Tourist Visa Exemption

Information about who will be granted "permission to stay" in Thailand...

Passport holders from some countries are granted a "permission to stay" stamp in their passport on arrival at an international airport, under the "tourist visa exemption" rule for tourism purposes only. They are granted "permission to stay" for not longer than 30 days and must have a confirmed flight ticket for departure within that time. If arriving by land, "permission to stay" is granted for not longer than 15 days except for Malaysian nationals who will be granted a "permission to stay" for not longer than 30 days. After entry into Thailand, and at the immigration officer's discretion, it is sometimes possible to get a seven day "extension of stay".

Visitors under the tourist visa exemption rule may stay for longer than 90 days in any six-month period.

  • For a list of countries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Click here

Visa on arrival

Passport holders from a further 20 countries are granted a visa on arrival which is valid for only 15 days. They are granted "permission to stay" for not longer than 15 days and must have a confirmed flight ticket for departure within that time.

  • Further information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Click here

Tourist Visas

For longer stays it is possible to apply for a tourist visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate overseas. This allows a 60 day visit for tourism only, with a possible 30-day "extension of stay". The tourist visa will have a three or six month validity during which time it is possible for the holder to enter Thailand and get a 60 day "permission to stay" stamp.

The regulation that stated that the maximum stay was 90 days in any six-month period has been cancelled.

  • Further information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Click here

Those wishing to extend their visa for a further 30 days must contact the Immigration Bureau.

  • Bangkok Immigration Office (Immigration Bureau)
    At    : Chaengwattana Building B, No. 120, Moo 3, Chaengwattana Road, Tungsonghong Sub-District, Laksi District, Bangkok 10210
    Tel: 02 141 9889 / 1178
    Fax: 02 143 8228
    For a map of the office location: Click here
  • Immigration Bureau (for citizens of Laos, Cambodia and Myamar)
    At: Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
    Tel: 02 287 3101-10

A new multiple-entry visa (METV) will be available from 13 November 2015. Costing 5000 baht, it will grant travelers multiple entries during a six-month period, for up to sixty days per entry.