Introduction    

A travel visa may be required or not based on several factors: nationality and also purposes of visit, and the length of your stay in that country. Thailand is known as one of the most attractive tourist destination regions worldwide, giving alternative options for visas with different alternatives, from visa-exempt entries to long-term visas for longer stays. We will discuss a few of the questions like: 

• do you need a travel visa for  Thailand

• how one can obtain it

• what type of visa you will require for your specific journey.

Many countries have agreements with Thailand so that their citizens can stay there without a visa for short periods. Tourism purposes visits by such country's citizens into Thailand happen without pre-application for a visa, although entry conditions vary with each nationality as does the stay time.

Countries Eligible for Visa Exemption

Citizens of over 60 countries have an exemption from a visa when visiting Thailand as a tourist. This applies mostly to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, most of the EU, Japan, and others.

The usual duration of stay granted by Exemption Visa is up to 30 days for air entry and up to 15 days by land border crossings.

But here is one essential point:

• Passport Validity: Your passport should have at least six months' validity from the date of entry into Thailand.
• Proof of Exit: Immigration authorities might ask you to show proof of onward travel, either in terms of a return ticket or onward travel to another country, to prove that one isn't aiming to overstay in the country.
• There is also the requirement to demonstrate funds for sojourning, although this is not all that commonly practiced.

Visa Exemption Extension

You can make an application for an extension of a visa exemption in Thailand at the local immigration office, if you want to stay beyond 30 or 15 days, depending on which method one has entered upon. It was then granted for another 30 days. This also has a fee attached to it, hence best applied before your visa exemption runs out to avoid overstaying and possible penalties.

Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Those nationals who are not eligible for the visa exemption are allowed to obtain a visa on arrival at specific entry points, which are most of the international airports and land borders.

Eligibility for Visa on Arrival
Citizens of 18 countries including India, China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia are eligible for getting a visa on arrival. This visa is mostly valid for 15 days of stay only and can be granted only for a tourism purpose. It is not possible to extend this visa beyond the initially allowed stay of 15 days.

Eligibility Requirements for Visa on Arrival

• On-arrival application form: one should have a completed visa on-arrival form available at the airport or land border crossing or can obtain it online by completion before arrival.

• One should have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry with blank pages for visa stamp on at least one.

• One should also have passport photos as some entry points require one or two recent passport-sized photos.

• Provision for accommodation: Hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from friends or family.

• Confirmation of departure: Return ticket or onward flight out of Thailand before the lapse of the period of the visa, that is, within 15 days.

• Proof of sufficiency: You have to prove that you have enough money to sustain your stay (10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family).

• Visa Fee - On arrival, it can be paid in cash; normally varies within 2,000 THB.

How to Apply for Visa on Arrival

The VOA process is simple and typically takes less than 30 minutes, depending on traffic at the entry point. Some airports and land borders have a Fast Track service for an additional fee to expedite the application. If you want to be extra safe, you can even apply for the eVOA (electronic Visa on Arrival) before your trip.

Tourist Visa (Single and Multiple Entry)
If you are to stay in Thailand for more than the periods of visa exemption or VOA grant, or if you're going to Thailand for other purposes, you would have to obtain a visa prior to your travel. Single Entry Tourist Visa and Multiple Entry Tourist Visa are mainly utilized for tourists in Thailand travel visa context. 

Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV)

The Single Entry Tourist Visa allows you to stay up to 60 days in Thailand for tourism purposes. One needs to apply for this visa from a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country or one where you hold legal residency.

  Requirements of Application

• Visa application form: This should be completed and signed.

• Passport: Must be valid for a period of six months from the date of entry.

• Passport-sized photos: Two recent shots taken within the last six months

• Onward ticket: Return ticket or ticket for onward journey to next destination

• Accommodation: Hotel reservation or letter from the host

• Visa fee: Approximately 1,000-2,000 THB depending upon the embassy.

Once the SETV is issued, a holder can enter Thailand only once, and then one can stay in the country for a maximum period of 60 days. If one wants to prolong the visit, an application should be made for an extension at an immigration office in Thailand that can last up to 30 days.

Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)

This visa is excellent for a person who would be visiting Thailand within a six-month period several times. With unlimited entry into the country, the stays are allowed for at most 60 days each. The METV also costs more, as compared to the SETV, and requires a larger number of documents.

Application Requirements

Visa application form: Completely filled up and signed.

• Passport: Valid for at least six months from the date of entry and has blank pages for visa stamping

• Passport photographs: Two recent, similar photos in size according to requirements

• Documentary proof of adequate funds: Bank statements showing savings of at least 200,000 THB for at least six months prior

• Documentary proof of onward travel: For the first entry, airline tickets; subsequent entries may request originals.

• Proof of accommodation: Hotel reservations for first entry, proof of accommodation for subsequent entries

• Visa fee: Approximately 5000 THB depending on the consular office.

With the METV, you can leave and re-enter Thailand as often as you like within the validity period of your visa, but no stay can exceed 60 days. Applications to extend each 60-day stay for a further 30 days can be submitted at a Thai immigration office.

Non-Immigrant Visas

This Non-Immigrant Visa, therefore, will also cover other purposes like business, studying, or retiring. Here are the various categories:

• Non-Immigrant B Visa This is for those who go to Thailand for the purpose of business or for employment.

• Non-Immigrant ED Visa Qualified students enrolled in a recognized school in Thailand

• Non-Immigrant O Visa Family visit, retiring, or volunteer work.

Every visa type has certain specific requirements and conditions, and the majority of the documents required in the application process are those that tourist visa applications do not have. 

For example, the Non-Immigrant O-A Visa applies to an applicant over 50 years old, having savings in the amount necessary for his living, and submitting to the officer a police clearance certificate.

STV as part of some measures taken by Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic, was introduced as a health and safety-related long-term tourism visa. Such a visa is valid for an initial stay of 90 days with the possibility of extending the stay twice for another 90 days each time, but not exceeding the total of 270 days. The STV is for tourists who wish to stay in Thailand for periods longer than the standard period, which requires some specific procedures, including in particular insurance medical provisions, and documents showing long-term accommodations.

Overstaying in Thailand

Respecting the conditions of your visa or visa waiver is essential. Staying past your visa date is not taken lightly in Thailand, and people who overstay their time there can be fined and even deported from the country. Additionally, such individuals can be blacklisted from entering Thailand again. As of writing, the fine for overstay is 500 THB per day, and at a maximum point could go up to 20,000 THB. If an individual overstays for more than 90 days, there could be serious repercussions: that person may be banned from entering Thailand for up to 10 years.

Conclusion

This depends on the nationality, intent, and duration of stay. For most nationals and for very brief sojourns visa exemptions or visas on arrival can be acquired; while for longer periods, a tourist or non-immigrant visa must be applied for. This will help you plan your trip easily to Thailand and avoid legal or logistical issues while over there. You ought to check the updated entry requirements before traveling since visa policies change over time.