Understanding Thailand’s visa laws can be quite frustrating. For one, they change a lot. And two, if you aren’t familiar with the proper lingo, things can get hairy pretty quickly. To make things easier, especially if you are new to learning about Thai visas, we’ve addressed some common misconceptions and lingo mistakes.
| JULY 2017 UPDATE:Â This post reflects Thailand’s most up-to-date visa laws. |
Let’s start with the basics. There are many different types of Thai visas. They include business, dependent, education, retirement, tourist, medical, and volunteer visas. You can recognize a Thai visa by the shiny paper sticker placed in your passport. They give you varying lengths of stays, can be extended, and have different application requirements for each type.
Common Misconceptions Explained
We’ve seen our fair share of discussions gone wrong in online forums and on Facebook threads. Here are two questions that commonly pop up but have a multitude of answers:
Can I apply for a Thai visa in Thailand?
Technically speaking, no.
The closest you can get to applying for a visa in Thailand is a ‘Visa On Arrival’ literally meters before going through the immigration checkpoint to get into Thailand. And this only applies to passport holders of these 21 countries. Immigration counters at most land crossings along Thailand’s border (not all entry points) as well as at Thailand’s international airports issue this type of visa. But again, it’s just before you actually enter ther country.
A Thai visa should also not be confused with the free Visa Exempt Stamp, which isn’t a visa. We talk more about this below.
Otherwise, foreigners looking to enter Thailand on a Tourist or Non Immigrant visa must apply for one at either a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General. These offices only exist in other countries around the world and not in Thailand.
Living in America and need a Thai visa? There’s a Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC. Vacationing in Canada? It’s in Ottawa. Sating in Australia? Go to Canberra. A Royal Thai Embassy can be found in London if you are in the UK. There are also smaller Royal Thai Consulate-Generals in each of these countries.
Alternatively, you cannot apply for a Thai visa at your country’s embassy in Thailand. For example, an American cannot go to the American Embassy in Thailand (located in Bangkok) and apply for a Thai visa. It is not possible.
It is possible to change your visa type once you are in Thailand, but you must already have an existing visa. This can be done at the Office of Immigration Bureau in Bangkok. It’s located on Soi Suan Plu off South Sathorn Road and can be reached at (022) 873-101.
A single entry tourist Thai visa is good for 60 days. Or is it 90 days?
A single entry tourist visa grants a visitor up to 60 days in Thailand. However, you can apply for a 30-day extension at your local immigration office (there is one in every province, i.e. Thai “state”), so you don’t have to leave Thailand to do this. An extension costs 1,900 baht and the 30 days will be tacked on after the 60th day of your Thai tourist visa, no matter when you apply for it.
Therefore, a single entry tourist visa can get you 60 days plus a 30-day extension for a total of 90 days.
Lingo Mistakes
Using improper terminology causes a lot of confusion about an already confusing subject! Let’s clarify a few things:
A visa exempt stamp is not a visa.
Let’s start with the definition of ‘exempt’, as defined by Merrian-Webster’s Dictionary:
exempt (adj): not required to do something that others are
required to do
A visa exempt stamp means that you are not required to have a visa. It’s a waiver. In lieu of a visa, a visa exempt stamp (the rubber kind with ink) is stamped into your passport.
Citizens of the following 55 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the USA receive a visa exempt stamp that allow them to stay in Thailand for 30 days – for free.
A visa exempt stamp is perfect for the short-term traveler. Anyone who wants to stay in Thailand for less than a month or is passing through as they hop around Southeast Asia should stick with the convenient (and did we mention, free?) visa exempt stamp.
If you do want to stay a bit longer, you can apply for an extension at any local Thai Immigration Office. As of August 29, 2014, an extension will grant you another 30 days and costs 1,900 baht.
Remember, it is not a visa. It is simply an ink stamp in your passport.
There is no such thing as a work visa.
There is a Non Immigrant ‘B’ Business Visa, nicknamed a B Visa, and there is a Work Permit. They are two separate, very different documents. They cannot be combined and dubbed “work visa.”
A Non Immigrant Business Visa is the shiny paper sticker that goes into your passport and gives you permission to legally work in Thailand. It’s good for up to a year (once it’s been extended during the first 90 days) and is issued by a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. A Business Visa costs roughly the equivalent of 65 USD; the exact fee and method of payment vary slightly for each country’s office due to the currency exchange rate.
A Work Permit is a document that looks a lot like a blue passport and is issued by Thailand’s Department of Labor. Your employer provides you with the right paperwork to apply for a Thai work permit. A work permit shows that you are a properly registered tax-paying employee and it costs 3,000 baht (roughly 100 USD) for one year.
To work legally in Thailand, you need both a B Visa and a Work Permit. But again, there is no such thing as a work visa.
A border run and visa run are two different things.
A border run is, quite literally, a run to the (Thai) border. It allows you to activate the next visa entry on your multiple entry visa OR to re-enter Thailand on a Visa Exempt Stamp or a Visa On Arrival (if you are not on a multiple entry visa).
The most common border run method is to take a scheduled van to the land border of Thailand’s neighboring countries (Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, or Malaysia). Foreigners cross the border for short time and then re-enter Thailand.
A visa run is much more complex than a border run. It involves going to a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate (which only exist outside of Thailand) and applying for a visa.
A visa run is not a quick, relatively easy, or inexpensive trip like a border run is. Instead, it usually involves standing in a long line to apply for a new visa (hoping that all your paperwork is correct and that you’re approved); spending at least one night in the neighboring country; waiting in line to pick up your new visa after it’s been processed; re-entering Thailand.
There is no such thing as a residency visa.
There is what’s called Thai permanent residency, but it is not a visa because you no longer have to apply for extension of stay and are not required to leave the country every year for a new one. The eligibility requirements to get Thai permanent residency are pretty steep and few foreigners are granted it each year. Obtaining Thai citizenship can be even harder.
There is such a thing as a residence certificate. It is a simple document that proves you are residing here (i.e, that you are paying rent). For example, a residence certificate is required when applying for a Thai license or buying a vehicle in Thailand. But it is NOT a visa or part of the paperwork required to get a visa.
Foreigners who want to live in Thailand for many years are best off obtaining a Non Immigrant Visa and reapplying for a new one or extending it every year. Just make sure you still meet the minimum visa and extension requirements! It is a common practice for people to stay in Thailand for many years on a Non Immigrant Business, Education, Dependent, or Retirement Visas.
Covering the Thai Visa Basics
We hope this sets straight some of the basic questions people often have with Thai visas. Before you get the correct answer, you have to be able to ask the correct question. Good luck!
Wanted to enter Thailand at the airport but having less funds for show money was told to go back home.can i be allowed with the same visa to come back and when I have the required show money
Yes because the visa is technically unused. Only once you successfully pass through immigration will you activate your visa. Good luck!
The immigration office is telling me I need something from my consulate that says I am married to my husband, besides my marriage certificate. Is this a form or just a written paragraph that is notarized?
It’s a template form (at least, it was for us at the US Consulate) that the Consulate/Embassy can provide. We wrote a sentence or two stating that “I, (NAME) lawfully wed (NAME) on DAY MONTH YEAR in STATE, COUNTRY.” We were required to write the sentence and sign the form in front of a consulate official. Then they notarize it. It cost us 50 USD.
I’m curious as to how you manage to remain in Thailand. Do you return home each year to renew your long term Non Imm visas. I’m on a spousal visa (lots of hassle) but the best visa I ever obtained was a one year multiple entry visa. It’s downside was that I had to do a run every sixty days. But I didn’t mind that. The trouble is they don’t give those visas easily and I was turned down initially. Only when I showed them my marriage papers was one granted. As you are both too young (it seems) for… Read more »
No, we aren’t retirement age yet :) We have either worked or enrolled in school in order to live in Thailand for several years, just as the laws have always allowed. Our Non Immigrant Visas do not require us to return back home for renewal. You can apply for a single-entry visa in any country whereas you DO need to go home if you are on a multiple entry visa such as an METV or a retirement visa. We can understand your friends’ frustrations. If they are retirement age and meet the financial and medical requirements they can apply for… Read more »
i have a round trip ticket booked from edmonton, canada to bangkok thailand. feb 10, to april 26. we are not planning on staying in thailand the whole time (probably only 3 weeks), and then will be going to philippines and bali. but because our flight ‘shows’ that we will be in thailand for 2.5 months do we need a visa for this whole time? TIA
Nope. Assuming you’re Canadian, you will get a free visa exempt stamp (good for 30 days at a time) at the airport when you pass through the immigration check point and the officers won’t ask to see your flight tickets. No need to apply in advance for a single entry tourist visa bc your flight says you’ll be there for 2.5 months. Have a fun trip!
Sorry if this is a repeat…but how did u guys get to stay for so long?
Thailand offers Non Immigrant visas which are good for roughly one year intervals. As long as you meet the requirements (age, income, working ability, etc) for the different types, you can live here for quite awhile. That’s how we stay so long – on Non Immigrant visas.
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.
I’m really confused about new single entry visa up to 3 months. If we want to stay in Thailand for 3 months we will book a flight out for end of 3 months but original visa is valid for 60 days. Will there be any issues if flight itinerary is at end of 3 months instead of 60 days? Also am I able to go to travel agent to handle the 30 day extension? Thanks for your help! Love your blog.
There is no need to go to a travel agent to extend your single-entry tourist visa. You can put together the paperwork (the form, photocopies of your passport, and a photograph) by yourself and go straight to an immigration office (one in every province). Thai officials just want to see that you are leaving the country after your visit; there should be no issue if your flight itinerary is after 3 months and not 60 days. Good luck!
What a wonderful website, thank you for this information. We are trying to decide what country to move to as “young expats” too. And so much info on staying there legally long term is geared toward retirees. I wish there was info like this for every country we are considering.
Thanks a bunch!
Thank you for this very clearly explained information, which has helped me clear up some of my own misconceptions. I have heard something that has me a little worried and hope you may be able to help clear it up for me. My family and I (US passport holders) entered Thailand overland from Malaysia and got a 30 day exemption stamp. That time is almost up, and we are leaving to go to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat. We were planning to return overland and stay a bit longer in Thailand, and were under the impression we would be able… Read more »
Currently (Dec 2015) the visa rules for passport holders of the G7 Nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, USA and UK) get a 30 day visa-exempt stamp when they enter Thailand for both air and land. There is a list of countries who get a 30 day visa-exempt stamp by air but only 15 days by land. Luckily as a UK citizen, you will get a 30 day visa-exempt stamp no matter what.
American passport holders (in fact, anyone from the G7 countries, yhere are other countries like Ausralia who can only get 15 by land) can come into Thailand on a free 30 day visa-exempt stamp by land AND air. The proof is that you recieved 30 days when you entered Thailand overland from Malaysia :) When you are finished in Cambodia, you will be eligible for a brand new 30 day visa-exempt stamp when you cross back into Thailand by land. There is no need to apply for a single-entry tourist visa!
You say this post “If you get a double or triple entry tourist visa, you can stay up 180 or 270 days, respectively, in Thailand without having to do a visa run.”…. this makes it sound like you can stay in Thailand for 180 on a double entry visa. But this is not the case, you still have to leave after a maximum of 90 days.
Luke, you are correct. Although, we didn’t say that people can stay for 180 or 270 days without leaving, but that they don’t have to do visa runs. A visa run is when you go to a neighboring country to apply for a new visa. A border run is when you cross the border every 90 days to begin the next entry on your visa. Hope this makes sense :)
Great information!
I have a conundrum. I just crossed from Myanmar to Thailand by land, and my partner and I both got a month visa exempt stamp. It surprised us both! However our daughter only got the standard 14 days. We only noticed this recently and are now wondering if we have to leave earlier than expected? She is 18 months, so we’re hoping it won’t be too serious if we overstay.
We’re sorry to hear that! Unfortunately, you will have to leave after the 14 days are up or else pay an overstay fee of 500 baht per day.
I think I would make a trip to the immigration office. It seems really strange that they would stamp the passports differently, especially for an infant. It might be worth the effort to get it straightened out before the 14 days are up.
It’s well worth a shot to try to get it straightened out at immigration, especially if you and your partner (parents) clearly have a different stamp than an infant. We had the same thing happen to us when we came back from a recent trip fro Laos. They stamped Chris with a 30 visa exempt stamp while they stamped me back in on my long term visa. We both had presented the border agent with a re-entry permit but he messed up. Luckily we got it fixed right then and there. Good luck!
I went to apply for my Visa today and was only able to get a single entry! So just need to know if there would have been a better way around it for a longer stay…. I leave Australia April 7th to Delhi, India. I then have either 2 days in Delhi or straight to my yoga course in Rishikesh (which goes until May 6th). I leave for Thailand on May 6th and arrive morning of the 7th in CM. Apparently I could have applied for the double entry in Delhi, but I wouldn’t have been around to collect it… Read more »
How about this: you already spent time and money investing in a single entry Thai tourist visa, which will be good for 60 days. That Thai tourist visa will still be good to use after your trip to India (since it takes 90 days to expire after the date of issuance). Stay in Thailand for two months, and on the 59th or 60th day, do a border run. A border run meaning: hire a van service that will go to Thailand’s border and back (talk to your guesthouse/hotel or one down the street or do your own online research depending… Read more »
Great article, good to have the whole visa thing explained in a simple way, one question though, using a 3 entry visa, what if I am in a neighbouring country when my 3rd entry expires, can I just get a new visa issued from within the neighbouring country? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Using the 3 entry visa My plan is arrive in Thailand April 5th, stay for 60 days, 2 weeks in Myanmar, back to Thailand activate my 2nd entry and stay for anything upto the 60 day limit, then head to laos Vietnam Cambodia. But this will… Read more »
If your Thai visa expires while you are in a neighboring country, yes, you can absolutely get a new visa from the Thai Consular’s office. If anything, you can get back into Thailand on a 30 day visa exempt stamp. Please keep in mind that Thailand’s neighboring countries aren’t very generous about giving out triple entry Thai tourist visas. Your best bet is to try in Vientiane, Laos for a double entry, but other countries will most likely give a single entry Thai tourist visa. Have a wonderful trip!
Thanks for the reply guys, very helpful. I think what I will do is probably get a dual entry (Thailand-myanmar-thailand) then head to Laos Vietnam and Cambodia, then don’t have to worry about the 3rd entry and can just get a new entry visa from phnom penh when I’m ready to head back in to Thailand. Does this sound correct?? Also will I have to show proof of onward travel when I first arrive or when I return back in from Myanmar considering my flight back to UK is a good 6 months from when I arrive? Really appreciate your… Read more »
That’s a good plan. When you apply for another visa in Phnom Penh, that’s when you’ll need to show proof of onward travel (your flight back to the UK). You will technically need to show proof onward travel for your first double-entry Thai visa, so that will be your ticket to Myanmar. Sounds like you’ve got this worked out!
Some really valuable, clearly defined and up-to-date information on your web site – well done and thank you. Just a slight correction to the above though: you can, in fact, get a Thai visa in Thailand! While the issuance thereof is minimal (compared to that for a tourist visa at a Royal Thai Consulate outside of Thailand, for example), nationals of Andorra, Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan are actually eligible to apply for a Visa On Arrival (VOA) at certain designated ports of entry… Read more »
Yup, it’s possible to get a Thai visa on arrival for 19 countries according to Wiki (US, UK, Canada, Australia excluded). We should have clarified – most people have asked if they can get it at an immigration office in Thailand or their home country’s embassy in Thailand. Thanks for the extra info!
Great article! Thank you for posting! I have a couple specific questions. I am going to be traveling in southeast Asia for 6 weeks this summer. I will be flying to and from Bangkok from the United States. I plan to stay in Thailand for less than 30 days, then travel to Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, before returning to Bangkok to fly home. I will be returning to Bangkok via bus or plane from Cambodia, and don’t plan to stay in Bangkok for more than a day. Since I will be in Bangkok about 42 days after my initial arrival… Read more »
You will be granted the 30 day visa- exempt stamp both times you enter Thailand – on your initial flight from the US and when you are re-entering from Cambodia. You can also stay up to another 30 days in Thailand after your trip to Cambodia, so there is no need to rush off to the airport right away. The counter restarts each time you enter Thailand (for your case). It’ll be hassle free. Have a great trip!
I’m doing something similar to this. Entering Thailand for a few weeks then visiting other neighboring countries. Then possibly visiting Thailand for short time again on my way out. In your statement above. Are these the free 30 day visas? Or do I have to to go apply for one at the embassy in another country before reentering as you mention in your visa run paragraph? Thanks. Great site BTW!
We’re glad you like our site! These 30 day visa exempt stamps are completely free.
Hi Chris and Angela, I am wondering if you can combine a free 30 day visa with a single entry tourist visa. I am planning on going to Thailand for about 2 1/2 weeks, leaving for a week, and then re-entering Thailand with the hope of staying 2 months. Could I say get a 30 day visa for the first part and then use a tourist visa for the second part? Could I get a tourist visa in Vietnam (where I currently am) but “save it” for the second half of the trip? Seems like it may be easier to… Read more »
Absolutely. Get the free 30 day visa exempt stamp first and then apply for a single entry tourist visa in Vietnam. A good way to save around $60!
Hi Chris.
We are planning to visit Thailand on January. As we are from Slovenia, we are allowed to stay in country for 30 days visa-free. However we want to go on a 3-day trip to Cambodia in the first week of our Thai trip. I was wandering how it works with all this re-entry process. I’ve read somewhere that once you leave Thailand and then return back by land, you have only 14 days to leave country. Is this true? Do we have to get some kind of re-entry permit?
Thank you
If you entered Thailand on a visa (say, a tourist visa) you would be eligible for a re-entry permit. In that case, before you go on your Cambodia trip, you would go to your Thai Immigration Office (there is one in every province i.e., state) and apply for a re-entry permit for 1000 baht. It should only take a few hours to wait and apply for. In your case, if you enter without a tourist visa and instead on a visa-exempt stamp (visa-free), you are not eligible for a re-entry permit (you must have an actually visa). However, after you… Read more »
Thank you for your response in such a short notice.
So I suppose that is the best way that we save our trip to Cambodia for the final week of our vacation and avoid possible complications;)
Pushing the trip to Cambodia to the end would be best since it reduces the number of times you cross into a different country. That part is always a little bit stressful. Hope you have fun!
Thank you very much for your help.
Take care and wish you all the best.
My wife and I are in Thailand right now and are thinking about going to Kenya for about 9 days and then returning to Thailand for the final 16 days or so of our 3 month trip. We only have a single entry visa. Do you think that we’ll be able to get a Visa Exemption stamp upon our arrival back in Thailand? I read somewhere that they’re clamping down on border runs and stuff. This isn’t a “border run” but could easily be confused as one, all things considered. What do you think? Will we have a problem getting… Read more »
We understand your concern about the visa thing. It’ll be clear that you are tourists visiting Thailand because you’ll only have one Thai tourist visa in your passport, so clearly you aren’t trying to take advantage of the system and doing multiple visa or border runs to Thailand. And just to be safe, having proof of a flight back to your home country will show that you are not a person trying to abuse the system and stay in Thailand a long time, which is who they are trying to catch, not visitors like yourself. When you re-enter Thailand after… Read more »
Hey there! My wife and I just got our triple entry tourist visa through the DC Royal Embassy! We are definitely stoked to be on our way to Chiang Mai in a little over a month. We did not go to DC in person, and they lady on the phone from the consular was giving me some mixed messages. Interested to hear what you guys think… She said even with a triple entry permit, our total time in Thailand cannot exceed 90 days. She says the Royal Thai Embassy must give that information to us before we leave. I then… Read more »
With a triple entry tourist visa you can stay up to 270 days in Thailand (three entries that give you 60 days each plus three 30 day extensions, which can be applied for at the (Chiang Mai) Thai Immigration Offices and costs 1900 baht (about $60).) However, every 90 days you need to leave the country because that’s what “activates” the next entry on your triple-entry tourist visa. Only the immigration at Thailand’s border can do this, whether you leave the country for an hour (border run), or you take a mini vacation to another country as you plan on… Read more »
Thanks for the detailed answer! Much appreciated.
You’re very welcome!
Hi guys,
My boyfriend has a triple entry tourist visa and it’s almost time for him to do a border run, but we’re concerned with the immigration crack down on these runs. What are the chances that immigration will let him back into Thailand? Also, we’re living in Bangkok right now and we’ve heard of agencies that help people do “border runs”…how legit are they, do you have any idea? Best case scenario, if you were in his shoes…what would that be?? Thanks for all your insight into these matters!!
Stephanie
We do not know the legitimacy of agencies that advertise boarder run help… if we have to hand over our passport to someone, that’s a big red flag in our eyes! We were almost tricked into doing it once and it left a bad taste in our mouths. A triple entry is proper documentation to be granted permission back into Thailand after a border run. You’re doing nothing illegal. The chances of your boyfriend not getting let in is practically zero. Crackdowns are focused on people who abuse the system and keep entering Thailand visa after visa after visa (or… Read more »
Great info! However, I thought the visa exempt stamp was only good for 14 days when crossing into the Kingdom by land. I know for sure it was 3 Years ago when I spent a lot of good time here in Thailand. And with that, no extensions were permitted.
A lot has changed regarding visas is the past year alone. These are the current policies and guidelines. Always do your own research regarding your country of citizenship prior to traveling. Take care!
The difference on giving out double/multiple entry visas between different Thai consulates is really interesting! I am Australian and am visiting Canada with my Canadian husband this month. I went and picked up our triple entry visas today from the Thai consulate in Toronto. So I’m glad we were lucky enough to be in the right country to get the triple entry visas.
It IS intriguing that each Thai Embassy and Consulate make their own rules. Even as an Australian (and Australia only gives a double entry max) it’s good to know that you can visit Canada and still get the golden triple entry visa!
Hi Guys,
Super point on the border run versus visa run. 2 different things; I sometimes mixed the terms but both are very different. As for the extension I did that twice during my recent 6 month stay. Once in Chiang Mai, once in Phuket, and a border run from Pranburi to activate in-between.
Thanks for the informative share Chris and Angela.
Ryan
Amen to knowing what to do! Glad we could share.
I had no idea that it was so complex! It’s good to know we can request a visa exempt stamp. We just spent $190 for visas for Vietnam while we were in Sydney and wasn’t looking forward to spending a ton for Thailand as well.
We heard Vietnam visas are expensive! It’s refreshing that Thailand offers a free option for people doing short term travel.
HI Chris & Angela, quick question: What are your thoughts on obtaining a work permit & B visa for part time employment? My family and I are planning our move. The goal is for me to keep my online employment (not based out of Thailand). This would be good since I am still caring for a small child, my daughter. I would prefer to have my husband work part-time(teaching) in order to obtain the documents needed for all of us to stay in Thailand. i.e. as dependents. Can I obtain these documents before arriving, from my Thai Consulate? I live… Read more »
Thank you once again for you awesome blog! It’s a wealth of good, current information.
It’s a good idea for your husband to teach and therefore be on a non-immigrant business B visa and granted a work permit, while you and your daughter are eligible for non-immigrant dependent O visas. You will not be able to get the respective B and O visas before your move unless your husband has accepted a job and the hiring company/school mails him the correct paperwork for him to take to the Thai Consulate in Canada. It’s possible to do this, but not common. It’s more realistic that the three of you move here on tourists visas and then… Read more »
Thank you for your response! Please keep up the great content!
You’re welcome, and thanks for the kind support!
Great explanation! Just an FYI for Americans wanting a tourist visa. The NYC consulate is only giving out double entry tourists visas right now (no triple entry). My husband and I got one two weeks ago with no troubles at all! Good luck to all!
Good tip! Thanks for commenting and for the feedback. Best of luck with your move!
We just got ours 3 weeks ago in Portland, OR in the US. It was $80 for a 90 day visa. She recommended that one. We’re now in Kata and heading to Rawai for 2 months before touring the rest of the country. I didn’t see anything above alluding to that as an option – but it worked for us!
Thanks!
Levi
Congrats on your trip. What you received in Portland was a 60 day visa w/ the option to extend for 30 days. Just make sure you head to immigration sometime before your initial 60 days is up and extend your visa for the additional 30 days. Should cost you about 1900 Baht each. Good luck, safe travels, and enjoy!
Wonderful information, as ever. And the timely replies to comments are even more impressive.
Thanks!
Excellent article! Recommend you guys add the procedures for a retirement visa then package it all in bundle and advertise a “Visa 101” booklet (or something similar) on the forums and sell it for a nominal charge. Although you already posted the info here I believe it would sell by word of mouth. Your info on visas has been the easiest to read and understand. Great jobs guys. Much appreciated.
Thanks, Al. Little info booklets for dollars… ah yes, great idea!
Really helpful guide, especially since we’re thinking of using Thailand as a home base while we travel the neighboring countries in the next year or so. Thanks so much!! :)
That was our plan when we first moved here, too! Glad we could help.
I love your emphasis on pointing out the difference between a visa exempt stamp and an actual visa. It’s a pet peeve of mine when people lazily refer to the exemption as a “tourist visa on arrival”. As for Permanent Residency and Thai Citizenship, I’ve heard that citizenship is actually the easier to get of the two. There is a common misconception that one is required to get permanent residency before applying for citizenship, but this is not the case. You can apply for citizenship after staying on a few consecutive 1-year visas, such as a B visa. The big… Read more »
Haha, yes, our pet peeves are what inspired this post! We should have taken a screenshot of the visa chat that almost made our heads explode.
We think if anyone is going after That permanent residency or Thai Citizenship, just get a lawyer!
Hi there, my husband and I are moving to Hua Hin in December. The Brisbane Consulate told us that there is no border crossings or border runs anymore and that we would have to literally ‘fly’ out of Thailand every 90 days on a B Visa. That can become quite expensive for some people. We are looking to go in on a Retirement Visa at least we can stay there for a year and not have to leave if we didn’t want to..
If you have a choice between a non-immigrant visa (retirement or business) and a tourist visa, the retirement visa is the absolute easiest. Once you’re approved for a retirement visa, you don’t have to leave Thailand for a full year after you’ve first entered (if you don’t want to). All you have to do is check in to immigration every 90 days. Do you plan on working here? If so, you have to have both a B visa and a work permit. Only then can you stay in Thailand for a year without doing border runs every 90 days (a… Read more »
Hi Chris and Angela, Hope all is well for you both in Thailand. My fiancee and I are making the move to Chiang Mai, Thailand in November. We are going the Tourist Visa route, and have heard rumors about a recent change (August 12th). As a couple in Thailand, we would love to hear your input. Let’s say we extend our 1st 60 day tourist visa to 90 days. Now, it is time for a border run to activate the 2nd part of the triple entry visa (assuming we get a triple entry). How long do you have to leave… Read more »
When you extend each of your entries (crossing our fingers that you get three), all you have to do is go to the border and come right back. Literally cross for an hour, have coffee or buy a souvenir at the border down and come right back. Since you have a tourist visa, your next entry will be activated (you won’t get a visa exempt stamp). Johnny’s article is with respect to the crack down of people doing the “hop over the border for an hour and come right back.” The news was spitting out that the border control would… Read more »
Thanks, that was extremely helpful!
And “crossing our fingers you get there”…due to logistics of getting a tourist visa? Or just that we really make it happen and get our butts out there? ;-)
Thanks – this is really helpful! The Thai Embassy in Australia doesn’t seem to be offering multiple three-entry visas right now (only two entry visas) according to the Sydney Thai Consulate site. I wonder if a three entry visa is still available to Australians.
Yes, you’re right. Each embassy can make their own rules about how many entries they give out. They aren’t giving out triple entry to Australians either, as confirmed by one of our readers in early May. For awhile the Brisbane Consulate was handing out triple entry tourist visas, but we aren’t sure if they doing it now. Last time we checked, Japan and Indonesia were still giving out triple entry tourist visas.
I’m from Brisbane – so I’ll have to check with them. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks again!
Hi guys, we have spoken before awhile back. Would you happen to know about a retirement visa or what ever there calling it now..lol We bought a new build house in Chiang Mai and are comming from Las Vegas to live there full time some time next year . (Both of us are non Thai ) also on one of your posts you talked about bringing your cat there, we have 4 dogs that will make the move with us, what all do we need to bring them to Chiang Mai. We will be flying Korean air from Lax to… Read more »
The list of requirements for obtaining a Thai retirement visa is pretty straight forward. We also did a post about shipping our cat to Thailand; with a little modification you can get your dogs here, too. If you need any other assistance, we offer personalized coaching sessions to make your move easier.
Good basic information there.
Only thing I wanted to mention is about your following statement “However, on the 60th day of your stay, go to your local Thai Immigration Office”
You actually don’t have to go there on the 60th day to get a 30 day extension, you can pretty much do it on the day of you arrival and still get the 90 days in total. Did that many times already…
You’re the first person we’ve known to do it this way and successfully stay 90 days. Thanks for the tip.
No worries. We have done it several times and never had problems with it. And a lotta people we know, was not our idea in the first place:)
Great post! We are from the United States but will be in Australia for 8 weeks before we go to Thailand. Can we apply for a Thai tourist visa at the Australian Royal Thai Embassy?
Absolutely!
last time i stayed 6 months on my tourist visa and then went to vienjohn and got a 2 month visa from the Thai embassy there and then a 30 day extension after that in CM for a total of 9 months.
can I get a 30 day extension only once in CM or every 2 months on a 3 time entry tourist visa. someone said i could get the 30 day ex every time but i think not, probably just one time.
You can do a 30 day extension on each entry, whether you have a double or triple entry tourist visa. We break it down a little more in this tourist visa post.
ah good to know, really extends the stay, thanks will B back the end of September to escape another USA winter.
great idea :)