You’ve decided to train Muay Thai in Thailand. You’ve told your family and friends you’re going. You’ve picked a camp, your finances are in order and you’ve managed to wangle an extended period off work – or just quit and told your boss where to shove it…
But there’s one pesky thing hanging over you – how long can you stay in Thailand? And how do you go about arranging a visa to train Muay Thai?
Visas are complicated. It doesn’t matter where you go or where you’re from, there’s always bureaucracy. Picking the wrong visa could have serious consequences too, from cutting your training time short to receiving a fine or even getting deported!
But don’t panic. I’ve outlined everything you need to know about getting a visa to train Muay Thai in Thailand and I’m giving it to you for free – there’s no need to liaise with an expensive visa advisor!
Muay Thai Visas for Thailand 🛂
There are several options for Muay Thai visas in Thailand – the best option for you will depend on where you’re from, your gym of choice and how long you want to train.
– Non-Immigrant Education Visa – The best choice for travellers wanting to train Muay Thai in Thailand for a year or more.
– Visa Exemption – This is the best choice for eligible travellers wanting to train Muay Thai for 90 days or less in Thailand. See the full list of eligible nationalities here.
– Tourist Visa – The best choice for travellers not eligible for a visa exemption who want to train Muay Thai for 90 days or less.
– Visa On Arrival – Best for travellers ineligible for other visas who want to train Muay Thai for 15 days or less.
Related: (links open in a new tab)
- 🥊 The Best Muay Thai Camps in Thailand
- 🇹🇭 Thailand Backpacking Guide
- 🛂 Thailand Visa and Entry Requirements
Visas for Muay Thai in Thailand Explained 📑
Muay Thai has a long and storied history in Thailand. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the ‘Land of Smiles’ to have their own grin replaced by a determined grimace as they train harder than they ever imagined possible.
Hi! I'm Nikki 😊 Are you overwhelmed by the different options of Muay Thai gyms? With years of experience, I can help you to choose the best camp for you! Contact me for free advice with no obligation.
Until 2024, staying in Thailand long enough to see real improvements in your Muay Thai skills was a complicated affair. You needed to jump through a series of hoops, perform regular border runs or commit a touch of immigration fraud – definitely not recommended.
But now things are simpler. In 2024 the Thai authorities decided to recognise Muay Thai under the Education Visa criteria. At the same time, they improved the visa exemption scheme to allow visitors from more nationalities to stay in Thailand for longer. These changes mean that, for most travellers, getting a visa to train Muay Thai is easier than ever!
But choosing the right visa for you isn’t as simple as ticking a box and standing in a queue at immigration. There are decisions to be made and paperwork to arrange. So, let’s break down the different Muay Thai visas on offer!
Please Note:
Visa rules and requirements can change quickly and without notice. Please double-check all requirements with an official government source to ensure your eligibility for any of the visas mentioned in this article.
Non-Immigrant Study Visa/Non-Immigrant Ed Visa 📚
Best For: Those wanting to stay in Thailand for more than a year to train Muay Thai and/or learn how to speak Thai.
Traditionally, the non-immigrant study visa for Thailand was only valid for those studying Thai language courses at recognised establishments – it did not apply to people training Muay Thai.
Some Muay Thai camps got around this rule by partnering with local Thai language schools that were able to arrange the visa. Officially, you needed to study at least two hours of Thai per week to meet the visa requirements. However, many students failed to attend their language classes meaning that technically, they were staying in Thailand illegally.
Thankfully, in 2024, the law changed to include Muay Thai as a valid reason for getting a study visa. Now, if Muay Thai camps are properly registered with the Thai Ministry of Education, they can help you arrange your Non-Immigrant Study Visa which allows you to stay in Thailand to train Muay Thai for a year or more!
Not All Camps
Please be aware that not all Muay Thai camps in Thailand are recognised by Thailand’s Ministry of Education. The recognition process is long, drawn out and expensive. Many camps that meet all the requirements still cannot afford the fee. If you choose to stay and train at a camp that does not have the seal of approval from the Ministry of Education, you will not be able to get a Non-Immigrant Visa to train Muay Thai.
But that’s not the end of the story. Today, some camps still partner with local language schools to offer the study visa. If you choose one of these, you will be required to attend two to four hours a week of language study alongside your Muay Thai training. Don’t view this as a chore. By achieving a basic level of the Thai language, you will gain a deeper understanding of Muay Thai and its impact on Thai culture!
The Non-Immigrant Study Visa needs to be renewed every 90 days. This takes place at an immigration office. During the renewal, you may be asked to prove your attendance at a Muay Thai or Thai language school. If you’re supposed to be attending a language school, the immigration official may try to converse with you in Thai – and if the visa is specifically for Muay Thai, they may try punching you in the face*.
*Please note, this is a joke. They probably won’t try punching you in the face.
“Currently, we [Dang Muay Thai] offer a one-year Ed visa with unlimited Muay Thai and 1 Thai language class a week. We are currently waiting for our Muay Thai visa status to be confirmed with immigration [so we can offer just the Muay Thai Visa]. It’s a 12-month visa that you need to renew each 90 days. You can apply from home or when you’re here.”
Khun Ad, Dang Muay Thai
How to Get a Non-immigrant Ed Visa for Muay Thai
If you choose to stay and train at a Muay Thai camp that is registered with the Thai Ministry of Education, they can help you get everything to apply for your study visa. Usually, you’ll need the following as standard :
- Passport or travel documents
- A recent passport photo – taken in the last six months
- Document indicating your current location and address
- Evidence of funds – a bank statement showing more than 20,000THB (approx. $570USD)
- A letter from the Ministry of Education or the Sports Authority of Thailand confirming your intention to stay and train Muay Thai at a registered gym
- A signed letter from the aforementioned school or gym confirming your attendance – this must also include a copy of the signatory’s ID
A Word of Advice
The Non-Immigrant Ed Visa is actually easier to acquire when you are already in Thailand at your training camp. The best way to do this is to visit on a normal visa exemption or tourist visa to try out a few Muay Thai gyms. When you’ve found the gym you like, they can help you get the paperwork in order!
Visa Exemption to Train Muay Thai 😀
Best For: Travellers from one of 93 countries who want to train Muay Thai for three months or less.
Visitors from 93 countries are eligible to enter Thailand through the bilateral visa exemption scheme. This gives you 60 days in the country and permits one additional 30-day extension. The visa exemption is available to most travellers from Europe, Australia and the USA (see the full list here). This option is the perfect choice for those wanting to train Muay Thai for less than 90 days as there is no additional expense or paperwork to deal with!
“Now every western country gets 60 days free+30 renewal at the immigration office, so no sense to apply for a Muay Thai Visa which is also 90 days [extenable three times], that costs a fee, requires a lot of paperwork, compulsory attendance and full prepayment. Unless they stay for 1 year or more, they should simply go for tourist visas, much easier to get and hassle-free.”
Mam, Sitjemam Muay Thai
How to Get a Visa Exemption
Travellers who are eligible for a visa exemption just need to arrive in Thailand and pass through immigration. You will be automatically given the exemption by the immigration official. Proof of onward travel may be required.
Single Entry Tourist Visa for Thailand 🧢
Best For: Travellers not eligible for the visa exemption who want to train Muay Thai for three months or less
For those not eligible for the visa exemption, Thailand’s Tourist Visa is basically the same (60 days as standard with one 30-day extension). However, there is more paperwork and expense to deal with as you’ll need to arrange the visa in advance either online or via your local Thai consulate.
“Customers can obtain a 60-day tourist visa plus a 30-day extension. Afterward, they can also perform a visa run, potentially staying up to six months in total.”
Markus Muster, Punch It Gym
How to Get a Single Entry Tourist E-visa for Thailand
The easiest way to apply for a single-entry tourist visa for Thailand is to do so online via the official Thai E-Visa website.
To get a single-entry tourist E-visa for Thailand you will need to submit the following paperwork:
- Passport with at least six months validity and at least two blank pages
- Travel booking confirmation
- Proof of accommodation in Thailand
- Evidence of funds
- Document indicating your current location and address
You should also print out a copy of the visa application as well as the approval notice to show airline and immigration officials.
How to Get a Single Entry Visa for Thailand
Those not eligible for a Thai E-visa will need to visit your local Thai embassy to apply for a visa.
To do so, you will need the following paperwork:
- Passport with at least six months validity and at least two plain pages
- Completed and signed visa application form
- Proof of travel booking
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of funds
- Letter of acceptance from a Muay Thai camp
VOA (Visa on Arrival) for Thailand 🛃
Best For: Travellers ineligible for any other visa who want to train Muay Thai for 15 days or less.
Only nationals from a handful of countries are eligible for a VOA (see the full list here) – and it’s only valid for 15 days from your date of entry, so it’s not the most suitable visa for travellers wanting to train Muay Thai. However, if you just want to try out Muay Thai in Thailand before committing to a long stay, or are unable to get another type of visa, this may work for you!
How to Get a Visa on Arrival in Thailand
Visitors wanting a visa on arrival for Thailand will need to:
- Be a citizen of an approved country
- Fill in a visa on arrival form (available at immigration)
- Provide a passport photo taken within the last six months
- Have at least 30 days validity on their passport
- Pledge to visit Thailand for tourism only
- Provide proof of funds
- Provide proof of onward travel – the destination cannot be a country neighbouring Thailand
Muay Thai Visa FAQs⁉️
What visa should I get to train Muay Thai in Thailand?
Choosing the right visa to train Muay Thai in Thailand will depend on where you’re from, what Muay Thai camp you want to train at and how long you want to stay. For long stays, the best option will be the Non-Immigrant Study Visa/Non-Immigrant Ed Visa. For shorter stays, less than 90 days, a normal tourist visa or visa exemption will be sufficient.
How do I get a visa for Muay Thai?
Once you have chosen the correct visa, you’ll need to apply. For study visas, your Muay Thai camp of choice will be able to help guide you through the process. For tourist visas, most nationalities can apply online using the Thai E-Visa service. Travellers who can’t apply online will need to visit their local Thai embassy. For VOAs and those eligible for the visa exemption scheme, you just need to arrive in Thailand with enough validity on your passport, as well as proof of onward travel. You may also need to provide proof of funds, proof of address and a recent passport photo.
Can I go to Thailand to learn Muay Thai?
Yes! You can go to Thailand to train Muay Thai! The ‘Land of Smiles’ is the home of Muay Thai and there are countless amazing Muay Thai camps for you to visit, no matter your level of experience or long-term training plans.
Further Muay Thai Resources
Contributors:
South East Asia Backpacker is a ‘travel diary for everyone’. To help us write this article with the most up-to-date information, we reached out to our trusted partners at some of Thailand’s best Muay Thai camps. We would like to thank:
🙏 Sonali | Lionheart
🙏 Khun | Dang Muay Thai
🙏 Howard | Honour Muay Thai
🙏 Markus | Punch It Gym
🙏 Mam | Sitjemam
🙏 Zee | Khao Lak Muay Thai
Tim Ashdown | Gear Specialist
After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Tim decided life was too short to stay cooped up in his home county of Norfolk, UK. Since then, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His first book, From Paralysis to Santiago, chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorcycle accident and will be released later this year.
