Thailand Visa Guidelines and Requirements

Obtaining a tourist visa for travelling to Thailand is a relatively straightforward process, especially if you are planning on staying for a short period.  In general, different types of visas are available for tourists, and depending on them, travellers must fill out and submit the necessary documentation. If you plan to visit Thailand for a holiday and will be staying for fewer than 30 days, you may be eligible to apply for an e-visa or a on-arrival visa. A Thailand tourist e-visa is typically issued for a stay of up to 15. Whereas the regular Thailand visas allow visitors to stay for a maximum of 30 days, with a validity of up to 3 months. Once all of the appropriate documents have been submitted, travellers can expect to receive their tourist visa within a few weeks. 

Types of Visas for Thailand

Visa on arrival

Thailand offers a visa on arrival that allows visitors to stay in Thailand for a period of 30 days. Out of 38 airports in Thailand, only four airports, namely Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Don Mueang International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, and Phuket International Airport, offer on-arrival visas for travellers. Passengers must apply for an on-arrival visa in the immigration area after arriving at any one of the four airports listed above. After that the traveller is required to present their passport to the designated officer. Finally, the traveller will obtain the last immigration approval before entering Thailand. 

Thailand E-visa 

One of the most popular and the best ways to get a visa for travelling to Thailand is the E-visa, which is given to the traveller to stay in Thailand for a duration of 15 days. It is a single-entry visa with a validity of 30 days. To obtain an e-visa, travellers must fill out an online application on the Thailand VFS website, and their e-visa will be issued within two to three business days.

Thailand Express E-visa

Thailand express e-visa is the same as a regular e-visa, allowing a visitor to stay in Thailand for 15 days. The only difference between an e-visa and an express e-visa is that the express e-visa is processed much faster. With an express e-visa, visitors can get the visa approved within 24 hours by paying an additional amount. 

Documents required for a visa application

• A valid passport (cover page and bio page)
• Departure and return airline tickets
• Accommodation for the entire trip
• Photograph size: 4x6 cm (colored photograph and recently taken within the last three months).
• Hotel confirmation details 

Visa Fees

• Regular Visa fee: 2500 THB (Rs. 6080)
• Visa on Arrival: 2,000 THB (Rs. 4865)
• E visa: 2500 THB (Rs. 6080).
• Express E-VVisa fee: 5000 THB (Rs. 12160)

Covid Restrictions and Requirements 

Before arriving in Thailand, every visitor must have a valid COVID vaccination certificate attesting to their completion of two doses of a WHO-approved vaccination (Covishield, Covaxin, or Pfizer). A non-vaccination traveler is required to present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 48 hours of the scheduled flight's departure for Thailand.