A trip to Thailand is a perfect getaway for explorers who want to experience the uniqueness of South East Asian countries. As one of the hubs of the Asian tourism industry, international visitors get an exotic taste of vacation, be it for leisure, work, or business. Friendly locals, stunning coastlines, authentic cultures, world-famous attractions, a beautiful mountain region, and delicious Thailand food dishes make everything just as perfect as you planned.
To explore this beautiful destination, one must obtain a Thailand visit visa. During the pandemic, when the entire perspective of travel changed to include a social distancing aspect, Thailand invested a lot of effort and time into its Thai e-visa system. This enabled the applicants to apply for Thai tourist visas (single or multiple-entry) online, so there is no need to travel to the embassies or consulates for the visa application process.
The country welcomes its visitors through different types of Thailand visas. A visa is not necessary for those from a visa-exempt country who wish to stay 30 days in the country. The visa exemption scheme is open to over 64 nationalities from around the world. If you do not fall into the category of a visa-exempt country, you can apply for a Thai e-visa on arrival when you arrive at the airport. It allows you to stay for 15–30 days, depending on your nationality.
Since the pandemic has shown how luxurious travel can be, a 30-day visit is often not enough. So, we have curated everything about the Thai e-visa so that you can plan your Thai vacation without hassle.
What is a Thailand e-visa?
The Thailand e-visa is an electronic tourist visa that allows people to legally enter Thailand. The applicants can apply for a visa without going to a Royal Thai embassy or consulate, making it the most accessible way to obtain a visa and plan your Thai trip. The Thai e-visa gives access to two tourist visas.
Single-entry tourist visa
A single-entry tourist visa allows visitors to enter Thailand once for leisure, tourism, or medical purposes. This type of visa permits visitors to stay in the country for 60 days, with the option of extending their stay for another 30 days by visiting a local Thailand Immigration Office. The single-entry tourist visa is valid for three months from the date of issuance permitting the visitors to plan for their Thai stay. Once you leave the country, the visa becomes invalid. Well, if you want to stay longer, you can extend your Thailand visa.
Multiple-entry tourist visa
A multiple-entry tourist visa allows visitors to enter Thailand multiple times over six months. This type of visa can be issued for leisure, tourism, or medical purposes for an extended period. Visitors holding a multiple-entry tourist visa can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days per visit. They can enter and exit the country without worrying about obtaining another visa. It allows an extension of 30 days by visiting a local Thai immigration office.
We recommend you to go through our guide on Thailand tourist visas to get expert details on its requirements and process.
Both Thailand Tourist visas allow the holder to enter Thailand by air, land, or sea.
How do I apply for a Thailand e-visa?
The first and foremost step while applying for a Thailand e-visa is to log in to the Thai e-visa website, where you have to create an account and apply for a visa as an individual. Once you make the account, obtain the following documents.
- Single-Entry: Your original passport is valid for at least six months and consists of two blank pages. You must provide the information for the application that matches the information in the passport.
- Multiple-entry: Your original passport with at least six months validity beyond the date of departure from Thailand and at least two blank pages.
- Your recently-clicked, passport-size photo
- Intended date of travel
- Proof of accommodation in Thailand, such as hotel bookings,
- Letter of invitation from family or friends in Thailand
- Residence proof
- Host’s ID (if applicable)
- Employment proof (if applicable)
- (Single Entry) Financial proof– a bank statement or proof of your earnings (equivalent to 10,000 Thai Baht for individuals or 20,000 Thai Baht for families.)
- (Multiple Entry) Financial proof with a balance of 200,000 Thai Baht (approx. £5,000, USD 5,500, AUD 8,000) to prove financial stability over six months, such as bank statements, proof of earnings, and a sponsorship letter from an employer
Upon creating an account, you must follow the given steps:
- Apply as an individual.
- Apply for a new visa.
- Check Eligibility
- Select the type of tourist visa.
- Upload a scan of your passport for biometric information.
- Enter personal information, including home address, phone number, nationality, date of birth, and marital status.
- Enter employment information.
- Complete travel information, including flights and accommodations (if booked),
- Upload supporting documents (noted above)
Submit - Proceed to the secure payment portal option.
Once you are done with the process, a reference number is sent by mail to monitor your application.
What is the processing time?
The standard Thai e-Visa processing time is six days, while rush processing takes four days.
The standard Thailand e-Visa costs 2500 TBH (260 AED).
Thai e-visa problems and restrictions
The Thai e-visa is not applicable to certain countries due to additional document requirements for approval. If you are unsure about the eligibility criteria for a Thai e-visa, contact the Thai Embassy or consulate and schedule an appointment. Please note that the immigration requirements can change without notice and that many embassies do not allow walk-ins. As a result, it is best to contact the embassy ahead of time and when you are fully prepared to apply.
As mentioned, the Thai e-visa is only for leisure, tourism, and medical purposes. If you wish to engage in other activities, you must apply for a different visa type or contact the Thai embassy or consulate to discuss your options.
Conclusion
Thus, this is all you need to know about the Thai e-visa. For complicated issues, ensure to contact the Thai Embassy without hesitation. You might be eligible for a Thailand visa on arrival. Find out.