Thailand Visa for UAE Residents in 2024
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Do UAE Residents Need a Visa for Thailand?
Citizens of certain visa-exempt countries can enter Thailand for tourism or business purposes without a visa for short-term stays that do not exceed 60/90 days. Other travelers can either obtain a visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa in advance.
Types of Thailand Visas Available for UAE Residents
1. Tourist Visa
Single-Entry Tourist Visa: This visa is valid for 60 days and permits one-time entry. It can be extended for an additional 30 days in Thailand.
Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa: This visa is valid for six months and allows multiple entries during this period with a stay of up to 60 days per visit
2. Non-Immigrant Visas
Non-Immigrant B Visa (Business Visa): This visa is issued for business purposes, including attending meetings, working, or investment purposes. The initial visa is valid for 90 days, but it can be extended in Thailand.
Non-Immigrant ED Visa (Education Visa): Individuals who wish to study or attend educational programs in Thailand must obtain an ED visa
Non-Immigrant O Visa (Dependent Visa): This visa is suitable for family members of those working or studying in Thailand
Non-Immigrant O-A Visa (Retirement Visa): This visa is issued to people aged 50 years and above who wish to retire in Thailand. The visa is valid for a year and can be renewed upon expiry.
Non-Immigrant O-X Visa (10-Year Retirement Visa): Retirees aged 50 years and above who wish to enjoy a long-term stay in Thailand (up to 10 years) can apply for this visa
3. Work Visa
A Thailand work visa requires a non-immigrant B visa to be coupled with a work permit. A work visa holder enjoys the legal right to take up a paid occupation in Thailand.
4. Smart Visa
Thailand’s Smart Visa program is designed to encourage highly skilled professionals, investors, and start-up entrepreneurs to work or invest in the country and contribute to its economy. This visa allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 4 years and provides certain additional benefits.
5. Transit Visa
Foreign travelers passing through Thailand en route to another country must have a transit visa. This visa is valid for up to 30 days.
Thailand Visa Requirements for UAE Residents
A completed and signed visa application form.
Passport with at least two blank pages and a copy of the UAE residence visa
Recent passport-sized photographs meeting the prescribed standards
Confirmed return tickets indicating your travel back from Thailand
Proof of accommodation in Thailand i.e., hotel room booking or a letter of invitation from your host
Proof of financial means i.e., bank statements of the past 3 to 6 months confirming an account balance of at least AED 3,000 per person
Travel insurance with a coverage of at least $100,000 to cover medical emergencies abroad
A copy of the visa fee payment receipt
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the applicant’s employer may be required in certain situations.
Additional documents, such as a letter from a Thai company, may be required for a business visa.
Simple Process of Applying for a Thailand Visa
The Thai electronic visa (e-visa) is a simple and convenient option for foreign nationals visiting Thailand. This method enables applicants to obtain a visa online without visiting the embassy or consulate.
The e-visa applications are typically processed faster than traditional applications and do not entail additional charges payable to external agencies.
The Thai government has also introduced the electronic visa on arrival (e-VOA). This is a new-age digital visa solution that enables quick and smooth immigration clearance through dedicated counters at major Thai airports. Travelers can now avoid long queues to fill up forms, change currencies, and obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand.
How Much Does a Thailand Visa Cost? What is its Validity?
| Type of Visa | Fees (in AED) |
|---|---|
| Transit Visa | 200 (per entry) |
| Tourist Visa (single entry) | 400 |
| Tourist Visa (multiple entries within 6 months) | 1,000 |
| Non-Immigrant Visa (single entry) | 800 |
| Non-Immigrant Visa (multiple entries within 1 year) | 1,500 |
| Non-Immigrant Visa (multiple entries for 3 years for short-term business) | 5,000 |
| Non-Immigrant Visa (O-A long stay for 1 year) | 1,500 |
| Non-Immigrant Visa (O-X long stay for 10 years) | 3,000 |
| SMART Visa (1 Year) | 1,500 |
| SMART Visa (2 Years) | 2,000 |
| SMART Visa (3 Years) | 5,000 |
| SMART Visa (4 Years) | 6,000 |
| Long-Term Residence Visa (LTR 10 Years) | 8,000 |
Note: The visa fees are subject to change without prior notice. Please check the official Thailand visa website for the latest updates.
Thailand Visa On Arrival for UAE Residents
UAE citizens can enter Thailand without a visa if they travel by air and their stay does not exceed 30 days. Other UAE residents of eligible countries can obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand for short-term stays that do not exceed 60/90 days.
The applicants must confirm whether they belong to the ‘eligible list’ of countries as notified by the Thai government.
All visitors from the UAE require a passport with a validity of at least six months and a UAE residence visa valid for at least 90 days. The other documents required are confirmed return tickets, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, and proof of funds to cover the stay in Thailand.
Thailand e-Visa Application Process
Visit the Thai e-Visa official website
Check whether you are eligible to apply online through the Thai e-visa system
If you are eligible, you can create a Thai e-visa account on the portal by providing your name and contact details
Sign in to your account and fill out the online application form
Upload scanned copies of supporting documents and pay the visa fees using your credit card or debit card
Wait for your visa application to be processed and approved. The e-visa confirmation document will be sent to your registered email address
How to Check the Thailand Visa Status Online?
Visit the official website of VFS Global
On the home page, select the ‘Track Your Application’ option (at the top)
Click the ‘track your visa application status online’ link on the new page
Enter the details of your passport number and date of birth
Enter the captcha code and click ‘Submit’. The current status of your Thai visa application will be displayed on the page
Frequently Asked Questions about Thailand Visa for UAE Residents
The actual time to get a Thai visa depends on the visa type and processing conditions. However, it typically takes 5 to 7 working days for your visa to be processed.
The cost of a visa for Thailand depends on the visa type and the duration of your stay in the country. A single-entry tourist visa with a validity of 3 months (stay up to 60 days) costs around AED 400. A multiple-entry tourist visa with a validity of 6 months (stay up to 60 days per entry) costs around AED 1,000.
No. Only UAE citizens can enter Thailand without a visa if they travel by air and their stay does not exceed 30 days.
UAE residents holding passports of eligible countries and a residence visa with a validity of 90 days can obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand.
If you want to visit Thailand urgently, you can apply for the ‘Express Visa Service’ and obtain a visa within 24 hours.
The processing time for a Thai visa on arrival depends on the number of applicants at a particular time. However, it takes at least 30 minutes to process the visa.
A minimum bank balance of at least AED 3,000 per person is required to apply for a visa to enter Thailand.
