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The Thailand Tourist Visa Guide (Single & Multiple Entry)

The majority of foreign nationals are able to enter Thailand on a visa exemption stamp.

This means that you get a stamp at the immigration desk that allows you to stay for 30 days.

Please note that until the end of March 2023 you will get a 45-day stamp upon entry. This initiate has been put in place to boost tourism.

Okay, so now you're clear on how long you can stay when you arrive without a visa, what if you want to stay for 6 weeks, or 2 even months?

In this case, you can apply for a Tourist Visa.

In this FAQ guide, I'll answer all common queries regarding the Thailand Tourist Visa, both single and multiple entry.

thailand-tourist-visa

1. Where can I get a Tourist Visa?

A Tourist Visa can be obtained from a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country, or a country outside of Thailand, if you live abroad or are already traveling.

You can also apply via the E-Visa online system. Indeed, some embassies may no longer accept applications for Tourist Visas and instead require you to apply online.

The E-Visa is delivered via email. You can then print it out and present it to immigration on arrival.

What different types of tourist visa are there?

A. Single entry

The Single Entry Tourist Visa is valid for 3 months from its date of issue. It allows a single stay of a maximum of 60 days.

B. Multiple entry

The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for 6 months from its date of issue.

It allows an unlimited number of entries within the 6-month validity of the visa. Each entry allows a maximum stay of 60 days.

For example, if you leave Thailand on the 59th day of your stay and re-enter the country a day later, you will be stamped in for a further 60 days.

What documents do I need to get the Tourist Visa?

The requirements may vary slightly between country, but this is usually what's required from your local embassy.

  1. A completed visa application form with two recent passport type photos attached. The form can be downloaded from your local Thai embassy website.
  2. Your passport must have a minimum 6 months remaining validity, and at least two blank pages – this is so your visa can be added to the passport, and for entry/exit stamps when entering and leaving Thailand.
  3. If you reside in a country but are not a citizen of that country, then you will be required to show a visa or residence card that permits you to stay. You will also be required to show evidence of where you live, by way of utility bill, bank account statement, or driving license.
  4. Two recent passport size photographs. You can get these done at a photo booth (in a mall or store) or at some print services shops.
  5. Confirmation of travel (flight tickets).
  6. Proof of accommodation in Thailand: this can be a copy of your hotel booking or a letter from the family or friend you are staying with.
  7. Copy of bank statement to show proof of earnings. This requirement will differ between countries, and differs for the single and multiple entry visas. For example, for a Single Entry Tourist Visa from a US Thai embassy, you will need a copy of your bank statement showing $700 per person and $1,500 per family. For a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, you will need a copy of your bank statement for the last 6 months showing a minimum balance of $7,000 (every month).

Thailand's E-Visa System

If you are applying online through the E-Visa system, you will require the following documentation:

  1. Passport or travel document with a validity of not less than 6 months.
  2. Photograph taken within the past six months.
  3. Evidence of travel to Thailand (air ticket paid in full).
  4. Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).

Please note that you are not required to submit any supporting documents in person at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate after completing the E-Visa application. Once approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent through and you can  print a copy of the confirmation e-mail to present to airline and Thai Immigration officials.

You can apply online here: https://www.thaievisa.go.th

Historically, Thailand's online systems have always fallen way short of expectations, with browser compatibility issues, bugs, broken links, etc., but the new visa system is working pretty well.

For those who deem themselves digitally challenged, there is a comprehensive user manual. This manual is also available as a series of how-to videos, which are very helpful. You can find the manual here.

How much does a Thai Tourist Visa cost?

The cost varies between country, but here is the cost for the US and UK:

  1. US: Single – $40. Multiple Entry – $200
  2. UK: Single – £30. Multiple Entry – £150

How long does it take to process a Tourist Visa?

If you attend the Thai embassy in person, the process will take around 5 working days. If you apply by mail, the process will take a minimum of 15 days.

Applying online will take 6-10 working days.

This is a general guideline and will differ between countries, and may be longer or shorter depending on how busy the embassy/consulate is.

I would personally allow 2 weeks if applying in person or online, and 3 weeks if applying by mail. This will ensure you get your visa before your flight date.

When is my Tourist Visa valid from?

The Single Entry Tourist Visa is valid 3 months from date of issue, and the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for 6 months from date of issue.

When you enter Thailand, you will be stamped in for 60 days.

Note: The expiry date of the visa shows on the visa sticker as ‘ENTER BEFORE'. When you enter Thailand, you will receive a rectangular stamp in your passport stating your date of entry and the ‘ADMITTED UNTIL' date. This date will be exactly 60 days after your date of entry

What happens if I leave Thailand before my 60-day stay is up?

If you leave prior to your 60-day stay ending, the remaining days will be forfeited.

If you think you will want to leave Thailand and re-enter, you should get a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa.

The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for 6 months from date of issue. You are allowed unlimited entries within the 6-month period of the visa. If you exit Thailand, as long as you re-enter before the visa expires, you will be stamped in for a further 60 days.

Can I extend my visa inside Thailand?

For those who want to extend their stay in Thailand, you can extend the 60-day Single Entry Tourist Visa by 30 days at a local Immigration Office. The fee for the extension is 1,900 Baht.

Under the Multiple Entry Visa, you can extend one of the 60-day stays by a further 30 days. The cost is the same.

Under the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, by saving the 30-day extension for your final entry, you can accumulate almost 9 month's stay in Thailand.

Can I cancel my visa and get a refund?

No. The visa fee is non-refundable.

Can't I just do border runs instead of getting a Tourist Visa?

Because you are granted 30 days stay on arrival in Thailand, in theory you could just leave over a land border after 30 days and return the same day, activating a further 30 day's stay.

This is known as a border run. People used to stay in Thailand for years just going back and forth over the border.

However, the current rule is that if you enter Thailand over land without a visa, you are allowed a maximum of two 30-day entries within any rolling 12-month period.

With a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, you can go in an out as many times as you want within the validity of the visa.

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Did I miss anything? Got a question? Leave it below.

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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Elsje says

    We have a multiple entry tourist visa that expires on April 1, 2023.
    On March 10 we fly to Laos and come back to Thailand on March 19.
    Do we get another 60 day stamp on arrival or can we better enter on a 45 days visa exemption?
    We’re from the Netherlands.
    Reply

  2. Maree says

    Hi everyone, still confused on visas. In Thailand now on 60 day visa which expires 5 mar, would like to stay till12 Apr (need to be back in Australia to keep my pension). I will be coming back for around 3 months at a time during this year. Suggestions?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      You could get a 30-day extension from immigration near the end of your tourist visa. Or, leave and re-enter to get a 45-day stay. If you're coming for 3 months at a time you can do the same. Tourist visa for 60 days and a 30-day extension at immigration.
      Reply

  4. Scott Elliott says

    Happy Holidays, Peter, your family and everyone here! I inadvertently clicked the unsubscribe link on the email replies I received from the site. I was distracted, sorry Can you restore my ability to receive replies.
    Reply

  5. Mike Brien says

    We find the Home registration a pain, even though we have the same address for years . We must still register in Pattaya immigration office, which is extremely busy when we go there . Is there a quite period there ? took us a whole day to register .
    Reply

  6. Maree Singleton says

    Hi , I was wondering if I enter Thailand from Australia on a Tourist Visa (30 day now extended to 45 days), and plan on getting a Retirement Visa, do I need to show Immigration when I land that I have a return ticket to Australia? Thanks all.
    Reply

  7. Johnathan Scott Elliott says

    I plan to visit Thailand on single-entry Tourist Visa, February 2023. And intend, if approved, to request extension for additional 30 days beyond the initial 60. I will be visiting fiancée, her parents and siblings. During my stay we plan to marry and I will apply for marriage visa. Ultimately if all goes well, I'll relocate to Khonkaen from USA (Florida). I've diligently researched this scenario and seems permissible but would very much appreciate advice from the community here concerning any potential issues that may arise so I can address them in advance. Thanks very much! Scott
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Scott, yes, this is possible. To convert your visa to an extension based on marriage (the official term) needs to be done at least 15 days before it expires. You will need to provide proof of funds totaling 400,000 Baht. This must be held in a Thai bank account. You will also need your Thai marriage certificate, and your GF (wife) must provide her Tabian Baan and her Thai ID card. She needs to be there in person too.
      Reply

      • Johnathan Scott Elliott says

        Thanks, Peter. Definitely aligns with what I've read on the official kingdom site as well as Siam Legal but I also wanted an opinion from someone very knowledgeable who has been in Thailand long time - that's you! Much appreciated! Scott
        Reply

      • Johnathan Scott Elliott says

        Hi Peter, continuing on a bit further with my previous post regarding tourist visas/marriage visas; I read with interest and appreciation your articles concerning visa runs and feel I have good understanding of it.

        But, to confirm, here's my question: since my plan is to acquire single-entry TR visa giving me 60 days which I'll apply to have extended by 30 days for a total of 90 days, I know that will still not be long enough for me to accomplish all that needs to be done in conjunction with wedding/marriage registration and application for marriage visa, so I'll no doubt need to make a visa run or two. Is there a limit to how many times I can make a visa run?

        And yes, excellent point concerning the need to apply for visa to enter Laos from Thailand. USA is not exempt either.
        Reply

  8. Tim Mullin says

    Hello! I just got my first Non-O visa, but I'm confused by some wording in my passport.... something about 're-entry stamp before leaving'. What does this mean? Do they do this automatically at the airport on departure, or is it something I need to go to immigration about, before I depart (just for 2 weeks in UK, holiday, in August)? Thanks for any light you can shed!
    Reply

  10. Steve says

    I have extended my 30 day visa once (30 days)
    Went to renew for a further 30 days, paid 1,900 baht all appeared to be accepted
    Went to collect passport stamped " under consideration" return 8th April
    I leave Thailand 24th March, do I need to do anything, will this have any impact on future visits in 2023
    Thanks
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      It means that a decision hasn't been made, perhaps because a higher level of authority will need to sign it off. You will need to return on that date to see if you are given the full 30 days. If not, you will have to leave. You can leave beforehand. I don't see a problem with that, since the current consideration stamps permits stay until 8th April.
      Reply

  11. Bill Smith says

    Could a person get a SETV, do an extension for 30 days and at the end of 90 days exit and return with a new SETV from Malaysia? After those 90 days are up do the same thing all over again. Are there any restrictions on obtaining SETV's from different countries over a specific time frame?
    Reply

  12. ChrisH says

    I am going to use an agent to secure my retirement visa (Aus pension is short the required $'s per month) and have just been informed that you now need a Thai bank account for them (agent) to process the visa application. Agent states this is a new rule.
    I will try for a single entry tourist visa in Australia.
    Will a SETV (+passport+other ID) be enough to apply for a Thai bank savings acc.
    Reply

  13. Peter says

    Hello! Happy I stumbled across this post.

    Two questions, can I apply for a medical or education visa in country if I enter under the visa exeption.

    Also I'm trying to fill out the etourist visa for my children and it asks for bank statements, how did you go about that?

    Thanks!
    Reply

  14. kevin says

    I Assume:Visa will be a stamp in your passport the same as a VOA, but will have 60 days instead of 30days?
    If I leave Thailand overland and return overland , do I still get a 60 days stamp on return?If I renew my visa at immigration after 60days is there a charge? Can I do this twice? On a multiple visa do I have to leave the country at some point
    What would happen if I was late getting to immigration to renew my visa, say 63days? Would I be fined and then would the remainder of my visa be void?I leave Thailand after 5 months, I return 27 day later before my visa expires . On re-entry will I get another 60 day stamp?When this is up I can apply for another 30 days at a cost of b1900?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      No, it's fine, because you will fill out this information again on your arrival card, which is handed out on the plane. So if you change hotel between getting your visa and taking your flight, the correct details will be recorded before you enter Thailand anyway.
      Reply

  17. Marty says

    Hi, My wife (Thai) and I (US) plan to travel back to Thailand next month and want to stay till Jan 11,2022. Any suggestions on easiest VISA to get. I don't have nor will I have the amount in a Thai bank account to get a Marriage VISA at this time.
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      If you're staying for more than 90 days the only real option is the STV. The Thai Embassies are still issuing them until Sept 30. You'll get 90 days plus the ability to extend two additional times for a total of 270 days.
      Reply

  18. Leonard Levine says

    Since there are new rules for entering Thailand beginning April 1st, I have the following questions:
    There is no mention of the need to get vaccinated within 3 months of your arrival in Thailand. Also, no mention of the $100,000 insurance including COVID-19 requirement. Plus, if you get vaccinated(with proof), why do you need to have a negative PCR test before flying? And if you are vaccinated, why do you need another PCR test while in quarantine? Finally, if you're vaccinated(with proof) why are you quarantied at all, except to make ASQ hotels increase their bottom line?
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      1) The 3-month thing is for the next stage in the Phuket Sandbox model. It hasn't been rolled out nationwide. 2) The insurance is still required. Check the Thai embassy's website in your country. You still need to get a COE so keep tha in mind too. 3) Vaccination doesn't prevent transmission so you could be vaccinated and also contagious. Even with Pfizer or Moderna there is still about a 10% chance of getting COVID, you just don't die from it. 4) Thailand has had rigorous standards to keep out COVID that have been mostly successful. They're not going to let up on them at this late date until there's data indicating that they should (said data is being reported and it does look promising). But even so Thailand has been quick to respond and slow to relax for the whole pandemic so expect that to continue. I'm sure the hotels would like to see the country open as much, if not more, than everybody else.
      Reply

      • Leonard Levine says

        I have a U.S. health policy that covers my international medical expenses up to $250,000, including COVID-19 coverage. BTW, I just read that old drugs for steroids are successful in reducing inflammation from COVID-19 symptoms, enough to keep you from hospitalization. I'll let you know if the complete ASQ hotel packages , including transportation from the airport, 3 meals/day are included in the price quoted. Best guess as to if and when the 3 month limit for vaccines may be lifted?
        Reply

        • JamesE says

          Make sure you get a statement from your insurer specifically stating COVID coverage in Thailand. Otherwise you might not get the COE and ASQ. The 3-month thing hasn't even been started outside of Phuket. The "sandbox" model will be tested for the next six months and then the country will open up with those rules is the best-case scenario. I'd add 6 months to be realistic. New Pfizer data shows 90% effectiveness lasts at least 6 months so that data will be rolled into the mix at some point.
          Reply

      • Leonard Levine says

        I have read that people who have health certificates confirming that the holder is covered for COVID-19 problems up to $100,000 will meet the requirement. I have a policy that covers me for the virus up to %250,00, but my doctor is unfamiliar with needing to prepare a health certificate reflecting my coverage. He asked me whether a letter on the insurance company's letterhead signed by him confirming the above would pass the test. Anyone know the answer?
        Reply

      • 小杜 says

        - "The previous order allowed those foreigners to apply for an extension until the end of March, but now they can apply for another extension until May 29. The new extension lasts for 60 days, which would allow people to stay until July 27.

        Thai Immigration says the application will need to be completed in person at an immigration office, with additional requirements and documents being needed depending on where one is from. The new visa extension’s cost is 1,900 baht. The extension will allow those who are “stuck” or who wish to stay longer in Thailand to get the extension."
        Reply

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