Here Is Some Important Information For Your Thailand Visa Application
Update: May 2012 - Many Thai consulates are no longer issuing the Non immigrant (NIB) business visa without an employment contract from a Thai school. This can be difficult to get as most employers will want to meet you before agreeing to give you a contract. Also, the consulates will not issue an education visa for a 2-week course.
The Thai consulate has asked us to inform our students that you may apply for a 'Single' or 'Double' Entry, 60-day tourist visa, which can be extended for a further 30 days. This costs around USD$30. With the double entry tourist visa, you can leave the country after 90 days and come back in to get an additional 60 days plus another 30 day extension (6 months in total)
Once you find an employer in Thailand, they can arrange for the appropriate NIB business visa and work permit, once you satisfy their requirements. We were advised by the Thai authorities that it is NOT illegal to 'SEEK' employment on a tourist visa, but it is illegal to actually commence employment with one.
You must state your purpose of visit is TOURIST. Any mention of working or teaching and your visa application will be denied.
30-Day Visa On Arrival Stamp - We advise that you do not arrive with this visa if you plan to stay in Thailand longer than 30 days. If you arrive overland without a pre-arranged visa, you will get just 14 days.
Business Visa Sponsorship - Advanced Package
Update: May 2012 - If you have booked the Advanced Package, we will now sponsor your for a single entry, 3-month NIB visa as the 12 month NIB visa is no longer available.
Please note that most Thai consulates will not process visa applications more than 4-weeks prior to your departure. You should therefore send your visa application by REGISTERED POST ONLY to the Thai consulate, 4-weeks before your departure date. The Thai consulates are generally very efficient and the process only takes a few days. Do NOT visit them in person as this take longer and may require 2-3 visits.
You Must Send:
1. Your Passport - You would be amazed how many people forget to send their passport.
2. Visa Application Form - from the websites below.
3. Recent Professional Photos x 2 - The same type as you got for your passport with a white background only. No social pictures with your family, friends or your dog please!
5. Required Fee - Fees may change without notice. Please refer to consulates website and application form.
6. Your contact and address details in Thailand is: Andrea Freeman, the Chatrium Residence, Soi Narathiwas 24, Sathorn, Yanawaa, Bangkok.
7. Prepaid self-addressed envelope - Each consulate may be different so please check on the relevant website.
Regulations change from month to month and we have no control over the Thai consulates decision. Sometimes you just get someone in the wrong mood and they don't issue the proper visa. That said though we have never had a student who was refused a visa to get them into Thailand!
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR VISA APPLICATION FORM
UK: http://www.thaiconsulatewales.org.uk/
USA: http://www.traveldocs.com/index.php?page=thailand
Australia: http://www.thai-info.net/info/thaiembassyabroad.htm
Ireland: http://www.thaiconsulateireland.com
Other: http://www.thai-info.net/info/thaiembassyabroad.htm
Please do NOT visit the Thai consulate in person as this can sometimes take longer to process and may require two visits. The UK & USA Thai consulate postal addresses are:
UK Applicants:
Royal Thai Consulate - CARDIFF, 9 Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5EE
Telephone/Fax: 02920 465777
USA Applicants:
ROYAL THAI CONSULATE GENERAL 123 Auraria Pkwy # 200, Denver, CO 80204-1884,
Tel: (303)-892-0118
ROYAL THAI CONSULATE-GENERAL 600 Travis, Ste. 2800 HOUSTON, TX 77002-3940
Tel: (713) 229-0636 Fax : (713) 228-1303
Why Do I Only Get a 60 or 90 Day Stamp Upon Arrival In Thailand?
Single Entry Tourist Visa - You will get a 60 day stamp upon arrival. You can extend this visa within Thailand for an additional 30 days for a fee of around USD$50. After 90 days in total, you must leave the country to get a new visa.
Double Entry Tourist Visa - You will get a 60 day stamp upon arrival. You can extend this visa within Thailand for an additional 30 days for a fee of around USD$50. After 90 days in total, you must leave the country then come back in to activate your second (Double) entry which gives you another 60 days. You can extend this visa again within Thailand for an additional 30 days for a fee of around USD$50. So in total, you could get 6 months, with one visa run.
Single Entry NIB Visas - You will be given a 90 day stamp upon arrival in Thailand and you cannot leave the country unless you get a re-entry permit. 90 days gives you enough time to find an employer who can sponsor you, which means they can extend your visa for up to 2 years with a work permit. If you leave the country without a re-entry permit then your visa becomes void. If you do make this mistake you can re-enter the country on a tourist visa.
Multiple Entry NIB Visas - Until you get a work permit, you must leave the country every 90 days and get a re-entry 90 stamp each time you come back into Thailand. This is common for most teachers and ex-pats who live and work in Thailand. Although it may seem somewhat inconvenient, it does give you a great opportunity to visit the wonderful nearby countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos! Four trips abroad every year isn't that bad! You don't need to visit any consulate. just walk out the country and back in again if required.
Work Permit Application In Thailand
Work permits are the responsibility of your prospective employer. You will be asked to provide original copies of your education certificate for a work permit application. You can ask a friend/family member to send the documents to you by post after your arrival in Thailand. You do not need these documents to enter Thailand but they may be required for your work permit application, which should take place at some point after you have started working with your host school.
Due to the amount of paperwork and red tape involved in applying for work permits, many employers simply don't bother to go through the process until you pass your probation period. As a result many teachers in Thailand never see a work permit. Although technically illegal, this practice has been tolerated for years. If you plan to stay in Thailand for 12 months or more then your employer will usually apply for a work permit, but in some cases only after your probation period of 2-3 months. If you plan to stay in Thailand for less than 6 months then don't expect to see one!
Disclaimer: Thailand is the land of smiles, but also the land of contradictions. The information on this page is written in good faith and is to be used as a general guide. Regulations can change without notice and are always open to interpretation. Your visa application is subject to the approval of the Thai consulate staff and you cannot hold us liable if your application is rejected or if the regulations/fees change without notice, as they often do! That said, we have never had any student who was unable to obtain a visa to enter Thailand.
Update: May 2012 - Many Thai consulates are no longer issuing the Non immigrant (NIB) business visa without an employment contract from a Thai school. This can be difficult to get as most employers will want to meet you before agreeing to give you a contract. Also, the consulates will not issue an education visa for a 2-week course.
The Thai consulate has asked us to inform our students that you may apply for a 'Single' or 'Double' Entry, 60-day tourist visa, which can be extended for a further 30 days. This costs around USD$30. With the double entry tourist visa, you can leave the country after 90 days and come back in to get an additional 60 days plus another 30 day extension (6 months in total)
Once you find an employer in Thailand, they can arrange for the appropriate NIB business visa and work permit, once you satisfy their requirements. We were advised by the Thai authorities that it is NOT illegal to 'SEEK' employment on a tourist visa, but it is illegal to actually commence employment with one.
You must state your purpose of visit is TOURIST. Any mention of working or teaching and your visa application will be denied.
30-Day Visa On Arrival Stamp - We advise that you do not arrive with this visa if you plan to stay in Thailand longer than 30 days. If you arrive overland without a pre-arranged visa, you will get just 14 days.
Business Visa Sponsorship - Advanced Package
Update: May 2012 - If you have booked the Advanced Package, we will now sponsor your for a single entry, 3-month NIB visa as the 12 month NIB visa is no longer available.
Please note that most Thai consulates will not process visa applications more than 4-weeks prior to your departure. You should therefore send your visa application by REGISTERED POST ONLY to the Thai consulate, 4-weeks before your departure date. The Thai consulates are generally very efficient and the process only takes a few days. Do NOT visit them in person as this take longer and may require 2-3 visits.
You Must Send:
1. Your Passport - You would be amazed how many people forget to send their passport.
2. Visa Application Form - from the websites below.
3. Recent Professional Photos x 2 - The same type as you got for your passport with a white background only. No social pictures with your family, friends or your dog please!
5. Required Fee - Fees may change without notice. Please refer to consulates website and application form.
6. Your contact and address details in Thailand is: Andrea Freeman, the Chatrium Residence, Soi Narathiwas 24, Sathorn, Yanawaa, Bangkok.
7. Prepaid self-addressed envelope - Each consulate may be different so please check on the relevant website.
Regulations change from month to month and we have no control over the Thai consulates decision. Sometimes you just get someone in the wrong mood and they don't issue the proper visa. That said though we have never had a student who was refused a visa to get them into Thailand!
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR VISA APPLICATION FORM
UK: http://www.thaiconsulatewales.org.uk/
USA: http://www.traveldocs.com/index.php?page=thailand
Australia: http://www.thai-info.net/info/thaiembassyabroad.htm
Ireland: http://www.thaiconsulateireland.com
Other: http://www.thai-info.net/info/thaiembassyabroad.htm
Please do NOT visit the Thai consulate in person as this can sometimes take longer to process and may require two visits. The UK & USA Thai consulate postal addresses are:
UK Applicants:
Royal Thai Consulate - CARDIFF, 9 Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5EE
Telephone/Fax: 02920 465777
USA Applicants:
ROYAL THAI CONSULATE GENERAL 123 Auraria Pkwy # 200, Denver, CO 80204-1884,
Tel: (303)-892-0118
ROYAL THAI CONSULATE-GENERAL 600 Travis, Ste. 2800 HOUSTON, TX 77002-3940
Tel: (713) 229-0636 Fax : (713) 228-1303
Why Do I Only Get a 60 or 90 Day Stamp Upon Arrival In Thailand?
Single Entry Tourist Visa - You will get a 60 day stamp upon arrival. You can extend this visa within Thailand for an additional 30 days for a fee of around USD$50. After 90 days in total, you must leave the country to get a new visa.
Double Entry Tourist Visa - You will get a 60 day stamp upon arrival. You can extend this visa within Thailand for an additional 30 days for a fee of around USD$50. After 90 days in total, you must leave the country then come back in to activate your second (Double) entry which gives you another 60 days. You can extend this visa again within Thailand for an additional 30 days for a fee of around USD$50. So in total, you could get 6 months, with one visa run.
Single Entry NIB Visas - You will be given a 90 day stamp upon arrival in Thailand and you cannot leave the country unless you get a re-entry permit. 90 days gives you enough time to find an employer who can sponsor you, which means they can extend your visa for up to 2 years with a work permit. If you leave the country without a re-entry permit then your visa becomes void. If you do make this mistake you can re-enter the country on a tourist visa.
Multiple Entry NIB Visas - Until you get a work permit, you must leave the country every 90 days and get a re-entry 90 stamp each time you come back into Thailand. This is common for most teachers and ex-pats who live and work in Thailand. Although it may seem somewhat inconvenient, it does give you a great opportunity to visit the wonderful nearby countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos! Four trips abroad every year isn't that bad! You don't need to visit any consulate. just walk out the country and back in again if required.
Work Permit Application In Thailand
Work permits are the responsibility of your prospective employer. You will be asked to provide original copies of your education certificate for a work permit application. You can ask a friend/family member to send the documents to you by post after your arrival in Thailand. You do not need these documents to enter Thailand but they may be required for your work permit application, which should take place at some point after you have started working with your host school.
Due to the amount of paperwork and red tape involved in applying for work permits, many employers simply don't bother to go through the process until you pass your probation period. As a result many teachers in Thailand never see a work permit. Although technically illegal, this practice has been tolerated for years. If you plan to stay in Thailand for 12 months or more then your employer will usually apply for a work permit, but in some cases only after your probation period of 2-3 months. If you plan to stay in Thailand for less than 6 months then don't expect to see one!
Disclaimer: Thailand is the land of smiles, but also the land of contradictions. The information on this page is written in good faith and is to be used as a general guide. Regulations can change without notice and are always open to interpretation. Your visa application is subject to the approval of the Thai consulate staff and you cannot hold us liable if your application is rejected or if the regulations/fees change without notice, as they often do! That said, we have never had any student who was unable to obtain a visa to enter Thailand.
