Thailand visa & immigration
A. GENERAL
INFORMATION
1. Any alien wishing to enter Thailand,
unless otherwise exempted, must obtain a proper visa from a Royal
Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate prior to arrival in
Thailand.
2. Aliens in transit and tourists from the
countries listed below are permitted to obtain an entry visa on
their arrival at designated entry points in Thailand. An entry visa
allows a stay of 15 days.
Bhutan, China (including Taiwan),
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Oman,
Mauritius, Poland, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia,
Ukraine.
3.Aliens in transit and tourists from the countries
listed below are exempted from visa requirements. They are permitted
to enter and stay in the Kingdom for 30 days without an entry visa.
However, these individuals must obtain an entry stamp on their
passports at the immigration checkpoint of entry.
Australia,
Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel,
Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macao,
Malaysia, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines,
Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Vietnam.
4. For a stay longer than 30 days, all aliens must
have a valid visa, which can be obtained from a Royal Thai Embassy
or Consulate prior to entry into Thailand. The exceptions are
nationals of the Republic of Korea, Brazil, and Peru who are
currently allowed to stay up to 90 days after obtaining an entry
stamp at the Immigration checkpoint of entry. These lists of
countries change periodically.
The Immigration Bureau adds and
removes countries as circumstances dictate. Therefore, checking with
a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate is recommended before
travelling.
B. TYPES OF VISAS AND
PURPOSES OF VISIT
In Thailand, there are numerous
visa categories, with eight major types issued under the Immigration
Act. Each category is restricted to a specific purpose. Aliens are
advised to strictly adhere to the rules governing each visa
category. A visa authorizes entry into Thailand for a specific
length of time depending upon the type of visa. The passport will
show the date of authorized entry. The permissible duration of stay
is always entered in the passport.
1. Transit Visa "TS".
Applicable to aliens entering Thailand with an intention to travel
on to another country.
2. Tourist Visa "TR". Applicable to
aliens visiting Thailand for sightseeing purposes only.
3.
Non-Immigrant Visa. Applicable to aliens entering Thailand on a
temporary basis for a particular purpose:
."B" -
Business.
."B-A"-Business or investment
."IB"-Investment or
other affairs connected with an investment under the law governing
investment promotion.
."IM" – Investment, which has been approved
by the ministries or departments concerned.
"'ED"-Study or
observation.
."RS" - Scientific research or teaching in a
research or educational institution in Thailand.
."M" -
Performance of duties connected with the mass media.
."R" -
Missionary work with approval from the ministry or department
concerned.
."Ex"- Performance of skilled or expert work.
."0"
- Other purposes as prescribed in the ministerial regulations (as
dependents, retired persons, sports trainers, or for family
reunions, medical treatment, and legal proceedings).
"O-A
"-Temporary residence. .
4. Diplomatic Visa "D". Applicable
to those aliens entering the Kingdom on a diplomatic or consular
mission or for the performance of duties with international
organizations.
5. Official Visa "F". Performance of official
duties (involving the Thai government).
6.Immigrant Visa
(Permanent Residence). Applicable to those aliens entering Thailand
for permanent residence purposes.
7. Non-Quota Immigrant Visa.
Applicable to permanent residents wishing to leave Thailand and
return within a year.
8. Courtesy Visa. Applicable to those
diplomatic and/or official passport holders who enter the Kingdom
for purposes other than official duties and to those ordinary
passport holders who enter the Kingdom in response to an official
Thai request.
C. LENGTH OF
STAY
Length of stay in Thailand depends on the type
of visa:
Transit Visa - not exceeding 30 days
L . Tourist
Visa - not exceeding - 60 days
Non-Immigrant Visa – not exceeding
90 days
Diplomatic, Official, and Courtesy Visa - as
necessary
D. EXTENSION OF STAY IN
THAILAND
.Transit Visa - a transit visa may be
extended for 7 to 10 days depending on applicant's
nationality.
.Tourist Visa - a tourist visa may be extended for a
maximum of 7 to 30 days depending on applicant's
nationality.
.Non-lmmigrant Visa - Non-immigrant visa categories
"B" or "B-A" are usually extended for a period not exceeding 1 year
at a time from the date of arrival except "IM" which shall not
exceed 2 years, and "IB" which is generally 2-3 years depending on
the recommendation of the BOI and the size of the investment.
The
government fee for an extension of a transit, tourist, or
non-immigrant visa is Baht 1,900.
E.
OVERSTAYING
The period of stay allowed is always
stamped or written in the passport upon arrival in Thailand. Every
alien is responsible for checking his/her passport for the
authorized length of stay. Any alien who overstays in the Kingdom is
subject to a fine of Baht 200 for each day after the expiration date
of the permitted length of stay up to a maximum of Baht 20,000. This
fine may be paid at the Immigration Division or at the airport upon
departure. If an alien cannot or is otherwise unable to pay the fine
for overstaying a visa, he/she is subject to detention at the
Immigration Detention Center.
F. CHANGE OF
VISA
The Thai government gives foreigners who did not
get a chance to apply for a Non-Immigrant visa before arriving in
Thailand to change their visa if they need to stay in Thailand
longer. This procedure may be done within the country. A foreigner
who is eligible for a change of visa must have entered Thailand with
a Tourist or Transit visa granted by a Thai Embassy or Consulate
abroad. The foreigner must apply for a change of visa not less then
30 days before his current visa is due to expire. Various documents
are required depending on the purpose of the application for a
Non-Immigrant Visa.
G. RE-ENTRY
PERMIT
Aliens holding any kind of visa for stay in
Thailand who wish to leave and return to the country by the expiry
date of such visa without having to apply for a new visa must apply
for a re-entry permit prior to departure. A re-entry permit allows
the alien to re-enter Thailand and use the time remaining on his/her
visa. If a
re-entry permit is not applied for, the visa will
automatically be cancelled although it has not expired. To
facilitate the travel schedules of aliens, aside from the
Immigration offices throughout Thailand, are entry permit may be
obtained at Don Muang (Bangkok), Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, and
Sukhothai interna-tional airports, as well as other designated
immigration checkpoints throughout the country. Don Muang (Bangkok)
International Airport operates 24 hours, 7 days a week, while other
checkpoints operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. The fee
for single re-entry is Baht 1,000 while that for multiple re-entries
is Baht 3,800. It is advisable to request a multiple visa if one
expects to be frequently travelling out of Thailand. This allows him
more - than one entry into Thailand during his travels.
If one
leaves Thailand before his visa has expired and wants to return but
does not have a re-entry permit, he must apply for another visa.
Exits may only be legally made. At designated immigration control
points. The crossing of any border is an exit for immigration
purpose, whether or not the exit point is controlled. Thus, forays
into neighbouring countries are deemed exits, legal or otherwise,
and returning to Thailand from such trips is a new entry, requiring
proper visas or re-entry permits.
R WORK
PERMITS
Most foreigners who intend to work in Thailand
are subject to the Alien Employment Act H.E. 2521 (A.D. 1978). Under
the provisions of this Act, a foreigner cannot perform any act of
work or service unless a work permit has been
issued by the
Department of Employment, Ministry of Labor, or unless the
individual, or the work performed, falls within an exception to the
Act. The term "work" is defined very broadly, covering both physical
and mental activities, whether or not for wages or other
remuneration. Working without a valid work permit even for a day is
a criminal offence. The validity period of a work permit is governed
by the holder's immigration status, i.e. a work permit usually
expires, on the last day of the period of stay allowed by
immigration officials as shown on the alien's
visa.
I. AIRPORT TAX
All persons
departing Thailand from any airport in the Kingdom must pay an
airport tax of Baht 500.
J. EXCHANGE
CONTROL
Thai Currency: While unlimited amounts of
Thai currency may be imported, the amount of Thai Baht currently
allowed out of the country is Baht 50,000 per person per trip. There
is a maximum of Baht 500,000 per person per trip permitted when
visiting bordering countries.
Importation and Repatriation of Personal Funds
Non-Residents:
An individual foreigner is not restricted
in the amount of foreign currency or negotiable instruments that
he/she can bring into Thailand.
However, if the amount exceeds
US$10000 it should be registered with the Customs officer upon entry
to avoid problems upon departure.
Residents:
Residents
are not restricted in the amount of foreign currency or negotiable
instruments, which they may bring into Thailand, but as a general
rule, such foreign currency must be sold to an authorized agent and
converted into Baht or deposited in a foreign currency account
within 7 days. According to the new foreign exchange controls, a
Thai resident travelling abroad for business or pleasure can take
unlimited amounts of foreign currencies out of the country. However,
prior approval is required for any purchase or conversion of foreign
currency in any form other than bank notes and coins in the amount
exceeding US$20,OOO at a time. This includes letters of credit
and/or other negotiable instruments the traveller is taking on the
trip. Currently, no limits are set on credit
cards.
K. APPLYING FOR THAI
NATIONALITY
Aliens who wish to apply for Thai
nationality under the Nationality Act B.E. 2508 (A.D. 1965) must be
permanent residence holders for 5 continuous years, have reached the
age of 45, and be able to speak and understand Thai. An exception
may be made to this rule if there is reasonable cause, such as
marrying a Thai and having children born in Thailand or having
studied in a local university/college as an undergraduate. The
applicant must complete an application form and submit various
required documents to the Criminal Investigation Division Group I,
Subdivision 3, Royal Thai Police Headquarters, Rama I Road, Bangkok.
The official fee is Baht 5,000. The processing takes 2 to 3 years.
In the case of a minor child sponsored by a mother or father having
Thai nationality, there must be evidence of both sponsorship and the
child's birth. Likewise, a wife seeking Thai citizenship based on
her husband's Thai nationality must submit evidence of the husband's
nationality, the marriage, and a formal request for Thai
citizenship.
Under the new provisions of the Thai Nationality Act
(No.2) B.E. 2535 (A.D. 1992), any person, whether born inside or
outside Thailand, whose father or mother has Thai nationality, is
entitled to register his/her Thai nationality at the local district
office where he/she wants to have his/her name registered in a house
registration. He/she must submit various required
documents.
WARNING
Please note that this
information is not inclusive of all the answers to questions
involving immigration and related matters but is intended to address
general issues. Whenever appropriate, please consult a lawyer versed
in immigration matters or the nearest Immigration Division officer.
Policies and procedures may change rapidly and without notice.
