Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Thailand, whether for tourism, business, investment, study, medical treatment, media work, religious purposes, employment, family visits, or other activities. Travelers must apply for the appropriate visa at a Thai embassy or consulate.

Seventy countries have bilateral agreements with Thailand allowing their citizens to stay for short periods without a visa. Under the visa waiver program and these bilateral agreements, citizens of six countries are granted a 90-day stay, citizens of 62 countries a 30-day stay, and citizens of two countries a 14-day stay. The list of exempt countries can be found here.

Depending on the purpose of your trip, various visa types are available at Thai embassies and consulates, including:

  • Non-immigrant visa (B, O, ED, OA etc.)

    • Here are the most common visa types that foreigners can obtain for travel to Thailand:

  • TOURIST (TR) For tourist purposes in Thailand. Not for business or professional purposes. Stay of up to 60 days permitted. An extension of another 30 days is possible.
  • BUSINESS (B) For business purposes in Thailand: You must be employed by or sponsored by a Thai company. A single-entry visa allows a stay of up to 90 days, a multiple-entry visa allows a stay of one year.
  • EDUCATION (ED) For studying in Thailand: Stay duration up to 90 days with a single entry visa or 1 year with a multiple entry visa.
  • PENSIONS OR MARRIAGE (O) For pensioners and spouses of Thai citizens: Pensioners must be at least 50 years old. The marriage must be to a Thai citizen. A stay of up to 90 days is permitted with a single-entry visa or 1 year with a multiple-entry visa.
  • THAI ELITE VISA (PE) – A renewable visa valid for 5 to 20 years, allowing multiple entries and a stay that can be extended by one year per entry. Uninterrupted stay in Thailand without the usual 90-day exit requirement of other visa types. Expedited entry and passport control upon arrival in Thailand.

    • Special note

    Most visa types can be extended pending approval from the Thai Immigration Bureau. This is known as a "stay extension." Typically, a short-term extension of up to 30 days is granted for tourist visas or nonimmigrant visas. Some visas allow the holder to apply for a one-year extension, but only for one of the following reasons: business, education, marriage, or retirement. Tourist visa holders must first convert their visa to a nonimmigrant visa before applying for a long-term extension. Visa extension applications must be submitted to an immigration office by the traveler themselves or an authorized representative, such as a government-authorized General Sales and Services Agent (GSSA) like Siam Legal.