UK Nationals travelling to Thailand are not
required to apply for a visa, however you may need a visa depending on the
purpose of travel and period of stay. Following are the visa options available
to travel to Thailand.
Visa Exemption for
British Passport Holders
British
nationals holding a full UK passport are exempted from a visa if your planned
period of stay is up to 60 days.
This
is valid if you reach Thailand by air or land. If you wish to extend your stay
after arrival, you can do it once - the extension period being up to 30 days
from the expiry date on your original visa.
Again,
if you are using the visa exemption facility, then remember that you can enter
for a total of three times within six months by air and two times a year
for by overland crossing.
Your cumulative stay
in six months (for air passengers) cannot 90 days from the date of first entry.
Therefore, if you are
a frequent traveller and you need to enter-exit Thailand several times, it is
better to apply for a multiple entry visa before making your travel plans.
For
gaining entry via visa exemption, make sure to present the following documents
at the point of entry:
- Proof of
sufficient finances to cover your duration of stay in Thailand. This can
be done via a traveller’s cheque or cash, equivalent to 20,000 Baht per
person and 40,000 Baht per family.
- Proof of
onward travel (which can be either confirmed air, train, bus or boat
tickets) that confirms that you are going to leave Thailand within 30 days
from the arrival date. If you do not possess a return ticket to show
immigration, you need to apply for a tourist visa before you travel.
Please refer to our tourist visa section for the details.
Note:
you cannot overstay the 30-day period if you enter Thailand under the visa
exemption policy. If you do, you will need to pay a fine of 500 baht per day up
to a maximum of 20,000 baht. You can also be detained or deported and worse,
black-listed from re-entering Thailand.
Staying in
Thailand for More than 30 Days Per Visit
Now,
if you are planning to stay it Thailand for tourism purposes, for a period of
more than 30 days per visit, you need to obtain a tourist visa prior to your
arrival into the country.
If
you are entering the country for purposes other than tourism you have to get a
category-specific visa, such as a non-immigrant visa.
Dual Nationality
If
you have a British passport or UK travel documents but you are a national of
the countries listed below, you cannot enter Thailand on visa exemption.
You
have to lodge an application for a Thai visa in person at the Royal Thai
Embassy in London.
The
countries are: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central African
Republic, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo,
Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iraq, Iran, North Korea,
Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Sao Tome and
Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen
If
you own a residence status in the United Kingdom or Ireland, The Royal Thai
Embassy in London shall issue you a visa, provided you have a passport from the
above-mentioned nations.
Tourist Visa
Tourist
visa can be used by British nationals planning to enter Thai borders only for
tourism and medical treatment.
Tourist
Visa Entry Types and Validity
A
Single Entry Tourist Visa arrives with a validity of 3 months from the date of
issue. You should enter Thailand within this validity period.
The
maximum allowable stay is up to 60 days from the date of entry. Ensure to check
this allowable limit so that you do not overstay your visa.
A
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa arrives with a validity of 6 months from the date of issue and offer a
stay period not exceeding 60 days per visit within the validity period.
Remember to check the immigration stamp on the passport regarding the exact length
of stay.
How
to Apply?
For
a Single Entry Tourist Visa, you need a passport with a minimum 6 months
validity and at least 2 blank pages.
The
application form is available online and you must completely fill it with all the
required details. Download, sign it and take a printout with bar code.
Attach
your travel booking confirmation, two passport size photographs, proof of
accommodation in Thailand (hotel booking, invitation letter from family or
friend in Thailand), and financial proof.
For
a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, apart from the above documents, you also need to
submit a letter from your UK employer addressed to the Royal Thai Embassy or a
self-assessment and a company registration document, if you are self-employed.
Once
the above documents are ready, book an appointment with the embassy and submit
your application. If you require any assistance, we can manage your application
preparation and submission.
Business Visa
The
business visa falls under the non-immigrant type B visa. You can apply for one
if you are travelling to Thailand for business purposes, such as attending a
conference, meeting, or exhibition.
It
is available in single and multiple entry types. The single entry visa comes
with a validity of 3 months and the multiple entry visa holds a validity of 1
year. Either visa type allows a maximum stay period of 90 days from the date of
arrival.
How
to Apply?
In
order to apply for this visa, you need to fill the online application form,
download, and then sign it. You also need two passport size photographs and a
passport with a validity of at least 6 months and a minimum of two blank pages.
Apart
from this, you need to obtain a letter confirming employment details from your
employer in the UK, signed by an authorised person, explaining the purpose of
your work in Thailand.
A
copy of ID card or passport of the signer, invitation letter from the company
in Thailand, business license of the inviting company, and financial evidence.
Once
your documents are ready, the application process is similar as outlined in the
tourist visa section. If you require any assistance, we can manage your application
preparation and submission.
NOTE:
Detailed specifications for the documents required for both business and
tourist visas can be found in the respective tabs for these individual
categories.
Transit Visa
A
transit visa is required when you want to transit via Thailand to another
country of destination or to re-enter your own own country. This visa type
allows entry up to four times and is valid for 90 days, with a maximum
allowable stay of 30 days.
How to apply?
Apart
from a 6-month valid passport, two passport size
photographs, and a printout of the filled-up online visa application
form, you need to submit travel booking confirmation and financial proof (in
the form of bank statements, proof of earnings, sponsorship letter that says
10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family).
Additionally,
you require roof of accommodation in Thailand (which can be accommodation
bookings or invitation letters from family or friends in Thailand) and visa of
the third country you are travelling to.
The
application process is similar to the one we have described in the section for
tourist visa.
Additional
Notes: Transit visas are also available for athletes participating in sports
events (TS - S) and for pilots or captains taking vehicles to the country’s
ports or stations and for crew members (TS - C)
For
TS-S, additional supporting documents include a certificate from the concerned
authority that confirms the applicant’s participation in the event, an
invitation letter from the sport event organiser, and travel booking confirmation.
For TS-C, you need an employment certificate, validating you as a crew member.
Other Types of
Non-Immigrant Visa
Apart
from the common types of visas above, the Thai Embassy also issues the
following visa categories. The documentation requirements can vary for each
type. Hence, consult us before going ahead with your application process.
F:
For conducting official duties.
B:
For carrying out activities related to business, work, studying a teaching
course, employment as an English teacher, film producer or sports coach, internship,
short-term journalist or reporter, and non-curricular internship. We have only
mentioned the requirements for a specific business visa in the section above
this. Note that each of these categories come with their own specifications.
IM:
Investing in concurrence of the concerned Thai Ministries and Government
Departments.
IB:
Investments or investment-related activities according to the established laws
on investment promotion.
ED:
Study, tours related to work-study or observation, to participation in projects
or seminars, attending a conference or training course, and to train as a
foreign Buddhist monk. This visa type also allows one to carry out missionary
or religious activities if approved by the Thai Ministries or Government
Departments. It additionally covers internship which forms a part of a
curricular programme.
M: In order to work as a long-term
film-producer, journalist or reporter.
D/F:
For diplomatic officers who are posted overseas or are on official missions
RS:
For conducting scientific research or undergoing training or teaching in a
research institute.
EX:
To perform skilled work or work as an expert or specialist.
O:
For visiting family or friends in Thailand. It also offers provision for taking
up a voluntary job, enjoying retirement, undergoing medical treatment,
attending judicial process or working as a diplomat's housekeeper
O-A:
To allow foreigners aged above 50 years who wish to stay in Thailand for a long
term without working.
O-X:
To allow foreigners aged above 50 years who wish to stay in Thailand for a long
term without working -- provided they are residents of Japan, Australia,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden,
Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada, and United States of America.
Extension of Stay
If
you wish to extend your stay in Thailand beyond the permitted duration, you can
apply at Office of Immigration Bureau. You can also apply here if you wish to
change your visa type.
The
decision solely depends on the immigration officer in charge.
Onward Travel
When
you plan to exit Thailand, at times, immigration officials may wish to check
your proof for onward travel, which may include tickets to another country,
your own country, or return tickets.
Please
remember to keep these documents handy. At times boarding is declined if these
documents are not present.
On
the other hand, you may also be asked to present proof of adequate finances.
Entry or exit may be denied if you fail to produce these.
UK Emergency Travel Documents
The
government of Thailand accepts UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) during
entry, airside transit and exit from the country.
If
you decide to enter the borders via a UK ETD, you must consult with the nearest
Thai Embassy or Consulate prior to your travel dates in order to confirm if you
need a visa.
A
two-way ETD from Thailand is issued only when you can show proof that you own a
non-immigrant visa.