Pattaya Gogo Guide Information Pages

Subject:  Visas and immigration

Most countries need a Visa to visit Thailand. There are 3 basic types.

1. Transit Visa, which is valid for 30 days and not usually extendable. Issued at the airport. If you wish to stay longer, you have to do "Visa Runs" (see below), but in this instance, you will only get 15 days on an overland crossing. For 30 days, you have to exit and return by air. (Correct at October 2011)

2. Tourist Visa - Single, which is obtained before you make your trip. This is valid for 2 months, but extendable at the local Immigration office for 30 days, effectively making it a 3 month visa. There is a charge for this Visa, and for the extension stamp

2a. Tourist Visa - Multile applications: You may apply for multiple visas at your home country, if you stay is to be say 6 months or 9 months. You will need to do a Visa Run to activate the second or third Visa. There are charges for these Visas and extensions. While it MAY be possible to obtain a multiple visa in another contry, it is becoming extremely difficult in countries adjacent to Thailand, with some refusing even single entry Tourist visa. Refer to Thai Visa website for current experiernce of people trying to obtain these visas. (Registration is free on Thai Visa forum).

3. Non-immigration, which has many sub-versions: Business, Marriage, Ordinary, Retirement. The rules on theses change often, so refer to the main Bangkok Thai Police website, or specialist commercial sites like Thai Visa..

This information was written in December 2005, reviewed in August 2008, May 2009 and again in Octtober 2011. We recommend you contact your local Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate before travelling for latest information and to obtain your visa, or the websites shown above.

To download the forms in advance, click here

For a list of Royal Thai Embassies worldwide, check out the Thai Visa listings.

The Pattaya Immigration office is situated on Soi 5, Jomtien Beach Road. All day-to-day services are available there.

[Their old premises in Soi 8 Pattaya is now used for immigration investigations and the jail cells where they hold people they arrest for Visa offences.]

VISA RUNS: If your visa expires and you want to stay in Thailand, you do what is called a Visa Run. Many companies offer to take you to the Thai Border, cross to another country and return the same day with your new entry stamp. YOU HAVE TO DO THIS YOURSELF. Never use an agent to take your passport abroad for you while you stay in Pattaya. Normally you make the day trip in a minibus to Cambodia and are back by the same afternoon. Many Visa Run Agents offer this service. Cost is around 2,000-2,500 Baht (which includes the 1,000 Baht Cambodian visa fee). Your Visa Run Agent will tell you the full procedure, as this changes.

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