How to get a non-immigrant visa to Thailand: types, terms, documents

Non-immigrant visas to Thailand are categories of visas intended for individuals visiting the country for purposes other than tourism or immigration. They are necessary for those who travel to the Kingdom for work, study, business, journalism, family visits, or retirement.

Our visa agency will help you apply for a visa to Thailand. We provide professional support at all stages of the process, including the preparation of necessary documents, filling out forms, and interacting with diplomatic representations. Our experience and knowledge of the Thai visa process will save you time and help avoid potential mistakes when submitting documents.

ED (Education Visa)

• Purpose: Study in educational institutions of Thailand (schools, universities, Thai language courses).
• Suitable for: students, language course participants, interns.
• Important: a letter of invitation from the educational institution, payment confirmation, study plan are required.
• Frequency: Single or multiple entries
• Duration of stay: up to 90 days per entry
• Visa validity: up to 1 year (with the possibility of extension within the country)

O (Other) Visa

• Purpose: Visiting relatives, caring for family members, retirement, volunteering.
• Suitable for:
  • spouses or children of Thai citizens;
  • retirees (age 50 and over);
  • volunteer program participants.
• Additional documents: marriage or birth certificates, proof of income or savings, letter from the host party.
• Frequency: Multiple entries
• Duration of stay: up to 90 days per entry
• Visa validity: 3 months

B (Business Visa)

• Purpose: Working, doing business, participating in negotiations, conferences.
• Duration: up to 90 days, extension possible.
• Types:
  • single entry;
  • multiple for 1 year (with departure every 90 days).
• Documents: invitation from a Thai company, registration documents, business plan (if necessary).

M (Media Visa)

• Purpose: Work of foreign journalists, reporters, and media representatives.
• Feature: approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand or the Government Press Center is required.
• Frequency: Multiple entries
• Duration of stay: up to 90 days per entry
• Visa validity: up to 1 year

S (Short-Term Purpose Visa)

• Purpose: Short-term business trips, participation in seminars, sports or cultural events.
• Suitable for: participants of official programs, organized groups, volunteers of short-term projects.
• Documents: invitation, event program, certificates from the organization.
• Frequency: 1 entry
• Duration of stay: up to 60 days
• Visa validity: 3 months

General documents:

• Foreign passport
  • Validity of at least 6 months (sometimes 12 months for long-term visas).
  • At least 2 free pages.
• Completed visa application form
  • Signed personally by the applicant.
  • Important: the form must be filled out in English, legibly, without errors.
• Passport-sized photo
  • 3.5 x 4.5 cm, color, on a white background, without headgear.
  • Taken not more than 6 months ago.
• Copy of passport
  • First page (with data).
  • Visa history (if any).
• Confirmation of financial solvency
  • Bank statement for the last 3 months.
  • Minimum of 700-1000 USD per trip or equivalent (depending on the visa).
  • Sometimes a certificate from work about income is required.
• Air tickets
  • Confirmation of round-trip booking.
  • For multiple-entry visas – proofs of regular trips.
• Financial guarantee / sponsorship letter (if there is a sponsor).
  • Plus a copy of the sponsor's passport and bank certificate.
• Medical insurance (as required, especially for elderly people or depending on the type of visa).

Additional documents by type of non-immigrant visas

• For ED visa (education):
  • Invitation from an educational institution in Thailand (original or scan with stamp).
  • Confirmation of enrollment / letter of intent to study.
  • Confirmation of payment for studies.
  • Detailed program of courses or study plan.
• For O visa (family, retirement, volunteer):
  • Family (reunion):
    • Marriage / birth certificate.
    • Copy of passport/ID card of a family member living in Thailand.
    • Invitation letter.
  • Retirement (from 50 years old):
    • Pension certificate.
    • Bank statement (usually minimum 800,000 baht or equivalent).
    • Medical insurance (often required).
  • Volunteer:
    • Letter from the host organization in Thailand.
    • Registration documents of that organization.
    • Volunteer program.
• For B visa (business or work):
  • Invitation letter from a Thai company.
  • Copy of company registration in Thailand (Company Certificate).
  • Licenses, tax reports or VAT report (if required)
  • Employment contract or description of business activities.
  • Confirmation of business meetings / events.
• For M visa (journalistic):
  • Letter from the editorial office / agency describing the purpose of the visit.
  • List of materials planned to be produced.
  • Approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand (or other authorized structure).
  • Press card / confirmation of journalist status.
• For S visa (short-term purposes):
  • Invitation to an event (forum, conference, competition).
  • Event program.
  • Confirmation of participation / registration.
  • Letter from the organization in your country (if the trip is on behalf of a company/institution).

The cost of a non-immigrant visa depends on its type (single or multiple entry), as well as the urgency of processing and consular fees applicable in a specific country. As of July 2025, the basic visa cost is 129 euros.

However, the final amount may vary depending on currency exchange rates, consulate requirements or geopolitical situations in the world..

You can always check the current cost at the time of application on our page «Visa Cost».