Thailand visas and immigration

Do I need a visa for Thailand?

Many nationalities can obtain a 30 day visa free entry stamp sometimes called ‘visa on arrival’ without the need to apply at a Thai embassy/consulate abroad. If you want to stay longer in Thailand then you can apply for a tourist visa in advance at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad. A single entry tourist visa is valid for 60 days. The 60 Day tourist visa can be extended by a further 30 days at any Thai immigration office in Thailand. Some nationalities can only enter Thailand for a maximum stay of 15 days and others must obtain a visa prior to travelling to Thailand. There is a select group of countries who qualify for a 90 day visa free entry stamp. See below for country list.

New visa rules

As from the 1st Oct 2006 there are new visa rules regarding the 30 day entry stamp (visa on arrival). In the past there was no limit to the amount of times this could be done all you needed to do was leave Thailand at any border crossing point and then turn around and come back into Thailand the same day with a fresh 30 day entry stamp. Many foreigners have stayed in Thailand for years this way and it was also useful for the long-staying tourist. However the Thai government has now decided to limit the amount of time you can spend in Thailand on a 30 day entry stamp ‘visa on arrival’ to 90 days in any one period of 180 days. There is still some confusion (even amongst immigration officers themselves) how this system will operate but it looks like that time spent on a proper tourist visa will not be counted towards this 90 day limit also you will be able to enter Thailand as many time as you want with a ‘visa on arrival’ as long as you don't spend anymore than 90 days in a period of 180 days.

Types of visa

Most tourists will enter Thailand on a 60 day tourist visa (single or multiple entry) or 30 day entry stamp (15 days for some nationalities see above) ‘visa on arrival’. There are other classes of visa including those for Business, Education and Retirement etc.

Most Thai embassies and consulates will issue multiple entry tourist visas usually double or triple entry the fees for these are more but if you are planning a longer stay in Thailand they can be useful. Each entry is valid for two months and on each entry that 2 months can be extended by a further month at any immigration office in Thailand. If one entry is coming to an end all you need to do is leave Thailand at any border crossing turn around and come back into Thailand where you can use your next entry on your multiple entry visa.

Visa extensions

If you entered Thailand on a 30 day visa free entry stamp this can be extended at an immigration office in Thailand for 7 days for a fee of 1,900 baht.

If you entered Thailand on a 60 day tourist visa you can extend this at any immigration office in Thailand for a further 28 days the fee is 1,900 baht.

Overstaying

If you overstay your visa you will be charged 500 baht per day on departure from Thailand. This is the new rule the old charge was 200 baht per day with the first day of overstay free. However now every day (including the fist day) you will be charged 500 baht.