Editor's Note: This guide was updated to reflect Thailand's eased entrance requirements that will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
You’ve made up your mind. You want to visit Thailand. Whether you wish to come for a two-week holiday or visit here for months on end, planning for your trip may leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed. Do you need a visa? Are there any special entry requirements? How can you stay long term? The whole process may seem confusing, and you have no idea where to start. Don’t worry. Take a breath. And know that getting to Thailand is easier than you think.
This guide provides the information you’ll need to visit Thailand for 30, 60, 90, or 270 days. You’ll learn about the requirements for different entry lengths, get links to resources about changing travel restrictions, and learn how to extend your stay in the Kingdom. In other words, this guide provides a simple way to take the first step on your journey to Thailand.
How to enter Thailand
Entrance requirements vary depending on your vaccination status.
Requirements for fully vaccinated travelers:
- Passport and Thai visa (if required)
- Certificate of Vaccination
Requirements for unvaccinated travelers:
- Passport and Thai Visa (if required)
- COVID-19 RT-PCR or professional ATK test result issued within 72 hours before traveling (self-ATK is not permitted)
July 1, 2022 Updates:
Note: Documents may be checked randomly at the airport upon arrival and at immigration.
How long would you like to visit?
The requirements and process vary depending on your intended stay length.
Short-term stay (30–60 days)
Requirements
Travelers from 64 countries are allowed to enter Thailand without a visa for short stays of up to 30 days.
How it works
Once your passport is stamped, you’re granted access to Thailand. You’re allowed to use the 30-day visa-exempt stamp for tourist-related purposes.
Extending your stay
You can apply to extend your 30-day entry stamp for an additional 30 days by visiting a Thailand Bureau of Immigration office.
Mid-term stay (60–90 days)
Requirements
You’ll need to apply for a 60-day tourist visa at your local Royal Thai Consulate website. Once there, simply upload the following:
- Passport Bio Page (make sure your passport doesn’t expire for at least six months)
- Picture of yourself
- Confirmation of your hotel stay
- Paid airline ticket receipt, including a flight out of the Kingdom before your visa expires
- Proof of financial capability (THB20,000 or about US$600)
- US$40 for the application fee
How it works
Upon arriving at a border or airport in Thailand, show your visa to an immigration officer and you’ll then be granted access to the country for up to 60 days. With this visa, you’re allowed to visit the country for tourist-related purposes only. Working is not allowed.
Extending your stay
You can extend your 60-day tourist visa for an additional 30 days (bringing your stay to a total of 90 days) by visiting a Thailand Bureau of Immigration office.
Prolonged stay (90–270 days)
Requirements
As the Special Tourist Visa (STV) can be used for stays of up to 270 days in Thailand, there are many more requirements. These include a health insurance policy that covers a minimum of US$100,000 for medical expenses in Thailand (including COVID-19), passport validity of no less than 12 months, a certificate of good conduct from a valid authority that states the applicant has no criminal record, and more. Visit your local Royal Thai Consulate’s website for a full list of requirements.
How it works
You’ll initially be able to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days with the ability to freely travel around the country. The visa is for tourist purposes only and working or earning money from a company based in Thailand is prohibited. You may work from Thailand for your overseas company so feel free to stay in touch with the home office.
Extending your stay
You can extend the STV twice for two 90-day periods by visiting any Thailand Bureau of Immigration office. Note that the documents you’ll need to submit are all the same for each type of entry (STV, tourist, visa exempt) with one exception: for STV visas, you’ll also need to submit a copy of your STV stamp.
| Short-term stay 30-60 days |
Mid-term stay 60-90 days |
Prolonged stay 90-270 days |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Airline ticket out of Thailand required |
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| Thai Visa required | varies
A Thai Visa may not be required if you are a passport holder of one of the specified countries or territories and if you are visiting for less than 30 days.
Details : Click Here! |
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| Proof of no criminal record required |
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| Ability to work | |||
| Initial Cost | Free |
$40 |
$80 |
| Initial term | 30 days |
60 days |
90 days |
| Extension term | 30 days |
30 days |
90 days (twice) |
How to extend your stay
Your 30-day visa exemption, 60-day tourist visa, and Special Tourist Visa (with the exception of the STV stamp as noted earlier) can all be extended in the same way. That said, before you visit an immigration office, check with that specific branch about requirements, as they may vary. Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to prepare your documents.
Documents required for your visa extension:
- A copy of your passport pages (biographical data page, arrival stamp, visa if applicable) and departure card (TM 6); and for STV visas, a copy of your STV stamp. Sign each page of the copies with the same signature style that appears in your passport.
- A copy of your health insurance policy. This should be submitted with your Thailand Pass application (if applicable).
- A 4 cm x 6 cm passport photo. Tip: Wear a collared shirt for the picture.
- We also recommend bringing your Thailand Pass QR code and negative test certificate (if applicable).
Applying for your visa extension
Your extension day has arrived and you’re ready to head to immigration. But first, be sure to dress right. Wear long pants (jeans are OK) and a shirt with sleeves; you’ll be visiting a government office and respectful attire, a smile, and patience will be a plus.
Once you’re dressed for success and your documents are prepared, the next step is to apply for your extension. Here’s how to do that:
- Go to any Thailand Bureau of Immigration office and fill out an application (form TM 7). Use the following link to find the closest office near you: Immigration Bureau.
- Apply for an extension at least a few days before your visa or exempt status expires (we recommend 5 days before). Applying in advance eliminates any unnecessary stress if something comes up and you can’t get to an immigration office in time.
- The process should take a few hours. You submit everything, it gets reviewed by a staff member, and then is processed by the officer in charge.
- Pay THB1,900 (about US$56) in cash. Exact change is recommended, as that is all that some immigration officers are willing to accept.
For more information on extensions, the Thailand Immigration Bureau page can be a handy resource.
How to enjoy your stay in Thailand
Now that you know how to get to Thailand and stay for an extended period, what should you be aware of once you arrive? Here are some tips from our team, who have been living in or visiting the Kingdom for a combined 75+ years:
Smile 🙂
Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles for a reason. Everyone smiles. Getting angry or frustrated is a way to lose face and trust… you almost never hear drivers honking their horns in traffic. A smile, however, can go a long way with locals. It can be key to getting better service at restaurants, businesses, and even immigration.
Don’t work on a tourist visa 🚫
Working or earning money from a company based in Thailand while you’re on a tourist visa subjects you to potential fines and jail time.
Don’t overstay 📅
Just like working in Thailand, overstaying is a big no-no. If you do, you risk fines and being blacklisted, which means you could be banned from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years.
Bring some nice clothes 👚
Appearance counts in Thailand. You will usually get better service when you wear nice clothes. Also, more formal clothes are often necessary for visits to temples and first-class places like rooftop bars that require a dress code.
Learn some basic Thai 💬
While English is quite common in Thailand, there are times where you’ll face a clear language barrier. Knowing some basic Thai can be extremely helpful when taking a taxi, ordering food, or whenever you’re in a rural area.
Conclusion
At Baan Thai, we’re here to help you with your unique goals. Whether you’re looking to visit, retire, open a business, or work in Thailand, we are here to guide you through the legal challenges and make your transition here as seamless as possible.
We realize your situation is unique. So if you’d like personalized guidance, contact us today for a free consultation.
FAQ
Where can I purchase COVID insurance?
Effective July 1, 2022, COVID insurance will no longer be required.
However, we still recommend insurance through our preferred partner, Pacific Cross.
What if I’m traveling with young children who are not vaccinated?
Children (under 18 years old) traveling with fully vaccinated parents will be automatically granted the same entry scheme as their parents.
Unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated children aged 6 – 17 traveling with unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated parents must provide a negative RT-PCR or Professional ATK test result issued within 72 hours before travel.
Children under 6 do not have to attach a test result.
What is an Alternative Quarantine (AQ) hotel?
The Alternative Quarantine (AQ) program is no longer available.
An AQ hotel was a hotel that followed the Thai government’s guidelines to control the spread of COVID-19. AQ hotels adhered to strict quarantine and testing measures.
