Thai Visas are a broadly discussed topic for tourists and expats alike as every foreigner staying in Thailand will have to make a suitable choice from the many options available.
Any visit to Thailand for over 30 days requires a visa. So does any stay for which you do not hold a valid ticket for onward travel out of the kingdom.
You do not require a visa if you have a passport from one of the 55 countries that have a bilateral agreement with Thailand and for which the Visa Exemption Rule applies. (Country Chart) The passport has to be valid for at least six months, and you need to hold an onward ticket out of Thailand. You will be stamped in for 30 days, and the entry stamp is not a visa.
It can be extended for 14 days (before the expiry date) at an Immigration Office. This “onward ticket” is essential as some airlines will not let you board a flight with a one-way ticket.
Usually, Visas are granted at Royal Thai Embassies, but from our own experience, their system has been far from perfect. Therefore, we strongly recommend getting your Visa from a Thai Consulate.
It is also essential that you call the Thai Consulate and ask them to reconfirm what documents are needed. Every Thai Consulate around the world has different rules and regulations, which are continually changing, and it is vital that you check on this before going there.
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