The Requirements for Thai tourist visas

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 THB for individuals and 40,000 THB for families 
  • Proof of departure from Thailand 
  • 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) 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 30 days for 1,900 THB.

What If You Overstay Your Tourist Visa?

Requirements for Thai tourist visas

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.

 

Send this to a friend