When you are planning to visit Thailand for tourist purposes there are three types of visa to enter Thailand. Most nationalities can go to Thailand without a visa (Visa Exemption) when they are staying less than 30 days. Here is a list with the three visa options. 

Although we carefully keep track of changes, entry and exit specifics, information can change without prior notice. Therefore ITWJ advises you to check the Thai Embassy or Consulate before your visit Thailand.

As a tourist you can enter Thailand with: 

1. Visa Exemption 
2. Tourist Visa upon arrival
3. Applying for a visa at the Thai Embassy

Visa Exemption

Citizens of most countries can benefit visiting Thailand with a visa exemption. Meaning you can enter Thailand without a visa for a maximum of 30 days. The list of countries who benefit from the exemption are listed below.  

Requirements for a visa free stay in Thailand are:

• Access is granted for tourism purposes only
• You can show a confirmed return ticket (plane, train, bus or etc.)
• Prove of funds during your stay of at least 10,000 THB per person

Note that a fee can be levied on entering Thailand especially when entering through a land border in Southern Thailand. A visa exemption is granted at most twice per calendar year when entering Thailand over land or sea border. There are no limitations when entering Thailand by air.

The following countries are allowed to enter Thailand with visa exemption:

Tourist visa – Upon arrival

A tourist visa can be obtained upon arrival at the airport or at home through the Thai Embassy or Consulate. A tourist visa uponarrival is needed for tourists with a passport of  the following countries:

Requirements for a tourist visa upon arrival:

• Visa is strictly for tourism purposes
• Passport is valid for at least 30 days
• A valid address that can be verified (hotel or apartment) should be provided
• You can show a confirmed return flight ticket within 15 days of arrival
• Travelling overland with a bus or train ticket is accepted for proof of leaving the country
• Proof of funds during your stay of at least 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB for a family
• Fee of 2,000 THB to pay upon entry in cash in Thai currency only

Tourist visa 

As mentioned a tourist visa can be obtained through the Thai Embassy or consulate. With a tourist visa it is not allowed to work or conduct business in Thailand. A tourist visa is a stamp or document stamped in your passport. 

A tourist visa differs from 3 month or 6 months depending on the way of entering (at the airport or overland border point) or the number of entries. Check the validity of your planned stay with your nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate.

Certain documents are required for a tourist visa and the best way to see which documents you need is to contact the Thai Embassy in your country.

• Passport is valid for at least 6 months
• Visa application form is filled in completely 
• One recent  photograph of the applicant (max. 4 x 6 cm)
• You can show a confirmed return fly ticket or e-ticket
• Proof of funds during your stay of at least 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB for a family
• A fee per entry or equivalent

Useful Links

Check the Thai Embassy website for the latest and most recent rules and regulations. If you are not certain or if you have questions, contact the Thai Embassy in your home country.

Get your visa hassle-free via iVisa

Do you have issues with your credit card not being accepted, a government website that isn’t working or do you have problems submitting your application online? iVisa is a third party helping out with your visa application. The price of the fee is usually around 35 US dollars but can vary depending on destination, type of visa and requirements.

How does it work?

1. Use this link to visit the iVisa website.This is an affiliate link to iVisa which means we make a small commission if you click this link. You don’t pay anything extra. We recommend using iVisa if you don’t want the extra hassle when applying for a visa.

2. Tell them your nationality and where you are going to.

3. Fill out the application which is usually the same information you need to provide at the official government websites.

4. You have several options in processing time; standard processing is 5 business days, rush processing is 3 business and super rush processing is 2 business day.

5. Once you have finished your application check if your details are correct. Or double check if you are a control freak like I am. When everything is correct you can proceed and pay. They ask you to create an account if you like.

6. The last thing you need to do is upload a copy of your passport and passport photo with a white background. If you have uploaded the images you are finished and need to ‘Save and Complete request’.

If you completed the process you will receive a confirmation email from iVisa. As soon as they received your visa they send it you via email. You can save the email or print the visa and bring it to the airport. Contact the customer service of iVisa if you have any issues. They are available 24/7.

Get your passport photo online via iVisa

Do you need an approved passport photo? At iVisa they have a photo service. You only pay 1 dollar per photo. Their team will check your photo to make sure it meets the government requirements. Use this link to get your passport photo online. This is an affiliate link to iVisa which means we make a small commission if you click this link. You don’t pay anything extra.

In The World’s Jungle – Travel posts

Read other articles about Thailand such as Pictures of the temple in Chiang Mai or the historical city of Sukhothai. Learn more about Buddhism by reading the Beginners Guide. Feel free to leave a comment below. Suggestions and feedback are welcome.

In The World’s Jungle – Personal Travel Guide

Interested to know more about In the world’s jungle and the articles you can find here? Read more on the About page or get to know Adriana. I can help you planning your trip, find unique places to stay, set-up an itinerary and make other necessary arrangements. Feel free to contact me and let me know how I can help you. Check the Service page to learn more.