Collect the passport and visa.
Collect the required documents for a Thailand visa
The documents you must submit when applying for a Thailand visa depend on the purpose of your travel. However, all applicants must have:
- A passport, which is valid for at least another six months and has at least two blank visa pages.
- A return travel ticket, proving you intend to leave the country after your visa ends.
- Completed and signed Thailand Visa Application Form.
- Two recent passport-size pictures.
- Proof of sufficient financial funds to cover the duration of your stay.
- Paid Thailand Visa fee.
Thai visa application
Depending on the embassy or consulate through which you’re applying, you can submit the visa application through one of the following two ways:
- In-person, on the date of your appointment
- Through the post, in which case you also have to include a prepaid and self-addressed envelope so the embassy can return your passport with the visa to you
Thailand visa processing time
Again, the processing time for a Thai visa depends on which diplomatic representative office you apply in. Some promise to have it processed within 2 working days, while others may take longer. However, you should expect to wait for about 5 -10 working days for your Thai visa to be processed, starting from the time that the embassy/consulate receives your complete application. So, make sure you apply in advance of the time you intend to travel.
Receiving your Thailand visa
Once your Thailand visa application is processed, you have to go back to the embassy/consulate and pick up your passport and documents. If you applied by mail, they will be mailed back to you.
If the application was approved, the visa will be affixed to your passport.
Can You Apply for a Thailand Visa Online?
In late 2018, the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced they would begin implementing the Thailand eVisa the following year. In February 2019, Chinese nationals became the first foreign nationals to be eligible for the Thai eVisa and were joined by British and French nationals in April. It is expected that in the following three years, citizens of all foreign countries with which Thailand has diplomatic relations will become eligible to receive a Thailand visa online.
As of now, those who are eligible to submit their Thailand visa applications online still have to go and get their passport stamped at a Thai embassy or consulate, but the Thai government to make the entire process online in the following years.
Applications for Thai eVisas can be submitted here.
How long is a Thailand Visa valid?
Thailand visas can be issued for the following durations:
- Thai Transit Visa: Up to three months for a single-entry visa; up to six months for a multiple-entry visa (you cannot stay in the country for longer than 30 days, on either visa)
- Thai Tourist Visa: Up to three months for a single-entry visa; up to six months for a multiple-entry visa (you cannot stay in the country for longer than 60 days, on either visa)
- Thai Non-Immigrant Visa: Up to three months, for single or multiple entries. Multiple-entry visas can also be issued for up to one year. If you are eligible, you can obtain a one-year stay permit.
What Are the Thailand Visa Fees?
The Thai visa fees change depending on several factors, one of which is the country you are applying from. However, on an estimate, you should expect to pay between $30 to $50 for a Tourist Visa, and between $150 to $250 for a Non-Immigrant Visa, depending on the local currency.
Becoming a Thai Resident
To become a Thai resident, you must have lived in Thailand with a Non-Immigrant Visa for at least three years. At that point, you become eligible for a Thai Residence Permit.
You must fall under one of the following categories:
- You have a Thai Work Visa
- You are a foreign investor
- You have family relations to a Thai national
- You are a highly-skilled foreigner (Expert/Academic)
Is Thailand visa free for Pakistani?
All individuals seeking to enter Thailand or obtain a visa must obtain a Pass registration. If you already have a valid Thai visa in your passport, you must apply for a Pass registration. Thailand tourist visa is required for citizens of Pakistan.
How to apply for Thailand visa from Pakistan?
Required Documents:
- Visa application Form, duly filled in all respects
- Two passport size photographs (45mm high x 35mm wide)
- Passport original and one photocopy.
- Invitation Letter by the sponsor or hotel booking details in case of individual tourist
- Invitation Letter in case of group by the tour operator designated by the department of tourist services
- In case of foreigner, Non-Thai National, Valid Visa/ Resident or Work Permit in Thailand, it is a mandatory requirement!
- Fee to be deposited for the Visa application depending upon Nationality (non-refundable).
Is Thailand tourist visa open?
Yes, there is a visa on arrival in Thailand for Indian citizens, but it is given only if they meet the following requirements: The visit is strictly for tourism purposes. The passport must be genuine and should be valid for at least 30 days.
Is Thailand open for Pakistani tourist?
Pakistani residents are allowed entry into the kingdom. However, the entry comes with some additional requirements. Here are the latest entry requirements you should be aware of while travelling from Pakistan to Thailand.
How much bank balance required for Thailand tourist visa?
Evidence of adequate finance e.g. Current Bank Solvency and Bank Statement of the last 6 months with satisfactory transaction (at least 20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family OR 60,000 Taka per person and 120,000 Taka per family).