What should I include in an invitation letter for a friend applying for a tourist visa to Thailand?

Jun 16, 2023
a year ago
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey y’all! My friend (EU citizen) is applying for a tourist visa to come into Thailand, and will be staying with me (US citizen, Ed visa holder, on a year lease, has a Thai bank account) when he arrives. I need to send him an invitation letter. Does anyone have experience with writing this? Is there a recommended template? Any documents I need to send to him to supplement my letter, like my lease agreement, proof of funds, or my passport and visa pages? TIA!

Edit to clarify that the invitation letter is to serve the purpose of proof of accommodation for his visa application.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the need for an invitation letter for a friend's tourist visa application to Thailand. It's clarified that the letter is to serve as proof of accommodation. Several community members suggest keeping the letter simple, including details like the invitation's purpose, dates of stay, and contact information. It's also recommended to accompany the letter with the host's passport, lease agreement, and to consider alternatives like booking a hotel for the initial stay. Additionally, they advise reporting the guest to immigration (TM30) upon arrival.
Paul *******
Not difficult to write an invitation letter. Just include dates (staying from/until) and your contact details.
เจสัน ******
Poorly written post but I think we all got there in the end?

Friend enters OP's address on Tourist Visa application or just books one night in a hotel to save a lot of hassle.

Then OP will have to get Landlord to complete TM30 for friend staying with tennant within 24 hrs of arrival.
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jay ********
anyone who’s had the experience of writing and providing the invitation letter to someone who’s coming into the country would have known exactly what I meant when they read the post. Anyone else, I’m not exactly interested in hearing from anyway. 😉
เจสัน ******
@Megan *******
I know what you meant, but I believe it's not necessary in your case.

Same for me when I came to live here initially with extended family.

The immigration were not interested when I attempted to give them the address.

If it remains an issue per say maybe your friend just books a hotel for one night and you guys can go out in BKK for the evening?

Anyway enjoy catching up people you haven't seen in a while.

Don't forget the TM30. 🙂
Dirk **************
Make sure that your landlord reports him to immigration upon arrival.
Mitchell *******
How long is he staying? If it is only for a month or 2, he could come visa exempt and then either extend at immigration, or take a short trip somewhere to reset the exemption.
Mitchell *******
Have him stay at a hotel for 2 nights on arrival, and that way, you don't have to lift a finger to file anything.
Elisa ************
I am EU citizen. Arrived on may with toursist visa (no paper work needed) and after one month got extension. Might be easier way to do it. Good luck. ☺️
Frank **********
Why not just have them come to Thailand on Visa Exempt. No paperwork needed.
Bob **********
Just book a room on Agoda with free cancellation and cancel after he gets the visa
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
after getting the feedback here, yep, that’s exactly what we’re going with! Far easier.
Steve **********
@Bob *********
easiest !
Henrik ****
If I understand what you are asking, then it is for the proof of accommodation, right? If so, then you just draft a very short letter stating that you "hereby invite [name] to come to stay at my apartment at XXX as long as you please." The Thai Embassies have templates for this also. A copy of your passport and your lease agreement/deed will be beneficial too.
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ***
sounds pretty simple— thanks a bunch! 😁
Kool *******
@Megan *******
it is very simple. Just remember that your landlord, if you rent, and you if you own a condo, must file a TM30 within 24 hours of their arrival at your residence.
Brandon ************
Your question doesn't make sense because you don't need to send anyone an invitation letter after they arrive.
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
proof of accommodation is required
Steven ***************
@Megan *******
. You put the name of first hotel you are staying at or if staying with friend or family, you put their adress... nothing at all about an invitation..
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Steven ***************
@Megan *******
.ok.. write a letter or email saying you invite your friend TO STAY AT YOUR ADRESS IN THAILAND. add your name and adress on it.. thats called proof of accomodation whilst in thailand. You're inviting them to stay with you whilst in thailand, not inviting them to thailand... Thai visa information n all categories is famous for poor translation.

If they are from the UK and want to stay 60days or less, they don't even need a visa. They are eligible for 30 days visa exempt which can be extended another 30 days . They may be asked for accommodation on arrival, if so, they give your name and adress.
Brandon ************
@Megan *******
you'd actually want that before they arrive not after. But it's very very informal
Megan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
where are you reading that I got the idea that I’d give this to him after arrival? Of course he needs this first, it’s for his visa application. 😅
Graham ******
@Brandon ***********
it is on the eVisa (UK) application where normally you'd put a hotel booking
Russell *******
@Graham *****
I had to that for my tourist you. Just a letter stating you will be staying there.
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