We often receive questions from our followers regarding the requirements for Thai tourist visas. This can be confusing for many, so we want to share our experience since making the big move to Thailand. This includes how to apply for a single entry and multiple entry Thai tourist visa (METV).
UPDATE: This post has been last updated in August 2017 to reflect the requirements of a single entry tourist visa and the new multiple entry tourist visa (METV), which has been issued since 13 November 2015.
A tourist visa is a great way to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days (on a single entry) or up to 270 days (on a multiple entry).
Requirements for Thai Tourist Visas (Single Entry)
What are the requirements for Thai tourist visas? If you’re are visiting Thailand for more than 30 days, you’ll need a single entry tourist visa. It is required prior to your arrival in Thailand that you apply for a single entry tourist visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General. You can do so in any country.
You will need to submit the following documents at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General:
- Your passport carrying at least 6 months validity with one blank visa page
- Photocopies of the main passport photo page, current Thai tourist visa page, TM.6 departure card, and latest entry stamp (sign all photocopies, too)
- Two 2″x 2″ passport photos take within 6 months
- Visa application form (copies should be available at whatever embassy or consulate you are applying)
- Proof of adequate funds (copy of your bank statement) in the amount equal to 20,000 THBÂ for individuals and 40,000 THBÂ for familiesÂ
- Proof of departure from ThailandÂ
- Processing fee (varies depending on the country of application, approximately equivalent to 40 USD)
You’ll find that some Royal Thai Embassy and Consulate-Generals have different requirements for tourist visas than others. For example, those in the USA require 40 USD per entry and payment must be by money order and cash is not accepted. On the other hand, Laos accepts cash only and the visa fee is 1,000 THB per entry.
You will usually have you leave your passport with the embassy or consulate while they process your visa application. Some Royal Thai Embassies or Consulate-Generals take more than one business day to process a visa application, so it’s guaranteed that you will spend at least one night in town.
Alternatively, you can mail in your application along with the required documents. Before you do anything, be sure to check the most up to date requirements for Thai tourist visas as they often change.
Requirements for Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)
Want to stay even longer? As of 13 November 2015, Thailand allows visitors longer stays (up to nine months) on an METV. This has replaced the now discontinued double and triple entry Thai tourist visas. We’ve written a separate post about the requirements for the new METV because they are far more extensive than the requirements for a single entry Thai tourist visa.
And just a word of warning, you must apply for the METV in your home country or country of residency. This is different from the single entry tourist visa for which (in most cases)Â you can apply for in any country.
Extension Requirements for Thai Tourist Visas
A single entry tourist visa can be extended for an extra 30 days (for a 90-day total stay in Thailand) by going to a local immigration office and applying for an extension. Every 60-day entry stamp you receive on an METV can also be extended by 30 days. We’ve also written an in depth post about our experience extending a tourist visa in Chiang Mai.
To apply at any immigration office in Thailand, you will need:
- Passport with a valid Thai tourist visa
- Photocopies of the photo page, current visa page, and immigration departure card
- One 2″x 2″ passport photo
- Extension of Temporary Stay Application Form (TM.7) (Be sure to print it double-sided, supplied at immigration offices)
- 1,900 THB cash
The 30-day extension is always tacked on after the 60th day of your original tourist visa. So whether you apply on the last possible day or a week prior to your 60-day entry stamp expiring, you will still receive a full 90 days in Thailand (original 60 days + 30 days extension). We recommend arriving at your local immigration office early to make sure you get in the queue.
| NOTE: You must have a visa to apply for a visa extension. However, if you received a 30-day visa exemption stamp you can still get an extension of 30Â days for 1,900 THB. |
What If You Overstay Your Tourist Visa?
As beautiful as the views are, they will be here waiting for you to return.
As per the immigration requirements for Thai tourist visas, every day that you go over your visa’s validity you must pay 500 THB. The maximum fine is 20,000 THB. It is up to the discretion of the immigration officer that is ‘stamping you out’ of Thailand to request that you are banned from Thailand if you overstay too long. Typically one day overstaying will not prompt a fine or a ban from Thailand.
Good luck with your visa application! The requirements for Thai tourist visas do change often, so we try hard to keep this guide up to date.
DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR HELP REGARDING INDIVIDUAL VISA SCENARIOS, WE ARE NO LONGER APPROVING COMMENTS ON THIS POST.
HOWEVER, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO FIND YOUR ANSWER IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. IF YOU WOULD LIKE PERSONALIZED ASSISTANCE, BOOK A COACHING SESSION WITH US.
Dear Chris and Angela! I hope you can help me to solve a difficulty with my visa issue. My 3 entry visa expires on 15 March so that means I should use the 3rd entry before 15 March, is that correct? I will use my second entry on 1st February. The problem is with my 3rd entry as I have flight ticket from Thailand to Hong Kong on 1st April. Now I realized that I won’t be allowed to use my 3rd entry when I will come back. Are there any chances to go throw it with re-entry permit considering… Read more »
Yes, you must use your 3rd entry before March 15th.
After you’ve activated your 3rd entry but before you go to Hong Kong on April 1st, get a re-entry permit from your nearest Immigration Office. This will allow you to come back into Thailand on April 5th on the same visa (3rd entry) without canceling it and receive the full 60 days of the entry. Good luck!
This page is gold, and matches what I’ve read everywhere else, and even clarifies what I’ve read on other sites. My plan is to enter in early January 2016 on a 30 day exempt stamp, then go to Immigration in Chiang Mai on my 50th birthday in mid-January with my bank statements showing 800k TB per month, my Sworn Income Letter from Chiang Mai US Consulate, and with passport photos aplenty get a non-immigrant “O” for retirement. My wife will then follow and get a matching dependent Visa, since she’s not yet 50. Luckily enough, I’m a few weeks short… Read more »
Let us know how it goes? We’ve always been curious to hear about people’s experiences coming over on a 30 day exempt stamp and then getting it changed into a non-immigrant O-A visa… we keep hearing conflicting stories that yes it’s possible or no it’s not. We’re sure you’ve done your research though. What a great birthday present! :)
Love your blog so informative! I’ve taken a year off from work and am currently 2 months in on my travels in India. I’m have a multiple entry Thai tourist visa which I had to blow the first entry because I had a pit stop in Bangkok for a wedding at the start before moving on to China and India. I was wondering after I finish the last 2 of my entries (including extensions), how hard would it be to get another triple entry tourist visa from the Thai consulate? Also, I’m coming to Chiang Mai in April and intend… Read more »
It’s awesome to hear you’re taking a year off to travel. India, China, Thailand… where else? Once you’ve used up the last of your two Thai tourist visa entries plus extensions, it’s a bit of a challenge to get another triple-entry tourist visa from Thailand’s neighboring countries. The closest Royal Thai Consular Section that offers triple-entry Thai tourist visas is in Japan (that we are aware of). However, the Thai Consular Section in Vientiane, Laos still gives double-entry tourist visas, so that might be your best bet as far as money and time spent traveling. We offer Thailand Coaching Sessions… Read more »
If I am in Thailand on a triple entry visa, what is the process for a re-entry permit if I want to visit Borneo for 2 weeks? This will be my first exit, returning on my second entry.
Check out our re-entry permit post. All your answers are there.
I have a question that’s raher urgent your advice will help me a lot! My girlfriend if in Thailand now on a multiple entry visa (3 entities) obtained here in the uk before she traveled She wishes to stay in Thailand now for longer than 60 days and was wondering if she had to leave the country to get a further 60 days on the next entry or is it possible to simply roll on to the next entry visa without leaving the country She was planning to travel into neighbouring countries before she left but doesn’t want todo that… Read more »
At the 60 day mark she has two options: 1.) Do a border run. This means contacting a traveling agency (or even her hotel might make a suggestion) that will take you to one of Thailand’s border crossings (typically by a van or bus), jump over the border into the neighboring country, and then immediately come back into Thailand. This will activate her next entry on her Thai tourist visa. She can do it both to activate the second entry and again after 60 days to activate her third entry. OR 2.) Go to the nearest Immigration office and pay… Read more »
Excellent post. Yours is the most clear explanation I’ve managed to find about the Thai Visa situation and I’ve looked at a lot of websites. Thanks very much for taking the time to write it. I have a question though… When you apply for a visa you are required to show proof of departure from Thailand. For the single entry tourist visa you said this should be within 60 days of arrival. But what if you are planning to apply for an extension, which would actually give you 90 days. Do you need to book a ticket that you will… Read more »
If you know you will do the extension, we would book your ticket at the 90 day mark. If the consulate asks about the date, just remind them about the 30 day extension option and that you plan to use it. If you apply for a multiple entry, it is to our understanding and experience that you only have to show one departure ticket, which should correspond to around your first 60 day mark or around 90 day mark if you do the extension. Hope this helps!
That makes sense. Thanks very much.
Glad we could make it easily digestible!
Hello Chris and Angela, what a nice blog. But I do have a question, I want to get a Tourist visa with 3 entries, I’ve been told some Royal Thai Embassy and Consulates only give the Double entries, to wich Embassy or Consulate I have to go to get the 3 entries? Right now I’n already in Thailand, I’ve heard that Savannakhet Consulate still gives this 3 entries, is that right? Thanks already
We’ve regularly heard over the past two years that the Savannakhet Consulate in Vientiane, Laos only gives out double entry tourist visas (to passport holders of USA and the UK for sure). For a triple entry we recommend Osaka, Japan – but we recommending calling or emailing them to double check!
Hello, this is really helpful!
I am from the UK and I’ve been in Thailand since September. I also have a triple entry tourist visa which runs out on the 20th March, however I am leaving the country to travel on March 7th and returning via Malaysia at the end of March, but in the meantime my visa will have expired. I’m returning back to the UK on the 18th of April so when I re-enter Thailand through Malaysia will they just stamp my passport for 30 days or do I need to apply for another visa?
Just go for the 30 day exempt stamp on your return from Malaysia. No need for another visa if you’re going back home within 30 days. Have a great trip!
Hi ! Thanks for this detailled article. One question: if you apply for both extension and re-entry permit, are the days you spent abroad “freezed”. For instance, if you’re allowed to stay til the 1st of january but you leave the country 5 days in december, does it mean you can stay til the 5th of january?
Thanks !
Messa
No, no freezing. The extension would still only be good until January 1st, no matter how many or few days you left the country. Hope you have a great trip whenever you visit!
Hi guys, helpful stuff.
Not sure if it’s changed but in Laos I’ve always paid 1000baht per entry, not 1200. My last double entry (about a week ago) cost 2000 baht.
Never been asked for proof of funds either but I guess it’s worth getting it all together since it is technically required. The Vietianne embassy in Laos is pretty relaxed and there are usually not any problems, so this might account for it, others may be more strict.
Cheers again for the helpful post.
We’ve updated the post to clarify the tourist visa fee. Originally we wrote 1200 baht, which is the rough equivalent to $40 when applying in the US. In Laos it’s 1000 baht like you said. It’s strange that it costs different amounts at different embassies/consulates. We’ve never gotten asked for proof of onward travel anytime we’ve applied for a visa, but because it’s listed on the embassies’ websites, we don’t want to ever take that chance of not having it! That’s the last thing we need to be hung up on when making that stressful visa trip.
So you are having no proems blogging on a tourist visa then? Phew, this pits my mind at rest
I wrote about Thai visa’s here if you’re interested in reading:
http://www.paulathroughthelookingglass.com/thai-visa/
Haha, Thailand’s rules seem to change by the day, but as of today, if you are doing anything online, it seems that you can be in Thailand on any visa – tourist, dependent, education, business, retirement, etc.
If you plan to be a teacher or employed by a Thai company, then you have to be on a business visa. But a blogger or online entrepreneur, you’re good to go on whatever (at least for now)!
“To maximize the length of your stay in Thailand on a single entry tourist visa, we recommend applying for an extension on day 58 or 59 of your stay in Thailand” My family and I plan on applying for single entry tourist visa soon, which is good for 60 days, and then file for 30 day extension. If we apply on day 58, will we end up with 88 days maximum stay in Thailand (counted from extension application date), or does the extension start from 60 day visa expiration date for an actual total of 90 days in Thailand? I’m… Read more »
When you file for your 30 day extension, it will be extended from the 60th day of your tourist visa. You will get the full 90 days no matter if you extend it on day 58, 59, or 60.
Hi Guys, hope you can advise on the best type of visa for both myself and friend wanting to stay as long as possible in Phuket and being able to leave and fly back home once around every 3 months to visit family for about 2 weeks and then be able to go back to Phuket for another 3 months etc . Im an Australian and my friend is Filipino. I am a semi retired business woman with my own business (not that its really operating fully now as semi retired) so maybe there is an option for a “B”… Read more »
Since you say you are semi-retired, does this mean you are around retirement age? One of the qualifications to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand is to be 50+ years old. This will give you 12 months time in Thailand with no need to do border or visa runs. This is your best option. If you and your partner are both less than 50 years old, the tourist visa will be the way to go. Getting a business visa from a Thai business will be unlikely (not impossible, just unlikely). Even if Filipinos are only allowed a double entry, if… Read more »
Thanks guys. Yes I’m over 50 years old but my Filipino partner is not. seems like the best way to go is the tourist visa, which will give us 90 days, however how many times can you apply for a tourist visa and can they be refused? I intend to pay at least 6 months rent in advance so I don’t want to lose this rent money if we cannot continue to get tourist visa every 3 months?
Do you know of any good rental places in Patong.?
Your partner could look into an education visa, which would allow 12 months stay. Different schools have different requirements – some ask that you come to almost every class for continued visa support while others are happy that you pay for a year of classes without bothering to take attendance but still support your visa paperwork for a year. We don’t know how many tourist visas you can have before being denied entry into Thailand – it’s really all about how the immigration officers are feeling that particular day you are crossing the border. We know someone who has lived… Read more »
Thank you so much for your advice guys. If I was to get a retirement visa which will be easy enough for me to get, and it gives me 12 months, can I still go back to Australia every 3 months without it affecting the visa or will it cancel the first time I leave Thailand.?
Apply for a re-entry permit at any Thai Immigration Office and you’ll be set.
C&A, thanks so much. Three questions:
1. How long can the “brief period” of a re-entry permit last? A week? A month?
2. I’m planning on finding a place to live in Chiang Mai, but the visa application asks for my address in Thailand, which I obviously don’t know yet. How do you manage that?
3. Similar to #2, is the Thailand contact (don’t know anyone there) on the application actually required?
1. We don’t know the official number of days, but it has to be less than whatever remaining days on your visa. So if you have been in Thailand for two weeks already on a 60 day tourist visa, you could stay out of the country for about 45 days, which gives you one day to come back before you have to either 1) do a border run to activate your next entry or 2) leave the country and apply for a new visa. We recommend just doing a few day to a week or two. 2. We used the… Read more »
Hi guys, thanks for all the info. Quick question. Say i have a triple entry visa. Day 60 is here and I have to leave the country…how long can I stay out before going back to get my second stamp. Say I want to visit Laos for 2 weeks…is that okay??
Yes, but make sure you activate your third visa entry on or just before the expiration date of your visa, which should be six months after the issued date.
Hi, I found your website on google while I’m searching something else about Chiang Mai. It very interesting & helpful website here. I have a couple questions, hope you can help: 1. I’m planning to travel to Chiang Mai in Dec about 85 days. I don’t have plan to do any side trip outside Thailand during this trip. I understood that I needed to apply a single entry 60 days tourist visa, and just 2 days before it expired, I will apply for a 30 days extension in the local immigration office for staying in Chiang Mai for the rest… Read more »
A. anywhere from 1-3 hours. Go to Thai immigration Office at 1pm (12pm-1pm they are closed for lunch) and grab a number.
B. Yes. Your case especially because it’s your first time in Thailand and you have a proper visa.
C. Is it required to be within 60 days? Just slowly explain your situation and show them your proof of departure. The bottom line is that you are leaving Thailand and already have your ticket, but only after you do one 30 day extension. Be polite, smile, and we think you’ll be ok!
Thank you so much!!
The in/ out visa stamp for land crossing is coming up soon from what I understand. However, if u have a triple entry visa do you think they would let you cross via land with no problems each time we need to leave?
We’re not sure. Unfortunately, it’s the Thai Consulates/Embassies that are approving all of the double and triple-entry tourist visas, but ultimately it’s the Thai immigration officers at the borders and the airports who have the final say who gets in the country and who is denied. Your question is the big question… we have no idea what will happen with people already on a pre-approved triple-entry visa, even though one could argue that it’s back-to-back-to-back. :/
Great list of options for visa and travel. I draw attention to the border runs in Thailand are not considered closed and formally after August 12th 2014 (mothers day). Current border runners are getting an I-O in/out stamp in their passport and after this they are turned away at land borders and told to fly in. The once relaxed exit and entry method requires a bit more effort as of this year.
Only time will tell if the In/Out stamps branded in passports will actually let re-entering visitors fly in more than once. After mid-August, we’re sure we’ll see floods of first-hand accounts online of people being allowed or denied once flown in. Not looking forward to the craziness!
Hi guys, great story and information. Me and my wife are planning to go spend an extended a amount of time in Thailand. We want to get a triple entry visa but not sure if we have enough time to get the visa before we leave. We are in Ecuador but going back to the states for 13 days to visit family before we fly to Thailand. The more I read it is not enough time for visa processing. Can we fly into Thailand and get the 30 day stay that is granted and then after 30 days leave to… Read more »
If you are spending 13 days in the US, you could try getting you visas at any Thai Consulate or Embassy location: Chicago, NY, Los Angeles, and Washington DC. We just did it in DC and it took three business days to process. You can definitely fly into Thailand on a 30 day stamp (no visa) and then leave the country to apply for a triple-entry tourist visa. However, you cannot go to Malaysia and Laos for a triple-entry Thai tourist visa because they only offer single entry (Laos maaayybe offers double entry). For a triple entry visa, some of… Read more »
Hi! I’m thinking of going to Thailand for a stint. Not sure how long but would like to know if there’s an option for extending it past 15 months (as I’ve heard you can get with the B multiple entry visa). The usual ways (teaching, job, etc) all seem to have drawbacks (such as losing the visa if you loose the job, and less time for me and my freelance work). I’m self-employed but I have a feeling that they won’t think that’s a “real” business. What if I end up actually registering myself as a company in the US?… Read more »
While a multiple entry B visa can get you up to 15 months if you play your cards right, there’s no visa that lasts longer than that. A triple entry tourist visa is good up to 9 months, and a non-immigrant education, dependent, or retirement visa is good for 12 months. After this time frame you must leave Thailand and re-apply at a Thai Embassy or Consulate of your choice for a new visa. Friends of ours came over on a multiple entry B visa. They had a small UK company and used it get a 15 month stay in… Read more »
This has made everything much clearer regarding visas. great articles and resources – really helpful! I can’t wait to get over there…
Glad this article helped. One less thing to have questions about!
I have a question for you also, Chris and Angela. I arrived in Thailand May 11th got my US passport stamped for one month–I left Chiang Mai for Bali on June 10th, returned to Thailand on June 16th, got stamped for another month. On July 15th I will be flying to Sydnet for a week in Australia, returning to Thailand on July 23rd. Will I be able to get another 30 days no problem. I also have tickets for a Siem Reap trip, leaving Chiang Mai August 3rd and returning August 7th. I’m really nervous I might not be allowed… Read more »
We can’t say for certain that you will receive another 30-day stamp with no problem. Since May,the border control has been cracking down on people entering Thailand back to back to back on 30 day stamps. However, you do have evidence of flights out of Thailand (Bali, Australia, and the final one to the USA) so it’s clear that you are actually traveling and not just working the system by doing a quick land crossing. Have a copy of your flight to the US as proof of your intent on returning home shortly if they question you. We wish you… Read more »
Thanks! I appreciate the input!
Thanks for the very helpful article!
Is it be a problem if I don’t have proof of departure from Thailand within 60 days of arrival? I want to stay for 90 days before my first visa run, so what should I do about the proof of departure?
Hello, sometimes they require a proof of departure, but sometimes the don’t. What you can do on some airline websites is reserve a plane ticket for 24 hours without paying, print out your itinerary to show in the case that it is required, and then cancel the ticket reservation before you are required to pay. While we haven’t done this before, we have a couple friends that have had success with this method.
Wonder if you can answer a question nobody seems to be able to help with? When you talk about a re-entry permit, you specify single-entry tourist visa. As I’m about to get a (hopefully) triple-entry tourist visa, is it possible to get a re-entry permit with this? Thanks.
Yes, but each entry is still good for 60 days (or 90 if you get extensions).
Thank you for the wonderful site, it has a lot of information and covers most of my questions, if not all.
Awesome! We know we had a ton of questions before moving here. If you have anything specific you’d like to know, drop us a line. Some of our posts are inspired by people emailing us with questions.
Hi Chris & Angela, My name is Chuck Donaldson . I hope you can answer kind of a tough question for me about Chiang Mai . I am retired from the U.S. presently living in Central Mexico. I seriously am wanting to come to Chiang Mai to live there permanently but there is a problem with me doing research on the possibility of me doing that . My situation is other than me living there permanently I have a Filipina wife & two minor school age children that live in the Philippines that I would like to bring to Thailand… Read more »
There is a Thai Embassy located in Mexico City http://embassy-finder.com/thailand_in_mexico-city_mexico. We don’t know if it easier to get a Thai retirement visa from Mexico (if it’s offered at all) or to go back to the States and apply for a Thai retirement visa using your US passport. Unfortunately, we don’t know what the rules are for Filipinos visa stays in Thailand. If I were you, I’d contact the Thai Embassy in Manila, Philippines via email http://www.thaiembassymnl.ph, briefly explain your family’s situation, and ask what type of visas your wife and children need to live in Thailand with you on a… Read more »
Hi! Just have a quick question! I’ve just started researching the visa requirements for Thailand. If we obtain multiple entry tourist visa in U.S. prior to leaving for Thailand with maximum 3 entries and are able to extend each entry for 30 days-this gives 270 days on tourist visa……does this mean that for every entry (3) we will need to make a visa run and leave the country for one day to make re-entry…i am guessing on day 89-after the initial 60 day per entry and 30 day extension is about to expire…am i correct? so we would need to… Read more »
You got it spot on. You will have to go to immigration before each entry expires in order to extend it, and then make a 1 or 2 day trip to the border 30 days later to start your next entry. Hope that clears things up!
Thanks! I feel all clear on this one point of Thai Visas for now! lol BTW your blog has been great help! my husband and I are planning to sell it all and travel (+2 children) We are a couple of months now into our 1 year plan! I will be following your blog closely for more great advice!
Thank you for following along! We definitely appreciate the feedback and are always here to help! Good luck with your planning :)
What are the options after the 9 months? Do they let you just reapply again and start the 9 month clock over again?
Yes, at this point you would leave the country and go to a bordering country such as Laos and reapply for a new visa. It is quite normal actually. If this is not appealing to you then you could always take Thai language classes on a 1 year student visa.
Excellent, detailed work. I remember my last stay in Thailand. After 30 days I went to Cambodia for a few days so I could easily come back to the Land of Smiles for another 30 days of free visa :)
Thanks Agness! We hope it helps those out that cannot find clear answers on the Thai tourist visa process. When will guys been back in our neck of the woods?
Excellent, detailed work guys. We’re in the works for slow travel tail end of this year in and out Thailand, so this is so helpful. Cheers!
Any tips on which Thai consulates will grand a triple entry visa? I’ve found that the Thai embassy in Toronto (I think… it’s been a while since I looked) and Vancouver will grant a dual entry, and as a Canadian, I can apply by mail. But I’d love to know where I can get my hands on a triple entry one!
We both successfully got triple-entry tourist visas at the Thai Embassy in Washington DC, USA. The only other location we have applied for a Thai visa was in Vientiane, Laos (for a Non-Immigrant B visa), and we overheard people saying that they were only giving out double entry for tourist visas. DC is the way to go from our experience if you want triple-entry.
Good to know! Thanks! :)
Should I be discouraged by the fact that the DC Thai Embassy does not list multi entry visas on their website? In fact it states that a tourist visa is only good for one entry for 60 days. I live in NY but I’m traveling to DC soon and I am trying to decide the best embassy to apply to for a triple entry visa. At least NY website claims a double entry is possible.
Don’t be discouraged at all. We just took a look at the site and it hasn’t changed since we applied for ours in 2013. It states $40 per entry and a max of 3 entries here:
http://dc.thaiembdc.org/consular/VISA/Tourist.aspx
Good luck, Chris!
This is extremely helpful. I’ve started researching how to get our visas and it seems like there are so many vague answers on the internet but yours is much more descriptive. Post is booked marked and we will be referring back to this when it’s time to go after our visas!