Starting January 10, 2023, the previously introduced sanitary requirements for inbound tourists related to COVID-19 will be canceled. Tourists arriving in Thailand are exempt from the requirement to provide COVID-19 vaccination certificates.
For tourists from countries eligible for visa-free entry to Thailand, starting from April 1, 2023, the permitted period of stay in the country will again be 30 days.
If you want to extend your stay beyond the permitted period, you can apply for an extension at the Thai Immigration Bureau office in Bangkok for a fee of 1900 Thai baht.
If you overstay without an official extension, you will be fined. The fee starts at 500 Thai baht per day and can reach 20,000 Thai baht per day if you stay for more than 40 days.
However, in order to work or live in Thailand for a long period of time, you will need to obtain an appropriate visa from the Thai embassy or consulate.
! Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand
Tourist visa (TR)
There are three types of tourist visas to Thailand:
- A single-entry visa valid for three months. Once you leave the country, you cannot re-enter, even if you have not exhausted the full number of days.
- A multiple-entry visa, which is valid for six months and allows its holder to leave and re-enter the country several times during the visa period.
- Thai visa on arrival, which is issued only to citizens of certain countries for 15 days without the possibility of extension.
Visas on Arrival (VoA) can now be applied for in advance on the website https://online.vfsevisa.com/thai/en/on-boarding without standing in lines.
Please note!
The visa on arrival must be used only on the day of issue.
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Requirements:
- Passport must be valid for more than 30 days
- A return ticket must be confirmed
- It is necessary to provide an address in Thailand, which is
- Sufficient funds for the trip (10,000 baht/person, 20,000 baht/family)
After completing the application, you will receive a transaction number (TRN), which you should either print or have on your electronic device to show upon arrival.
What is an e-Visa to Thailand?
The e-visa gives people access to the two visas mentioned above (single entry and multiple entry visas). It is an online platform that allows people to apply, monitor, and pay for their visas, so they do not need to visit a Thai embassy or consulate. It is currently the easiest way to get a visa and organize your vacation in Thailand.
Foreigners can apply for an e-visa at https://thaievisa.go.th/.
How much does an electronic visa cost?
The e-Visa for Thailand costs USD 82 (or equivalent) regardless of your nationality. Payment is made through the secure e-Visa web portal at the time of application. The fee is non-refundable.
How to apply for an e-Visa to Thailand?
The first step is to visit the website https://thaievisa.go.th/. When applying for a visa online, applicants need to create an account and apply as an individual.
After creating an account, individuals will need the following documents:
- (Single Entry Visa) Valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months and at least 2 blank pages. Applicants must fill out the online visa application form with their first and last name in accordance with their passport details.
- (Multiple Entry Visa) A valid passport with a validity period of at least 6 months after the date of departure from Thailand and at least 2 blank pages. Applicants must fill out the visa application form online with their first and last name as it appears on the passport.
- Uploadable passport photo
- Planned date of travel
- Proof of residence in Thailand, such as hotel reservation, letter of invitation from relatives or friends in Thailand
- (Single entry visa)Financial proof - bank statement or income statement (equivalent to 10,000 Thai baht for individuals or 20,000 Thai baht for families).
- (Multiple Entry Visa) Financial documents confirming the availability of 200,000 Thai baht (approximately £5000, $55000, AU$8000) in the account. This must prove financial stability for a 6-month period, for example, bank statements, income statement, sponsorship letter from an employer.
After creating an account, people will enter the following information:
- Apply as an individual
- Apply for a new visa
- Check compliance with the requirements
- Select the type of tourist visa
- Upload a scan of your passport to enter biodata
- Enter personal information, including home address, phone number, citizenship, date of birth, and marital status
- Enter employment information
- Full trip details, including accommodation and flights (if booked)
- Upload the supporting documents listed above
- Send
- Go to the secure payment portal
! Applicants for an e-Visa do not need to submit their passport and original supporting documents in person to the Embassy or Consulate of the Kingdom of Thailand. Applicants will receive a tracking number by email to track their application.
Once the e-Visa application is approved, applicants will receive a confirmation email. It is best to print a copy of the confirmation email when you are ready to travel. It will be presented to airlines and Thai immigration officials when you travel to Thailand.
NOTE!
Some countries are not eligible to apply for an e-Visa as additional documents are required for approval. Citizens of the following countries need to contact their local Thai embassy or consulate to apply for a tourist visa:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Saint Tom and the Princes, Somalia, Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and the United States, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Central African Republic, Yemen, and Palestine.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for an online visa or do not have access to the online application process, you can contact your local Thai embassy and make an appointment. Immigration requirements are subject to change without notice and many embassies do not allow walk-ins, so it is best to contact the embassy when you are ready to apply. They will confirm the cost and documents required.
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How to apply for a Thai tourist visa for countries that cannot obtain an e-visa/visa on arrival?
You must apply for a tourist visa to Thailand at one of the Thai diplomatic missions abroad (embassies or consulates).
The application process is as follows:
- Contact the Thai embassy or consulate in your country or the nearest one to you. Make an appointment if you need one, find out the opening hours, working days and preferred method of payment for the Thai visa fee;
- Gather the necessary documents for a Thai tourist visa;
- Apply for a Thai tourist visa. Depending on which embassy/consulate you are applying to, you can apply: in person or through a post office box, in which case you must enclose a pre-paid envelope with the following address
- Wait for the application to be processed
- Pick up your passport and visa. If you applied by mail, they will be sent to you.
- If your tourist visa to Thailand is approved, you must enter the country within the time specified in your visa, otherwise it will expire.
The processing time for a Thai tourist visa application depends on the specific embassy or consulate through which you apply. You should expect 5-10 business days from the date of receipt of your completed application.
When you apply for a tourist visa to Thailand, you must have several documents to support your application.
Requirements for a tourist visa to Thailand include:
- A passport valid for at least six months and with at least two blank pages for a visa
- A photocopy of the personal information page of your passport
- Completed and signed visa application form for Thailand.The application form should be filled in on a computer. Handwritten applications are not accepted for Thai visa.
- A confirmed return ticket confirming that you intend to leave the country after the visa expires
- Two recent passport-size photographs with the following characteristics: dimensions: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm
- Confirmation of sufficient financial resources to cover the duration of your stay, for example, in the form of a bank statement for the last six months.For multiple entry visa: a copy of the bank statement for the last 6 (six) months with a minimum balance of 7000 USD for each month is required. In addition, a detailed travel plan will be required when submitting documents.
- Proof of accommodation in Thailand (hotel reservation, letter of invitation from a friend, etc.)
- Confirmation of payment of the Thai visa fee
- If you are visiting family/friends in Thailand: proof of relationship
- Letter of invitation
- For multiple-entry visas: a copy of a bank statement for the last 6 (six) months with a minimum balance of 7000 USD for each month, a travel plan, a certificate from the place of work indicating the position, length of service, duration of paid leave, for students - a certificate of full-time study.
Documents that are not in English must be translated and legalized.
Visa fees for Thailand vary depending on the country you are applying from and the local currency. However, according to rough estimates, the cost of a Thai tourist visa ranges from $30 to $50 for a single-entry visa and approximately $150 to $250 for a multiple-entry visa.
A Thai tourist visa is issued for such a period:
- Single entry Thai tourist visa: valid for three months and single entry. You can stay in Thailand for up to sixty days within three months. If you leave, you cannot re-enter, even if you have not spent the maximum number of days.
- Multiple entry Thai tourist visa: valid for six months, during which time you can enter several times, but only for sixty days per entry.
- Thai visa on arrival: up to 15 days.
With effect from 1 July 2022, international passengers may only transit at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Don Mueang International Airport and Phuket International Airport and any transit must not exceed 24 hours and not leave the transit area.
Transit of less than 24 hours or without going through immigration does not require a transit visa. A transit visa is required for a change of airport and a stopover of more than 24 hours.
The documents you must provide to support your Thai transit visa application include:
- A valid passport or travel document valid for at least six months and two blank pages for the visa
- A completed and signed application form for a transit visa to Thailand, which you can download from the website of the Thai embassy/consulate where you are applying, or receive it when you arrive if you apply in person.
- Two passport-size photos
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay. You need 10,000 Thai baht if you are traveling alone and 20,000 Thai baht if you are traveling with your family.
- Hotel reservation
If you are transiting through Thailand on your way to a third country:
- Proof of onward travel, such as a paid and confirmed travel ticket
- Visa for a third country, if a visa is required
If you are traveling to participate in a sporting event:
- Invitation letter indicating your participation
- A letter of confirmation from an organization in your country
If you are traveling as a crew member of a vehicle:
- A letter of confirmation from your employer stating the purpose of entry into Thailand
- Proof of travel itinerary
A transit visa to Thailand can be issued for the following periods:
- As a single-entry visa for up to 30 days
- As a multiple-entry visa valid for sixty days and with a maximum permitted stay of 30 days per entry (two, three or four entries)
The fee for a Thai transit visa is 800 Thai baht per entry, which is approximately 26 USD.
Rules of import of pets to Thailand
Your pet will not be quarantined upon entry to Thailand if these requirements are met. Unless otherwise noted, the following rules apply to domestic dogs and cats only.
1. Microchip of a pet
Thailand's pet import regulations require your dog or cat to have an ISO 11784 15 digit unencrypted microchip for all animals entering Thailand or onward transits. If your pet's microchip is not ISO compliant, you may want to carry a microchip scanner with you.
2. Vaccination
Unless your animal is in a country with no rabies cases in the past 12 months, each animal must have a vaccination/certificate clearly stating your animal's current rabies vaccination, including the vaccine manufacturer, batch number and expiry date. Rabies vaccination must be given within 21 days of arrival in Thailand and no more than 12 months prior to arrival.
In addition, your dog must be vaccinated against leptospirosis at least 21 days before the trip. If not vaccinated, your dog must be tested for leptospirosis with a negative result within 30 (thirty) days prior to departure. All pets must be vaccinated against other serious infectious or contagious diseases (Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus) with an approved vaccine at least 21 days before departure from the country of origin. Cats should be vaccinated against feline panleukopenia virus (FPV).
3. Test for rabies
Thailand does not require a rabies test (FAVN) for pets imported from any country.
4. Medical certificate
The health certificate for Thailand must be completed in English and stamped (endorsed) by the government of the exporting country responsible for the import and export of animals. If you are traveling from the United States, this may be a state Department of Agriculture office or a CFIA office if you are traveling from Canada. If you are not traveling from one of these countries, the forms must be certified by your country's governing body responsible for the import and export of animals. A copy of your passport must accompany your animal.
5. Internal and external parasites
It is recommended that a dog or cat be treated for internal and external parasites (mites and tapeworms) before entering Thailand.
6. Permissions
You must obtain an import permit from the Livestock Development Department well in advance of your pet's arrival. The permit is valid for 60 days.
An import permit is required for any live animal transiting through Bangkok.
7. Procedures after import
When entering Thailand, pets may be quarantined for up to 30 days for testing at a quarantine center upon arrival. If the results of all checks and tests are acceptable, the animal will be released to you.
8. Entry to Thailand by plane
Pets can arrive in Thailand in the aircraft cabin or as checked baggage or air cargo at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. It is necessary to notify the animal quarantine station in advance. Pets can also enter Thailand in Phuket, although an import permit is required and an import permit must be negotiated with the veterinary authorities.
Your pet is not allowed to come into contact with other animals while in transit at any approved port of call or airport. They are not allowed to leave the territory of the port, except for the officially approved transit quarantine zone.
When checking in for a flight, the following documents must be presented for the issuance of an import permit: a photocopy of the animal owner's passport, the original record of the animal's vaccination (and the animal's passport, if applicable), the original of the official health certificate and a photocopy of the printed import permit.
Domestic dogs and cats will not be quarantined if they arrive with a valid import permit and comply with all regulations for entry into Thailand. However, the Quarantine Officer has the right, at his discretion, to detain any pet/animal at the quarantine station for a period of not less than 30 days after arrival, during which time it must undergo tests and/or treatment as deemed necessary. These costs are covered by the owner of the animal.
Pets transported through Thailand as air cargo require a transit permit, which must be obtained through an import permit application.
9. Puppies and kittens
Thailand requires that puppies and kittens be vaccinated no earlier than 3 months of age and wait 30 days before entering the country.
10. Prohibited breeds
Thailand does not publish a list of prohibited dog breeds, but all pit bull breeds must be spayed or neutered. It is recommended to use the services of a local agent for customs clearance of pit bull dogs and their hybrids.
11. Export of pets. Accommodation in Thailand
Cats and dogs cannot be taken out until they have been microchipped and vaccinated against rabies and have waited 30 days. Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated against rabies until they are 3 months old, so the minimum age for export is 4 months. Your pet must also have a health certificate, export permit (if applicable).
All pets to be exported must be inspected 48 hours prior to departure at the airport before an export license is issued. The export license and health certificate are issued and collected after inspection and a copy is sent to the owner before departure.
12. Other animals
Rabbits are subject to the same requirements as those listed above. Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals such as rodents are not required to be vaccinated against rabies, but may meet other requirements and must have a health certificate to enter Thailand. Pet owners are advised to contact the relevant authorities in their country and/or country of destination for further information.
13. CITES
If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should make sure that it is not protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In this case, you will have to apply for additional permissions. More than 180 countries participate in and enforce the CITES Convention.
Emergency services phone number
Tourist police 1155
Police (general emergency call) 191
Ambulance and rescuers 1554
Fire service 199
National Disaster Warning Center 1860
Crime 1195
Emergency medical assistance 1669
Private Air Ambulance (Siam Air Care) 02586 7654
Thai Customs allows visitors to enter Thailand with personal items worth up to 80,000 baht without paying import duties, provided that:
1) the items are for personal or professional use;
2) the number of goods is reasonable;
3) the items are not restricted or prohibited.
The following data refer to prohibited (restricted) goods required to obtain an import or export permit
Prohibited goods are:
- goods that are prohibited to be imported or exported abroad. The importation or exportation of these goods is considered a crime and whoever commits it will be subject to the sanctions provided by the relevant national law. In addition, the commission of this act is considered an offense under Articles No. 27 and 27 (bis) of the Customs Law dated 2469 BE (1926), which prohibits the export or import into Thailand of the following items:
- Pornography and immoral material
- Products with the national flag of the Kingdom of Thailand.
- Narcotic substances such as marijuana, hashish, cocaine, morphine, heroin and opium, as well as bad money, counterfeit bonds, forged official and royal seals.
- Pirated goods, including music cassettes, CDs, videos and computer programs
- Goods with counterfeit trademarks
Restricted Goods:
- Goods which are subject to import/export restrictions under the Act and thus require the permission of the relevant entities.
- In addition, there are a number of goods that are subject to import control by other relevant authorities, namely:
- Medicines, food products and additional products that require a prior license from the Department of Medicine and Food under the Ministry of Health.
- A license from the Department of Fine Arts is required for registered or unregistered antiques or art materials.
- Arms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks and counterfeit firearms require the necessary license from the Ministry of the Interior.
- Other systems, such as electric shock devices, which must be declared as some of these items require a license before import.
- The Law on Cosmetics stipulates that in order to protect public health, it is necessary to control the import of cosmetics and provide data on the importer, the location of the manufacturing plant, the warehouse, in addition to the main components of these products.
- Wildlife, flora, fish and other marine animals require import licenses from the Department of Plant and Wildlife Conservation, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Fisheries.
Expensive goods are subject to re-import
When departing from Thailand: If a traveler has expensive goods/items (such as cameras, video cameras, laptop and recording devices) and intends to bring them back to Thailand, he can inform the customs department at the airport after receiving the boarding passes. if these goods/materials have serial numbers (unique or branded items).
The customs officer takes the necessary steps to record the removal of these personal items that are subject to re-importation as he allows all registered items to be entered and duty-free upon their owner's return to Thailand.
Jewelry
Anyone who has jewelry and wants to take it out must go through customs before leaving customs at the airport.
Foreign currencies
There is no specific limit on the entry/exit of foreign currencies, but they must be declared if the amount exceeds 20,000 dollars (or equivalent), according to Ministerial Decree No. 25 of 1987.
Foreign currencies are declared to the customs officials at the airport/port by filling in the form indicated by them. This form is signed and given to the competent employee.
Thai currency
Anyone with more than 50,000 THB must declare it at the time of departure, except for those who want to go to the Republic of Laos, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Kingdom of Cambodia, Malaysia, the Republic of Vietnam.
Tax exemption
The tax credit applies to goods worth less than 10,000 THB, provided that:
For personal use and in reasonable quantities.
Exclude from restricted or prohibited goods.
Cigarettes and tobacco
Cigarettes and tobacco (and alcoholic beverages) are entered with a certain amount for personal use. These items are listed as exempt from customs charges, provided they do not exceed 200 cigarettes / or (250) grams of tobacco (and in case of exceeding this amount, the traveler must approach the Red Line at the checkpoint to declare them.
Personal baggage (except motor vehicle or spare parts) regardless of age or ownership.
Thailand