How To Get A Visa For Thailand

If you’re heading to Thailand but not sure if you need a visa, or how to get one, you’re in the right place!

Whether you are planning a quick getaway or plan to continue your digital nomad adventure, there is a visa for your journey.

Some nationalities don’t need a visa to enter the country, while others will be able to apply for an eVisa (Electronic Visa) with a service like www.byevisa.com before they arrive. 

Let’s dive right in.

Do I Need a Visa for Thailand?

For some nationalities, if you are traveling to Thailand for less than 30 days, you won’t need to apply for a visa. All you need is a valid passport and proof of departure from Thailand.

Sixty-four countries can enter Thailand without a visa.

Some countries included are…

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Israel
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Philippines 
• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• Most of Europe
• Many more!
  

Make sure you have a valid departure ticket, as you will be asked to show proof of your return.

When you arrive at the airport, you will receive an arrival card that you will fill out and give to the immigration officer. There are two parts to the card, and you will need the other half when you depart Thailand, so make sure you keep it! 

Tourist Visa in Thailand

If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for a Tourist Visa. A Tourist Visa allows you to stay in the country for a total of 60 days. 

To stay for longer, you can apply for an extension. You can visit your nearest Immigration office to apply for an extension of an additional 30 days. If you extend your visa, you will need to do a visa run to extend your visa. 

A visa run consists of leaving the country and re-entering to obtain a new visa. Visa runs can be done by bus to neighboring countries or by plane. In total, the Tourist Visa will allow you to stay in Thailand for 90 days (with a visa run).

With a Tourist Visa, you can opt for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. The single-entry visa allows you to enter Thailand once. The multiple-entry visa lets you enter Thailand several times, while your visa is valid. If you plan to travel outside Thailand, you will need a multiple-entry visa.

If you are continuing your digital nomad journey in Thailand and plan to stay for a year or longer, it is possible to apply for a 1-year multiple-entry visa. However, with this visa, you will have to do a visa run every 90 days.

What is an eVisa?

An electronic visa or eVisa allows eligible travelers to pre-register for a Thailand visa for a short stay. At the airport, travelers will be able to use the eVisa fast lane to speed up the immigration process and avoid waiting in long lines.

The eVisa allows travelers to stay in Thailand for 15 days.

Who should apply for an eVisa?

If you have a passport from one of the following countries, you can apply for an electronic visa before arriving in Thailand.

• Australia
• Bhutan
• Bulgaria
• China
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Georgia
• Hungary
• India
• Kazakhstan
• Liechtenstein
• Malta
• Mexico
• Nauru
• Oman
• Papua New Guinea
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Taiwan
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
  

How to apply for an eVisa

To apply for an eVisa online, you will need the following.

• Passport valid for at least 30 days from your date of arrival in Thailand
• Credit/Debit card to pay the fee
• Valid Email address
• Return flight ticket
• Proof of accommodation

Once you receive confirmation of your eVisa, you need to print out the confirmation and bring it with you and ensure you have all valid documents for Thai Border Control.

At the Airport – eVisa

If you’ve applied for your eVisa online, there are several documents you will need to have with you.

• 4×6 cm color photo
• Arrival card – you will fill out the arrival card on the plan or at the airport when you land
• THB 2000 for your Visa stamp
• Address of your accommodation
• Return flight ticket

When you arrive at the airport, you can go to the Visa on Arrival area and enter the dedicated eVisa line.

Where can I use an eVisa?

You can enter Thailand with an eVisa through one of the following airports.

• Bangkok – Suvarnabhumi International Airport – BKK
• Bangkok – Don Mueang International Airport – DMK
• Phuket – Phuket International Airport – HKT
• Chiang Mai – Chiang Mai International Airport – CNX

Final Thoughts

Thailand offers visas to suit your needs. To visit for 30 days or less, the process of entering the country is relatively straightforward.

For nomads looking to move to Thailand long-term, it is possible! Keep in mind you will need to do a visa run every 90 days. Thailand is a beautiful country to explore, so the more time you have there, the more you can appreciate all it offers.