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Planning a trip to Thailand and uncertain about how to prove your financial stability for a tourist visa? Discover the requirements and various methods to demonstrate sufficient funds for your dream vacation. Read more to get the answers!

If you are planning a trip to the beautiful country of Thailand, you are in for an amazing experience! However, before you can enjoy your vacation, you might be asked to prove that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. This is called showing "sufficient funds." Here's a simple guide on how to do it.

Why do I need to show sufficient funds?

Thailand wants to make sure that all visitors can take care of themselves while in the country. This helps ensure that everyone stays safe and has a great time. By showing that you have enough money to cover your expenses, you help Thailand keep track of who is coming and going, and make sure everyone has a good experience.

How much money do I need?

The amount of money you need depends on how long you plan on staying in Thailand. As a general rule, you should have at least 10,000 Thai Baht (about $300) for each person if your stay is shorter than 30 days. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you should have at least 20,000 Thai Baht (about $600) for each person. These amounts should cover your food, accommodations, and other basic expenses.

How can I prove that I have enough money?

There are several ways to show that you have sufficient funds for your trip to Thailand. Here are some options:

• Bank statements: You can print out or show an electronic copy of your bank statement from the past three months. This should clearly show your name, account balance, and any recent transactions.
• Cash: You can bring the required amount of money in cash with you when you arrive in Thailand. Just make sure to keep it safe and secure!
• Credit cards: If you have a credit card with a high enough limit, you can show this as proof of your funds. Just be sure to have a statement or other document that shows your credit limit, and make sure the card is accepted in Thailand.
• Traveler's checks: Traveler's checks are a safe way to carry money, and they can also be used as proof of funds. Just make sure to have documentation that shows the amount and your name.

What if I don't have enough money?

If you do not have enough money to meet the requirements, you might be denied entry into Thailand. To avoid this, try to save up more money before your trip or find a friend or family member who can lend you the money. You can always use a combination of bank statements, cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks to prove that you have the required amount.

In conclusion, proving sufficient funds for your trip to Thailand is important to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable stay. By following these guidelines and preparing the necessary documents, you'll be well on your way to an unforgettable Thai adventure!

If you need help planning your trip to Thailand or have any questions about showing sufficient funds, feel free to contact us for a consultation. We're here to help make your holiday as smooth and enjoyable as possible!

Tourist Visas for Thailand

Questions and answers for Tourist visas to Thailand

Thailand’s Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, Explained

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. The country offers a wide variety of attractions, from tropical beaches and wild parties to ancient temples and bustling cities.

Many tourists who visit Thailand, however, mistakenly think that they can only stay for a short time on a tourist visa. While yes that’s true for the Single Entry Tourist Visa or Visa Exempt entry, there’s another option for those who want to stay longer in Thailand: the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) .

Everything You Need to Know About Thailand’s Multiple Entry Visa

What is a multiple entry tourist visa for thailand.

Unlike the normal Thailand Tourist Visa (TR) , which grants visitors 60 days of stay with a possible 30-day extension, the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa allows travelers to visit Thailand for up to 6 months (extendable to 9 months) with the ability to enter and exit the country as many times as they like.

What are the requirements for a Thailand multiple entry tourist visa?

First and foremost, to be eligible for the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, you must be a citizen of an eligible country. A list of eligible countries can be found on the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

In general, though, citizens of Western countries, including the United States, Canada, and EU countries, are eligible for the METV visa.

To apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, you will need to submit the following documents either online or in person at a Thai embassy or consulate:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity and a blank page for visa stamp
• Completed visa application form
• 2 passport-sized photos
• Proof of financial support (e.g. bank statement)
• Proof of onward travel (e.g. flight itinerary)
• Evidence of hotel reservations or evidence of a host in Thailand (e.g. invitation letter)
• Payment for the visa fee.

How long can I stay in Thailand with a multiple entry tourist visa?

The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for a period of 6 months. Unlike other tourist visas, that 6-month period starts when the visa is issued–not when you enter the country. Within the validity period, holders of the visa can enter and exit Thailand as many times as they want. Each stay, however, is limited to 60 days, but it can be extended for another 30 days at a Thai immigration office.

So, technically, the METV visa can last nearly 9 months. If the visa holder enters Thailand right before the 6 month validity period ends then he or she can stay 60 more days, and then extend that another 30 days at an immigration office.

So 6 months + 60 days + 30 days = nearly 9 months (if timed correctly).

How do I apply for the multiple entry tourist visa?

The process for applying for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is pretty straightforward. You can apply at the nearest Thai embassy or consulate in your home country or in another country if you already happen to be traveling. Or you have the option to apply online .

Make sure to check the website of your home country’s Thai embassy or consulate for specific instructions on how to apply for the METV (each can have different requirements).

It’s also important to submit your application at least a couple of weeks in advance of your intended arrival in Thailand, as processing times can vary depending on your embassy and the volume of applications they receive.

In general, though, most embassies can process a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa application in just a few days.

How much does a multiple entry tourist visa for Thailand cost?

The fee for a 6-month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for Thailand varies depending on the country of the applicant. In general, though, the fee should be in the ballpark of 6,000 Thai baht ($200). Check with your nearest Thai embassy or consulate to see their specific fees.

METV visas can also be extended 30 days for an additional 1,900 baht ($60) but they can not be renewed. After the 6 months of validity runs out, the next time you leave Thailand you will have to apply for a new Thai tourist visa.

Always make sure you leave Thailand before your tourist visa expires so you don’t have to deal with visa overstay penalties .

Can I extend my multiple entry tourist visa in Thailand?

Yes, as we hinted at before, multiple entry tourist visas can be extended for 30 days each time you enter the country. So each time you enter you can stay up to 90 days if you extend.

Kick Off Your Next Thailand Adventure

Thailand’s Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is a great option for tourists who want to stay in the country longer than a normal tourist visa would allow.

Although it costs more, it gives travelers much more versatility in how they want to travel. They can enter and exit Thailand as they please (great when doing a larger Southeast Asia trip) and can stay for up to 9 months, which is a huge step up from the 90 days granted by the standard tourist visa.

All in all, the METV remains an awesome (albeit lesser-known) choice for travelers heading out to experience all the greatness Thailand has on offer.

Related: 15 Essential Thai Words to Know Before Your Next Thailand Adventure

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The Big Thai Visa Post: Visa Types, Requirements, Restrictions & Benefits

All visa processes are somewhat of a pain. And with all the different types of Thai visa available, at times it may seem as if figuring out how to fly to the moon would be an easier task than finding out which you need to travel.

It isn't straight-forward, that's for sure; I've been here 13 years now and Thai immigration are always moving the goalposts.

There are a number of different visas to consider, depending on your situation, so I have compiled up-to-date visa information for the 5 most common types of Thai visa.

Why Do You Need a Visa?

Let's start with this simple but common question.

A passport is needed when traveling to other countries as a form of ID, primarily to show that you are a legal citizen of your own country. So then, why do we need to go the extra mile and obtain a visa?

A visa shows why it is you are visiting the country, as well as how long you plan on staying there.

Visas are usually granted to those who are working or studying abroad for a certain amount of time. However, there are other types of visas, including marriage and retirement visas.

All you have to do is apply for the correct one, which you'll be able to after reading this post.

Remember, if you are coming to Thailand for a holiday of less than 30 days then you won't need one of the visa options below.

Depending on your country of origin, you will be issued with a visa on arrival, also referred to as an exemption stamp. For most nationalities, this provides a stay of up to 30 days. However, there are a number of countries who need to apply for a visa prior to arrival.

So let’s get started with the different types of Thai visa, their requirements and the application process.

1. The Tourist Visa

Are you looking for a long spring break destination? Are you taking a gap year to blow all of your money in exchange for fond memories and a boatload of “candid” selfies?

Then you may need a tourist visa, if you're staying for more than 30 days. See this link  to find out if your country requires visa on arrival.

Requirements:

In order to apply for a tourist visa you will need the following:

• A passport with at least six months of validity.
• Two passport photos.
• You must have already purchased your flights, as a copy of your round trip tickets or confirmed itinerary is required.
• You must also have proof that you have sufficient funds to be traveling in the first place (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).

There are two types of tourist visa:

1. Single Entry Tourist Visa

This is a single entry visa that gives you up to 60 days in Thailand.

2. Multiple Entry Tourist Visa

This option gives you a 6-month visa, allowing you to stay 60 days at a time, but with multiple entries. So after 60 days you must leave, but can then re-enter and activate a further 60 days.

Application Process:

Obtaining a tourist visa is the least difficult visa to obtain as there are few requirements.

You apply for a tourist visa in your home country from the Thai Embassy or a Thai consulate.

If you need extra time in Thailand, you can extend your tourist visa by 30 days at a local immigration office (before it expires). There is a 1,900 Baht fee for each extension.

The extension of stay, as well as the change of a certain type of visa, is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer.

I have detailed the requirements for obtaining a tourist visa from the Thai embassy in the UK.

You should check the Thai embassy website of your home country to see if these requirements differ at all. In my experience, the only difference is usually the balance required to be shown on your bank statement

Also note that single entry tourist visa are easy to obtain from countries neighboring Thailand such as Laos or Cambodia.

It is quite common for people to arrive in Thailand on a 30-day exemption and then decide they want to stay longer. They then do a visa run  to one of the neighboring countries and visit the Thai embassy there to obtain a tourist visa.

Single Entry Requirements (maximum stay of up to 60 days)

• A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application.
• Visa application form completely filled out.
• Two recent passport photos

Multiple Entry Requirements (maximum stay of up to 60 days each entry):

• Two recent passport photos.
• Original bank statement of the applicant showing a balance of least £5,000 (for 6 months) or a print out with official stamp of the bank*
•  A letter from the applicant's employer in the UK or Ireland, and addressed to the Royal Thai Embassy. – If you are self-employed, your self-assessment and a company registration document are required.
•  A photocopy of the confirmed return air ticket to Thailand.
•  A photocopy of the confirmed hotel reservation in Thailand.

The Benefits

In most cases, the single entry visa will be enough. But for those who want to spend 6-months at a time here (leaving every 60-days) the 6-month visa is a bonus option.

The advantage of entering the country with this visa is that you'll have 60 days instead of the standard 30 on arrival.

This means that should you want to attend an extra full moon party, or spend longer with your Thai girl/boyfriend, you won't have to to do a visa run to buy some time.

I have a full tourist visa guide with further information at the link below.

+ Read the full tourist visa guide

2. The Work/Business Visa (Non-Immigrant “B” Visa)

Many people come to Thailand to teach English as a second language, while others relocate here for work, to invest, or conduct international business.

The B visa process is fairly simple and, if done correctly, can be just another simple check off your to-do list before coming to source that next big import product from Thailand.

This is a bit tricky to stipulate because there is no set business visa, rather a category (B) for which you have to submit documents depending on the business-related reason you require this type of visa.

For most work-related type visas you need the following:

• 2 passport photos
• A medical certificate
• A valid passport (6 months validity for a single entry, and 18 months for a multiple entry)
• A letter of employment
• A certificate of your degree
• Proof of funds of 20,000 Baht (per person)

Work Permit:

Note that this visa isn't a work permit. A work permit is obtained separately inside Thailand, and usually by your employer.

If you want to work in Thailand, you should apply for an initial 90-Day Non-Immigrant B Visa from your home country under the employment category.

The work permit application then takes place during the initial 90 days of your visa.

Once you have a work permit, 90-day reporting to any Thai Immigration Office is required. You'll also need a  re-entry permit if you wish to travel outside of the country. The good news is that renewal of this visa can be done inside Thailand.

As with all types of visa, the B visa must be obtained in your home country or a country other than Thailand.

A single-entry is valid for three months, and the multiple-entry is valid for 1 year – but you must leave every 90 days. You also have the option to extend at a local immigration office, if you can't leave.

The Benefits:

On a multiple-entry B visa you are allowed to stay in Thailand for 90 days at a time. You are also able to open a bank account,  as well as obtain a work permit, if needed.

The B visa covers the following types of work-related activity:

• To conduct business
• To attend a business conference
• To attend a scuba diving course
• To take a kick boxing course (Muay Thai)
• To take a massage course

The B visa will suit those prospecting for business in Thailand and having meetings with Thai companies, or attending seminars and trade shows.

3. The Retirement Visa – ‘O-A' & ‘O' Routes

What better way to retire than on the shores of Thailand’s world famous beaches, or in the quiet hills of Nakhon Nowhere?

Thailand’s yearlong tropical climate makes it a great place to put your feet up and truly enjoy retirement at a slower pace, or not, as the case may be.

The retirement visa is also referred to as the Non-Immigrant “O-A” visa, and is applied for in your home country.

This visa enables you to enter Thailand and be stamped in for a year. Once that year is up, you have the option of a visa extension to continue your stay, which is done inside Thailand.

However, there is a way to obtain a retirement visa (or extension as it is officially known) inside of Thailand, for which the requirements are less laborious. I will cover both, first starting with the O-A visa.

O-A Requirements:

You must be at least 50-years-old and provide a clean criminal background check.

You will need the equivalent of 800k Baht in your bank account to prove financial stability.

You will also need a medical checkup showing that you are free of specific diseases and not on drugs.

Lastly, you are required to have a general health insurance policy that covers ฿40,000 out-patient and ฿400,000 in-patient treatment.

At the time of writing, every person visiting Thailand must also have an insurance policy that covers COVID-19 treatment up to 100k USD.

Once inside Thailand, you will be subject to 90-day reporting at a local immigration office.  In short, this means visiting your local immigration office every 3 months with some paperwork, or reporting online.

I have a specific O-A visa post that goes into more detail. You can find that here.

O-A Application Process:

The application for the O-A visa is made in your home country at the local Thai embassy. This can currently be done online.

Non-Immigrant O Requirements:

You can avoid having to get the medical check and police check required for an O-A visa by applying for a single entry Non Immigrant O Visa in your home country.

You will need the following:

• Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months and at least 2 blank pages, as well as the photocopy of passport. The actual passport must be submitted with the visa application form.
• 2 recent photos (taken within the past 6 months)
• Supporting documents for the purpose of your visit to Thailand.
• A copy of your pension statement, if you are a pensioner, or a copy of monthly bank statement showing your income from pension, or a 3-month bank statement of at least £10,000 (UK).

Upon entering Thailand with a Non Immigrant O visa, you will be given a 90-day stay.

Once you are on the last 30 days of this visa, you can file for your 1-year extension of stay based on retirement.

However, before that you will need to open a Thai bank account, because there is a financial requirement. You need to prove that, prior to your application, you have had 800k Baht in a Thai bank account for the period of 60 days.

To prove this, you will need an updated bank book, and a letter from your bank stating that the 800k Baht has been deposited in the account from an overseas source for a period of not less than 60 days.

Or, another option to meet the financial requirement is to show a monthly income of 65,000 Baht. To do this, you will need a letter from your embassy in Thailand verifying your monthly income.

If your embassy does not issue income letters ( this applies to the UK, US, and Australian embassies), you will need to provide a 12-month bank statement history showing a regular deposit of 65,000 Baht into a Thai bank account.

This will be problematic if you have only been in Thailand for a couple of months, so if your embassy does not issue income letters then you'll have to go down the route of showing a lump sum of 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account.

Also note that you must keep the 800,000 Baht in your Thai bank account for 3 months after you apply for your extension. And, after those 3 months, you must keep a minimum of 400,000 Baht in the same account.

Non-Immigrant O Application Process:

Apply for the visa in your home country, from you local Thai embassy. Then, once in Thailand, apply for your 1-year extension of stay, based on retirement, after 60 days.

The large majority of people obtain a retirement extension in Thailand rather than applying for an 0-A visa in their home country, quite simply because it's easier.  I have a comprehensive step-by-step retirement visa guide (see link below).

+ Read the Retirement Visa Guide

You can stay up to one year with this visa, as well as renew (extend,) the visa, every year, from inside of Thailand. That means you don't need to leave and do those horrible visa runs!

4. The Marriage Visa (Based On Having a Non Immigrant O Visa)

Online, on vacation, at a bar on Khao San Road, it doesn’t matter where you fell in love, it just matters that you did.

If you have found yourself  lucky enough to have found the one and tied the knot, you may be thinking about moving to Thailand on a marriage visa.

The marriage visa is technically known as a 1-Year Extension of Stay Based on Marriage, because, like the Non O retirement route, you do the extension of stay inside Thailand.

In a nutshell, you apply for a Non Immigrant O Visa in your home country, then go to Thailand and extend the visa for one year so that you don't need to leave the country.

There are two possibilities here:

• Apply for a 90-day Non Immigrant O Visa (single entry). This can be applied for in your home country, or a neighboring country to Thailand such as Laos.
• Apply for a 1-Year Non-Immigrant O visa (multiple entry). This can only be obtained from your home country / country of residence.

The difference between these two visas is that the first option is single entry and the second option is multiple entry.

The second option is valid for 1-year but in sections of 90 days, so you must leave before 90-days is up, and then re-enter to activate a further 90 days.

When you apply for a visa, you will be doing so on the basis of being married to a Thai national. You will therefore need to submit your marriage certificate and a copy of your wife’s ID with your application.

Either option will enable you to extend your visa and stay in the country without having to leave. This is called an ‘extension of stay based on marriage', often referred to as a ‘marriage visa'.

Once inside Thailand, in order to get the 1-year extension of stay, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be married to a Thai national.
• Have a clean criminal record.
• Demonstrate a monthly income of at least 40,000 Baht, or 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank account for 60+ days prior to applying.
• You will need to provide evidence of your income by way of a letter from your embassy, or evidence of your 400,000 Baht deposit by way of an up to date bank book and a letter from the bank.

The marriage visa is renewable (extendable) on a yearly basis and the process can be completed inside Thailand.

The requirements to renew (extend) are the same. You must also report every 90 days to the nearest immigration office with your current address.

Remember that if you want to travel outside of Thailand after having obtained your retirement visa, you will need a re-entry permit to do so. If you don’t get one, your visa will be cancelled when you exit the country.

You can apply for a re-entry permit at an immigration office, or at the international airport before leaving the country.

Note that the re-entry permit does not apply to a 1-year multiple entry visa, but rather a visa which was extended in Thailand for the period of 12 months.

+ Read more about re-entry permits here

*Please note: The UK, US and Australian embassies are no longer issuing income letters to their citizens. This means that nationals of these two countries will need to go down the lump sum money route of having 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank account for 60+ days prior to applying.

For the second year renewal, you could use the income route, if you can show statements proving that 40,000 Baht has been paid into your Thai bank account, each month, for 12 months consecutively.

Obtaining a Non Immigrant O Visa based on marriage is fairly straight forward. Simply apply at a Thai embassy or consulate inside your home country and provide the following:

• A copy and translation of your marriage certificate
• A copy of your wife's passport or ID card.
• 3 months bank statements showing a monthly income of more than £1,500 Baht (amount based on requirements of London Thai Embassy).*

*Requirements may differ slightly between countries.

Once you have a Non-Immigrant O Multiple Entry Visa, or a 90-day Non Immigrant visa, you can travel to Thailand and activate the visa upon entry.

The 1-year extension can be applied for during the last 30 days of your 90-day permit to stay and, providing you meet the financial requirements, the processing time usually takes about one month.

Note: if you have the Multiple Entry Non Immigrant O Visa, you don't need to do the 1-year extension, if you don't want to. You could just leave the country every 90 days and re-enter to activate a further 90 days.

Once you have a marriage visa (extended Non Immigrant O Visa based on marriage), you can stay in Thailand for a full year without needing to leave the country.

You are also allowed to work, if you are able to obtain a valid Thai work permit to go along with the marriage visa.

Lastly, if you don't apply to extend for a year by following the financial requirements listed above, you can always extend your visa for a further 60 days at a local immigration office, making it last 5 months. I wrote a post on how to do this here.

For further information on obtaining a marriage visa, please see the link below.

+ Read the marriage visa guide here

5. The Education Visa (1-year Non-Immigrant ED Visa)

Believe it or not, this has been the most illegally exploited visa over the years.

The ED visa, as it's known, became a popular way to long-stay in Thailand with minimal financial commitment: Simply sign up to learn Thai for a year with a language school and voila! you get an education visa.

Of course, people weren't really learning Thai and, after a number of years, the Thai government began asking immigration officers to conduct random basic Thai tests on those who'd supposedly been learning the language for a few years.

Needless to say, those who couldn't answer very basic questions had their visas cancelled.

If you do apply for an Ed visa, make sure you go to at least one lesson a week!.

You can apply for the Education Visa in your home country, though most people come in on a tourist visa and then decide they want to stay and find a school to study at. The school then duly sorts out the paperwork with the Ministry of Education so that you can get your visa.

If you are accepted, which you most likely will be, you will then have to leave Thailand and apply for the Non-Immigrant ED Visa at any Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand. Most people hop over to Laos to do this.

People of every nationality can apply for a 1-year Non-Immigrant Education Visa. Though nationals of the following countries must apply in their own country: Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Sri-Lanka and Middle Eastern countries – don't ask me why!

From inside your own country, you'll need the usual documentation:

• Passport, with a validity of not less than 6 months.
• Recent 4 x 6 cm photograph.
• Letter from the school you're going to study at confirming your place.
• For those who intend to study in a private institution, you may require an official letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand or other sub-authorities concerned, which is basically an approval of your enrollment and a copy of your registration certificate.

Note that there are slightly different documents required for internships and other more specific areas of study.

It's actually much easier to apply for an education visa inside of Thailand. This is because the language schools are crying out for students and are therefore willing to do all the legwork required to sign you up.

The only hassle is having to go to Laos or any other country in the surrounding region to get your ED Visa. But as I'm sure you can tell, this is why the ED Visa became such a popular route for the “Oh my God, I don't want to go home. How can I stay here for longer?” traveler.

On arrival back in Thailand you will be permitted to stay for 90 days. Once you have the school paperwork, you can extend your stay every 90 days at the Bangkok Immigration Office for the duration of the course (up to a maximum of 3 years).   The fee is 1,900 Baht for an extension.

Note that if you have a single entry ED Visa, when you want to travel abroad, you have to get a re-entry permit to leave and come back in. This can be conveniently done at Suvarnabhumi Airport before you leave.

You get to stay Thailand long-term and don't have to leave every 90 days, as you would on some of the other Non Immigrant O visas (where the financial requirement hasn't been met to extend).

However you do have to report to immigration every 90 days to let them know your address. You can do this up to 7 days before the due date.

Single entry ED Visa holders also have to get a re-entry permit if they want to travel abroad, so it's best to get a multiple entry from the outset.

All in all, this visa is a good choice if you want to stay long term, and learn Thai, of course!

6. The Thailand Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa is a multiple entry visa, valid for five years, and renewable as long as the membership is still valid. It's the easiest way to stay in Thailand long-term, with a bunch of fringe benefits, but my gosh, you will pay through the teeth for it.

With the basic package starting at a cool 500,000 Baht, you will be granted a 1-year stay, with an extension possible at the end of the year.

The only requirement is that you have the cash. Oh, and that you aren't a known criminal or banned from the country for violating your visa conditions, or committing any other crime..

Despite the prestige of this visa, you still have to do 90-day address reporting like the rest of the commoners. No stress though, your Thailand Elite personal liaison office will handle this for you, apparently.

Other benefits include: a concierge service at the airport (they greet you and get you a limo to your hotel)

• Spa treatments
• A health checkup
• Discount shopping
• Cheaper banking with Bangkok Bank
• And a bunch of other stuff you might not use.

+ Read more about the Elite Visa here

Visa Overstay Rules!

Once you have your visa you will need to abide by the conditions of that visa, the main one being that you don't overstay. This means you must leave or extend your visa before the date given on your most recent entry stamp.

Make a note of when your entry stamp expires and set a reminder in your phone. Once your stamp has expired, you are on overstay, which costs your 500 Baht per day. This is paid in full as your try to leave the country, or before then if you get caught.

This daily accruing fine is now accompanied by an entry ban for severe offenders, for which you could receive a ban for as long as 10 years.

If you overstay and turn yourself in, you will get banned for one year for staying more than 90 days, banned three years for staying more than one year, banned five years for staying more than three years, and last but not least, banned for 10 years for staying more than five years.

If you need to extend a visa, you can do so by applying for permission at the Office of Immigration Bureau, located at:

Government Center B Chaengwattana Soi 7 Laksi Bangkok 10210 Tel 0-2141-9889.

Be aware of your expiration date and don’t overstay your welcome, or you may not ever be able to come back to paradise!

Don't see the type of visa you want listed in this post? Confused and need some advice? Have I made a mistake? Leave a comment below and let me know!

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Last Updated on January 27, 2022

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Thailand Visa & Residency Guide

Thailand offers a variety of visas if you want to stay in the country for an extended period. In this post, we’ll go over some of the most popular visas in Thailand and what you need to know to apply for them. Whether you’re planning to study, work, or retire in Thailand, there’s a visa that’s right for you.

Tourist visa to enter the country

For temporary stay (up to 30 days), most nationalities can enter without a visa under the Visa Exemption scheme. If you’re not eligible, you can apply for a 15-day visa on arrival.

A single-entry tourist visa

If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for a 60-day Single Entry Tourist Visa. You can do it online or in a Thai Embassy in your country of residence.  

Validity:  The visa is valid for three months from the date of approval, which means you have three months to enter Thailand from the date your visa is approved. 

Once in Thailand, you will receive a ‘permit to stay’ stamp in your passport for 60 days. 

The required documents : a current passport with at least six months validity and two blank pages, a printout of the visa application form submitted online, travel booking confirmation, proof of accommodation in Thailand, financial evidence, and confirmation of legal residence in the country where you apply for the visa if you are not a citizen. 

Costs: $30—$50, depending on where you apply.

When you arrive in Thailand, you need to provide your passport with the approved visa attached (if you applied at an embassy), a confirmation letter of visa approval (if you applied online), a confirmed exit flight from the country, confirmed accommodation, and a financial statement or bank statement showing funds available.

If you want to extend your 60-day stay, visit a local Thai Immigration Office before your tourist visa expires.

You must pay 1900 Thai Baht in cash when applying for the extension. Thai Immigration offices are not open on weekends.

Are border runs still an option?

The Thai immigration law limits the 30-day Visa Entries to 2 border runs per year. 

If your nationality is on the Visa Exemption List and you are entering Thailand via border posts at Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia without securing a prior visa, the border control will give you a 30-day visa exemption stamp two times per calendar year, from January 1 to December 31. That means you can enjoy three total stays a year, each is 30-days long. 

The multiple-entry tourist visa

This visa is valid for six months and allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days at a time.

You can extend your stay for an additional 30 days at an immigration office for a fee of 1,900 THB.

The METV costs $200, and you can only apply outside Thailand. It’s a good option if you travel frequently and want flexibility. However, it’s more expensive than the Single Entry Tourist Visa.

Retirement visa O-A

The Non-Immigrant “O-A” Visa is specifically for retirees aged 50 years and above who wish to live in Thailand long term.

Eligibility:  You must be at least 50 years old, have proof of retirement or pension income of at least 65,000 THB (approximately $2,050) per month, or have a bank account in Thailand with a minimum balance of 800,000 THB (about $25,200), or a combination of both.

Application process:  You must apply at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand or the Thai Immigration Bureau within the country. Required documents may include a valid passport, proof of retirement or pension income, bank statements, and other supporting documents.

Length of stay:  A retirement visa allows you to stay in Thailand for one year, with the option of renewing for an additional one-year period. After that, you have to re-apply.

Reporting requirements:  Retirement visa holders are required to report their residential address to the Thai Immigration Bureau every 90 days and to update their financial status every year.

Retirement Visa (O-X) for 10 years in Thailand

Purpose:  This visa is for people aged 50 and above who want to stay in Thailand for up to 10 years without working. 

Eligibility:  You must be at least 50 years old, have a passport from eligible countries, such as Japan, Australia, USA, Canada, etc., and apply at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You must have no criminal record, no prohibitive diseases, and not be prohibited from entering Thailand. You need to have either 3 million bahts in a Thai bank or 1.8 million bahts in a Thai bank and an annual income of at least 1.2 million bahts. You also need Thai health insurance coverage for outpatient treatment of at least 40,000 bahts and inpatient treatment of at least 400,000 bahts.

Validity:  The visa is valid for five years from the date of issue and can be extended for another five years at the Immigration Bureau. After that, you have to re-apply.

Period of stay:  You can stay in Thailand for up to 5 years at a time, for ten years.

Required documents:  A valid passport, completed visa application forms with photos, a bank statement or proof of income, a letter of verification of no criminal record, a medical certificate, and health insurance.

Health insurance for A-O and A-X visas

When you come to your local immigration office to apply for a retirement extension, you must have a health insurance policy from an approved Thai insurance provider. The approved providers are LMG, The Viriyah, Pacific Cross, Falcon, Thaivivat, AXA Insurance Thailand, Navakij, Dhipaya, Asia Insurance, Aetna and Sompo Insurance.

Your policy must cover a minimum of 40,000 Baht outpatient and 400,000 Baht inpatient costs.

The Thai Elite Visa

This visa is the best way to avoid lengthy bureaucracy and paperwork. You will only need to send the required documents and then turn up in person when the visa is issued at the Thai Embassy abroad, at Suvarnabhumi Airport, or at the Bangkok immigration office, whichever is more convenient for you. In short, you pay a required fee (a membership fee), and an elite visa agent will do everything needed to obtain this visa. 

Required documents : a copy of the profile page of your passport, a coloured ID photo with white background, a completed Thai Elite Visa application form, and a copy of proof of relationship for any family member applying with you.

The application process : Through a specialized agent. The application process takes 4 to 12 weeks.

Here are the costs and benefits of various Elite Visa packages:

Elite Easy Access : Valid for five years, costs 600,000 Thai baht with no annual fee, and no age restrictions.

Elite Family Excursion : minimum two persons, valid for five years, costs 800,000 Thai baht for two people and 300,000 Thai baht for every additional family member. No annual fee.

Elite Family Alternative: valid for five years and renewable for another five years, costs 800,000 Thai baht for the main applicant and 700,000 Thai baht for every additional family member. No annual fee.

Elite Privilege Access : valid for five years and renewable for another five years, costs 1,000,000 Thai baht with no annual fee. For an additional family member, there is a fee of 800,000 Thai baht.

Elite Superiority Extension : valid for five years and renewable three times each time for another five years, costs 1 million Thai baht. No annual fee.

Elite Ultimate Privilege : valid for five years and renewable three times each time for another five years, costs 2.14 million Thai baht. Annual fee of 21,400 Thai baht. Members must be over 20 years old. Plus, some very attractive complimentary services are thrown into this package.

Elite Family Premium : available only for family members of Elite Ultimate Privilege members, valid for five years and renewable three times each time for another five years, costs 1 million Thai baht with an annual fee of 10,000 Thai baht.

The Elite Visa summary

Length of stay:  The Thai Elite Visa holder can stay in the country for up to 1 year on each visit.

Validity : The Elite Visa is a five-year multiple-entry visa with a one-year extendable length of stay per entry.

• The Thai Elite Visa financial requirement (membership fee) is non-refundable.
• The visa doesn’t need to be renewed every year.
• You don’t have to pay income taxes in Thailand as a Thai Elite Visa holder, and you can own condominiums or obtain a long-term lease on the land to build a house.
• A 90-day address reporting requirement can be done on your behalf. 
• Buying healthcare insurance is not a requirement.

Privileges and benefits: the more expensive the package is, the more benefits and privileges you can enjoy, including free access to airport lounges, airport transfers, golf and spa access, complimentary health check-ups, etc.

The long-term resident visa (LTRV)

The Long-Term Resident Visa is only available to four categories of wealthy foreigners: Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Retirees, Work From Thailand Professionals, and Highly Skilled Professionals.

Wealthy Global Citizens must have at least $1,000,000 USD in assets, a personal annual income of at least $80,000 USD in the last 2 years, and make an investment of at least $500,000 USD in Thai Government bonds, foreign direct investments, or Thai property.

Wealthy Pensioners must be over 50 years old and have an annual or stable income exceeding $80,000 USD. If the pensioner earns less than $80,000 USD per year, they must invest $250,000 USD in Thai Government bonds, foreign direct investments, or Thai property.

Work From Thailand Professionals must have a minimum personal income of $80,000 USD per year in the past two years or a master’s degree or above, own intellectual property, or receive Series A funding. They must also work for a public company on a stock market or a private company in operation for at least three years with a combined revenue of at least $150 million USD in the last three years.

Highly Skilled Professionals must have a minimum personal income of $80,000 USD per year in the past two years or a master’s degree or above in science and technology or special expertise relevant to the job assignment in Thailand. They must also work for businesses in any targeted industries, higher education institutions, research institutions, specialized training institutions, or Thai Government agencies.

Family members of LTR Visa holders, including spouses and children under 20 years of age, can also be granted similar visas.

Health insurance is required for all categories of LTR Visa holders, with a minimum coverage of $50,000 USD or a deposit of at least $100,000 USD.

Education visa

If the visas mentioned above don’t tick the boxes, another alternative is an Education Visa.  

Purpose:  With this visa, you can study Thai, martial arts, Buddhism, massage, yoga, Thai cooking or any other discipline in Thailand.

Eligibility : courses must be booked in a school or organization accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Application : You have to apply from outside of Thailand. If you are already in Thailand, you can apply from any neighbouring country once you book the course and receive the confirmation.

Validity : The visa is valid for 90 days

Period of stay:  The initial 90-day visa can be extended to 8 months. If you enrol in a longer course, you must apply for a new ED Visa after eight months to finish the course. 

Required documents : passport valid for at least six months, a completed visa application form, 4cm x 6cm photo taken in the last six months, letter of acceptance from the school, if you are taking a private course, an official letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand that was mentioned above. Your school will provide a complete list of required documents. There may be other documents. Your school will consult you on this. 

90-day reporting requirement

Holders of Non-Immigrant visas, as a rule, must report their current address to a Thai immigration office every 90 days. This can be done in person at the Thai immigration office, by mail, or through an agent with a Power of Attorney.

If you are outside Thailand on the date your 90-day reporting is due, you do not need to report your status. Your 90-day reporting will begin again from the day you re-enter Thailand.

Other visa options

If you’re married to a Thai national, you can apply for a Marriage Visa . You first need to obtain a non-immigrant visa and then convert it to a Marriage Visa that allows you to stay in Thailand for the whole year without leaving the kingdom or going to the border.

If you want to do business legally in Thailand, you can apply for a Business Visa , also known as a Non-Immigrant Business Visa. With this visa, you can get a work permit and open a bank account, but you’ll still need to do a visa run every 90 days.

Converting your existing visa to a Permanent Resident Visa

Finally, if you’ve been in Thailand for three consecutive years with one-year visa extensions, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa. 

There are income requirements. You must present your three years of personal tax statements proving that your monthly income is at least 80,000 Baht.

What’s there for digital nomads?

The main issue with the above options is that nothing caters explicitly to digital nomads. Meanwhile, there’s a big community of digital nomads in the country who usually use a combination of tourist visas and frequent border runs, ED visas or other suitable options from the list.

Re-entry permits for single-entry visa holders

The majority of the affordable options are single-entry visas. If this is your case and you must travel out of Thailand and return during your stay, get a re-entry permit before leaving the country. The permit can be bought at the airport or an immigration office. Currently, the fees are 1,000 Baht for a single re-entry, and 3,800 Baht for a multiple re-entry permit.

Final thoughts on visa and residency options in Thailand

As you can see, the visas available are more geared towards people who want to study, work, or retire in Thailand.

If you plan to retire, there are some solid options residence-wise, with an O-A visa being the most affordable variant. That being said, there are some options available for digital nomads, although the affordable ones only allow for short-term stays and require you to leave the country frequently.

So, if you’re a digital nomad looking to stay in Thailand for a while, you’ll need to do some research and figure out which visa works best for you. It’s not a perfect system, but with a little planning, you can make it work.

You might find useful:

• The Cost Of Living In Thailand – a complete guide
• Best Places To Live In Thailand
• Moving To Thailand Guide
• Best Places To Retire In Thailand
• Didn’t find what you were looking for? Comment with your question, and we will do our best to help.
• Need help relocating to Thailand? Contact us .

Hi Olga, my wife and I have been living on north Cyprus for fifteen years, and have decided to move on, Thailand being one of the places we are interested in.

We are both retired, receiving UK state pensions, and my military pension. We also have some savings.

In short, what would be the best visa, health insurance, to allow us to stay for – could be the rest of our lives? And, can all this be done online, or best to get in country to sort things out?

Regards, Malcolm.

Hi Malcolm, thanks for the comment. Has North Cyrus become a bit too small for you? I lived there for a while and have very sweet memories of the place… Regarding Thailand, the best visa option for you is any subcategory of the retirement visa. Probably, committing to the O-X visa at once is not very wise unless you are absolutely sure that Thailand is your destination. You might want to opt for O-A first. If you want to apply for a retirement visa (let’s say O-A) you can do so in South Cyprus in Nicosia – there’s a Thai Consulate. It might be worth giving them a call and having a chat about the exact list of documents they want. Another options (the easiest) is to enter Thailand as tourists and sort everything out in the country. You will need some help for this. You can find services there to help you, or I can put you in touch with a relocation advisory who has an advisor in Thailand who can organise everything for you from legalities to helping with housing, health insurance, advice on the areas, etc. Let me know if you are interested. Wishing you all the best,

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Applying for e-Visa

From 1 November 2022, The Royal Thai Embassy in Rome has launched an e-Visa application. Applicants are required to submit their documents online through the website  https://thaievisa.go.th

Click here for the fees of each visa category. The Embassy has no involvement in the charges of any fee or cost incurred from the services of a third party.

VISA PROCESSING TIME: UP TO 14 WORKING DAYS (UP TO 14 WORKING DAYS DURING HIGH SEASON)

Applicants are recommended to apply for the visa in advance at least 15 days before the expected date of arrival.

Do not apply for a visa earlier than 3 months (90 days) before you arrive in Thailand.

Applicants are advised to read the common mistakes, in order to avoid any possible mistakes, which could lead to the cancellation or rejection of the applications. Application processing fees (visa fees) will  NOT be refunded in all cases.

The Embassy  CANNOT  edit your personal details for you.

Common mistakes when applying for Thai e-Visas

Validity of visa & period of stay.

Visa Exemption

The holders of Italian and Sammarinesepassports are entitled for visa exemption on arrival in Thailand and eligible to stay in the country for tourism purposes up to 30 days.

• Foreigners entering Thailand by any means under the Visa Exemption scheme are required at the port of entry to have proof of planned travel (confirmed air, train, bus, or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 30 days of the arrival date.  Otherwise, a visa must be obtained before entering Thailand.
• For traveling to Thailand by land and sea, Italian and Sammarinesepassport holders are eligible for Visa Exemption Scheme with a maximum of twice in a calendar year. 
• The Tourist Visa Exemption scheme only applies to foreigners holding passports issued by the countries listed below.  (Travel documents for foreigners issued by these countries are not acceptable)

>> click here

Tourist Visa

Tourism, short visit, or medical. Tourist (TR) visa holders will be permitted to stay in Thailand for  up to 60 days.

Transit Visa

For transit, sports activities, or crew members

Non-Immigrant Visa O (Family of a Thai national)

Visiting family

Family of a Thai national (Immediate family includes spouse and children)

Non-Immigrant Visa O (Retirement)

The holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 90 days. Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Applicants applying for a Non-Immigrant O visa for retirement purposes must be at least 50 years of age and above 

Non-Immigrant O-A (Long-stay)

Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year. Employment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Applicants applying for a Non-Immigrant O-A visa for retirement purpose must be at least 50 years of age and above. 

For foreigners staying in Thailand with this type of visa, notification of stay every 90 days with the immigration bureau is required.

Non-Immigrant Visa O-X (Long Stay 10 years)

This type of visa is issued to foreign nationals who intend to enter the Kingdom of Thailand for an extended period of time for their retirement and recreation. 

The visa holder is allowed to stay in Thailand for up to 10 years with multiple entries.

Non-Immigrant Visa B (Work & Business)

Conducting business or working

Ordinary passport holder who wishes to enter the Kingdom for conducting business or working is subjected to be granted a Non-Immigrant B Visa.

Non-Immigrant Visa ED (Education)

This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom to study, to come on a work-study tour or observation tour, to participate in projects, seminars, or internship programme, to attend a conference or training course, and to study as a foreign Buddhist monk.

*The applicant will be issued a Non-Immigrant ED visa only if the internship is mandatory for the curricular. Non-Immigrant B visa will be issued otherwise.

ONLY A SINGLE ENTRY IS GRANTED

Non-Immigrant - Other Categories

Long term resident visa (ltr).

For information, please visit:

http://www.thaiembassy.it/images/Announce_LTR_EN.pdf

https://ltr.boi.go.th/

Non-Immigrant Visa F

Government or diplomatic mission

Diplomatic Visa/Official Visa

A diplomatic visa is for a diplomatic passport /red UN Laissez-Passer holder visiting Thailand for official purposes or be posted in Thailand.

• Holders of diplomatic passport /red UN Laissez-Passer visiting Thailand for official duties or activities on behalf of their national government or international organization will be granted a Diplomatic Visa “F”.
• Holders of diplomatic passport /red UN Laissez-Passer expected to be posted in Thailand will be granted a Diplomatic Visa “D”.

An official Visa is for official passport / blue UN Laissez-Passer holder visiting Thailand for official duties or be posted in Thailand.

Visa-on-Arrival

Passport holders from the following countries and territories may apply for a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at 42 designated immigration checkpoints (including all international airports) when traveling for tourism purpose and will allow to stay in the country up to 30 days* 

* From 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023, the period of stay for visa-on-arrival is extended from 15 days to 30 days.

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Ethiopia                        Fiji                              Georgia                        India                          

Kazakhstan                  Malta                          Mexico                         Nauru

Papua New Guinea     Romania                     Saudi Arabia                Taiwan

Uzbekistan                   Vanuatu

Please visit the Immigration Bureau website for  online Visa on Arrival Application

Executives, entrepreneurs or investors

For more information, please visit  http://smart-visa.boi.go.th/smart/

List of nationalities that required additional documents

Additional documents can be required from passport holders from the list below, as the Thai embassy may require approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand before the applicant’s visa can be issued. 

This may require additional time up to 4-6 weeks.  Please allow enough time for processing.

List of nationalities that required Additional Health Document (Yellow fever vaccination certificate)

An additional health document (international health certificate on yellow fever vaccination) can be required from passport holders from the list below.

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• Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

Evidence of adequate finance for Single-Entry Tourist Visa

By ChinChan February 1, 2023 in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

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I read on the website of the Thai Embassy in Vientiane (Laos):

Required documents for the application of a single-entry Tourist Visa:

Evidence of adequate finance:  3-month financial statements with an average balance of 20,000 baht per person.

Question 1. How do I provide this financial statement? Can I just screenshot it from my bank-account?

Question 2. What do they exactly want to see on this financial statement? Do I need to provide every bank-transaction of my bank-account in the last 3 months?

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2. They are only interested in the balance in your account.

Not sure how you can get a statement with only the  balance shown.

In January I sent an obfuscated statement (in PDF format) showing the last month with current balance clearly showing - accepted.

Their wording is pretty clear. You might get away with giving them a screenshot instead of an actual statement, and/or with a document that shows your current balance instead of the 3 months they're asking for, but is it worth the risk?

Most of the banks I'm using have a feature in their app that allows me to download a PDF statement for months I can select (typically going back 12 months max). That's what I'd do, for the current months plus the 3 previous ones, and print it.

As long as the current balance is 20,000+ baht and the statement covers 3+ months, as requested, I don't think they're interested in individual transactions, so I'd probably do that for a savings account that has few if any transactions within those 3 months. 

1 hour ago, Caldera said: Their wording is pretty clear. You might get away with giving them a screenshot instead of an actual statement, and/or with a document that shows your current balance instead of the 3 months they're asking for, but is it worth the risk?   Most of the banks I'm using have a feature in their app that allows me to download a PDF statement for months I can select (typically going back 12 months max). That's what I'd do, for the current months plus the 3 previous ones, and print it.   As long as the current balance is 20,000+ baht and the statement covers 3+ months, as requested, I don't think they're interested in individual transactions, so I'd probably do that for a savings account that has few if any transactions within those 3 months. 

That is incorrect. Please see my post above - 1 month was acceptable.

Oh and sadly, the wording is not clear or if it is, I missed the clarity surrounding amounts and length of time shown.  I found the whole process contained several ambiguities

If I'm wrong (willing to admit if I am) please link me to what wording you're seeing.

3 minutes ago, VBF said: That is incorrect. Please see my post above - 1 month was acceptable.   Oh and sadly, the wording is not clear or if it is, I missed the clarity surrounding amounts and length of time shown.  I found the whole process contained several ambiguities If I'm wrong (willing to admit if I am) please link me to what wording you're seeing.

The wording that the OP quoted, obviously. Which is from the RTE's own website.

Assuming that you did in fact apply for a tourist visa in Vientiane as well, note my 2nd sentence. Sometimes they're lenient, but I wouldn't count on it and come prepared. 

As recently as November financial information was not an issue at the Vientiane land crossing from Nong Khai.

Is it now necessary to provide financial details at this crossing??

1 minute ago, plat said: As recently as November financial information was not an issue at the Vientiane land crossing from Nong Khai.   Is it now necessary to provide financial details??    

This is about the Thai embassy's requirements when processing a tourist visa application, not about immigration's requirements at the Nong Khai border checkpoint. 

14 minutes ago, Caldera said: The wording that the OP quoted, obviously. Which is from the RTE's own website.   Assuming that you did in fact apply for a tourist visa in Vientiane as well, note my 2nd sentence. Sometimes they're lenient, but I wouldn't count on it and come prepared. 

FYI I applied for mine via the London Embassy - here is their wording  https://www.thaievisa.go.th/tourist-visa  

But when you go through the process, what "evidence  of adequate finance" is acceptable and for how long the money needed to be held was not clear.    But i guess irrelevant to this discussion 

2 minutes ago, plat said: As recently as November financial information was not an issue at the Vientiane land crossing from Nong Khai.   Is it now necessary to provide financial details??    

If you are referring to entry visa exempt you are required to be able to show 20,000 baht (or equivalent in foreign currency) on you but they only rarely enforce this with Westerners.

If you really mean entering on a pre-issued visa, you do nto need t show anything at crossing as you already showed financials to get the visa.

Sorry, I misread the original post. I am interested in the visa for Laos.

(Surer is hot today in Thailand.)

Thanks for the responses.

26 minutes ago, plat said: Sorry, I misread the original post. I am interested in the visa for Laos. (Surer is hot today in Thailand.) Thanks for the responses.

It costs $40 at the bridge on the Laos side. You will complete a  application for it. 

You can also apply for it online.

https://laoevisa.gov.la/index

Did my tourist visa in uk last week just showed a screenshot of my latest bank statement.

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said: It costs $40 at the bridge on the Laos side. You will complete a  application for it.  You can also apply for it online. https://laoevisa.gov.la/index

In November at the Nong Khai-Vientiane crossing, payment options were THB 1,700 or USD 40.

Also of note is that documentation of Covid vaccination was demanded,

3 hours ago, ian carman said: Did my tourist visa in uk last week just showed a screenshot of my latest bank statement.

Ian you're making the same mistake I made (although you being a relative newbie at least have an excuse! ???? )

I did the same as you, in UK, but, one applies to the Embassy where one is currently situated - in our case London, in the case of the OP, Vientiane whose requirements may be different. Although one applies online, it seems to be up to individual Embassies / Consulates to set certain rules / requirements.

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Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for Thailand

Thailand has long been considered the tourist hub of South East Asia. People will arrive in the country, enjoy their time, and then head out to explore neighboring countries. Because of its welcoming locals, rich culture, exquisite food, beach, and mountain getaways, people know they will return. Many foreigners stay in Thailand for months and barely scratch the surface of discovering this beautiful country. This is why a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is the perfect travel solution.

Foreigners can enter Thailand for a holiday in many ways. If they are limited in time and are from a Visa Exempt country, they can visit for up to 30 days without needing a visa through Thailand’s Visa Exemption scheme . This scheme is open to 64 nationalities from around the world. If someone is not eligible for a visa exemption, they can organize a 15-day Visa on Arrival when they arrive in Thailand.

These are good if you are short on time or only intend to visit once, but to truly experience Thailand, you need time. If you plan to visit multiple countries during your stay in Asia, the Multiple Entry Visa is the quickest and cheapest way to plan your holiday.

What is a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa?

A Multi-Entry Tourist Visa allows foreign nationals unlimited entry to Thailand over a 6-month period. It is issued to people who visit the country for tourism, leisure, or medical purposes. 

A multi-entry visa allows the holder to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days per visit. A person could visit the islands in the south of Thailand, relax on the beach and learn to scuba dive for two months; fly to Vietnam and enjoy the sights of Saigon for a week or two; and then return to Thailand’s northern mountains to experience animal sanctuaries, Lan Na culture, and cook northern Thai food.

With a multi-entry visa, people can enter either by air, land, or sea. Many people arrive by plane and then leave by train or boat.

The visa is valid for 6 months after it is approved. This means that people have 6 months to use the visa and enter Thailand as often as they like from the date their visa is approved. It is easy to confuse visa validity with time spent in the country. Validity is how long you have to utilize or use the visa before needing to apply for a new one. Time in the country is the 60-day permission of stay. A stamp is placed in your passport for 60 days when you arrive, so a visitor can arrive on the last day of their visa validity and still get a full 60 days to stay in Thailand.

How to apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa

Many nationalities can now apply for their Thailand Multi-Entry Tourist Visa online at https://thaievisa.go.th/home . This system was updated during Covid and is often the simplest way to obtain a visa.

When applying for a visa online, applicants need to create an account and apply as individuals. Once the account is created, individuals will need the following documents:

• A current passport with no less than 6 months validity beyond the date of departure from Thailand and at least 2 blank pages. Applicants must complete online visa applications with their given name(s) and surname matching their passports.
• Printout of visa application form submitted online, with barcode
• Travel booking confirmation
• Proof of accommodation in Thailand, e.g. hotel booking, invitation letter from family or friend in Thailand
• Financial evidence showing a balance of 200,000 Thai Baht (approx. £5000, USD$5,5000, Aud$8000). This is to prove financial stability over a 6-month period. e.g. bank statements, proof of earnings, sponsorship letter from employer
• Confirmation of legal residence in the country where the application is submitted  (if applicants are not nationals of these countries) e.g. long stay visa, residence permit, BRP card

E-Visa applicants do not need to submit their passport and original supporting documents in person at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. After the e-Visa application has been approved, a confirmation email is sent to applicants. It is best to print a copy of the confirmation email when you are ready to travel. This will be presented to airlines and Thai Immigration officials when traveling to Thailand.

Certain countries are not eligible to apply for an E-Visa because additional documents are needed for approval. 

If you are unsure if eligible for an online visa or do not have access to the online application process, you can contact your local Thai Embassy and organize an appointment. Immigration requirements can change without notice, and many embassies will not allow walk-ins, so it is best to contact the embassy when you are ready to apply. They will confirm the costs and paperwork required.

Minimum documents needed:

• Passport with 6 months (after the intended date of departure from Thailand) validity and at least 2 empty pages.
• Visa application form completed and signed
• Proof of travel booking
• Proof of Accommodation
• Financial evidence – Bank statement or proof of earnings (equivalent to 200,000 Thai Baht)
• Letter of acceptance from institutes or companies organizing activities (if traveling for the purpose of scuba diving, martial arts, or culinary learning) 

All documents in a foreign language must be translated into English or Thai and certified before they will be approved.

The cost of a multi-entry tourist visa can vary from country to country, but an estimated cost is $150 – $250 USD. It is important to note that many embassies will only accept payment in $USD. Confirm cost and currency with your local Embassy or Consulate when making an initial query.

If you are applying online, the E-Visa system will confirm the payment due and process the payment through their secure payment portal.

Assistance with Visa Applications

The process for applying is straightforward and can be done yourself. If you would like help confirming documents are correct before lodging your application or wish to receive approval without going back and forth to embassy appointments, you can enlist the services of a Visa Assistance Agent . These agents are aware of current immigration requirements and will confirm documents are correct to avoid delays. They will liaise with embassies and consulates on your behalf.

Agents will charge a fee for their service but often save you time and money in the long run. They streamline your application process and speed up your approval. Agents can assist with online applications, though you may be required to pay the visa fee directly through E-Visa secure payment portal.

Tourist Visa Restrictions

As noted above, Multiple Entry Tourist Visas are for tourism, leisure, or medical purposes only. Foreigners cannot earn income, study long-term, or conduct volunteer activities in Thailand if they have entered with a tourist visa.

If you wish to take part in any of the above activities, you will need to look at long-term visa options. You can contact your local Thai embassy to discuss options, or seek assistance from a Visa Agent to apply for a long-term visa .

Arriving in Thailand

When you arrive in Thailand, you will need to provide the following documents at Passport Control:

• Passport with approved visa attached (if you applied at an Embassy)
• Confirmation letter of visa approval (if you applied online)
• Confirmed exit flight from the country no later than 60 days
• Confirmed accommodation (at least for the first night in the country)
• Current financial or bank statement showing funds available (200,000 Thai Baht equivalent)

A good practice is to print copies of these documents. Entry approval is at the discretion of immigration officers and presenting hard copies of these documents will speed your processing through Passport Control and help ease congestion at the airport.

Extending your Tourist Visa

If you decide you would like to stay for longer than 60 days before visiting somewhere else, it is possible to extend your stay in Thailand. Visitors with a Multi-Entry Tourist visa can extend their time in the country by 30 days by visiting a local Thai Immigration Office. An extension of stay will cost 1900 Thai Baht and must be paid in cash (Thai Baht) when applying for the extension. 

When you extend your stay, a new stamp will be placed in your passport for 30 days from the date you are at immigration, so it is best to do this towards the end of your 60-day visit.

You need to visit the office before your current stay period expires. Staying in the country past your exit date will cause an “overstay” and you will be fined 500 baht per day after your official exit date. An overstay is noted in your passport and can affect future visa applications. This extension of stay is only available in the country.

It is important to note that Thai Immigration offices are not open on weekends.

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