Visa to Thailand can be obtained either online through Thai Visa On Arrival or applied through a Thailand Embassy in India. We’ll look at both of them and help you decide what works best for you.
Thailand is the most interesting, exciting and amazing places in the world. And Thailand visa is essential for visiting this beautiful place. It will not only help you to avoid any difficulties, but also save your money for spending on this vacation trip. So, if you are planning to visit Thailand or planning to extend your stay in Thailand then apply for visa at least one month before your travel date.
Thailand is a beautiful country with lush greenery, exquisite temples and palaces, friendly people, delicious food and an interesting culture. It has something for everyone! Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world. This destination attracts millions of tourists each year from all over the world.
If you are planning to visit Thailand, then you should apply for Thailand tourist visa for India. The tourist visa for Thailand can be obtained from the Thai embassy or consulate located in various cities across India. The duration of stay varies from 30 days to 90 days depending on your nationality and purpose of visit.
The applicant must have a passport that is valid at least six months beyond their intended stay.
An applicant must be at least 18 years old and meet all other requirements outlined by the embassy or consulate office in India where they are applying for a visa. An applicant who is younger than 18 years old will need to provide a letter of consent signed by both parents or legal guardians authorizing them to travel abroad without parental supervision during their stay in Thailand (a copy of this letter should also be provided along with other documents required when applying).
How To Apply For A Visa To Thailand
All applicants must follow the application process to qualify for a visa to Thailand. The application process requires submission of completed form and necessary documents. While submitting the application, all applicants are required to pay the non-refundable visa fee for the application to be processed. Based on the application, eligibility factors, and applicant’s requirements, a visa can be approved or rejected on various grounds. Though the application form, eligibility criteria, and requirements differ or each visa category, the following requirements are common for most types of visa application:
Application form – Applicants are required to complete the application form as per the guidelines and regulations specified by MFA.
Photograph – The applicant’s passport sized photograph (4×6 cm) must be attached to the application form
Passport – Original passport with at least 6 months of validity (from the date of travel) and at least 2 blank pages (required for visa stamping during entry and exit). In certain situation, individuals without a passport are allowed to submit any other valid travel document recognised by the MFA.
Proof of sufficient funds – Applications for specific types of visa needs to be supported with a proof of sufficient funds. The proof will indicate the financial capability of the applicant to bear the cost of entire travel plan.
Proof of stay – The proof of stay is one of the necessary documents for various types of visa applications.
Bank statement – Applicants may also need to submit the bank statement of past 6 months
Tickets – Providing a copy of the confirmed return ticket is also a common part of the application form, however, certain visa categories may only need the intended date of travel.
Other documents – Based on the specific category of the visa, applicants are required to provide
various types of mandatory documents including letters, approvals, reference, etc.
Validity of Thailand Visa for Indians
Thailand Visas are issued with a validity of 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years by the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate. All visas are issued with the validity printed on it. Additionally, an immigration officer will stamp the visa with the stay period mentioned on it. Based on the visa type and date of entry, the stay period will reflect the arrival date and date of exit. If the visitor has to extend his/her period of stay, an application for extension needs to be carried out at either the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok or at an Immigration office located in the provinces. Visitors with visa extension requirements can visit the Immigration Bureau’s official website www.immigration.go.th for more information and online application process.
Types of Visa
Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General issue the following types of visas:
Thailand Tourist Visa – Individuals who wish to visit the Kingdom of Thailand for tourism purpose can apply for this type of visa. The visa is issued with 3 months of validity under single entry scheme and 6 months of validity under multiple entry scheme. Applicants are required to submit the completed application form along with the passport or any other valid travel document with at least six months of validity. The application must have a recent photograph of the applicant in 4×6 cm as per the specifications. Documents such as the confirmed return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds (20,000 Baht per individual or 40,000 Baht per family). Regardless of the visa validity, visitors can stay up to 60 days without the need of an Extension of Stay. If the period of stay is expected to be more than 60 days, visitors must contact Immigration Bureau for an application for extension.
Visa validity – 3 months (single entry) and 6 months (multiple entry).
Period of stay – Up to 60 days with an option of Extension of Stay application.
Document required – Completed application form, passport, confirmed return ticket, proof of sufficient funds, and additional documents, if required.
Application fee – 1,000 Baht per entry.
Thailand Work Permit – The ‘B’ category non-immigrant visa is issued to eligible foreigners who wish to work or operate a business in the Kingdom of Thailand. In order to be eligible a work permit, the applicant must have a job offer from a prospective employer in Thailand. The application is carried out by the employer at the Department of Employment which allows the applicant to stay up to 90 days. Before the expiry of the stay period, the applicant must apply for an Extension of Stay Permit at the Immigration Bureau which will allow stay up to 1 year. Once the visitor has been granted with an employment status, an application for Re-entry Permit at Immigration Bureau is required to extend the period of stay. Individuals can get in touch with Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment under the Ministry of Labour for more information on work permit in Thailand. Additionally, the work permit also allows an individual to operate a business in Thailand as a skilled professional.
Applicants are needed to submit the completed application form along with the passport or any other valid travel document with at least six months of validity and blank pages for visa stamping. The application must have a recent photograph of the applicant along with other documents including Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour, Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour, corporate documents of hiring company, confirmed return ticket, proof of sufficient funds and accommodation (20,000 Baht per individual or 40,000 Baht per family). The non-refundable fee of 1,000 Baht is mandatory for the application processing.
Visa validity – 3 months for Single-entry and 6 months for multiple-entry visas. Multiple-entry visa is also available with 1 year validity option.
Period of stay – Up to 90 days with an option of Extension of Stay application.
Document required – Completed application form, passport, confirmed return ticket, proof of sufficient funds, copy of work permit, letter of approval, corporate documents, and other documents, if applicable.
Application fee – 2,000 Baht for single entry and 5,000 Baht for multiple entries.
Thailand Education Visa – In order to study or attend training sessions in the Kingdom of Thailand, foreign students can apply for the education visa. The applicant must obtain letter of acceptance from the university/institute/college and provide the relevant document to be eligible for the Education Visa.
Visa validity – 3 months for Single-entry and 6 months and 1 year for multiple-entry visas.
Period of stay – Up to 90 days unless otherwise instructed by the Immigration Bureau.
Document required – Completed application form, passport, confirmed return ticket, proof of sufficient funds, original Thai marriage certificate, spouse’s copy of Thai ID, cover letter, proof of employment, and other document, if applicable.
Application fee – 2,000 Baht for single entry and 5,000 Baht for multiple entries.
Thailand Retirement Visa – Individual who are 50 years old and above are eligible to apply for a Retirement Visa to the Kingdom of Thailand. The applicant must have a minimum balance of 800,000 Baht and above to be eligible for the Retirement Visa. Additionally, the applicant should also have a minimum monthly salary of 65,000 Baht to qualify for the application.
Visa validity – 1 year for multiple-entry visas.
Period of stay – Up to 90 days unless otherwise instructed by the Immigration Bureau.
Document required – 3 sets of completed application form, passport with 18 months of validity, cover letter, recent criminal record certificate, recent medical certificate, proof of sufficient funds, and other document, if applicable.
Application fee – 5,000 Baht for multiple entries.
Dependent Visa – An individual who wish to enter and stay in the Kingdom of Thailand with their family as a dependent are eligible to apply for the Dependent Visa.
Visa validity – 3 months for Single-entry and 6 months and 1 year for multiple-entry visas. Period of stay – Up to 90 days unless otherwise instructed by the Immigration Bureau.
Document required – Completed application form, passport, invitation letter from the spouse’s/parent’s/child’s employer, spouse’s/parent’s/child’s copy of work permit, spouse’s/parent’s/child’s copy of passport, confirmed return tickets, and other document, if applicable.
Application fee – 2,000 Baht for single entry and 5,000 Baht for multiple entries.
Thailand Visa Application Methods
Online Application – Individuals can apply for a Bangkok visa through the official website of VFS Global. The online visa application form requires basic details of the applicant along with details of the passport. Applicants are required to visit the official VFS Global website – http://www.vfs-thailand.co.in/ to initiate the online visa application. Based on the applicant’s location, one of the following Thailand Visa Application Centres should be selected for carrying out the visa application:
The Royal Thai Embassy – New Delhi
The Royal Thai Consulate General – Chennai
The Royal Thai Consulate General – Kolkata
The Royal Thai Consulate General – Mumbai
Thailand Visa Processing Time
The processing time for Thailand’s visa is approximately 7 working days.
E-Visa on Arrival for Indians Travelling to Thailand
You can now also avail an e-visa on arrival, this is a new service called e-Visa on Arrival available from 14th Feb 2019. This is introduced by the Thai government to boost tourism in the country. With a little extra fee, you can avail this service. In order to avail this service, you need to apply through VFS and fill the online application form with required documents. The VOA will be emailed to you within 72 hours.
Thailand Visa fee for Indian Citizens
Fee
Visa Category
Validity of Visa & Stay
INR 4,600
Visa on Arrival
Permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 15 Days
INR 1,900
Transit Visa
Visa valid for 3 Months | Permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 30 Days
INR 2,500
Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Visa valid for 3 Months | Permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 60 Days.
INR 12,000
Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Visa valid for 6 Months | Permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 60 Days (each entry).
INR 5,000
Non-Immigrant Visa (Single Entry)
Visa valid for 3 Months | Permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 90 Days
INR 12,000
Non-Immigrant Visa (Multiple Entry)
Visa valid for 6 Months or 1 Year | Permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 90 Days (each entry)
INR 24,000
Three Year Non-Immigrant Visa’ B’ (Multiple Entry)
Visa valid for 3 Years | Permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 90 Days (each entry)
Conclusion
India has always been seen as a country of immense beauty, culture and diversity. But in spite of all this, tourists from India are not that many to Thailand each year. There are various reasons behind this, but the main one is the hassle associated with getting a visa. Tourism authorities of both countries have decided to introduce the e-visa facility through which tourists can visit Thailand without any hassles. This move will surely increase tourism on both sides.