As the Thailand visa policy states, there are people from different countries who need to take visas before planning their trip to Thailand. This includes all the foreigners who are not a part of the citizens of Thailand. This visa is verified and given to the foreigner by the Ministry of foreigner affairs situated in Thailand. This visa allows foreigners to enter the country and stay for a particular period of time which depends on the type of visa the foreigner has applied for.
There are about 64 countries that are eligible to visit Thailand without a visa. There are in total 18 countries whose nationals can obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand. Thailand has also shared agreements regarding visa waivers with some countries.
Overview:
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Thailand visa new policies
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Visa exemptions
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Visa on arrival facility
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E-visa on arrival
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Countries that need a visa in advance
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Transit visa for Thailand
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APEC Business travel cardholders
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Work permit for a foreigner
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Yellow fever vaccination certificate
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Tourist visa requirements to be fulfilled in order to apply for a Thailand visa
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FAQs
Thailand visa new policies:
There have been some major changes in the rules and regulations regarding visa application and its verification since May 2014. This included that if there is a foreigner who wishes to stay in Thailand after the expiration of the visa or after the visa-free period is over, then the foreigner needs to stay out of the country at least for one night before re-entering or renewal of visa. They should also take note that the renewal of a visa should be done in advance to avoid any problems.
As there had been drawbacks in the tourism and the education sector due to strict policies, Thailand’s prime minister asked the immigration officer to be more easy-going on the laws for the foreigners. This had lead to an increase in the tourism and education sectors.
However, there was a major change in the rule, stating that there should be no overstays allowed for foreigners after a period of 30 days. This means that the foreigner after staying in Thailand for a period of 30 days needed to vacate the place and go back to their respective countries.
Visa exemptions:
There have been visa exemptions made for the foreigner entering Thailand and its details can be given as follows:
90 days visa-free entry:
There have been in total 5 nations who have bilaterally agreed on the visa waiver policies. The list includes the following countries:
| Argentina | South Korea | Brazil |
| Chile | Peru |
This means that the above-listed countries can enter Thailand and stay for a period of 90 days without a visa. Similarly, Thailand citizens can also do the same in these countries.
30 days visa-free entry:
The following countries can avail of this facility:
| Hong Kong | Mongolia | Laos |
| Macao | Russia | Vietnam |
This means that the above-listed countries can visit Thailand without a visa for 30 days and as there is a bilateral agreement between Thailand and these countries, Thailand can stay for the same period in the above-mentioned countries without a visa.
There are other 51 countries whose nationals can visit Thailand without a visa for 30 days. This visa-free period is granted only twice a year to the nationals of these countries when they enter Thailand’s visa land or sea borders. However, there is no restriction in granting this facility when the country nationals enter through airways. The stay for these countries can also be extended by another 30 days as of August 2014.
14 days visa-free entry:
With the bilateral agreement made by the Thailand government and the government of the below-listed nations, the nationals can enter Thailand and stay for a total of 14 days without a visa. the countries can be listed as follows:
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Cambodia
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Myanmar: can only avail this facility if the nationals arrive through airways
90 days visa-free entry for diplomatic or official services passport:
Those foreigners containing a diplomatic passport or an organizational passport can enter Thailand without a visa and stay for a period of 90 days and this list includes 68 countries who can avail of this facility.
While the visa-free agreement was also signed with Mozambique and Bulgaria, these countries have not yet put it into action.
Visa on arrival facility:
The following countries can avail the facility of visa on arrival in Thailand:
| Bhutan | Bulgaria | China | Cyprus | Ethiopia | Fiji |
| Nauru | Mexico | Malta | Kazakhstan | India | Georgia |
| Papua New Guinea | Romania | Saudi Arabia | Taiwan | Uzbekistan | Vanuatu |
The nationals of the above0listed countries can get access to the visa on arrival facility and this facility allows the nationals to stay for a time period of 15 days. However, this visa on arrival cannot be extended. The visa on arrival facility is available at all major checkpoints in Thailand be it via air or land.
There are in total 48 checkpoints where the nationals can avail of this visa on arrival facility.
E-visa on arrival:
There have been changes made to the visa on arrival policy as there are some countries whose nationals can avail of the e-visa facility. This e visa facility provides the nationals to take the visa in advance through an online portal and this visa will be stamped onto their passport on arrival. This was made valid from 21st of November 2018. However, this visa will only be valid for 15 days from entry.
Countries that need a visa in advance:
The following countries can avail the facility of applying for a visa in advance:
| Afghanistan | African countries | Bangladesh | China | India | Iran |
| Iraq | Lebanon | Nepal | North Korea | Pakistan | Palestine |
| Sri Lanka | Syria | Yemen |
These countries can apply for a visa for Thailand from their hometown provided that they have a residence permit proving they are from that country or are a citizen of their respective countries.
Transit visa for Thailand:
While transiting through Thailand for reaching another destination there is no need to take a visa if the foreigner is going to stay for 12 hours. If the stay exceeds this time, then the foreigner might have to take a visa. The nationals of Pakistan who are transiting through Thailand are required to take a visa at any time they arrive.
APEC Business travel cardholders:
Those nationals of the following countries who hold an ABTC also known as APEC Business travel card nee not take a visa to stay in Thailand for 90 days. This card is issued to the nationals following countries:
| Australia | Brunei | Chile | China | Hong Kong | Indonesia |
| Japan | South Korea | Malaysia | Mexico | New Zealand | Papua New Guinea |
| Peru | Philippines | Russia | Singapore | Taiwan | Vietnam |
Work permit for foreigner:
It is important that a foreigner who wishes to work in Thailand obtains a work permit. This work permit acts as a license for the foreigner to keep their jobs in Thailand. This allows them to work legally. A foreigner can only apply for this permit if he or she has a non-immigrant visa or a permanent residency visa. This work permit will contain information such as the job of the foreigner, the Thai company he or she is working with, the job description, and the current position.
Yellow fever vaccination certificate:
There are countries that need to follow the yellow fever vaccination certificate rules. This includes that the nationals of the below-mentioned countries need to provide an International Certificate of Vaccination. Only then can these nationals enter Thailand. This need not be done if the foreigner is not residing in the below-mentioned countries. If the foreigner refuses this vaccination or to provide a proof regarding citizenship then an entry will not be allowed for that particular foreigner. The list of countries includes:
Tourist visa requirements to be fulfilled in order to apply for a Thailand visa:
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The passport which is valid for more than 6 months and contains the foreigner’s information
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A visa application form which has been filled out
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A scanned photograph of the foreigner
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Return air ticket which has been booked and paid for
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Proof stating the financial condition which includes 20,000 baht for a person or 40,000 baht for a family.
FAQs:
1. How can I get to know about my visa type?
A. Visa types depend on the purpose of stay and the work to be done and you can take a look at these types on www.touristvisaonline.com.
2. Is it possible for me to enter Thailand without an International certificate for vaccination if I’m an Indian passport holder?
A. As India is not listed in the countries that require an international certificate for vaccination you can enter Thailand without issuing one.
3. Is it possible for me to extend a 30 day stay without a visa?
A. The government in Thailand allows an extension in your stay for 30 more days if you are eligible for it. You can check the eligibility by checking the list given above.
4. Can I enter Thailand if I have married a Thai citizen there is a criminal record of me in the past?
A. A foreigner married to a Thailand citizen with a criminal record has been denied entry into Thailand.
5. For knowing more about the rules and regulations about visa what should I do?
A. As a foreigner, it is important that you know about Thailand's visa policy before applying for a visa.
