Thailand visa - Checked

The visa for the Kingdom of Thailand has been approved and I am soon traveling to the land of smiles!

Details on how to apply for a visa and the requirements for obtaining one are provided below (please note I am from Serbia, so the whole process is described from that perspective):

To enter the Kingdom of Thailand, most foreign nationals need a visa, and the process of obtaining one is quite straightforward. You will need to submit a few documents on the official visa application website, which include:

  1. A scanned copy of your passport
  2. A scanned copy of your national ID card (if applicable)
  3. A color photograph, similar to those used for official documents (phone photos are acceptable)
  4. Your entry and exit flight tickets to and from Thailand
  5. Proof of accommodation reservation

After submitting the required documents, you will receive an email with instructions on how to pay the visa fee. The payment is typically made via a bank transfer. As of September 2024, the fee is approximately 2600 THB. Once the payment is made, you will need to wait for the visa approval, which will be sent to your email as a PDF document. This PDF must be printed and carried with you when you travel.

My Visa

You can also apply for a visa by visiting the Thai consulate in your country, but the online option is generally simpler and faster.

I received my visa in just 2 days, although the official website mentioned that it might take longer! I took the photo with my phone and also used phone scans for my passport and ID card. I had my flight tickets booked a month before applying, and I received my accommodation confirmation from Booking.com. More about accommodation can be found in the Tips and Tricks section.

It's important to note that the visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance, and the stay in the country is up to 60 days, with the possibility of extending for another month. This means you must 'use' the visa within 3 months from the date it is issued to your email, and the 60-day countdown starts upon entering the country.

PS. For those planning to stay for up to 15 days, a visa can also be obtained upon arrival at the airport in Thailand. This is known as a VOA (Visa on Arrival). There is a higher risk of application rejection if all required documentation is not ready and complete.

The latest information on Thai visas can be found on the official consulate website.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Purchase your flight tickets at least a few months before your trip. The prices are usually lower, and you can find good deals from various airlines.
  • If you have a decent camera on your phone, take photos of your passport, ID card, and yourself without visiting a photocopy shop. You will receive your flight tickets and accommodation confirmation online, so there's no need to visit a photocopy shop and pay for their services.
  • Thailand has specific regulations regarding accommodation rentals. It is illegal to rent accommodation for less than a month unless the property has a hotel license. This doesn't mean you won't find accommodation on platforms like Airbnb, but it means it's not advisable to submit an Airbnb reservation confirmation to the consulate as it technically violates Thai laws. Instead, make a reservation for a few days at a hotel (e.g., via Booking.com) and submit that confirmation to the consulate. Find a hotel that allows free cancellation. This way, you have an Airbnb reservation (e.g., for 20 days), and you send a valid hotel confirmation to the consulate, which you can cancel after obtaining the visa.
  • You can also obtain a visa through the official Thai eVisa website. The response time is longer (up to a month), but the fee is significantly lower. Additional documents may be requested.
  • No certification, antigen test, or Covid vaccine is required for entry!

Note: Always refer to the official embassy and consulate websites (links provided in the text) for the most accurate visa information.