|
 |
|
 |
|
|
| |
Visas and Travel Documents |
| |
- Thailand's Visa Information
|
| |
General information
Types of Visa
Issuance of Visa
Tourist Visa Exemption
Visa on Arrival
Non-Immigrant Visa "B" (business and work)
Non-Immigrant Visa "O-A" (Long stay) - visa for retired persons
List of Countries which are declared yellow fever infected areas
List of countries which have concluded agreements on the exemption of visa requirements with Thailand
|
| |
|
| |
Issuance of Travel Document (T.D.) for Aliens
Issuance of Emergency Certificate (E.C.)
|
| |
|
| |
GENERAL INFORMATION |
| |
1. Any foreigner wishing to enter
Thailand is required to obtain a visa from a Thai Embassy or
Consulate-General. However, there are nationals of certain countries
who do not require a visa, provided they meet the requirements, as
follows:
2. Nationals of specific countries may apply for a visa upon arrival
in Thailand. Travellers with this type of visa are permitted to enter
and stay in Thailand for a period not exceeding 15 days. For more
information, please see Visa on Arrival.
3.
Travellers from/through the countries which have been declared Yellow
Fever Infected Areas must have an International Health Certificate
proving that they have received a Yellow Fever vaccination. For more
information, see List of countries which are declared Yellow Fever Infected Areas.
4.
Nationals of certain countries are required to apply for a visa only at
the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in their home/residence country
or at the designated Thai Embassy. Therefore, travellers are advised to
contact the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate-General to find out where
they may apply for a visa to Thailand before departure.
Information on location and contact number of Thai Embassies and Consulates-General is available at www.mfa.go.th/web/10.php
5.
To apply for a visa, a foreigner must possess a valid passport or
travel document that is recognized by the Royal Thai Government and
comply with the conditions set forth in the Immigration Act of Thailand
B.E.2522 (1979) and its relevant regulations. In addition, a visa
applicant must be outside Thailand at the time of the application.
Applicants will be issued with types of visas according to their
purpose of visit.
For more information on types of visas and general requirements for each type of visas, please see Types of Visa and Issuance of Visa.
6.
In general, applicants are required to apply for a visa in person.
However, Thai embassies and consulates in some countries and in some
cases may also accept applications sent through representatives,
authorized travel agencies or by post. Please check acceptable ways of
applications with the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General where you
intend to submit your application.
7. Please note that the
period of visa validity is different from the period of stay. The visa
validity is a period during which a visa can be used to enter Thailand.
Generally, the validity of a visa is 3 months, but in some cases, we
also issue visas valid for 6 months or 1 year. The validity of a visa
is granted by the Embassy or Consulate-General and shown in the visa.
The period of stay depends on the type of visa and is granted by an
immigration officer upon arrival at the port of entry. For example, the
period of stay for a transit visa does not exceed 30 days, for a
tourist visa does not exceed 60 days and for a non-immigrant visa does
not exceed 90 days from the arrival date. Travellers who wish to stay
longer than such period may apply for extension of stay at offices of
the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok, located in Soi Suan Plu, South
Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Tel 02-2873101-10 or at an Immigration
office in the provinces. For information on application for extension
of stay, please see the website of the Immigration Bureau at www.immigration.go.th
8.
Foreigners entering Thailand are not allowed to work, regardless
of their types of visa,unless they are granted a work permit.
Information on Work Permit application could be obtained from the
website of the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of
Employment, Ministry of Labour at www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html
9. Foreigners who fall into any of the following categories are prohibited to enter the Kingdom:
| |
(1) Having no genuine and valid passport or document used
in lieu of passport; or having a genuine and valid passport or document
used in lieu of passport without visaing by the Royal Thai Embassies or
Consulates-General in foreign countries; or from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, except if a visa is not required for certain types of
aliens in special instances.
Visaing and visa exemption will be under the terms and conditions as provided in the Ministerial Regulations.
(2) Having no appropriate means of living following entry into the Kingdom.
(3) Having entered into the Kingdom to work as an unskilled labourer, or to work in violation of the Alien Work Permit Law.
(4) Being mentally unstable or having any of the diseases as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations.
(5)
Having not yet been vaccinated against smallpox or inoculated or
undergone any other medical treatment for protection against disease
and having refused to have such vaccinations administered by the
Immigration Doctor.
(6) Having been imprisoned by the
judgement of the Thai Court; or by a lawful injunction; or by the
judgement of the Court of foreign country, except when the penalty is
for petty offense or negligence or is provided for as an exception in
the Ministerial Regulations.
(7) Having behavior which would
cause danger to the public or likelihood of being nuisance or
constituting any violence to the peace or safety of the public or to
the security of the public or to the security of the nation, or being
under warrant of arrest by competent officials of foreign governments.
(8)
Reason to believe that entrance into the Kingdom was for the purpose of
being involved in prostitution, the trafficking of women or children,
drug smuggling, or other types of smuggling which are contrary to the
public morality.
(9) Having no money or bond as prescribed by the Minister under Section 14 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522.
(10) Being a person prohibited by the Minister under Section 16 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522.
(11)
Being deported by either the Government of Thailand or other foreign
countries; or the right of stay in the Kingdom or in foreign countries
having been revoked; or having been sent out of the Kingdom by
competent officials at the expense of the Government of Thailand unless
the Minister considers exemption on an individual special case basis.
The
examination and diagnosis of disease of a physical or mental nature,
including protective operations as against disease, shall be conducted
by the Immigration Doctor. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
TYPES OF VISA |
|
| |
|
Following are types of visa granted byThai Embassy and Consulate-General:
1. Transit Visa
2. Tourist Visa
3. Non-Immigrant Visa
4. Diplomatic Visa
5. Official Visa
6. Courtesy Visa |
|
| |
ISSUANCE OF VISA |
|
| |
- 1. Transit Visa
- 2. Tourist Visa
- 3. Non-Immigrant Visa
- 4. Diplomatic Visa
- 5. Official Visa
- 6. Courtesy Visa
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
1. TRANSIT VISA
| |
1. REQUIREMENT |
| |
| This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes : |
| |
- to travel in transit through the Kingdom in order to
proceed to the country of destination or to re-enter his/her own
country (category "TS") |
| |
- to participate in sports activities (sportsmen, sportswomen, etc.)(category "S") *** |
| |
*** Those who are scheduled to stay in the
Kingdom longer than one month , Non-Immigrant Visa category “O” can be
issued to them |
| |
- the person in charge or crew of a conveyance coming to a port, station or area in the Kingdom (category "C") |
|
| |
2. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED |
|
| |
| |
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months |
| |
- Visa application form completely filled out |
| |
- Recent( 4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant |
| |
- Evidence of travel from Thailand (confirmed air ticket paid in full) |
| |
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family) |
| |
- Visa of a third country in a passport or travel document |
| |
- Letter of invitation stating the application's participation in sports activities in the Kingdom |
| |
- Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary |
| |
|
|
| |
3. VISA FEE |
|
| |
| |
800 Baht per entry
(Visa fee may be changed without prior notice)
|
| |
|
|
| |
4. VALIDITY OF A VISA |
|
| |
| |
The validity of a visa is three months. |
| |
|
|
| |
5. PERIOD OF STAY |
|
| |
| |
Travellers coming to Thailand
with this type of visa will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a
period not exceeding 30 days. |
| |
|
|
| |
6. EXTENSION OF STAY |
| |
| |
Those who wish to stay longer or may wish
to change their type of visa must file an application for permission at
the Office of Immigration Bureau located on Soi Suan Plu, off South
Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120 , Tel 02 287-3101-10 (or at http://www.immigration.go.th ). The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer. |
| |
|
|
| |
7. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
| |
| |
Nationals of certain countries are required
to apply for a visa only at the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in
their home/residence country or at the designated Thai Embassy.
Thereford, travellers are advised to contact the nearest Thai Embassy
or Consulate-General to find out where they may apply for a visa to
Thailand before departure.
Information on location and contact number of Thai Embassies an Consulates-General is available at /web/10.php |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
2. TOURIST VISA
| |
1. REQUIREMENT |
| |
| This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for tourism purposes . |
| |
|
|
| |
2. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED |
|
| |
| |
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months |
| |
- Visa application form completely filled out |
| |
- Recent( 4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant |
| |
- Evidence of travel from Thailand (air ticket paid in full) |
| |
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family) |
| |
- Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary |
|
| |
3. VISA FEE |
|
| |
| |
1,000 Baht per entry
(Visa fee may be changed without prior notice) |
| |
|
|
| |
4. VALIDITY OF A VISA |
|
| |
| |
The validity of a visa is three months. |
| |
|
|
| |
5. PERIOD OF STAY |
|
| |
| |
Upon arrival, travellers with
this type of visa will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand
for a period not exceeding 60 days. |
| |
|
|
| |
6. EXTENSION OF STAY |
| |
| |
Those who wish to stay longer or may wish
to change their type of visa must file an application for permission at
the Office of Immigration Bureau located on Soi Suan Plu, off South
Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120 , Tel 02 287-3101-10 (or at http://www.immigration.go.th ). The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer.. |
| |
|
|
| |
7. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
| |
| |
Nationals of certain countries are required
to apply for a visa only at the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in
their home/residence country or at the designated Thai Embassy.
Therefor, travellers are adivised to contact the nearest Thai Embassy
or Consulate-General to find out where they may apply for a visa to
Thailand before departure.
Information on lacation and contact number of all Thai Embassies and Consulates-General is available at /web/10.php |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
3. NON-IMMIGRANT VISA |
|
| |
| |
1. REQUIREMENT |
| |
| This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes: |
| |
- to perform official duties (Category "F") |
| |
- to conduct business / to work (Category "B") |
| |
- to invest with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries and Government Departments concerned (Category "IM") |
| |
- to invest or perform other activities relating to investment,
subject to the provision of the established laws on investment
promotion (Category "IB") |
| |
- to study, to come on a work study tour or observation tour , to
participate in projects or seminars , to attend a conference or
training course , to study as a foreign Buddhist monk (Category "ED") |
| |
- to work as a film-producer, journalist or reporter (Category "M") |
| |
- to perform missionary work or other religious activities with the
concurrence of the Thai Ministries or Government Departments concerned
(Category "R") |
| |
- to conduct scientific research or training or teaching in a research institute (Category "RS") |
| |
- to undertake skilled work or to work as an expert or specialist (Category "EX") |
| |
- other activities (Category "O") as follows:
to stay with the
family, to perfrom duties for the state enterprise or social welfare
organizations, to stay after retirement for the elderly, to receive
medical treatment, to be a sport coach as required by Thai Government,
to be a contestant or witness for the judicial process. |
| |
|
|
| |
2. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED |
|
| |
| |
2.1 The applicants must submit the following relevant documents depending on the purpose of their visit. |
| |
|
- Visa application form completely filled out |
| |
|
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months.
The validity of 18 months is required for one year visa application.
- (4 x 6 cm) protograph of the applicant, taken within the past six months |
| |
|
- Evidence of adequate finance ( 20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family )
- Birth Certificate ("O") |
| |
|
- Certifcate of Marriage or its equivalents ("O") |
| |
|
- Transcript / Letter of acceptance from the concerned schools/universities or institutes ("ED") |
| |
|
- Letter from Thailand's Board of Investment. ("IB") |
| |
|
- Official Note certifying the purpose of travel from the
Government Agencies /Embassies and Consulates / International
Organizations / State Enterprises inThailand. ("F" / "B" / "ED" / "M" /
"R") - Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour (To obtain this
letter, the prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit Form
WP3 at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of
Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel 02-2452745, 02-2453209 or at a
Provincial Employment Office in the respective province. Further
information is available at www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html) ("B") |
| |
|
- Letter from a company stating the objective of the visit to Thailand ("B") |
| |
|
- Document showing correspondence with trading partners in
Thailand. ("B") - Letter of invitation from companies qualified to
employ foreigners. ("B") |
| |
|
- Employment contract indicating rationale for employing the
applicant as well as his/her salary, position and qualifications
(document must be signed by authorized managing director and affixed
the seal of the company) ("B") |
| |
|
- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour (only in case the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom ) ("B") |
| |
|
- Copy of corporate documents; namely 1) list of shareholders 2)
business registration and business license 3) company profile 4)
details of business operation 5) list of foreign workers stating names,
nationalities and positions 6) map indicating the location of the
company 7) Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por
Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the latest year 8) Alien income tax
return (Por Ngor Dor 91) and 9) Value-added tax registration (Por Ngor
Dor 20) , etc.("B") |
| |
|
- Copy of educational records of the applicant and letters of
recommendation from the prior employers, identifying job description
and length of service time. ("B") |
| |
|
- Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism
business only) ,or document indicating export transactions issued by
banks (for export business only)("B") |
| |
|
|
| |
2.2 The document to be submitted for non-immigrant visa
application is contingent upon necessities and appropriateness of
purposes stated in the application form. |
| |
2.3 Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary. |
| |
2.4 Copies of company documents must be signed by Board of Directors and affixed the seal of the company. |
| |
2.5 In the absence of a required document, a letter explaining the unavailability of such document must be provided. |
| |
2.6 The applicant must sign on each page of the copy. |
| |
2.7 Documents in foreign languages must be translated
into Thai. If translated into English, it should be notarized by notary
organs or the applicant’s diplomatic/ consular mission. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
3. VISA FEE |
|
| |
| |
2,000 Baht for single entry and 5,000 Baht for multiple entries. |
| |
|
|
| |
4. VALIDITY OF A VISA |
|
| |
| |
Single-entry and multiple-entry
visas are valid for three months. Multiple-entry visas could also be
valid for one year. |
| |
|
|
| |
5. PERIOD OF STAY |
|
| |
| |
The holders of this type of visa are
initially granted a period of stay in the Kingdom not exceeding 90 days
unless otherwise instructed by the Office of Immigration Bureau. |
| |
|
|
| |
6. EXTENSION OF STAY |
| |
| |
Those qualified persons can obtain an additional
one year stay permit counting from the date of entry in the Kingdom
pertaining to the Office of the Immigration Bureau's regulations on
extension of stay. The extension of stay is at the discretion of the
Immigration officer.
N.B. Applicants wishing to
stay in the Kingdom longer than 90 days have to file their application
either at the Thai consular mission aboard or at the Office of
Immigration Bureau in Bangkok located on Soi Suan Plu, off South
Sathorn Road,Bangkok 10120 , Tel 02 287-3101-10 (or website at (http://www.immgration.go.th ) . The consular officer must refer the case to the Office of
Immigration Bureau for approval. Upon receiving approval, the consular
officer may issue the visa as instructed by the Bureau
|
| |
|
|
| |
7. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
| |
| |
Nationals of certain countries are required to
apply for a visa only at the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in their
home/residence country or at the designated Thai Embassy. Therefore,
travellers are advised to contact the nearest Thai Embassy or
Consulate-General to find out where they may apply for a visa to
Thailand before departure.
Information on lacation and contact number of Thai Embassies and Consulates-General is available at /web/10.php |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
4. DIPLOMATIC / OFFICIAL VISA |
|
| |
| |
- Upon official request, Thai
Embassies and Consulates-General may grant visas to diplomatic or
official passport-holders who wish to assume duties at a foreign
Diplomatic Mission or Consulate or International Organization in the
Kingdom and to their family members. |
| |
- Supporting documents are Note Verbal and/or documents
issued by the foreign government or international organization,
certifying the identity of the person concerned and his/her purposes
while residing in the Kingdom. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
5. COURTESY VISA
|
|
| |
| |
- Upon official request, Thai
Embassies and Consulates-General may grant courtesy visas to
diplomatic/official/ordinary passport-holders who wish to enter the
Kingdom on official duty and/or other purposes. |
| |
- Supporting documents are documents issued by the
governmental agency, foreign government or international organization,
certifying the identity of the person concerned and his/her purposes
while visiting the Kingdom. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION
|
|
| |
| |
- According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements
dated 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002), 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002), 18
October B.E. 2547 (2004) and 6 May B.E. 2548 (2005), passport holders
from 40 countries and 1 special administrative region – Hong Kong SAR –
are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism
purposes and will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of
not exceeding 30 days on each visit. Foreigners who enter the
Kingdom under the Tourist Visa Exemption category may re-enter and stay
in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days
within any 6-month period from the date of first entry. |
| |
- Please note that Tourist Visa Exemption does not
apply to foreigners holding Travel Document for Aliens issued by these
40 countries.
- Foreigners entering Thailand under the Tourist
Visa Exemption category must possess adequate finances for the duration
of stay in Thailand (i.e., cash 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht
per family). |
| |
1. Australia : Commonwealth of Australia
2. Austria : Republic of Austria
3. Belgium : Kingdom of Belgium
4. Brazil : Federative Republic of Brazil (****)
5. Bahrain : State of Bahrain
6. Brunei Darussalam : Negara Brunei Darussalam
7. Canada
8. Denmark : Kingdom of Denmark
9. Finland : Republic of Finland
10. France : French Republic
11. Germany : Federal Republic of Germany
12. Greece : Hellenic Republic
13. Hong Kong : Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
14. Iceland : Republic of Iceland
15. Indonesia : Republic of Indonesia
16. Ireland : Republic of Ireland
17. Israel : State of Israel
18. Italy : Republic of Italy
19. Japan
20. Korea : Republic of Korea (****)
21. Kuwait : State of Kuwait
22. Luxembourg : Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
23. Malaysia
24. Netherlands : Kingdom of the Netherlands
25. New Zealand
26. Norway : Kingdom of Norway
27. Oman : Sultanate of Oman
28. Peru : Republic of Peru (****)
29. Philippines : Republic of the Philippines
30. Portugal : Republic of Portugal
31. Qatar : State of Qatar
32. Singapore : Republic of Singapore
33. Spain : Kingdom of Spain
34. South Africa : Republic of South Africa
35. Sweden : Kingdom of Sweden
36. Switzerland : Swiss Confederation
37. Turkey : Republic of Turkey
38. United Arab Emirates
39. United Kingdom : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
40. United States of America
41. Vietnam : Socialist Republic of Vietnam
--------------------------------------
(****)Thailand holds bilateral agreements on visa exemption for
holders of diplomatic, official and ordinary passports for a visit of
not exceeding 90 days with Brazil, the Republic of Korea and
Peru. Therefore, nationals of these 3 countries are exempted from
visa requirements and are permitted to enter and stay in Thailand for a
period of not exceeding 90 days.
For more information on countries that have bilateral agreements on visa exemption with Thailand, please see List of countries which have concluded agreements on the exemption of visa requirements with Thailand.
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
VISA ON ARRIVAL |
|
| |
| |
- According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements,
passport holders from 20 countries may apply for visas at the
immigration checkpoints for the purpose of tourism for the period of
not exceeding 15 days. |
| |
- The applicant must possess means of living expenses
at the amount of 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family
accordingly. |
| |
- The applicant must present full paid ticket which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry |
| |
- Visa on arrival is provided at 23 designated
international checkpoints and applicants should submit the application
form duly filled out and to which his/her recent photograph (2 ½
inches) is attached. The application fee is 1,000 Baht. |
| |
- Visitors who enter the Kingdom with Visa on Arrival generally
cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special
cases such as illness which prevents them from travelling, etc. They
can submit an application at the Office of Immigration Bureau ,
Immigration Division 1, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok
10120. Tel. 02 287-3127 or 02 287-3101-10 ext. 2264-5 or at website http://www.immigration.go.th
|
| |
List of 20 countries is as follows :
1. Bhutan : Kingdom of Bhutan
2. China : People’s Republic of China (including Taiwan)
3. Cyprus : Republic of Cyprus
4. Czech : Czech Republic
5. Estonia : Republic of Estonia
6. Hungary : Republic of Hungary
7. India : Republic of India
8. Kazakhstan : Republic of Kazakhstan
9. Latvia : Republic of Latvia
10. Liechtenstein : Principality of Liechtenstein
11. Lithuania : Republic of Lithuania
12. Maldives : Republic of Maldives
13. Mauritius : Republic of Mauritius
14. Oman : Sultanate of Oman
15. Poland : Republic of Poland
16. Russian Federation
17. Saudi Arabia : Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
18. Slovakia : Slovak Republic
19. Slovenia : Republic of Slovenia
20. Ukraine
List of Thailand’s Immigration Checkpoints which provides facilities for issuance of visa on arrival are as follow :
1. Don Muang International Airport , Bangkok
2. Chiangmai International Airport , Chiangmai
3. Phuket International Airport , Phuket
4. Hatyai International Airport , Songkla
5. U Tapao Airport , Rayong
6. Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
7. Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
8. Chieng Khong Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
9. Betong Immigration Checkpoint , Yala
10. Sadoa Immigration Checkpoint , Songkla
11. Samui Airport , Surat Thani
12. Sukhothai International Airport, Tak Immigration Checkpoint
13. Bangkok Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Bangkok
14. Sri Racha Immigration Checkpoint , Chonburi
15. Mabtaput Immigration Checkpoint , Rayong
16. Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
17. Samui Immigration Checkpoint , Surat Thani
18. Phuket Immigration Checkpoint , Phuket
19. Satun Immigration Checkpoint , Satun
20. Krabi Immigration Checkpoint , Krabi
21. Songkhla Harbour Immigraion Checkpoint , Songkhla
22. Chiangrai Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
23. Surat Thani Airport Immigration Checkpoint , Surat Thani
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
NON-IMMIGRANT VISA "B" - (business and work) |
|
| |
| |
I. Visa Issuance |
| |
|
| |
1.1 Foreigners who wish to work/conduct business or undertake
investment activities in Thailand must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa
at the Royal Thai Embassies or Consulates abroad. (Information on
location and contact numbers of the Thai Embassies and
Consulates-General can be obtained through website
http.www.mfa.go.th/web/10.php) Various categories of non-immigrant visa
are currently provided to meet the need and qualification of individual
business people. These include business visa (category B), business
approved visa (category B-A) and investment and business visa (category
IB). Visa fee is 2,000 Baht for single entry with three-month validity
and 5,000 Baht for multiple entries with one-year validity. |
| |
1.2 Nationals of certain countries are required to
apply for a visa only at the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in their
home/residence country or at the designated Thai Embassy. Therefore,
travellers are advised to contact the nearest Thai Embassy or
Consulate-General to find out where they may apply for a visa to
Thailand before travelling from their home. Information on location and
contact number of all Thai embassies and consulates is available at http://www.mfa.go.th/web/10.php |
|
| |
II. Categories of Non-Immigrant Visa |
|
| |
| |
2.1 Non-Immigrant Visa (category “B” – Business) is issued to applicants who wish to enter Thailand to work or to do business. |
| |
- Foreigners who wish to work in Thailand
|
| |
|
- Visa application form completely filled out |
| |
|
- Applicant’s passport with validity not less than six months. |
| |
|
- (4x6 cm.) photograph of the applicant taken within the past six months |
| |
|
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family) |
| |
|
- Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour (To obtain this
letter, his/her prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit
Form WP3 at the Office of Foreigner Workers Administration, Department
of Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel. 02-2452745 or at the Provincial
Employment Office in the respective province. Further information is
available at www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html) |
| |
|
- Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour (only in case the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom )
( Remarks
1.
An alien who receives a non-immigrant visa can work in Thailand after
having received a work permit. Any violation thereof shall make the
employee liable for prosecution and imprisonment not exceeding three
months, or a fine not exceeding five-thousand Baht, or both penalties.
2.
An alien who performs work that is prescribed by the Royal Decree B.E.
2522 (1979) which prohibits alien employment in certain occupations and
professions is liable for prosecution and imprisonment not exceeding
five years, or a fine from 2,000 to 10,000 Baht, or both penalties.) |
| |
- Foreigners who wish to do business in Thailand
|
| |
|
- Visa application form duly filled out |
| |
|
- Applicant’s passport with validity not less than 6 months. The
validity of 18 months is required for one year visa application. |
| |
|
- (4x6 cm.) photograph of the applicant, taken within the past 6 months. |
| |
|
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family) |
| |
|
- Letter from the applicant’s company stating the objective of the visit to Thailand, his/her salary,etc. |
| |
|
- Document showing correspondence with trading partners in Thailand. |
| |
|
- Financial evidence in case that the applicant does his/her own business |
| |
|
- Letter of invitation from company in Thailand together with copy
of corporate documents comprising 1) list of shareholders 2) business
registration and business license 3) company profile 4) details of
business operation 5) list of foreign workers stating names,
nationalities and positions 6) map indicating the location of the
company 7) balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por
Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the latest year 8) Alien income tax
return (Por Ngor Dor 91) and 9) value-added tax registration (Por Ngor
Dor 20) , etc.
(Copies of company documents must be signed by Board
of Directors or authorized managing director and affixed with the seal
of the company.) |
| |
|
- Document indicating the number of foreign tourists
(for tourism business only), or document indicating export transactions
issued by banks (for export business only)
- Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary.
- In the absence of a required document, a letter explaining the unavailability of such document must be provided.
- The applicant must sign on each page of the copy.
- Documents in foreign languages must be translated into Thai. If
translated into English, it should be notarized by notary organs or the
applicant’s diplomatic/ consular mission.
- The holders of this type of visa are entitled to stay in Thailand
for a maximum period of 90 days. Upon completion of such period, an
extension of stay for a period of one year counting from the date of
arrival in the Kingdom can be applied for at the Office of the
Immigration Bureau.
|
| |
2.2 Business approved visa (category “B-A”) may be applied for at the Embassies or Consulates abroad but approval
shall be given by the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok
before visa is issued to the qualified applicant. The company in which
the applicant will invest or do business with can also apply for this
type of visa at the Immigration Bureau. The holder of B-A type visa
will be permitted to stay for a period of one year counting from the
date of arrival in the Kingdom. |
| |
2.3 Investment and business visa (category “IB”) is
issued to foreign staff working under investment projects promoted by
the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). The project must benefit the
country in the following ways :
|
| |
- Produce for export |
| |
- Increase employment |
| |
- Utilize local raw materials |
| |
- Locate in provincial areas |
| |
- Encourage technology transfer to Thai nationals |
| |
- Not harm existing domestic business |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
III. Additional Information |
| |
|
| |
3.1 After entering the Kingdom, applicants or their
appointed representatives must go to the Ministry of Labour (office of
Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment) to apply for
a work permit and shall pay the income tax accordingly. If the
company’s applicant is located in another province, the applicant must
apply at Employment Office in that province.
3.2 Applicant’s
family members, namely; spouse, parents and children who are unmarried
and under 20 years old, are eligible to apply for Non-Immigrant Visa
(category “O”) and will allow to stay from the period of 90 days but
not longer than 1 year.
3.3 Foreigners entering the Kingdom
under a Transit Visa (“TS”) or Tourist Visa (“TR”) wishing to engage in
business activities may apply for a change to Non-Immigrant Visa at the
Immigration Bureau Office located at Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn
Road, Bangkok 10120, Tel 02 2873101-10 or at website http://www.immigration.go.th The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is at the discretion of the Immigration officer. |
|
| |
IV. One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits
|
|
| |
| |
4.1 One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits
was established by the Regulations of the Office of Prime Minister
which were promulgated on 30 June 1997 with objective to strengthen the
procedure to promote good investment circumstances by providing for the
one stop service to avoid delay and inconvenience to the foreigners in
applying for stay permission in the Kingdom, re-entry permit and work
permit. The Center has been opened since 1 July 1997 and located on 207
Rachadapisek Road, Krisda Plaza, 3-5th Floors, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10310,
Tel 02-693-9333-9 and Fax. 02-693-9340.
4.2 Qualification of applicants for work permit at the One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits are as follows : |
| |
4.2.1 |
The aliens who are executives or experts obtaining priviledges |
| |
|
according to other laws as follows :
- Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977) |
| |
|
- Petroleum Act B.E. 2514 (1971) |
| |
|
- Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act B.E. 2522 (1979)
(Remarks : The aliens who work for the enterprises outside Bangkok can submit
the application to One Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permit) |
| |
4.2.2 |
The aliens who are investors in general; |
| |
|
- If investing not less than 2 million Baht, they will be granted with a 1- year permit. |
| |
|
- If investing not less than 10 million Baht, they will be granted with a two-year permit. |
| |
|
-The applicant must have the location of work or place in Bangkok only. |
| |
4.2.3 |
The aliens who are executives and experts ; |
| |
|
- To work at a company with the registered capital or total assets of not less than 30 million Baht. |
| |
|
- The alien, who comes to work as the foreign press, shall submit a letter from the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and a copy of ID Press Card issued by Department of Public Relations. |
| |
|
- The aliens who are researchers and developers on science and technology. |
| |
|
- The aliens who are the officials of branch office of
overseas bank, foreign banking office of overseas bank, provincial
foreign banking office of overseas bank and the representative
office of foreign bank which were certified by the Bank of Thailand. |
| |
|
- The aliens who work for the branch of the overseas enterprises. |
| |
|
- The aliens who work on the necessary and urgent basis for a period of not longer than 15 days (Tor.Thor. 11) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | | |
