Diplomatic Visa

Procedure for entering to Thailand;

For Members of Diplomatic Missions, Consular Representatives

And International Organizations in Thailand

1. Visa to Thailand.

1.1 Prior to their arrival in Thailand, all foreign nationals, including those who come from countries where there is no Thai Embassy or Consulate, must obtain appropriate visas from Thai Embassies or Consulates elsewhere. Those who will assume their duties in the Kingdom and who need an entry visa to enter the Kingdom must apply for an appropriate visa from Thai Embassies or Consulates accredited to that country or those located in the nearest country.

1.2 Foreign Nationals whose countries have visa waiver agreements with Thailand and those who are unilaterally exempted from visa requirements by Thai immigration laws may, subject to the conditions contained in the pertinent agreements or the pertinent Thai law as the case may be, enter Thailand without visas and stay therein no longer than the period as enumerated in the agreements or the laws as the case may be. Foreign nationals who require to stay in the Kingdom longer than the period specified in the relevant visa waiver agreements or in the relevant Thai law must apply for appropriate visas from Thai Embassies or Consulates abroad.

1.3 It is nevertheless highly recommended to all staff members of the Diplomatic and Consular Missions and International Organizations as well as members of their households who will be stationed in Thailand for a period longer than that specified in the relevant visa waiver agreements or in the relevant Thai law, unless the visa waiver agreements or the relevant Thai law stipulated clearly that the such period of stay will, upon request, be automatically extended until the end of their assignment, shall apply beforehand for appropriate visas at the Thai Embassies or Consulates abroad prior to their arrival in Thailand.

1.4 Holders of ordinary passports forming part of the household of Diplomatic and Consular agents and officers of the International Organizations who will be stationed in Thailand, e.g. private servants etc., need to obtain appropriate visas from Thai Embassies or Consulates abroad before their arrival in Thailand. Those who fail to do so cannot request Permit to stay while remaining in the Kingdom and will be invited to leave the Kingdom so that they can request appropriate visas from Thai Embassies or Consulates abroad before re-entering the Kingdom. In this case, the Diplomatic and Consular Missions and International Organizations are requested to get in touch with the Ministry's Visas and Travel Documents Division, Consular Affairs Department for further arrangements.

2. Permit to stay.

Upon arrival in Thailand, all foreign nationals stationing in the country for a long period of time as staff member of Diplomatic Missions, Consular Posts and International Organizations and their household shall apply for Permit to Stay from the Immigration Bureau through the Ministry's Diplomatic Privilege and Immunity Division, Protocol Department.

3. Re-entry visas

3.1 All foreign nationals who have already been granted a Permit to Stay in Thailand and wish to depart and re-enter the country are required to obtain re-entry visas before leaving the country and must re-enter Thailand before the expiration date of the re-entry visas. The Ministry's Visas and Travel Documents Division is responsible for the issuance of re-entry visas.

3.2 Foreign nationals holding valid diplomatic or official passports and whose Governments have concluded visa waiver agreements with Thailand who have already been granted permit to stay in the Kingdom need not to apply for the Re-entry Visa when leaving or re-entering the Kingdom. Upon re-entering the Kingdom of Thailand, officers of the Thai authorities concerned at the port of re-entry will grant to the said foreign nationals the permit to stay the period of which shall be equal to the one already obtained.

3.3 All foreign nationals who are long-term visitors and fail to obtain re-entry visas before departure or those whose re-entry visas expire while being abroad are required to re-apply for appropriate visas at Thai Embassies or Consulates abroad.