Visas & Non-Immigrant Visas in Thailand

Share | Print | +

Delicious

Digg

Facebook

Google

Propeller

reddit

StumbleUpon

Twitter

Yahoo!

Visas & Non-Immigrant Visas in Thailand

What follows is an overview of the different types of visas - "permission to stay" and "extension of stay" stamps - that are issued by the Thai government for visits or long-term stay. This includes: 

• Tourist Visa Exemption: certain passport holders are exempt from holding a visa and will be granted a 30 day "permission to stay" stamp on arrival
• Visa on Arrival: certain passport holders are granted up to 15 days "permission to stay" on arrival
• Tourist Visas: applied for before departure for Thailand, this allows the holder a 60 day (plus further 30 on application) "permission to stay"
• Non-Immigrant Visas: for a stay longer than two months (application requirements vary depending on the reason for the stay) 
• Retirement Non-Immigrant Visas: granted to those over 50 years who can demonstrate financial security (among other things)
• Permission to Stay: This is the stamp that is stamped in to a passport on arrival in Thailand, regardless of which type of visa that has been issued. It shows the date of entry and the required date of departure
• Extension of Stay: This is a stamp that is issued by Thai immigration under specific circumstances that allow the holder to stay longer than 90 days

Note: Visitors should contact their home Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information as the requirements can change.

It is also worth noting the differences between a visa and permission or extension of stay as there is often confusion over the different terms; sometimes even government departments use the terms wrongly. 

1. A visa will usually be issued outside of Thailand (apart from in the case of a "Visa on Arrival") and will indicate the dates when the holder can apply to enter Thailand. 
2. On entry into Thailand a "permission to stay" is stamped in the passport and shows the entry date and the date by which the passport holder must leave unless they have been granted an "extension of stay"

Tourist Visa Exemption

Passport holders from some countries are granted a "permission to stay" stamp in their passport on arrival at an international airport, under the "tourist visa exemption" rule for tourism purposes only. They are granted "permission to stay" for not longer than 30 days and must have a confirmed flight ticket for departure within that time. If arriving by land, "permission to stay" is granted for not longer than 15 days except for Malaysian nationals who will be granted a "permission to stay" for not longer than 30 days. After entry into Thailand, and at the immigration officer's discretion, it is sometimes possible to get a seven day "extension of stay".

Visitors under the tourist visa exemption rule may stay for longer than 90 days in any six-month period.

• For a list of countries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Click here

Visa on Arrival

Passport holders from a further 20 countries are granted a visa on arrival which is valid for only 15 days. They are granted "permission to stay" for not longer than 15 days and must have a confirmed flight ticket for departure within that time.

• Further information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Click here

Tourist Visas

For longer stays it is possible to apply for a tourist visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate overseas. This allows a 60 day visit for tourism only, with a possible 30-day "extension of stay". The tourist visa will have a three or six month validity during which time it is possible for the holder to enter Thailand and get a 60 day "permission to stay" stamp.

The regulation that stated that the maximum stay was 90 days in any six-month period has been cancelled.

• Further information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Click here

Those wishing to extend their visa for a further 30 days must contact the Immigration Bureau.

• Bangkok Immigration Office (Immigration Bureau)
  At: Chaengwattana Building B, No. 120, Moo 3, Chaengwattana Road, Tungsonghong Sub-District, Laksi District, Bangkok 10210
  Tel: 02 141 9889 / 1178
  Fax: 02 143 8228
  Website
• Immigration Bureau (for citizens of Laos, Cambodia and Myamar)
  At: Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
  Tel: 02 287 3101-10

Non-Immigrant Visas

Anyone wishing to stay in Thailand for more than two months must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa. Either a one-year multi-entry visa with a maximum 90-day stay is issued or a single entry 90-day visa. For those wishing to travel outside of Thailand during their stay a multi-entry visa must be obtained. The visa indicates the dates between which the holder can apply to enter Thailand and does not necessarily show the length of time the holder will be granted "permission to stay". This is shown by the stamp in the holder's passport on arrival.

It is possible to apply for an "extension of stay" after 90 days from within Thailand, although the rules are different for each type of visa. Requirements for an extension vary; for a retirement visa it is normally a straightforward process, but a business visa has more strenuous rules. Contact the Immigration Bureau for exact details.

If an "extension of stay" is granted, the visitors should register their address with immigration every 90 days. Failure to do this can result in a fine of 200 baht/day up to a maximum of 5,000 baht. It should be possible to register by post although check with the local immigration bureau. 

• The appropriate form (For Alien to Notify of Staying Longer Than 90 Days: Form TM.47) can be downloaded from the Immigration bureau website: Click here 

If an "extension of stay" is not possible, a "visa run" will need to be completed by anyone wishing to stay longer than 90 days. Those who do not have a multi-entry visa, must obtain a re-entry permit at the airport or at the Immigration Bureau before leaving the country, otherwise the Non-Immigrant visa will not be valid on their return to Thailand.

• For further information and for a list of required documents see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

Types of Non-Immigrant Visas

Those who can apply for Non-Immigrant Visas include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Foreigners who wish to work in Thailand
• Foreigners who wish to invest in Thailand
• Family of the people in the above categories
• Foreigners married to Thai nationals or with relatives who are Thai nationals
• Foreigners who wish to spend their retirement in Thailand

If intending to travel in and out of Thailand during the validity of the visa it will be necessary to get a multi-entry visa.

Non-Immigrant O (Other) Visa

This allows visitors to visit for a number of reasons

• Visiting Thai spouse or family (Copy of marriage certificate required)
• To look for work
• Voluntary work
• Visiting non-Thai family members
• For the purpose of retirement (Type "O-A", see below)
• For further information and for a list of required documents see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

Non-Immigrant B (Business) Visa

This is a business or paid employment visa for those employed by any company in Thailand. It is necessary to file an application with a Thai Embassy or Consulate outside of Thailand. It is also necessary for anyone wishing to teach in Thailand to get this type of visa although the requirements are slightly different. A letter from the company will be required before this visa is issued.

• For details on the procedure: Click here
• For further details see AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Work Permits in Thailand

Non-Immigrant IB (Investment & Business) Visa

Foreign employees working on a project that has been approved by the Board of Investment (BOI) must have this type of visa.

• For details: Click here

Non-Immigrant Visa type ED (Education-Unpaid Work)

This type of visa is granted to those who would like to study in Thailand, to attend a conference, for training or to study as a Buddhist monk. An acceptance letter from the educational establishment or training establishment is required.

Retirement Visa – Non-Immigrant O-A type

Any person who is 50 years old or more can apply for a Non-Immigrant O-A visa before arrival in Thailand. It will be valid for one year. On arrival in Thailand retirement status must be applied for at the local Immigration Bureau. Once retirement status is granted it can be extended on a yearly basis as long as adequate financial funds are still available. Those in Thailand with retirement status must not work in any capacity.

The requirements for a non immigrant O-A visa and retirement status are subject to change so it is advisable to check with the home Embassy or Consulate. In August 2007 applicants must:

• Demonstrate an annual income of at least THB 800,000, or THB 65,000 a month
• For those without an income/pension, THB 800,000 must be deposited in a bank account

On arrival in Thailand, the person must visit their home Embassy and prove their financial status. The Embassy will issue a certificate that can be shown to the Thai Immigration Bureau.

• For comprehensive information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Click here

In order to apply the applicant must:

• Be 50 years of age or older when applying for the visa
• Have a clean criminal record both in Thailand or country of origin
• Have a Non-Immigrant visa issued from the home country
• Hold a medical certificate indicating good health and free from disease

Documents required 

• Passport with at least one year's validity
• Three copies of the visa application forms
• Three passport-size photographs not more than six months old
• Personal information sheet
• Financial certificate
• Clean criminal record certificate (not older than three months) from the applicant's home country or Embassy
• Medical certificate (not older than three months)

Spouse of the retired person

The applicant's spouse needs to apply for their own retirement visa and status. The financial (and other) requirements are the same and all funds must be completely separate from their spouse. If this is not possible it will be necessary to apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa and leave the country every 90 days.

Other types of Non-Immigrant Visas:

• D: Diplomatic Visa
• BA: Business visa for approved companies
• M: Media visa for journalists or film crews
• EX: Expert visa for those doing work of a specialist nature
• IM: Investors visa
• F: For officials working with the Thai government
• R: For missionaries or those wishing to complete religious studies
• RS: For those who conduct scientific research

Related Information

• Information from the Thai Consulate in the UK  
• Thailand Immigration Bureau
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• See also AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Permanent Residency & Naturalisation in Thailand

1009cr