Thailand Visas & Entry Requirements (Inc. Covid-19 Rules & Restrictions)

How to Enter Thailand ? Quick Answers

• Do I need special permission to enter Thailand? Since 1st July 2022, travellers do not need to apply for special permission (e.g. the Thai Pass) to enter Thailand.
• Do I need a visa to enter Thailand? Citizens of most countries do not need to arrange a visa in advance for Thailand as they will receive a 60-day visa-free entry stamp upon arrival in Thailand by air, sea, or land (effective from 15th July 2024).
• Do I need proof of onward travel? Proof of onward travel is recommended because it is sometimes checked at various border crossings.
• Do I need proof of COVID-19 vaccination? No.
• Do I need travel insurance? The $10,000USD travel insurance requirement for travel to Thailand was dropped by authorities in July 2022. See popular travel insurers here.

Thailand Visa Summary

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Since dropping its Thailand Pass requirement in July 2022, the allowance is 60 days for visa-exempt countries and 15 days for ‘visa on arrival’ countries. More details follow below.

Thailand: COVID-19 Requirements

COVID-19 Vaccination Status

• Vaccinated travellers: Proof of vaccination is not required.
• Non-vaccinated travellers: Proof of vaccination is not required.

Entry Requirements and Documents

• Hold a valid passport with at least 6 months validity and two blank pages.
• Proof of onward travel out of Thailand within the expiry date of your visa is recommended as spot checks happen.
• Proof of adequate finances (showing 20,000THB per person or 40,000THB per family). Spot checks do happen.
• Appropriate photo (not older than 6 months).

Travel Insurance Requirements

There is no requirement for travel insurance to visit Thailand, however, a policy that covers treatment to avoid excessive medical charges is often a good idea.

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Thailand: Visa Exemption

Thailand Visa Exemption Summary

Most nationalities receive a free visa exemption upon arrival in Thailand by air or land. Visa exemption means you do not have to arrange a visa in advance. Depending on your nationality (see below), you will be granted a certain number of days of visa-free travel upon arrival into the country.

Duration of Thai Visa Exemption

• 90 days: Citizens of five nations (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and South Korea) receive a 90-day visa-free entry stamp into Thailand. 
• 60 days: Citizens of 93 nations including the UK, the US, the majority of Europe etc. receive a 60-day visa-free entry stamp into Thailand. Here is the full list:

• 14 days: Citizens of Cambodia and Myanmar (international airports only) receive a 14-day visa-free entry stamp into Thailand.

Thailand: Types of Visa

Tourist Visa – 60 Days (Single Entry)

• What is it? The 60-day Tourist Visa is the best option for travellers wanting to stay longer than 30 days in Thailand. The visa must be arranged in advance.
• How to apply: The majority of nationalities can apply online. If you are not eligible to apply online, you have to submit the application at the nearest Thai embassy. The Thai Embassy must be located in any major town or city that is not in Thailand, for example, a neighbouring country or your home country. (See locations of Thai embassies here.)
• What do you need to apply? 
  • Completed application form (you can get this at the immigration centre)
  • Current passport with at least 6 months validity and two blank pages
  • Photocopies of your passport and visa page
  • One passport photo (4 x 6 cm, not older than 6 months) 
  • Evidence of adequate finances (showing 20,000THB per person or 40,000THB per family) – Spot checks are done
  • Proof of onward travel (air ticket paid in full) – Spot checks are done
• Cost: 2000 THB
• Note: Citizens from Russia are not eligible to apply through the online Thai E-Visa system. Please apply for a visa in person at the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate.

Tourist Visa – 6 Months (Through Multiple Entries)

• What is it? This is basically the same visa as above but with the ability to re-enter Thailand every 60 days. You can stay for a total duration of no longer than 6 months in a calendar year. 
• How to apply: The majority of nationalities can apply online. If you are not eligible to apply online, you have to submit the application at the nearest Thai embassy. The Thai Embassy must be located in any major town or city that is not in Thailand, for example, a neighbouring country or your home country. (See locations of Thai embassies here.)
• What do you need to apply? 
  • Completed application form (you can get this at the immigration centre)
  • Current passport with at least 6 months validity and two blank pages
  • Photocopies of your passport and visa page
  • One passport photo (4 x 6 cm, not older than 6 months) 
  • Evidence of adequate finances (showing 20,000THB per person or 40,000THB per family) – Spot checks are done
  • Proof of onward travel (air ticket paid in full) – Spot checks are done 
• Cost: 2000 THB for the 60 days and then 2000 THB for every additional 60-day Tourist Visa.

Education Visa (Non-Immigrant ED Visa) – 90 Days to 1 Year (Single Entry)

• What is it? The ED Visa can be granted for travellers who want to stay in Thailand longer to ‘study, participate in seminars, learn Thai or study as a foreign Buddhist monk’. (This can include Muay Thai training, yoga, Thai language and other cultural activities.)
• How to apply: For the initial 90 days, applications need to be done at a Thai Embassy close to your residence and outside of Thailand. If eligible, extensions up to 1 year can be requested at the Office of Immigration Bureau in Bangkok located at Government Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210 or online.
• What do you need to apply? 
  • Current passport with at least 6 months validity and two blank pages
  • Photocopies of your passport and visa page
  • One passport photo (4 x 6 cm, not older than 6 months) 
  • Enrollment letter/confirmation letter/certificates etc. based on the purpose of the ED visa (More details found here)
• Cost: 2000 THB.

Thailand: Extending your Visa

Extending your Thai Visa at an Immigration Office in Thailand

You can extend your visa once at a Thai Immigration Office, one of which can be found in every province in Thailand. Regardless of whether you have the 30-day visa exemption that you received upon arrival or you have the 60-day tourist visa, you can extend your stay in Thailand.

• How many days can you extend for? 30 days
• What do you need to take? 
• Current passport with at least 6 months validity and two blank pages
• Photocopies of your passport and visa page
• Completed application form (you can get this at the Immigration Centre)
• One passport photo (4 x 6 cm, not older than 6 months)
• Cost: 1900THB 

Tip: The Immigration Offices in areas where there’s a high concentration of travellers and ex-pats, like Chiang Mai, can have big queues, so go early in the morning to avoid this.

Border runs from Thailand

If you have extended your stay in Thailand once at an Immigration Centre and your time in the country is coming to an end, you may be looking into a ‘border run’ or ‘visa run’. Read more about border runs here.

How many times can you reenter Thailand via a border run? –  The official rules state that you can make a border crossing overland into Thailand a maximum of two times per calendar year. Whether or not this rule is enforced is at the discretion of the immigration official. There is no official limit on the number of times you can fly into Thailand and renew your visa. Read more information on extending your stay in Thailand here.

Thailand: Overstaying Your Visa

Penalties for Overstaying in Thailand

• The cost of overstaying your visa in Thailand is 500THB/day, to be paid at the airport upon departure. 
• The maximum fine for overstay is 20,000THB, which is equivalent to 40 days. 
• Beyond the 40 days, you may face deportation at your own cost or imprisonment. Also, blacklisting is very likely for between 1-10 years (depending on the severance); banning you from re-entering Thailand again in the future for the stated period.
• We don’t recommend overstaying at all because it is legal for a police officer to ask for your passport and visa at any point during your travels to check whether your visa is still valid.

Louis Wilhelm

Life on Earth has way too many facets and adventures readily available to be wasting time working in an office 50 hours a week! With this mindset, Louis eventually quit his poor work/life balance job and headed off to Southeast Asia. Passionate about languages, wildlife and the beauty of this planet, he has been on the road ever since. Taking notes on his journey to support like-minded people on similar adventures and also capturing amazing memories with his camera, has become the missing piece of the puzzle.

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