Visa Thailand
General Information
As a general rule, any foreigner seeking entry into
the Kingdom of Thailand for business, investment,
study, medical treatment, mass media, religion,
employment and other purposes is required to apply
for a visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate-General.
To do so, a foreigner must possess a valid passport
or travel document that is recognised by the Royal
Thai Government and comply with the conditions set
forth in the Immigration Act B.E.2522 (1979) and
its related provisions.
Foreigners who fall into any of the following
categories are prohibited to enter the Kingdom.
- Having no genuine and valid passport or document
used in lieu of passport; or having a genuine
and valid passport or document used in lieu
of a passport without visaing by the Royal Thai
Embassies or Consulates in foreign countries;
or from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, except
if a visa is not required for certain types
of aliens in special instances. Visaing and
visa exemption will be under the terms and conditions
as provided in the ministerial regulations.
- Having no appropriate means of living following
entrance into the Kingdom.
- Having entered into the Kingdom to take occupation
as a labourer, or to take employment by using
physical energy without skills or training ,
or to work in violation of the Alien Work Permit
Law.
- Being mentally unstable or having any of the
diseases as prescribed in the ministerial regulations.
- Having not yet been vaccinated against smallpox
or inoculated or undergone any other medical
treatment for protection against disease and
having refused to have such vaccinations administered
by the immigration doctor.
- Having been imprisoned by the judgement of
the Thai Court; or by a lawful injunction; or
by the judgement of the Court of foreign country,
except when the penalty is for petty offense
or negligence or is provided for as an exception
in the ministerial regulations.
- Having behavior which would indicate possible
danger to the public or likelihood of being
nuisance or constituting any violence to the
peace or safety of the public or to the security
of the public or to the security of the nation,
or being under warrant of arrest by competent
officials of foreign governments.
- Reason to believe that entrance into the Kingdom
was for the purpose of being involved in prostitution,
the trading of women of children, drug smuggling,
or other types of smuggling which are contrary
to the public morality.
- Having no money or bond as prescribed by the
minister under Section 14 of the Immigration
Act B.E. 2522.
- Being a person prohibited by the minister
under Section 16 of the Immigration Act B.E.
2522.
- Being deported by either the government of
Thailand that of or other foreign countries;
or the right of stay in the Kingdom or in foreign
countries having been revoked; or having been
sent out of the Kingdom by competent officials
at the expense of the Government of Thailand
unless the minister shall consider exemption
on an individual special case basis.
The examination and diagnosis of disease of a physical
or mental nature, including protective operations
as against disease, shall be conducted by the immigration
doctor.
Information on location and contact number of
the Thai Embassy and Consulate-General abroad
could be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Department of Consular Affairs, Visas
and Travel Documents Division, 123 Chaengwattana
Road, Bangkok 10210, Tel. (662) 981-7171 ext.
3201-2, 3204-5 or direct line 575-1062-4, Fax.
(662) 575-1066 , Email: div1303@mfa.go.th
Types of visa
Transit Visa
This type of visa will be issued to applicants who
wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes:
- to travel in transit through the Kingdom in
order to proceed to the country of destination
or to re
- enter his/her own country (category "TS")
- to participate in sports activities (sportsmen,
sportswomen, etc.)(category "S") ***
- the person in charge or crew of a conveyance
coming to a port, station or area in the Kingdom
(category "C")
Documents Required:
- Passport or travel document with validity not
less than 6 months
- Visa application form completely filled out
- One recent(4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant
Instrument of means of transportation (confirmed
air ticket paid in full)
Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person
and 40,000 Baht (per family)
Visa of a third country in a passport or travel
document
Letter of invitation stating the application's participation
in sports activities in the Kingdom
Consular officers reserve the rights to request
for additional document as deemed necessary
The validity of a visa is three months. Travellers
coming to Thailand with this type of visa will
be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period
not exceeding 30 days at any time. Those who wish
to stay longer or may wish to change their status
of visa must file an application for permission
at the Office of Immigration Bureau located on
Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok
10120 , Tel (662) 287-3101-10 (or at http://www.police.go.th/thaiimb/frconten.htm
). The extension of stay as well as the change
of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion
of the Immigration officer. *** Those who are
scheduled to stay in the Kingdom longer than one
month: Non-Immigrant Visa category "O" can be
issued to them
Tourist Visa
This type of visa will be issued to applicants
who wishing to enter the Kingdom for tourism purposes:
- Passport or travel document with validity not
less than 6 months
- Visa application form completely filled out
- One recent(4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant
- Air ticket paid in full
- Financial means (20,000 Baht per person and
40,000 Baht per family)
- Consular officers reserve the rights to request
for additional documents as deemed necessary
The validity of a visa is three months. Upon
arrival, visitors with this type of visa will
be permitted to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand
for a period not exceeding 60 days at any time.
Those who wish to stay longer or may wish to change
their status of visa must file an application
for permission at the Office of Immigration Bureau
located on Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road,
Bangkok 10120 , Tel (662) 287-3101-10 (or at http://www.police.go.th/thaiimb/frconten.htm
). The extension of stay as well as the change
of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion
of the immigration officer.
Non-Immigrant Visa
This type of visa is designed for applicants who
wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes.
- to perform official duties (Category "F")
- to conduct business / to work (Category "B")
- to invest with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries
and Government Departments concerned (Category
"IM")
- to invest or perform other activities relating
to investment, subject to the provision of the
established laws on investment promotion (Category
"IB")
- to study, to come on a work study tour or observation
tour , to participate in projects or seminars
- to attend a conference or training course, to
study as a foreign Buddhist monk (Category "ED")
- to work as a film-producer, journalist or reporter
(Category "M")
- to perform missionary work or other religious
activities with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries
or government departments concerned (Category
"R")
- to conduct scientific research or training or
teaching in a research institute (Category "RS")
- to undertake skilled work or to work as an expert
or specialist (Category "EX")
- other activities (Category "O")
The applicants must submit the following relevant
documents depending on the purpose of their visit.
- Visa application form completely filled out
- Passport or travel document with validity not
less than 6 months and its copy
- Two 4 x 6 cm full-faced, bareheaded photos taken
within the past six months
- Birth Certificate ("O")
- Certifcate of Marriage or its equivalents ("O")
- Transcript / Letter of acceptance from the concerned
schools/universities or institutes ("ED")
- Letter from Thailand's Board of Investment.
("IB")
- Official Note certifying the purpose of travel
from the Government Agencies /Embassies and Consulates
/ International Organisations / State Enterprises
inThailand. ("F" / "B" / "ED" / "M" / "R")
- Letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Labour
and Social Welfare (Alien Occupational Control
Division, Department of Employment, Tel 662-2452745,
245-3209, 617-6578, 617-6584 Fax. 662-6176576,
245-2593) ***
- Letter from a company stating the objective
of the visit to Thailand ("B")
- Document showing correspondence with trading
partners in Thailand. ("B")
- Letter of invitation from companies qualified
to employ foreigners. ("B")
- Employment contract indicating rationale for
hiring the applicant as well as his/her salary,
position and qualifications (document must be
signed by authorised managing director and affixed
the seal of the company) ("B")
- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of
Labour and Social Welfare (only in case the applicant
has previously worked in the Kingdom ) ("B")
- Copy of corporate documents; namely 1) list
of shareholders 2) business registration and business
license 3) company profile 4) details of business
operation 5) list of foreign workers stating names,
nationalities and positions 6) map indicating
the location of the company 7) Balance sheet,
statement of Income Tax and BusinessTax (Por Ngor
Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the latest year
8) Alien income tax return (Por Ngor Dor 91) and
9) Value-added tax registration (Por Ngor Dor
20), etc.("B")
- Copy of educational records of the applicant
and letters of recommendation from the prior employers,
identifying job description and length of service
time. ("B")
- Document indicating the number of foreign tourists
(for tourism business only),or document indicating
export transactions issued by banks (for export
business only)("B")
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per
person and 40,000 Baht per family )
The document to be submitted for non-immigrant
visa application is contingent upon necessities
and appropriateness of purposes stated in the
application form.
Consular officers reserve the rights to request
for additional documents as deemed necessary.
Copies of company documents must be signed by
Board of Directors and affixed the seal of the
company.
In the absence of a required document, a letter
indicating the unavailability of such document
must be provided.
The applicant must sign on each page of the copy
Documents in foreign languages must be translated
in Thai. If translated into English, it should
be notorised by notary organs or the applicant’s
diplomatic/ consular mission.
Single-entry and multiple-entry visas are valid
for three months and multiple-entry visas for
one year respectively. The holders of this type
of visa are initially granted a period of stay
in the Kingdom not exceeding 90 days unless otherwise
instructed by the Office of Immigration Bureau.
Those qualified persons can obtain an additional
one year stay permit counting from the date of
entry in the Kingdom pertaining to the Office
of the Immigration Bureau's regulations on extension
of stay. The extension of stay is at the discretion
of the Immigration officer.
N.B. Applicants wishing to stay in the Kingdom
longer than 90 days, have to file their application
either at the Thai consular mission aboard or
at the Office ofImmigration Bureau in Bangkok
located on Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road,Bangkok
10120 , Tel (662) 287-3101-10 (or website at (http://www.police.go.th/thaiimb/frconten.htm
) . The consular officer must refer the case to
the Office of Immigration Bureau for approval.
Upon receiving approval, the consular officer
may issue the visa as instructed by the Bureau.
Immigrant Visa
This type of visa is granted for aliens who desire
to take up permanent residence in the Kingdom.
Applicants who fall in each of the following category
can file an petition for a residence permit:
- by yearly quota per nationality
- investment
- working / business
- supporting alien who already had residence permit
or being supported by alien who already had residence
permit (husband-wife, father-mother, or children
who is under 20 years of age and single)
Applicants who wish to engage in filing a petition
must fulfill certain conditionsset forth by the
Office of Immigration Bureau is located at Soi
Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
, Tel (662) 287-3101-10 or at website http://www.police.go.th/frmain5.htm
)
Moreover, foreign investors, experts or technicians,
and Thai nationals who changed their citizenship
who invest and bring in know-how and expertise
for the benefit of the country's economy would
also be eligible for permanent residence in the
Kingdom if their qualifications meet the conditions
set forth by the Office of the Board of Investment
(BOI Announcement No.Por. 1/2544 dated 31th January
2001). For more information, please contact the
Office of the Board of Investment,555 Vibhavadi-Rangsit
Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900. (Tel.02-537-8111,
02-5378155 Fax. 02-5378177 Email: head@boi.go.th
Website : http://www.boi.go.th
Regulations Governing Non-Immigrant "B" Visa
Foreigners who wish to work/conduct business or
undertake investment activities in Thailand must
apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at the Royal Thai
Embassies or Consulates abroad. (Information on
location and contact numbers of the Thai Embassies
and Consulates-General can be obtained through
website http.www.mfa.go.th/Embassy/default.htm.)
Various categories of non-immigrant visa are currently
provided to meet the need and qualification of
individual business people. These include business
visa (category B), business approved visa (category
B-A) and investment and business visa (category
IB).
Non-Immigrant visa (category "B" – Business)
can be obtained from all Thai Embassies and Consulates
provided that the following relevant documents
are submitted.
Foreigners who wish to work in Thailand
- Visa application Form completely filled out
- Applicant's passport with validity not less
than six months and its copy
- Two 4x6 cm. full-faced, bareheaded photos taken
within the past six months
- Letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Labour
and Social Welfare (Alien Occupational Control
Division, Department of Employment, Mit-Maitree
Road, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10400 Tel 662-245-2745
/ 245-3209 / 617-6578 / 617-6584 Fax. 662-6176576,
245-2593)
Note: For those foreigners who wish to work in
Thailand, their employer in Thailand should submit
Form WP3 (Application for applying a work permit
on behalf of alien) together with other related
documents such as a certificate issued by the
Department of Commercial Registration, documentary
evidence of educational qualifications, etc. at
the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
- Official marriage and birth certificate (In
case of the applicant’s family members)
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per
person and 40,000 Baht per family)
- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of
Labour and Social Welfare (only in case the applicant
has previously worked in the Kingdom )
An alien who receive a non-immigrant visa can
work in Thailand after having received a work
permit. Any violation thereof shall make the employee
liable for imprisonment not exceeding three months,
to pay a fine not exceeding five-thousand Baht,
or both penalties.
An alien who performs work that is prescribed
by the Royal Decree B.E. 2522 (1979) which prohibits
alien employment in certain occupations and professions
is liable to be imprisoned not exceeding five
years, will be fined from 2,000 to 10,000 Baht,
or both penalties.)
Foreigners who wish to conduct business in Thailand
- Visa application Form completely filled out
- Applicant's passport with validity not less
than 6 months and its copy
- Two 4x6 cm. full-faced, bareheaded photos taken
within the past 6 months
- Letter from the applicant’s company stating
the objective of the visit to Thailand, his/her
salary,etc.
- Document showing correspondence with trading
partners in Thailand.
- Financial evidence in case that the applicant
is doing his/her own business
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per
person and 40,000 Baht per family)
- Letter of invitation from company in Thailand
together with copy of corporate documents comprising
of 1) list of shareholders 2) business registration
and business license 3) company profile 4) details
of business operation 5) list of foreign workers
stating names, nationalities and positions 6)
map indicating the location of the company 7)
Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business
Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the
latest year 8) Alien income tax return (Por Ngor
Dor 91) and 9) Value-added tax registration (Por
Ngor Dor 20), etc. Copies of company documents
must be signed by Board of Directors or authorised
managing director and affixed the seal of the
company.
- Document indicating the number of foreign tourists
(for tourism business only), or document indicating
export transactions issued by banks (for export
business only)
- Official marriage and birth certificates (In
case of the applicant’s family members)
Consular officers reserve the rights to ask for
additional documents as deemed necessary. In the
absence of a required document, a letter indicating
the unavailability of such document must be provided.
The applicant must sign on each page of the copy.
Documents in foreign languages must be translated
in Thai. If translated into English, it should
be notorised by notary organs or the applicant's
diplomatic/ consular mission.
The holders of this type of visa are entitled
to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90
days. Upon completion of such period, an extension
of stay for a period of one year counting from
the date of arrival in the Kingdom can be applied
for at the Office of the Immigration Bureau.
Business approved visa (category "B-A") may be
applied for at the Embassies or Consulates abroad
but approval shall be given by the Office of the
Immigration Bureau in Bangkok before visa is issued
to the qualified applicant. The company in which
the applicant will invest or do business with
can also apply for this type of visa at the Immigration
Bureau. The validity of stay for B-A type visa
is valid for a period of one year counting from
the date of arrival in the Kingdom.
Investment and business visa (category "IB")
is issued to foreign staff working under investment
projects promoted by the Board of Investment of
Thailand (BOT). The project must benefit the country
in the following ways:
- Produce for export
- Increase employment
- Utilise indigenous raw materials
- Locate in provincial areas
- Encourage technology transfer to Thai nationals
- Not compete in such a way as to destroy existing
domestic business
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