If your dream is to explore Bangkok’s vibrant markets, enjoy the beaches of Krabi, spend the night on a houseboat in Khao Sok National Park, or marvel at the ancient ruins of Sukhothai, then Thailand is your next destination. Before traveling to this Southeast Asian country, it’s essential to check the visa requirements for traveling to Thailand from Latin America based on your nationality.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the current visa requirements for Thailand, providing you with up-to-date information to help you plan your trip if you’re a Latin American national.

Are you reading this article from Colombia? You might be interested in: How to Travel to Thailand from Colombia: A Quick Guide.

Tourist Visa for Thailand

First, let’s clarify the main question: What exactly is a tourist visa? It is an official document that allows entry into and travel within Thailand for tourism purposes. 

Keep in mind that there are two types of tourist visas; I encourage you to familiarize yourself with this classification so you can determine which one best suits your travel needs: 

1. Single-entry tourist visa

The Single-Entry Tourist Visa is generally valid for entry into Thailand for a period of 3 months from the date of issuance. Once inside the country, you are free to enjoy up to 60 days of exploring Thailand. 

If you'd like to extend your stay further, you can apply for an extension of up to 30 additional days at an immigration office in Thailand, allowing you to spend a total of 90 days in this paradise.

2. Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa

In addition, the Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa is valid for multiple entries into the country for a period of 6 months from the date of issuance; each entry allows you to stay for 60 days. 

This means you can enter and leave the country as many times as you like during the 6-month period, provided that each individual stay does not exceed 60 days. As with the Single-Entry Visa, each entry can be extended for an additional 30 days at a Thai immigration office. 

Requirements to keep in mind when applying for a visa

There are three types of visa exemptions or ways to enter Thailand: visa on arrival, tourist visa exemption, or visa exemption under bilateral agreements. I’ll briefly explain what each one entails; however, I encourage you to visit this page to learn more about visa exemptions by country. 

Visa on arrival

This is a type of visa that is obtained directly upon arrival in the destination country. In the specific case of Thailand, citizens of certain countries are eligible for a Visa on Arrival, which means they do not need to apply for it in advance at a Thai embassy or consulate. The Visa on Arrival generally has a limited validity period and can be extended. 

The Visa on Arrival is available to Mexican citizens, allowing them to stay for 15 days. Be sure to meet the requirements, such as having a valid passport, a return ticket, and proof of accommodation.

Tourist Visa Exemptions

Tourist Visa Exemptions are agreements that allow citizens of certain countries to enter Thailand without needing to obtain a visa for short-term tourist stays. These exemptions may vary in terms of the permitted length of stay and the specific purposes authorized. 

Visa Waiver Based on Bilateral Agreements

These agreements set forth the conditions under which citizens of those countries who hold diplomatic or official passports may enter Thailand without needing to obtain a visa for certain purposes. Each agreement may have specific requirements and restrictions, so it is important to review the relevant information before your arrival.

Do you need a visa to travel to Thailand?

Here is a complete list by country. The table below shows whether your country is eligible for a “visa on arrival” or a visa waiver, regardless of whether you hold a regular or diplomatic passport. Check how long you plan to stay in Thailand and determine whether you need to apply for a visa based on your nationality: 

Passports from countries such as Cuba, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Venezuela do not qualify for any type of visa waiver.

Where can I apply for a visa to travel to Thailand?

If you need to apply for a visa to travel to Thailand, you must apply at the Thai embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence. If you are living abroad, you will need to check the specific requirements based on your place of residence; for this, you can consult the official Thai government website under “Do I need a tourist visa?” and contact the relevant embassies or consulates.

Please note that you will not be able to obtain an electronic visa (e-visa), as no Latin American countries are eligible for this digital document. There are only a few exceptions, which you should check on the website I mentioned in the previous paragraph.

However, if you’re visiting Thailand from the United States or Spain, for example, you’ll be able to access this document; I encourage you to take a closer look at this link to see if you’ll need a visa, regardless of your country of origin or current location.  

Required documents

All set! You’ve checked whether or not you qualify for a visa waiver to travel to Thailand. Now, if your country or current location isn’t eligible for a visa waiver, you’ll need to have the following documents on hand to fulfill this important travel requirement for Thailand. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, these are: 

• A fully completed and signed visa application form (black or blue ink only)
• Valid passport
• A photograph taken within the last six months (5 cm x 5 cm).
• Document indicating the current location
• Flight reservation confirmation showing your arrival in and departure from Thailand.
• Proof of accommodation in Thailand, such as: accommodation reservations, letters of invitation from family members or friends in Thailand.

• A recent bank statement showing a balance of at least $700 per person or $1,500 per family. The applicant’s name must be clearly indicated. If you submit a bank statement for the family, you must also provide proof of family relationship. 
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. 

Processing time

Applications are typically processed at the offices once all the required documents have been submitted, and the process usually takes 4 to 5 weeks. This timeline may vary slightly by country; however, it is recommended that you submit your application at least one month before your travel date to avoid any issues.

Other visa categories for travel to Thailand

Thailand offers various types of visas depending on the purpose of your trip. Let me show you a few:

• Diplomatic and official visas: intended for diplomatic or official missions.
• Transit visas: issued for transit, sports activities, or crew members.
• Work and business visas: intended for employment or business activities.
• Student visas: for those who wish to pursue studies or training.
• Long-term resident visas: 10-year visa for long-term residents.

Discover the Land of Smiles with Viajera en Tailandia 2024

I hope this essential information about visas for traveling to Thailand gives you a good overview of the requirements for planning your sustainable trip from start to finish. In Viajera en Tailandia , we open the doors to a personalized and sustainable experience. With Joha as your virtual guide, you’ll explore everything from well-known destinations to hidden gems, designing an itinerary tailored exclusively to your interests.

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