BANGKOK, Feb 16 Thailand has announced visa waivers for citizens of several countries to boost tourism, a key driver of the country’s economy. The move comes as Thailand and China sign an agreement to waive visa requirements for their respective nationals.
Ordinary passport holders from the following countries/territories are able to enter Thailand for 30 days without a visa (visa exemption). They must show proof of onward travel by flight ticket at the point of entry.
Visa Exemptions
As a popular destination with ornate temples, sandy beaches and charming water markets, Thailand attracts millions of tourists each year. Many of those travellers are required to obtain a visa before travelling, but others can visit the country without a visa at all.
Travelers with regular passports from 63 countries and territories can enter Thailand without a visa for 30 days provided that they are visiting for tourism purposes only. Passports must have at least 6 months of validity to qualify for the visa exemption and travelers must possess a return ticket showing that they will leave Thailand within 30 days.
The Royal Thai Government has recently waived visa requirements for Chinese and Kazakhstani citizens in order to boost tourism, which is one of the biggest contributors to Thailand’s economy. The move is part of a broader plan to bring people-to-people exchanges to a new level. This visa exemption scheme is temporary and will remain in place until 10 November 2023.
Single Entry Tourist Visa
The vast majority of foreign visitors to Thailand will get by without arranging any type of visa in advance. On landing at an airport, citizens of most nations are granted a number of days of visa exemption, depending on which countries Thailand has bilateral visa waiver agreements with.
Those who intend to stay in Thailand long term, retire or marry a Thai national need to arrange for the appropriate type of visa before arriving. These can be obtained through the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in one’s home country. Documents required can vary by country and embassy, and are always subject to change.
Those who overstay their visa, even by a single day, are subject to an administrative fine of 500B per day. If you are staying longterm, or seem suspicious to the immigration officer on duty (especially during covid), you may be asked to provide additional proof of purpose and funds. This includes things such as travel insurance, attested bank statements, onward ticket and destination proof, world health organisation certificates and so forth.
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
For travelers who plan to spend a long time in Thailand, it may be more convenient and cost-effective to apply for a multiple entry visa. A multiple-entry tourist visa is valid for a year and allows the holder to enter and exit Thailand as many times as desired.
Applicants with a multiple entry visa should carry proof of financial means and a passport that has a remaining validity period of six months or more. They must also submit bank statements with satisfactory transactions (at least 20,000 baht per person and 40,000 baht per family) and pay slips or salary certificates.
Visitors who wish to stay for longer than the 60 days permitted by their single entry visa can extend it at the local Immigration Office in Thailand for an additional 30 days for 1,900 baht. It is recommended to make the extension before the end of your 60 day stay. To avoid a delay, it is best to arrive at the Immigration Office with plenty of time to wait in line.
Overstaying
Overstaying is when you stay in Thailand past the time allowed on your visa or entry stamp. This is a serious offense and can result in fines, deportation, and a ban from re-entering the country for up to 20 years.
People overstay for a variety of reasons. Some miscalculate the number of days on their visa, others follow guidelines that apply to a different nationality, and sometimes they simply forget about their visa expiration date.
If you overstay, you can be fined up to 500 baht per day of overstay (up to 20,000 baht) and the overstay will appear as a black mark in your passport. The best way to avoid overstaying is to make sure that you leave the country on or before your permitted departure date and check the expiration dates of your visa and passport frequently. The legal team at Juslaws & Consult is well-versed in handling visa issues and can accompany you to the airport or immigration office to resolve your overstay status.