The Thai Government introduced a new 1 year tourist visa on October 11th 2016, which allows unlimited re-entry and frees up your time to explore more of Thailand. This is the shortest term tourist visa that has been made available so far and is a great option for those looking to live the life of a digital nomad for longer than 30 days.The visa situation in Thailand has changed once again and unfortunately it isn’t more relaxed. Most applications that were submitted before the 28th of May 2014 are now no longer valid as they will soon be expired. Those that have successfully obtained a multiple entry non-immigrant visa before this date can still enjoy the 15 day stay per every entry. After your stay is up, you must head back home to get a new visa (if needed) or pay for a 30 day visa on arrival for the next 15 days.
How Do I Get A 1 Year Visa For Thailand
Thailand is truly a spectacular place . . . beautiful people, delicious food, interesting environment — it’s heaven on a stick: a sort of heaven that anyone can afford. For the budget traveler, Thailand is a dream destination. It’s cheap, has great food and an amazing variety of experiences for tourists who want to travel outside the box?and don’t mind if the locals think they are a little odd.
Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa Requirements
When you submit a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa application, you must have several supporting documents, such as:
- Your passport, which must be valid for at least another six months and have at least two blank visa pages. If you’re applying for a one-year visa, your passport should be valid for at least another 18 months.
- A completed and signed Thailand Visa application form. You may be able to download it from the website of the Embassy or Consulate where you are applying or get it there if you apply in person.
- Passport-sized picture of yourself, with the following specifications:
- White background
- Taken within the last six months
- You must have a neutral facial expression, staring straight ahead
- Your entire face must be fully visible
- Headgear is only allowed for religious purposes and even then, only if it does not cover the face
- Glasses are allowed only if they do not cover your eyes and do not have heavy frames
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration of your stay. You need 20,000 Thai Baht if you are traveling alone and 40,000 Thai Baht if you are traveling as a family.
- Payment of the Thai Non-Immigrant Visa fee
- Additional documents depending on the purpose of your stay.
How Can I Apply for a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa?
You have to apply for a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country.
- Contact the Thailand Embassy or Consulate where you will submit the visa application or visit their website. Learn about the opening hours, working days, and if you have to make an appointment. You can find a list of the diplomatic mission offices of Thailand here.
- Collect the required documents for the specific Non-Immigrant Visa you are applying for
- Submit the documents and visa application. Depending on which Embassy/Consulate you apply in, you can submit the application:
- In-person
- Through the post, in which case you have to enclose a pre-paid and self-addressed envelope
- Wait for the application to be processed
- Collect your passport with the visa affixed. If you applied by mail, the Embassy/Consulate will mail it to you.
Note: If you are already in Thailand on another type of visa, you can apply to change the category to another type of Non-Immigrant Visa at the Thailand Immigration Department in Bangkok. This does not apply to holders of a Thai Visa On Arrival.
Can I Get a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa on Arrival?
No, you cannot. The Thailand Visa On Arrival is only issued for tourism purposes, and for a non-extendable period of 15 days.
What Should I Do After I Enter Thailand With a Non-Immigrant Visa?
After you enter Thailand using your Non-Immigrant Visa, depending on the purpose for which you got it, you have to submit a 90-Day Report to the Thai Immigration authorities. This means that every 90 days that you continue to live in Thailand, you have to go to your local office of the Thailand Immigration Department and report your current address, even if it has not changed.
The only exception is in the case of the Thai SMART Visa, where the holders have to report their stay annually, rather than every 90 days.
Applying to Get a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa Extension
Non-Immigrant Visas are usually issued for a maximum of 90 days. So, if you want to stay longer than that, then you have to get a one-year visa extension from the Bureau of Immigration in Bangkok.
Before the visa extension expires, you can re-apply for another one-year extension, if you meet the requirements to continue living in Thailand.
Once you have lived in Thailand through Visa Extensions for at least three years, you may be eligible for Thailand Permanent Residency.
Applying to Get a Re-Entry Permit
After you extend your visa, you also have to apply for a Re-Entry Permit, in order to be allowed to leave and re-enter Thailand without your visa becoming void. If you do not get a Re-Entry Permit before you leave Thailand, you will have used up your single entry, and you won’t be allowed back in unless you get another visa.
The Thailand Re-Entry Permit can be issued for a single entry or for multiple entries.
What Is the Duration of a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa?
The duration of a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa depends on what type of visa you’re applying for. They can be issued for the following durations:
- Single-entry for up to three months
- Multiple-entry, for up to three months
However, in some cases, such as for business or retirement, the visa can be issued for multiple entries for up to one year.
Even if you receive a Thailand multiple-entry visa, you cannot stay in Thailand longer than 90 days per entry.
How Much Does a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa Cost?
The processing fee for a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa changes depending on several factors, such as the local currency, the duration of the visa, and the Embassy/Consulate in which you apply.
However, you can expect to pay approximately:
- 2,000 Thai Baht for a single-entry Non-Immigrant Visa with three-months’ validity.
- 5,000 Thai Baht for a multiple-entry Non-Immigrant Visa with one-year validity.