What Is Tourist Visa
The Tourist Visa is Thailand's entry option for short-term visitors (under 90 days) who want a straightforward visa without complex requirements. It comes in two formats: Single Entry (60 days) or Multiple Entry (180-day validity). Unlike work-related visas like ED or DTV, Tourist Visa doesn't allow employment and isn't designed for long-term settlement.
The Tourist Visa is ideal if you're exploring Thailand briefly before committing to a longer visa, or if you need to visit multiple times in a year.
Tourist Visa vs. Visa Exempt
Thailand offers two main ways to enter as a short-term visitor:
- Visa Exempt: 30 days on arrival (as of 2026). No cost. No pre-application needed.
- Tourist Visa: 60-180 days. Requires application and visa fee. More flexibility if staying longer.
If you're only staying 30 days, use Visa Exempt. If you need 60+ days, Tourist Visa is better value.
Single Entry vs. Multiple Entry
| Aspect | Single Entry | Multiple Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Duration per entry | 60 days | 60 days per entry |
| Total validity period | One entry only | 180 days from issuance |
| Re-entry allowed | No | Yes (multiple times) |
| Cost | 2,000 THB | 5,000 THB |
| Best for | One-time visit | Frequent visits or exploring longer stays |
Who Should Apply for Tourist Visa
- Tourists needing 60+ days in Thailand (longer than 30-day visa exempt)
- Those planning multiple visits within 180 days (multiple entry)
- Digital nomads testing whether to pursue DTV or ED visa long-term
- People with business meetings but no work visa requirement
- Travelers who prefer pre-arranged entry over on-arrival visa
How to Apply for Tourist Visa
Method 1: Apply at Thai Embassy/Consulate Abroad (Recommended)
Apply before traveling to Thailand. Most reliable method.
- Visit Thai embassy or consulate in your home country
- Bring: Passport, completed TM.6 form, passport photo (4x6cm), hotel booking or travel itinerary
- Pay visa fee: 2,000 THB (single) or 5,000 THB (multiple)
- Processing time: 2-5 business days
- Receive Tourist visa stamp in passport
Method 2: Apply on Arrival (Visa On Arrival / VOA)
Apply when landing at Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or other airports.
- No pre-application needed
- Bring: Passport, completed TM.6 form, passport photo (4x6cm), proof of accommodation
- Pay visa fee: 2,000 THB (single) or 5,000 THB (multiple)
- Processing time: 15-30 minutes (usually)
- Note: VOA often has longer queues. Pre-arranged visa is faster
Extension
Tourist visas can be extended for 30 additional days at any Thai Immigration office.
- Cost: 1,900 THB
- Timing: Apply within 5 days before expiration (or up to 5 days after)
- Documents: Passport, TM.47 form, passport photo, extension form, proof of accommodation
- Processing: Same-day or 1 day
In Chiang Mai, Immigration office is at 71 M.3 Airport Road. Extensions are straightforward.
Costs Overview
| Item | Cost (THB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Entry Tourist Visa | 2,000 | 60 days, one entry |
| Multiple Entry Tourist Visa | 5,000 | 60 days per entry, 180 days validity |
| Visa On Arrival (VOA) | 2,000 or 5,000 | Same fee as pre-arranged at airport |
| 30-Day Extension | 1,900 | From Immigration office |
| Visa Exempt (no visa) | 0 | 30 days free, no pre-application |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple requirements (no income, savings, or study commitment needed)
- Affordable cost (2,000-5,000 THB)
- Quick processing (especially pre-applied visa)
- Multiple Entry allows flexibility for multiple trips
- Extendable for 30 more days
- Good for testing if Thailand is right for you
Cons
- Not suitable for long-term settlement (max 90 days + extension)
- Cannot work on Tourist Visa (illegal)
- Single Entry allows only one trip
- Visa On Arrival can have long queues
- If staying longer than 90 days, must use work/study/long-stay visa instead
Key Takeaways
- Tourist Visa: Short-term travel option for 60-day single or 180-day multiple validity.
- Single Entry (2,000 THB): Best for one quick visit under 60 days.
- Multiple Entry (5,000 THB): Best for frequent travelers or those testing Thailand for potential longer stay.
- Can be extended 30 days (1,900 THB) at Immigration for total of 90 days.
- No income, savings, or study requirements. Simplest visa option.
- Apply at Thai embassy/consulate abroad (recommended) or on arrival (VOA).
- Visa Exempt (30 free days) is still available for those wanting absolute minimum cost and paperwork.
Ready to apply? Full step-by-step guide, document checklist, and current processing times at CMLocals: Tourist Visa Guide.
Guru Tip
The TR (Tourist Visa) versus the SETV (Single Entry) confusion catches people out. A standard Tourist Visa from a Thai consulate gives you 60 days on entry, extendable for 30 days at local immigration. A double-entry Tourist Visa gives you two uses of 60 days each. Most people applying at a consulate for a planned stay of 2 to 3 months should request the double-entry version if available from their consulate. Not all consulates offer it, but those that do save you a return trip. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur Thai consulates are reliable for this.
How long can I stay in Thailand on a tourist visa?
A Tourist Visa grants 60 days on initial entry. You can extend once at a Thai immigration office for an additional 30 days, giving a maximum of 90 days on a single-entry Tourist Visa. A double-entry Tourist Visa gives two grants of 60 days each, totalling up to 180 days across two entries.
Where do I apply for a Thailand tourist visa?
At a Thai embassy or consulate outside Thailand. Australians apply at the Thai consulate in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. From Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore consulates are the most accessible. Applications require your passport, a passport photo, proof of funds, onward travel evidence, and the fee (currently around 2,000 THB or equivalent).
Can I extend a tourist visa inside Thailand?
Yes. One 30-day extension is available at any Thai immigration office. In Chiang Mai, this is the Airport Road immigration office. The fee is 1,900 THB. You must apply before your current permitted stay expires. Overstaying is a 500 THB per day fine and can result in blacklisting.
Is a tourist visa the same as visa-exempt entry?
No. Visa-exempt entry is granted at the border to nationals of qualifying countries, typically for 30 days (recently extended to 60 days for some nationalities). A tourist visa is applied for in advance at a consulate and grants 60 days. Visa-exempt entry has additional restrictions on land border use that do not apply to tourist visa holders.
Can I work in Thailand on a tourist visa?
No. Tourist visas prohibit all forms of employment. Working on a tourist visa, including freelance and remote work paid by Thai clients, is illegal. Remote work for overseas employers sits in a legal grey area but carries risk. If you plan to work while staying in Chiang Mai, the DTV visa is the appropriate and legal pathway for remote workers.
