Thailand Property Online

Visa Definition

A visa authorizes entry into Thailand for a specified length of time depending upon the type of visa. Your passport or travel document will show the expiry date of authorized entry. The permissible duration of stay is always entered in the passport.  Always check the date of the entry/exit stamp in your passport.

Visa Categories

In Thailand there are numerous visa categories, with eight major types issued under the Immigration Act. Each category is restricted to the purpose for which the visa has been issued, and aliens are advised to strictly adhere to the rules governing each visa category. Change of address or status should be relayed to local police within 24 hours.

- Transit Visa “TS”, applicable to aliens entering Thailand with an intention to travel on to another country.
- Tourist Visa “TR”, applicable to aliens visiting Thailand for sightseeing purposes only.
- Non-Immigrant Visa, applicable to aliens entering Thailand on a temporary basis for a particular purpose including:
- “B” for business purposes.
- “IM” for investment purposes, as approved by the appropriate ministries or departments concerned.
- “IB” for investment purposes or other affairs connected with an investment under the law governing investment promotion. This is a category of visa with issuance controlled by the Board of Investment.
- “ED” for purposes of study or observation.
- “M” for performance of duties connected with the mass media.
- “R” for missionary work with approval from the ministry or department concerned.
- “RS” for purposes of scientific research or teaching in a research or educational institution in Thailand with approval from the ministries or departments concerned.
- “EX” for performance of skilled or expert work.
- “O” for other purposes as prescribed in the ministerial regulations (as dependents, retired persons, sports trainers, or for family reunions, medical treatment, and legal proceedings).
- Diplomatic Visa “D”, applicable to aliens who enter the Kingdom on a diplomatic or consular mission or for the performance of duties with international organizations.
- Official Visa “F” for performance of official duties involving the Thai government.
- Immigrant Visa (Permanent Residence), applicable to those aliens entering Thailand for permanent residence purposes.
- Non-Quota Immigrant Visa, applicable to permanent residents wishing to leave Thailand and return within one year.
- 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.

Extension of Visas

Each category of visa has restrictions for extension beyond the period originally allocated to it. Any extensions are determined by the Immigration Bureau. Diplomatic and Official visas are valid for the length of the mission. Tourist and Transit visas allocate 60 days and 30 days, respectively. Generally, tourist visas may be extended for a maximum of 7 to 30 days depending on applicant’s nationality. Transit visas may be extended for 7 to 10 days.

Extension applications for tourist and transit visas are handled for a fee of Baht 500 at the Tourist and Transit Section, Sub-Division 3, Immigration Division. The following documents are needed to process an extension application:
- Passport or travel document.
- One photograph (2 ? inches square).
- Statement of reasons for requesting an extension.

Source: www.thaigov.go.th