What is a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa?

What Are the Types of Thai Non-Immigrant Visas?

The Non-Immigrant Visa is divided into the following categories:

• F visa
• B visa
• IM visa
• ED visa
• M visa
• R visa
• RS visa
• EX visa
• O visa
• O-A and O-X visa

F visa category

Foreigners holding regular passports traveling for official responsibilities, such as collaborating for a government agency or embassy, an international group, or a state corporation in Thailand, are eligible for the Thai Non-Immigrant Visa Category F.

B visa category

The Thai Non-Immigrant Visa Category B is granted if you are visiting Thailand for the following reasons:

• To carry out business.
• Working for a Thai corporation or as a teacher in a Thai institution.

To find employment in Thailand, you must also obtain a Thai Work Permit. Unfortunately, you cannot obtain a work permit in Thailand if you are unable to get a Non-Immigrant Visa Category B.

IM visa category

If you want to go to Thailand to invest, the Thai Non-Immigrant Visa IM must be obtained from the relevant Thai Ministry and Government Department.

ED visa category

The Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa ED is granted for academic reasons alone. If you have enrolled in a Thai educational establishment and wish to study in the country, you must file for a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa ED.

You can also apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa ED if you participate in a conference or conference, go to a conference or training program, etc.

M visa category

People from media organizations are granted the Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa M. If you are a film producer, journalist, or reporter working in Thailand, you can apply for this type of visa.

For example, if you are producing films, you need approval from the Thai Film Office. If you are a journalist or reporter, you must get approval from the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Information.

R visa category

The Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa R, often known as an “R-A” visa, is awarded for religious reasons. You need this type of visa if you are coming to Thailand to perform missionary work or other religious practices that have been approved by the appropriate Thai Ministries or Government Departments.

RS visa category

A Thai Non-Immigrant Visa RS visa is issued to foreigners traveling to conduct scientific research, start teaching in a research institute, or train in Thailand.

EX visa category

A highly talented and skilled foreigner visiting who plans to work in Thailand as an expert or specialist should get a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa EX.

O visa category

The Thai government grants Non-Immigrant Visa category O for the purposes below:

• To reunite with your Thai spouse.
• To accompany a family member who is traveling for a job or school.
• Working for a government enterprise or a social welfare institution
• To serve in the household of a person who is away on diplomatic business.
• To obtain medical care.
• To take part in a legal proceeding as a competitor or a witness.
• To act as a sports coach.

O-A and O-X visa category

Both the O-A and O-X visas are Thailand retirement visas. The distinction between the O-A and O-X visas is as follows:

• Thailand’s Non-Immigrant Visa O-A is provided to all foreigners who are 50 or older. This visa is renewable and in effect for a maximum of one year.
• Thailand’s Non-Immigrant Visa O-X is granted to particular foreigners who are 50 or older. It holds validity for five years and can be extended for another five years.

What are the Required Documents for a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa?

When applying for a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa, you must provide several supporting certificates, including:

• Your passport. It needs to be valid for at least six more months. In addition, it must have at least 2 blank pages. If you’re looking for a one-year visa, be sure your passport is valid for 18 months.
• A Thai Visa application form. It must be filled out and signed. You may obtain it via the Thai embassy website where you are applying, or you may be able to obtain it in person.
• Passport-sized photo with the attributes below:
  • White background
  • No more than last six months old
  • Taken with a neutral facial expression.
  • Taken with a fully visible face.
  • Only religious headgear is allowed.
  • Glasses that do not have heavy frames and do not cover the eyes are allowed.
• Evidence of adequate financial resources to fund the period of your stay. If you are going alone, you will require 20,000 Thai Baht and 40,000 Thai Baht if you travel with a family.
• A paid fee of a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa application

How to Apply for a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa?

A Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa must be obtained through a Thai embassy in your home country.

1. Contact the Thai embassy where you want to submit your visa application or go to their website. Discover their opening hours, days of work, and if an appointment is required.
2. Gather the necessary documentation for the Thai Non-Immigrant Visa you are seeking for
3. Submit the papers as well as the visa application. You can send the application to the following embassies, depending on which one you apply to:
   1. In person
   2. By mail. In this case, you must include a pre-paid and self-addressed envelope.
4. Allow some time for the visa application to be completed.
5. Take back your passport with the visa attached. If you apply by mail, the embassy will send you a letter.

Note: It is possible to change your visa category to another type of non-immigrant visa if you are already in Thailand on a different kind of visa. Apply for the change at the Thailand Immigration Department in Bangkok if you are already in Thailand on another type of visa. Thai Visa On Arrival holders do not need to do this.

Can I Get a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa on Arrival?

No. Tourists in Thailand are only eligible for the Thailand Visa On Arrival, which is non-extendable and only suitable for 15 days.

What Should I Do Once I Arrive in Thailand on a Non-Immigrant Visa?

Upon entering Thailand with your Non-Immigrant Visa, you must file a 90-Day Report to Thai Immigration officials based on the reason for which you obtained it. This implies that if you continue to remain in Thailand after 90 days, you must go to your local Thailand Immigration Department office and declare your present address, even if it hasn’t changed.

The sole exception is the Thai SMART Visa, which requires owners to record their stay yearly instead of 90 days.

Can I Get a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa Extension?

Non-Immigrant Visas are typically granted for no more than 90 days. If you wish to remain longer, you must get a one-year visa extension. You must apply at the Bureau of Immigration in Bangkok for an extension.

If you satisfy the standards to continue residing in Thailand and your visa extension ends, you can apply again for another one-year extension.

Through Visa Extensions, you may be eligible to become a permanent resident of Thailand if you have stayed for at least three years.

Applying to Get a Re-Entry Permit

After extending your visa, you must also apply for a Re-Entry Permit to depart and re-enter Thailand without your visa turning invalid. If you do not obtain a Re-Entrance Permit before leaving Thailand, you will have exhausted your single entry and will not be allowed to return until you obtain a new visa.

Thailand Re-Entry Permits can be awarded for a single or several entries.

How Long is a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa?

The length of a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa is determined by the type of visa you request for. They can be awarded for various periods:

• Single-entry visas are in effect for up to three months.
• Multiple entries are permitted for a period of up to three months.

In some situations, including business or retirement, the visa can be given for repeated entries for up to one year.

Note: Even if you have a multiple-entry Thailand visa, you cannot stay in Thailand for more than 90 days each entrance.

How Much is a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa Fee?

The charge for a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa varies based on numerous aspects, including the local currency, the period of the visa, and the embassy to which you apply.

However, you may expect to pay around:

• 2,000 Thai Baht for a single-entry visa. The validity of this visa is three months.
• 5,000 Thai Baht for a multiple-entry visa. The validity of this visa is one year.

Let’s Sum Up

The Thai government issues various types of Non-Immigrant visas to foreign nationals. With this visa, they have the chance to study, work, invest, do business, attend conferences, and so much more. A Non-Immigration visa has 10 different categories for different travel purposes. In addition, it is extendable, and you can apply for it in person or online.

On the Visa Library website, you can learn about other Thailand visas as well as Thailand insurances. Have you obtained a Thailand Nonimmigration visa? How did you do it? Write your experience or questions in the comment section.