Thailand’s Immigration Law for Foreigners
Generally, a foreigner is required to obtain a visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or a Royal Thai Consulate-General prior to entering Thailand. However, nationals of certain countries do not require a visa if they meet visa exemption requirements as the Tourist Visa Exemption for 30 days for tourism purposes, or they are nationals of countries with bilateral agreements with Thailand on the exemption of visa requirements.
Normally, foreigners may apply for visa upon arrival in Thailand at the airport, and are permitted to enter and stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 15 days.
If a visa is required or applied for prior to entry into Thailand, you may apply for a visa if you possess a valid passport or travel document that is recognised by the Royal Thai Government and comply with the conditions set forth in the Immigration Act of Thailand B.E.2522 (1979) and its relevant regulations. In addition, the visa applicant must be outside of Thailand at the time of application. The applicant will be issued with a type of visa in accordance to his or her purpose of visit
Keep in mind that foreigners entering Thailand are not permitted to work, regardless of their types of visa, unless they are granted a work permit. Those who intend to work in Thailand must hold the correct type of visa to be eligible to apply for a work permit.
According to the Immigration Act of Thailand B.E. 2522 (1979), foreigners who fall into any of the following categories are prohibited to enter Thailand:
- Having no genuine valid passport or document used in lieu of passport; or having a genuine valid passport or document used in lieu of passport without valid visa issuance by the Royal Thai Embassies, the Royal Thai Consulates-General or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with exception of those who meet visa exemption requirements. The terms and conditions of visa issuance and visa exemption are prescribed by the Ministerial Regulations.
- Having no appropriate means of living following entry into the Kingdom.
- Having entered the Kingdom to be employed as an unskilled or untrained labourer, or to work in violation of the Alien Work Permit Law.
- Being mentally unstable or having any of the diseases stated in the Ministerial Regulations.
- Having not yet been vaccinated against smallpox; or inoculated, or undergone any other medical treatment for protection against disease; and having refused to have such vaccinations administered by the Immigration Doctor.
- Having been imprisoned by judgment of the Thai Court; or by lawful injunction or judgment of the Court of a foreign country, except for when the penalty is for a petty offence, or negligence, or is provided for as an exception by the Ministerial Regulations.
- Having behaviour which could cause possible danger to the public; or having the likelihood of being a nuisance or constituting any violence to the peace, safety and security of the public or to the security of the nation; or being under warrant of arrest by competent officials of foreign governments.
- Reason to believe that entry into Kingdom is for the purpose of being involved in prostitution, the trafficking of women or children, drug smuggling, or other types of smuggling which are against public morality.
- Having no money or bond as prescribed by the Minister under Section 14 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).
- Being a person prohibited by the Minister under Section 16 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).
- Being deported by either the Government of Thailand or that of other foreign countries; or having been revoked the right of stay in the Kingdom or in foreign countries; or having been expelled from the Kingdom by competent officials at the expense of the Government of Thailand unless exemption is provided by the Minister on an individual basis.
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