Important Information regarding Non-Immigrant Visas

The Non-Immigrant Visa is usually issued for a period of up to 90 days unless the Consulate receives special instructions from the Immigration Bureau of Thailand.  However, the Non-Immigrant Visa may be extended in Thailand through the Immigration Bureau of Thailand.

The Visa Section at the Royal Thai Consulate General in Vancouver will be granting Visas according to the PURPOSE of the applicant who will travel into the Kingdom of Thailand based on the rules and regulations set forth by the Immigration Bureau of Thailand and the authorities concerned. It must be understood that we will not issue a visa beyond the category which is appropriate to the purpose of the applicant's travel to Thailand.

I.  For the purpose of conducting business in Thailand (not including employment), the visa applicant must include with his or her visa application any such documentation the Consulate deems necessary for consideration of the visa application which includes the following:

1. An original letter of invitation on company letterhead from the business host in Thailand;
2. A copy of the host's Registration of Trade which states the amount of capital investment which is issued by the Department of Commercial Registration with certification by the Department not more than six months earlier;
3. Documentation of the payment of taxes by the business host of the past two years;
4. Any documents that prove you are traveling for business purposes ;

II.   For the purpose of employment in Thailand, the applicant must receive approval from the Ministry concerned , this means that the employer of the applicant must first apply ( by Form WP3) for and receive approval for the applicant's employment through the Alien Occupational Control Division, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Mit-Maitree Road, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10400 - Tel. (662) 617-6578 or 617-6587 / Fax (662) 617-6576, in case of up-country the employer apply through the District Office or the Province Office , Once the approval has been granted, the applicant would then attach this approval to his or her visa application and submit it to the Consulate.

III.   For the purpose of teaching and studying in Thailand, the following applies:

1. For teaching and studying in private schools or private colleges , the applicant must receive approval from the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of University Affairs , this means that the institution must first apply for approval of the applicant as a foreign teacher or student through the Office of the Private Education Commission at the Ministry of Education in Thailand (in Bangkok) or the Ministry of University Affairs or in the case of up-country institutions apply through the District Office or the Province Office. When the applicant has been approved by the above-mentioned offices, the school or college would then send the approval document to the applicant and to the Consulate for consideration in issuing the visa.
   
2. For teaching and studying at a government school or government university , the applicant must receive approval from the Ministry of Education/Ministry of University Affairs or the University's administration. When the applicant is approved by the Ministry of Education/Ministry of University Affairs or the University's administration, the school or college would then send the approval document to the applicant and to the Consulate for consideration in issuing the visa.

IV.  For the purpose of research in Thailand, the applicant must submit the following:

1. The original invitation letter from the institution concerned
2. The approval from the Ministry or the Government University concerned

V. For the religious purposes in Thailand, the applicant must receive approval from the Religious Affairs Department of the Ministry of Education.  When the applicant is approved by the Religious Affairs Department of the Ministry of Education, the religious institution would then send the approval document to the applicant and to Consulate for consideration in issuing the visa.

VI. For the purpose of visiting family in Thailand ,

1. to visit as a spouse of a Thai national, the applicant must present a valid and effective marriage certificate and a copy of the Thai national's passport/ I.D. card of the spouse.  Fiancés or fiancées are not included in this category. 
   
2. to visit as a relative of a Thai national, the applicant must show documents proving such relationship.

VII.   For the purpose of retirement in Thailand, the applicant must be at least 50 years old and must submit documentation showing proof of retirement and his or her bank statement or monthly/year income along with his or her visa application.  Also, here is detailed information regarding "Non-Immigrant O-A Visas (one year visa)".

VIII.  For official purposes such as military exercises or government assignments, the applicant must submit an original copy of his or her orders on official letterhead along with the applicant's official passport .  Non-Immigrant Visas for Official Purposes (Category "F") will be issued only in Official Passports.

** For other purposes not listed above, please contact the Visa Section at the 
Royal Thai Consulate General in Vancouver. **

Non-Immigrant Visas will not be issued for such purposes as tourism, seeking employment opportunities in Thailand, looking for a school for teaching or studying purposes, etc.  For such purposes a 60-day Tourist Visa may be granted which can be extended up to 30 or more days in Thailand through Thai Immigration.

The holder of any category of visa to the Kingdom of Thailand may apply in Thailand to change to another visa category when you are in Thailand, if you are qualified for that type of visa. The applicant can apply for changing a visa category at the Immigration Bureau Office in Thailand.