Depending which country you are from, you can visit Thailand and receive an arrival stamp (VISA exemption) at the immigration counter at the airport free. This is a stamp that the immigration officer at the airport will stamp in your passport that states the date you will be legally required to depart Thailand. This NOT to be confused with a tourist visa.
An arrival stamp (VISA exemption) in Thailand is a stamp that an immigration officer at the airport places in a traveler’s passport to indicate the date of entry and the length of stay permitted in the country.
Depending on which country you are entering from, you can get as many as 60 days in Thailand on the arrival stamp. (This VISA exemption stamp can also be extended at immigration in Thailand for an additional 30 days (1900 thb) before the initial 60 day period is up.
The headquarters of the Thai Immigration Bureau is located at Government Center Chaengwattana Building B, No. 120, Moo 3, Chaengwattana Road, Tungsonghong Sub-District, Laksi District, Bangkok 10210, 02-141-9889.
VISA Exemption Countries and Lengths of Free Stays
A tourist visa is obtained at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in the United States (or your home country), prior to arriving in Thailand. The tourist visa must generally be used within 90 days from the date of issue and allows an initial stay of 60 days. After arrival in Thailand, a tourist visa may be extended at the discretion of an immigration officer once for an additional 30 days with the total period of stay no longer than 90 days. There is a 1,900 Baht fee for the extension.
Single-Entry Tourist Visa
- Visa Duration: Valid for 3 months from the date of issue
- Visa Type: Single entry
- Length of Stay per Entry: Up to 60 days
- Extendable: Yes, by an additional 30 days at a Thai immigration office
- Obtainable From: Thai embassies or consulates abroad and e-visa portal
- Option to Include Family: Not available as a package; each family member must apply individually.
The Single-Entry Tourist Visa is perfect for travelers planning one visit to Thailand. It allows a stay of up to 60 days, with the option to extend by 30 days once in Thailand. Upon leaving Thailand, this visa expires, and you will need a new visa to re-enter.
Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa
- Visa Duration: Valid for 6 months from the date of issue
- Visa Type: Multiple entry
- Length of Stay per Entry: Up to 60 days
- Extendable: Yes, by an additional 30 days per entry
- Obtainable From: Thai embassies or consulates abroad and e-visa portal
- Option to Include Family: Not available as a package; each family member must apply individually.
What are the Requirements for a Thai Tourist Visa?
When applying for a Thailand Tourist Visa, you will need to present a collection of documents and pay an application fee. However, both the fee and required documents can change without notice and may vary by country and embassy. It’s recommended that you contact your local Thai Embassy to confirm the latest requirements, price, and whether an in-person application is necessary.
Some countries offer a digital option, the Thai E-Visa, which provides a faster way to obtain your Thailand Tourist Visa. Be sure to ask about the E-Visa when reaching out to your local Thai Embassy.
The documents required to apply for the Thailand Tourist Visa include:
- A completed application form
- A passport or travel document with at least six months of validity
- A passport-sized photograph
- Onward/return travel tickets (paid in full)
- Proof of financial stability, such as a bank statement (10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family)
- Proof of hotel booking or private accommodation arrangements
The arrival stamp (VISA exemption) is something you automatically get at the immigration counter at the airport on your arrival if you are from a qualifying country.
The tourist visa you apply for an actual visa that gets pasted in your passport from your home country of residence.