Do UK citizens need a visa for Thailand? Thailand visa for UK citizens is not required for short term visit to Thailand. If you're British and hold a passport issued by the United Kingdom which is valid for at least 6 months from the day of your arrival, you can visit Thailand on a Free Visa Exemption as long as your planned stay in Thailand doesn't exceed 60 days.
Thailand Visa Exemption for UK Citizens
Starting from 15 July 2024, UK citizens can stay in Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days. The duration of visa-exempt stay is the same for the arrivals at the airports and border crossings but the number of times you can use visa exemption when crossing by land during the year is limited.
As a citizen of the United Kingdom you can use Thailand Free Visa-Exempt Stay if you have the following:
- UK citizen passport valid for at least 6 months from the day of your arrival
- A return or onward travel ticket within 60 days
- Dully filled-in Thailand Arrival Card (currently only required when arriving by land or by sea)
- A proof of funds - at least 20,000 THB per person and 40,000 THB per family in cash (equivalent in any currency)
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Thailand Tourist Visa for UK Citizens
Depending on the duration and purpose of your visit, you might need to get another type of Thailand Visa for UK citizens in advance. As a tourist, you mainly have two Thailand visa options to choose from - Single-Entry Tourist Visa or Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa.
In UK you can apply for Thailand visa at Royal Thai Embassy in London. Currently application for Thailand visa in UK is processed online via Thailand E-Visa Website.
Thai Single-Entry Tourist Visa for UK Citizens
Single-Entry Tourist Visa is valid for entering Thailand once within 3 months from the date of application. The period of stay is 60 days maximum (starting from the day you enter Thailand). Thai Single-Entry Tourist Visa can be applied for at other Thai embassies or consulates worldwide so for UK citizens it's not mandatory to apply in the United Kingdom.
When applying for Thai Single-Entry Tourist Visa from UK you will need:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the day of your arrival.
- Appropriate passport type photo taken within the last six months.
- Visa declaration that must be downloaded and signed.
- Travel booking confirmation with flight details showing applicant’s name, departure date, all flights en route from UK to Thailand and onward flight to another destination.
- Proof of accommodation in Thailand (book your hotel on Booking.com or Agoda as bookings on these online platforms are usually accepted with no problem).
- Financial evidence, such as your recent official UK bank statement showing your name, address, and a minimum closing balance of 500 GBP, proof of earnings (payslips) or sponsorship letter from your sponsor with official ID and their Bank Statements.
- Confirmation of legal residence in UK.
- A confirmation letter from employer, School, Self-assessment, Pension statement.
- International travel record over the past 12 months from the application date.
- Visa fee - 30 GBP when applying in the UK.
Thailand visa for UK citizens can also be issued by Thai Embassies and Thai Consulates in other countries, such as Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia etc.
Thailand Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa for UK Citizens
Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa is valid for entering Thailand within 6 months from the date of application. The period of stay is 60 days maximum per stay. You may enter Thailand again as long as the visa is still valid. UK citizens can apply for Thailand Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa only at Thai embassy in the United Kingdom. Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa for British costs 150 GBP.
When applying for Thai Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa from UK you will need:
- Passport valid for at least 1 year from the day of application.
- Appropriate passport type photo taken within the last six months.
- Visa declaration that must be downloaded and signed.
- Travel booking confirmation with flight details showing applicant’s name, departure date, all flights en route from UK to Thailand and onward flight to another destination (of the first visit).
- Proof of accommodation in Thailand for the first visit (book your hotel on Booking.com or Agoda as bookings on these online platforms are usually accepted with no problem).
- Financial evidence (current balance not less than 200,000 THB for the past 6 months), such as your recent official UK bank statement showing your name, address, and a minimum closing balance of 5,000 GBP, proof of earnings (payslips) or sponsorship letter from your sponsor with official ID and their Bank Statements.
- Confirmation of legal residence in UK.
- A confirmation letter from employer, School, Self-assessment, Pension statement.
- International travel record over the past 12 months from the application date.
- Visa fee - 150 GBP.
Thailand E-Visa Application
From 1 April 2019, visa applicants in the UK and Ireland should apply for Thailand visa online. Some Thai embassies and consulates in other countries around the world are also using Thailand E-Visa application service but not everywhere it is the case yet.
More information about getting Thailand visa for UK citizens and other travelers online can be found here: Thailand E-Visa Application.
Tips
After arrival with any Thailand visa for UK Citizens your stay in Thailand can be extended once per entry. In most cases it can be extended by 30 days. For more information check: Thai Visa Extension.
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