Getting a Thailand Visa – Simple and Easy Steps

Thinking of traveling to Thailand but confused on how to go about for Visa? Getting a Thailand Visa is easier than you think. First, imagine yourself lying on a hammock set in between palm trees with a coconut in hand. How relaxed it feels right?. Now relax! Getting visa is really this easy. Read the post further to know more,

There are two kinds of Thailand Visa for Indians, the first one being the more popular Visa on arrival and the second being Visa before you travel.

1. Visa on Arrival

Visa on Arrival is the perfect option for people who want to visit Thailand for not more than 30 days. Indian travelers can avail the visa on arrival facility from any of the 32 designated immigration checkpoints available in the country. This service can take between 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the tourist traffic. This service is hassle free and well organized.

Here’s a list of international airports in Thailand where Visa on Arrival service is available 24 hours for Indian travelers.

• Suvarnabhumi International Airport
• Don Muang Airport, Bangkok
• Chiang Mai International Airport
• Phuket International Airport
• Samui Airport, Surat Thani
• Hatyai International Airport, Songkhla

You just have to take an Airplane ticket and Reach the above airport with the following documents,

• A passport with at least 6 months validity
• There must be minimum of 2 unused pages in passport for entry and exit stamps.
• Airline Boarding Pass
• A filled Visa Application Form (available at immigration checkpoints) free of cost.
•  A confirmed return airline ticket showing the departure from Thailand within 15 days from the day of entry.
• A recent passport size photograph not older than 6 months (4X6 cms)
• A filled arrival-departure card (you get this in flight before you land in Thailand)
• Proof of funds amounting to living expenses in Thailand ie. 10000 Baht per person and 20000 Baht for family (You can show this in cash or by bank app or by cards).
• Fee of 2000 Baht per person accepted in Baht only (cards are not accepted)

2. Visa before you travel

This can be done via the Royal Thai Embassy and also the Royal Thai Consulate which is available in three cities; Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai. Passports are returned within 3 days after the application process is complete. Mostly people who are planning to visit Thailand for more than 30 days do this; they fall out of the visa on arrival service validity and thus can apply for a visa before they leave. This also saves time on Thailand airport and also is cheaper. You can appoint a travel agent to get this done at a nominal price.

Here are the Documents required for Indians for Visa from the Thailand Consulate or embassy before your travel,

• A passport with 10-year validity and 6 months remaining validity from the time of departure.
• There should be at least 2 unused pages in the passport for exit and entry stamps.
• Three passport size photos with a size of 35X45 mm taken on a matte paper. The photo should have at least 80% of the area covered with the face.
• While clicking photographs for Visa application, If you wear specs, it is recommended that you use transparent lenses since photographs with eyeglasses and colored glasses are usually rejected
• A cover letter from the “person traveling” or the person incurring the expenses explaining the reason for travel
• A filled and signed Visa application form by the travelers
• For a businessman, a cover letter on the letterhead of your business stating the length of the service and your position in the business
• Last three-months personal bank statement on stamped by the bank. Minimum account balance per person should be INR 40000.
•  Hotel vouchers or proof of your proposed stay in Thailand
• To and Fro Air tickets
• Additionally, if there is some other person bearing your expenses, his national ID proof and NOC would also be required
• Visa Fee is INR 2400/- only

The sun is blazing and the water is crystal clear. Tourists are flocking down from every flight, then what are you waiting for?. Pack your bags, Buy a ticket and fly to Thailand. Rest all is as simple as sipping Wine.