Visa for Thailand
Visa for Thailand
Stuff backpackers should know about getting their visa for Thailand
This information is geared toward Americans trying to get a visa to travel Thailand, but everyone is welcome!
Understanding visa rules for a country can almost be as fun as decoding the Rosetta Stone. The visa requirements for Thailand have recently changed, and may very well change again thanks to the military coup and all of the political things that are happening there. I’ll do my best to keep this page updated, but no hate mail if it all goes down the toilet somehow!
Your best bet by far is to check out the Washington DC Thai embassy’s tourist visa requirements on their website. Even then, I would contact them via email or phone to make sure that they haven’t been slacking on updating their website as well. (it happens!) You can also check out what the US State Dept thinks the Thailand visa requirements are.
The big decision
OPTION 1: You can either just show up at the airport in Bangkok and assuming that you don’t give the drug dogs an orgasm, they will grant you a Visa on Arrival which is good for 30 days. At the end of your 30 days of exploring and partying (which WILL go fast, believe me) you will be forced to make a “visa run” which means getting transportation out of the country and visiting Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, or even the lovely and welcoming Myanmar. You can stay for a while or simply step back across the border and like magic you will be granted another 30 days. You can only do this 3 times for a grand total of 90 days in Thailand in any 6 month period.
OPTION 2: Otherwise, you can obtain your tourist visa before you leave home by mailing your passport to the closest Thai embassy (it might be Chicago, DC, LA, or NYC). They will return it (hopefully) within 2 – 3 weeks with a stamp that allows you 60 days of access – that way you don’t have to think about making a run for the border for 2 enjoyable months. This costs you a little more ($35) but gives you some peace of mind before climbing off a plane with no sleep. Plus, it feels great to walk past those huge visa lines at the airport with a smile on your face because you already have your stamp!
The Rules
(Keep in mind that any or none of these rules will probably be enforced. It is this way in most countries and depends entirely upon the mood of the border agent and how he/she feels that day. Your appearance may also be a catalyst in what they decide to do as well, so take a shower!)
You may be asked to show adequate proof of funds (US $500). A recent bank statement, cash, or flashing a credit card will prove that you aren’t a total bum.
You may be asked for an onward ticket or to prove that you have paid return airfare. This one can be talked out of usually, and if not, then the cheapest option is to purchase a bus ticket to Laos or Cambodia on the spot. I have flown into Thailand with a one-way ticket many times and sparked no negative attention.
The newest rule reads that you cannot stay more than 3 x 30 day stays in any 6 month period. This was to clean up all the foreigners (including lots of my Divemaster buddies) from setting up camp for years and making visa runs indefinitely. The good news is that if you get a tourist visa at home first (see option 2 above), that 60 days does not count against your 90 days allowed in Thailand. There are complicated ways around this new rule in case you want more than 5 months in country, take a look at this site for some ideas: http://thaivisaservice.com/visa-rules.html.
Some things to keep in mind
Don’t piss off the border agents by arguing. Yes, they are about as charming as the average cactus, but they hold an almost god-like ability to crush your trip on the spot.
Related to the tip above, clean up a little at border crossings and they may take it easier on you.
Keep passport photos of yourself handy (like in your money belt) for sticking to the visa applications at the borders. This will save you hassle and money of getting one made there.
There will inevitably be visa processing fees, so have some Baht handy. It is almost always cheaper to pay in Baht rather than Dollars, even if they accept both.
If you are in a hurry, which often happens with tourist visas for some reason, you can have a third party expedite it through the process here.
You can find the office of Immigration here in Bangkok:
