Answereda year ago
What are the differences between Thailand's visa exempt entry and tourist visa requirements?
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There is a LOT of misinformation about this topic going around out on the inter-web right now (not surprising :O )
Sadly, it's 100% due to people using bad terminology when they talk about entering thailand :O
SO
Let's sort out two completely different things FIRST
60 day visa exempt entry <- you show up here without having bought ANY visa from a thai consulate and you get stamped in FREE for 60 days on the visa exempt entry program (on July 15th 2024 it went from 30 day visa exempt entry to 60 days)
Currently, people from 90+ countries get that if they show up without having a visa in their passport to thailand. Visa Exempt entry stamps usually have the code ผ.60-ม.17.
A Visa Exempt entry is not a tourist visa, it's not a visa at all, it's nothing but a free 60 day entry stamp. This is not affected by the proof of funds rule change.
Tourist Visa entry <- this is where you BUY a tourist visa from a thai consulate using the online eVisa website before you come to thailand.
When you arrive you are stamped in for 60 days under the TR60 entry stamp.
This IS affected by the proof of funds rule change and now to buy a tourist visa from a thai consulate online before you come here you must show proof of funds (20k baht or the equivalent) as a requirement
One last time FREE 60 day entry stamps are NOT affected by this rule change, you ONLY show proof of funds if you decide to buy a tourist visa from a thai consulate online before you come here...
AND (just so everyone knows)
There is no update on when/if the current 60 day free entry might change back to 30 days. The government talked about it, had press releases about it but at this time nothing has been decided at all
NEW REQUIREMENT TO BUY A TOURIST VISA FROM EMBASSIES
There is a LOT of misinformation about this topic going around out on the inter-web right now (not surprising :O )
Sadly, it's 100% due to people using bad terminology when they talk about entering thailand :O
SO
Let's sort out two completely different things FIRST
60 day visa exempt entry <- you show up here without having bought ANY visa from a thai consulate and you get stamped in FREE for 60 days on the visa exempt entry program (on July 15th 2024 it went from 30 day visa exempt entry to 60 days)
Currently, people from 90+ countries get that if they show up without having a visa in their passport to thailand. Visa Exempt entry stamps usually have the code ผ.60-ม.17.
A Visa Exempt entry is not a tourist visa, it's not a visa at all, it's nothing but a free 60 day entry stamp. This is not affected by the proof of funds rule change.
Tourist Visa entry <- this is where you BUY a tourist visa from a thai consulate using the online eVisa website before you come to thailand.
When you arrive you are stamped in for 60 days under the TR60 entry stamp.
This IS affected by the proof of funds rule change and now to buy a tourist visa from a thai consulate online before you come here you must show proof of funds (20k baht or the equivalent) as a requirement
One last time FREE 60 day entry stamps are NOT affected by this rule change, you ONLY show proof of funds if you decide to buy a tourist visa from a thai consulate online before you come here...
AND (just so everyone knows)
There is no update on when/if the current 60 day free entry might change back to 30 days. The government talked about it, had press releases about it but at this time nothing has been decided at all
Answer summary
This post clarifies the distinction between Visa Exempt Entry and Tourist Visa for entry into Thailand. Visa Exempt Entry allows travelers from certain countries to enter Thailand without a visa for 60 days, which is not affected by the new proof of funds rule. In contrast, obtaining a Tourist Visa requires showing proof of funds (20,000 THB or equivalent) and can be acquired through Thai consulates. The post highlights ongoing confusion among travelers regarding these regulations and emphasizes the importance of using correct terminology.
50 repliesnewest first
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Chelsea ********
Tod, I wasn't on FB much yesterday and apparently the visa exempt has just changed back to 30? 😵💫 I can't keep up 😅
Audrey *******
Great job clarifying for everyone.Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Michael ********
Thank you well explained
Štěpán *******
But you still need to have cash, equalent of 20.000 THB (550 EUR / 600 USD) per person, upon arrival and imigration officer can request to see it before provide you with final entrance approval stamp.
James ********
@Štěpán ******
Correct ✅Jonas *************
@James *******
so this post is confusing as it seems to say you don't need the 20,000....Yes the devil is in the details about proof of 20,000 in the bank when you apply for Visa but to make this very clear it could be worded differently regarding non-exempt entry...
Tod *********
OP@Jonas ************
I completely understand what you're saying BUT
all I am saying is that the requirements to BUY a visa from a thai consulate in another country have nothing to do with the entry requirements (which have been in effect for years and years) when you go to stamp IN to the country.
I just didn't want to muddy the waters and have people thinking that something about visa exempt entry changed when it didn't.
All that changed was the fact that now consulates require you show proof of 20K baht or the equivalent when you buy a tourist visa before you come here.
Štěpán *******
@Jonas ************
absolutely agree with your statement! 👌🏻In my opinion, in advance proof of funds is something extra for Visa approval process, but later for arrival immigration check and final entrance approval, you always should have cash in hand....💰
Jonas *************
@Tod ********
I see we're not going to get any further in this discussion...The post that you say isn't about the 60 day except entry about the rules for the Visa actually your post talks more about the sixty day entry then it talks about the Visa....
But your explicitly saying that you don't need proof of 20,000 for free 60 day exempt entry, but on raality you actually need to have 20,000 equivalent.... And yes it's very seldomly asked unless you bounce a lot, or are they looking for a reason to not let you in.
It seems impossible to convince you that that statement you made seems to say that you don't need 20,000. Yes you don't need to proof of it you just need to have it. But isn't that a physical proof in itself?
That's fine
your group.
Tod *********
OP@Jonas ************
right but this post is about the change in requirements applying for a tourist visa at a thai consulate As far as the "three proofs" so few people are actually asked for proof of funds when entering thailand. More people are asked for proof of onward travel than proof of funds.
Jonas *************
@James *******
yes and this information would be better placed in the head of the post that in the comments ;-)The post itself does not make it clear that you need to have 20,000 in cash.
Tod *********
OP@Jonas ************
you have to understand that getting a tourist visa to thailand from a consulate has its own set of requirements (which now include showing proof of funds)AND
entering thailand either free stamp (visa exempt) or on a valid tourist visa have their own set of "entry requirements" (like James outlined) <- which may or may not be asked for when you stamp into the country.
They are two completely different scenarios
James ********
@Jonas ************
it's long been the fact that the Thai Immigration Officers upon arrival can request from you for a Visa Exempt Entry.......to see 20,000 Thai baht or its equivalent in foreign currency CASH for an individual or 40,000 Thai baht for a family.
....proof of your flight departing Thailand within the number of days you are STAMPED in...
....the address of where you will be staying during the initial days or week.
For VOA... VISA ON ARRIVAL
...Its 10,000 Thai baht in CASH or equal foreign currency.
... PROOF of flight ✈️ departing within the number of days you are stamped in for...
... Address of where you will be staying.
Dočasně ****************
I really dont know what Is Now corect? So many new info !? So many fake info Its total Chaoz after 1.5 May i dont know what Is good or not? Everyday somethink new ! And fake website!
Graham ******
@Dočasně ***************
What is new apart from the introduction of the TDAC 1-May?
Irene ******
Still a little confused! My airline ticket is for 90 days in Thailand. I enter into the country for 60 days, then before those days are up, I go to the embassy in Jomtien and pay for a 30 day visa??? Is that correct?
Graham ******
@Irene *****
You enter on a 60 day visa exempt stamp then go to your Immigration Office to purchase a 30 day extension of stay, at no time are you on a visa
Rodney *********
@Irene *****
As far as I'm aware you will still need to have an exit planned out of Thailand on or before those sixty days expire even if your going to extend for a further thirty days at immigrations excretion.
Adrian ************
@Irene *****
yes
Nigel **************
Thanks Tod clear factual advice as always
Daniel ********
One thing I’ve always wondered:
Are there benefits to buying a 60-day tourist visa instead of just coming in 60 days visa exempt, if you’re from one of the 90+ countries?
Are there benefits to buying a 60-day tourist visa instead of just coming in 60 days visa exempt, if you’re from one of the 90+ countries?
Tod *********
OP@Daniel *******
as a rule no there are not, 😕 Remember even holding a valid tourist visa to thailand (that you got before you came here) doesn't mean you get IN to the country, only that if they let you in you get in for the 60 days that visa allows
Daniel ********
@Tod ********
ahh makes sense 👍🏻 Also explains why they’d consider scaling back to 30 days for visa exemptions.
Diana *******
Thanks it’s very clear.
Joe ********
I've been told by immigration officers at bkk, that I need to buy a visa as I've had too many visa free entries. That is after at least 1 month in UK between trips.
Ja***
Visa exempt entry is not affected by the rule change but hasn't it always been a requirement to have 20,000 THB in cash when entering on a visa exemption? People are rarely asked to show it unless the IO is looking for a reason to deny entry but this has always been the requirement as far as I know.
James ********
@Ja***
correct ✅
Ryan ********
If someone doesn’t have ฿20,000 to show what kind of trip would they have anyway? Either very short or very dull.
David ********
That's easy read
@Tod ********
thanks. its pretty simple but travelers still get confused. Name change to free entry stamp would help maybe.i don't understand why people apply for tourist visa when they can just arrive no problem and no paperwork. Be good if you did a similar breakdown of each visa but l guess there is no one size fits all.
Biff *******
The London embassy used to ask for bank statement showing £600 for a Tourist Visa back when you had to go there with a paper form.
Wannikea *********
Odd that the upset locals Thai kerfuffle about misbehaving foreigners always referenced the "visa free, free visa" visitors, but now the enforcement and requirements target the actual visa buyers.
Jim *********
Can you make this "shareable"?
James ********
@Jim ********
do a screenshot of it to shareTod *********
OP@Jim ********
sadly I don't know how to do that 😕 I don't know if you can share it because of the group settingsNigel **************
@Tod ********
usually you are not allowed to SHARE from within a private groupJim *********
@Nigel *************
I wasn't aware of that... thanks for pointing it out. Sad
Georgijus ************
I’ve applied for the 60-day TR e-visa in Helsinki many times, most recently in November 2024, even though I could have used the visa exemption stamp. The embassy in Helsinki always asked for a 3-month bank statement, but I can’t remember the minimum required balance. So I think it depends some embassies may didn’t ask for financial proof, while others always did and do.
Jack ********
@Georgijus ***********
exactly.Tod *********
OP@Georgijus ***********
i noticed that too, several consulates have always required it so for them it's nothing new
Vin *********
If you are doing a correct terminology thing.... then embassy or consulate can be purchased from. 🙂
Tod *********
OP@Vin ********
I use embassy and consulate pretty much interchangeable and seeing as they are ALL outside thailand people seem to understand 😛
Colin *********
Great post
@Tod ********
the incorrect terminology obviously bugs you as much as myself & misleads a lot of othersTod *********
OPThis time it's really messing people up because all too many people who show up here free stamp think they showed up and got stamped in on a tourist visa entry🙁
Greg ***********
@Tod ********
what makes it even more confusing to most people is the fact that the 20,000 THB is the same amount required for two different things:*** the new financial proof that has to be uploaded when applying for a Tourist Visa in the e-visa system, in the shape of a bank statement
or
*** the proof of 20,000 THB in CASH at a border to Thailand , if asked for by the Immigration official
Tod *********
OP@Greg **********
yep, but in reality few people are asked for proof of funds when they stamp in to thailand
Andrew ***********
Great correct information as usual.
Ryan ********
Wasn’t this always a requirement for a tourist visa?
Greg ***********
@Ryan *******
it was a 5000.- Euros proof with a bank statement, before Covid, for the application to a 6-months multi entry Tourist Visa 😶in the European UnionTod *********
OP@Greg **********
the METV is totally different financial requirements then the single entry tourist visa 🙂Tod *********
OP@Ryan *******
there for a while they waived the proof of funds at most consulates to sell a single entry tourist visa but now they are going to reactivate the requirementActivity
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