Thailand Tourist Visa

Where To Apply For A Tourist Visa?  Visa Fees, Application Process, Requirements
Tourist Visa Long-Stayers: Where To Go For A Visa Run?
Thailand Visa News: Crackdown On Back-To-Back Tourist Visa Applications

A tourist visa obtained from a Royal Thai embassy or consulate, preferably in a Western country or your home country, is your best option if you wish to stay in Thailand for an extended period of time, but do not qualify for a Non-immigrant visa of either type.
Tourist visa are available as single-, double-, triple- and multiple-entry visas.
As the visa sticker clearly points out,
employment is strictly prohibited with this type of visa, and work permits cannot be applied for.
Tourist visa holders get a
60-day permission of stay (per entry), starting from the date of arrival in Thailand, which period can be extended for 30 days (and longer) at a local Thai immigration office (extension fee 1,900 Baht).
Documents required for visa extension include a fully-filled extension form (TM. 7), a copy of your passport and a passport picture 4x6cm. Pattaya Immigration Bureau
If you're holding a double- or multiple-entry tourist visa and leave Thailand after the expiry of your first 60-day stay, a re-entry into the Kingdom will give you another 60-day permission of stay, i.e. as long as your visa remains valid and has not been fully used.
(If you wish to engage in business activities, a change of the visa type is possible - provided you qualify for a business visa.)

Where To Apply For A Tourist Visa?

Nationals of most countries can apply for a tourist visa at any Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate worldwide. They are usually available as
single-, double-, triple- and multiple-entry visas. Multiple-
entry tourist visas, however, may be only available in certain contries, e.g. Australia or the United Kingdom, not worldwide.
However, as Thai Embassies and Consulates in nearby Southeast Asian countries have become all-too popular with frequent 'visa runners', most of them issue only single-entry tourist visas now, and some may give you a hard time before (if at all) approving your visa application.
Therefore it's generally advisable to obtain a tourist visa at a Thai embassy in your
home country or country of residence, where double, triple and multiple-entry visas are easily available, too.

If you choose to do a "visa run" to a nearby Southeast Asian country, please note that the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Phen (Cambodia) has a rather bad reputation - at least for tourist visas - and the consulate on Penang/ Malaysia currently only issues single-entry tourist visas (restricted to a maximum of three consecutive visas - after which they'll place a red stamp in your passport, virtually banning you from future applications. The Thai embassy in Manila (on the Philippines) is reportedly a total waste of time. (Read more below.)
Despite a crackdown on back-to-back tourist visa applications (enforced since September 2009), the Thai embassy in Vientiane, Laos, still seems to be "the place to go" at least for tourist visas. They also issue double-entry tourist visas on request, i.e. unless your passport shows 'too many' consecutive tourist visa stickers and until their policies change again.
Visa Run To Vientiane & Tourist Visa Application

Visa Fees, Application Process, Requirements

According to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from June 25, 2009 until March 4, 2010, all foreigners applying for tourist visas will be exempt from visa fees. In March 2010, the "free tourist visa scheme" was extended for another year and will be effective until March 2011.
Normally
tourist visa fees vary slightly from country to country. The standard fee is around US$25 for single-entry visas, respectively US$50 or US$75 for double or triple-entry visas. The consulate in Vientiane (Laos) charges 1,000 Baht for single-entry visas (2,000 Baht for double-entry).
Visa fees may also be changed without prior notice.
In most Western countries, visas should be issued on the day of application. In Southeast Asian countries, the application process may take up to two working days.
Documents required for tourist visa application generally include your passport, a visa application form completely filled out, and a recent photograph.
Further official requirements include an air ticket (return) and proof of sufficient financial means to cover your expenses in Thailand. In practice, however, no-one will ask for such documents.
For details, please contact your local Royal Thai Embassy in advance.
UPDATE - In September 2009, Royal Thai embassies and consulates have announced they were going to get tough on back-to-back 60-day tourist visa applications.
Tourist visa applicants will face stricter "screening measures" to make sure that they are genuine "tourists" and use their visa not as a way to work illegally in Thailand. Applicants with "too many" back-to-back tourist visa stickers may have a red warning stamp put in their passport and have a new visa application refused.
Thailand Visa News

Tourist Visa Long-Stayers! Where To Go For A Visa Run?

When your tourist visa has been fully used or has expired, you'll either have to leave Thailand and obtain a new visa (read below) or go on a "border run" to a neighbouring country (without applying for a new visa).
Note: When you use the "visa exemption" scheme (30-day permission of stay without visa) to re-
enter the Kingdom via an international airport checkpoint, you'll still obtain a 30-days entry stamp upon arrival.
Since the latest changes to visa regulations in November 2008, however, you will be granted only a
15-days permission of stay when arriving via a land border.
For more details on the "new visa rules" please go to Thai Visa Information.

Another obstacle specially designed for Thailand long-stayers who don't legally qualify for a Non-
Immigrant visa of either type, is the new
crackdown on back-to-back tourist visa applications:
In September 2009, ThaiVisa reported that in a crackdown on 60-days tourist visas, several Thai embassies and consulates in neighboring Southeast Asian countries (possibly around the world) were going to get tough on issuing back-to-back 60-day tourist visas. Applicants would now face stricter screening measures to make sure they are actually "tourists" and use the tourist visa not as a way to work in Thailand illegally. Applicants with too many back-to back tourist visa stamps or stickers in their passports may have a new tourist visa application refused.
The original announcement by the Immigration Bureau in early September stated that tourist visa applications by those applicants, who have "misused tourist visas" to illegally "work" in Thailand, were now "subject to rejection" as their applications weren't "based on tourism but on continuing their illegal employment."
To make things even worse, it seems as if this latest "crackdown" is also being strictly enforced by most Royal Thai embassies and consulates at least in the Southeast Asian region, including the formerly popular Thai embassy in Vientiane:
Since end of September 2009, visa applicants report that Thai consulates around Southeast Asia have started placing red stamps in applicant's passports. There have been numerous reports that tourist visas were still being issued to applicants with too many back-to-back tourist visa stamps in their passports BUT they were given red warning stamps.
The remark on the red stamp reads as follows: "The holder has travelled to Thailand with Tourist Visa _ times. The Embassy may not accept the application next time."
More details on on the "tourist visa crackdown" can be found on Thailand Visa News.

When travelling with a
double-, triple- or multiple-entry tourist visa, a one-day "border run" to the Cambodian border - or any other border checkpoints - is fully sufficient to renew your permission of stay (provided your visa is still valid). Upon re-arrival on the Thai side of the border, you will get a new 60-days entry stamp. You won't have to apply for a new visa (as long as your existing visa remains valid).
Please note: All re-entries, however, must be made within the timeframe determined by your visa (visa validity).
This timeframe starts from the date of issuance of your visa - not your first entry into Thailand. All re-entries must be made use of before your visa expires. Don't mix up the validity of your visa and the permitted duration of stay (per entry), which is only 60 days. Even when you're travelling with a double-, triple- or multiple-entry tourist visa, you'll still have to leave the country after the first 60 days (or 90 days if extended) in order to renew your permission of stay.
Single-entry tourist visas are valid for 3 months, double-entry visas are valid for six months, while multiple-entry tourist visas are valid for one year (starting from the date of issuance!).
Always make sure you make your last entry before the visa has expired!

While tourist visa application has always been the easiest in Western countries, it's unclear how many
consecutive tourist visas may be issued by Thai embassies or consulates in neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.
So far, there is no official rule, which restricts the maximum number of back-to-back visits to the Kingdom when travelling on "simple" tourist visas. However, since Thai embassies have declared a
crackdown on back-to-back 60-day tourist visa applications in September 2009, the number of expats who actually live in Thailand as official "tourists", may be expected to decline sharply.
As of October 2009, it is still unclear how many back-to-back tourist visas are "okay", and after how many consecutive tourist visa applications, new applications will be rejected.
Foreigners have been advised to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa of either kind, instead of "living" (and possibly working) in Thailand as "professional tourists". Another option is the so-called ED visa (ED = education), which is granted to foreign students in Thailand, who enroll, for example, in a Thai language course at a local school certified by the Ministry of Education.
At the moment, the least problems with obtaining (consecutive) tourist visas have been reported at the Thai embassy in Vientiane. Double-entry tourist visas are also available on request.
However, since the crackdown on back-to-back tourist visa applications is also being enforced in Laos, applicants with "too many" consecutive tourist visa stickers in their passports will have red warning stamps put on their visas, indicating that future applications may not be accepted.
Visa Run To Vientiane/ Laos
The formerly busy Thai consulate on
Penang reportedly has restricted tourist visa applicants to 3 consecutive single-entry visas only. If the consulate decides to restrict your visits, they will place a red stamp on your last visa stating that future applications will get refused.
Also, according to a thread on ThaiVisa, as from February 1st, 2008, the Royal Thai consulate in Georgetown will only issue tourist visas to those applicants, who can produce a fully paid onward air ticket, departing again from Thailand to an international destination not within Southeast Asia.

Due to their bad reputation, the embassies in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Manila (Philippines) should be avoided (chances in Phnom Penh may be 50/50 while Manila is allegedly a total waste of time.)
If you're not keen on a trip back home, your best option for a successful tourist visa application is a trip to either Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Vientiane/ Laos.
The Thai embassy in Perth (Australia) has an excellent reputation, too, but may be a bit far away for frequent visa runs.
To read more on other visa categories available for Thailand and find out which one suits you best please check the links below.

Tourist Visa  Visa Run To Vientiane, Laos  Business/ Non-Immigrant Visa "B"
Retirement/ Non-Immigrant Visa "O-A" (Longstay)  Marriage/ Non-Immigrant Visa "O"

Thai Visa Expat Forum  Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Directory of Thai Embassies and Consulates  www.thaiembassy.org (official website)

Back To Thai Visa Information  Thailand VISA NEWS

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THAI VISA NEWS
Free Tourist Visas, Riot Insurance For Tourists
In March 2010, the Thai Cabinet has announced the extension of the tourism stimulus package for one more year, incl. continuation of the "free tourist visa scheme" launched last year, and free 'riot insurance' for tourists.
The extension will be effective from April 1, 2010  to March 31, 2011.
All foreigners applying for Thai Tourist Visas at Thai embassies and Consulates shall be exempt from visa fees.
Sources: ThaiVisa.com AP

Crackdown On 60-Day
Tourist Visa Applicants!
In September 2009, several Thai embassies and consulates have announced that they were going to get tough on back-to-back 60-
day tourist visas.
Tourist visa applicants will face stricter "screening measures" to make sure that they are genuine "tourists" and use their visas not as a way to work illegally in the country.
Visa applicants with "too many" back-to-back tourist visa stamps may have a new visa application refused.
Thailand Visa News

Only Four Consecutive Border Runs!
In a "crackdown" on foreigners who "abuse" the visa exemption rule allowing 15-day extensions at land border checkpoints, Thai Immigration has confirmed a new regulation, effective from June 1, 2009.
A foreigner who has entered the Kingdom four consecutive times on 15-day entry stamps, will not be allowed to leave the country and re-enter by land.
The only option is to exit Thailand and re-enter via an international airport.
Source: ThaiVisa.com
Changes In Immigration Office Areas!
From February 2009, all Thai Immigration bureaus have been strictly instructed that foreigners have to use only the Immigration office, which has administrative jurisdiction over the area where they live.
All Thai visa changes, re-entry permits, extensions etc. must be handled by immigration offices in the districts of their residence.
Pattaya Immigration

30-Day Border Runs
Now Only 15 Days!
As of December 2008, the Thai Immigration bureau has issued a new, strict regulation regarding the 30-day visa exemption.
Effective immediately, travellers who have not obtained a regular visa and arrive via a land border checkpoint (!), shall receive only a 15-days permission of stay.
Tourists arriving via international airports still get a 30-days entry stamp.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 
 
 

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