Transit Visa for travelers passing through Thailand to another country (long stay) or crew/pilots , and those participating in sports activities visa code are following. .

Category “TS” To travel in transit through the Kingdom of Thailand in order to proceed to the country of destination or to re-enter his/her own country. For travelers who wish to transit at the international airports in Thailand in less than 12 hours, only in the transit area at the airport, do not need to obtain a Visa. 

Category  “S” To participate in sports activities (sportsmen, sportswomen, etc.)

Category  “C” The person in charge or crew of a conveyance coming to a port, station, or area in the Kingdom

This visa type, as its name states, is issued to foreigners entering Thailand as tourists. The visa must be obtained abroad before travelling to Thailand. Immigration may grants a permission to stay Upon arrival a stay of 60 days upon arrival then extended up to 30 days (depending on nationality). Please note that nationality of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Iran, Nigeria, Togo, and Uganda are granted extensions up to 7 days only). Holders of this type of visa cannot apply for a work permit unless he/she changes to non-immigrant work visa. Visa code are following.

Category TR: Tourism, Football trial, Visiting family, Recreation learning such as scuba diving, boxing training, Thai massage training and Thai culinary learning or Participate MICE industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) supported by Thailand Convention Exhibition Bureau) ,

Category MT: Medical treatment multiple entries

Category METV: Multiple entry

Non-immigrant visas can be obtained by foreigners wishing to enter Thailand for various purposes at Royal Thai embassies or consulates abroad. The purpose of visit must be stated in the application form. The visa will be marked with an English abbreviation as specified by the government accordingly. This is done to make the purpose of visit known to the immigration officers from the very time of arriving and to record statistics of foreigners entering Thailand.

The Non-immigrant visa is of special importance, being the only visa for foreigners temporarily staying in the kingdom that entitles them to apply for work permits. Approval or rejection of application for work permits is done according to the 1978 foreign labour act, section 11, which states that

“foreigners applying for a work permit according to section 7 must be residents of the kingdom or have received permission to temporarily stay in the kingdom according to the immigration laws. They must not have received permission to stay in the kingdom merely as tourists or on transit…”

i.e. application for a work permit depends on the visa, which must not be a tourist or transit visa.

A foreigner wishing to apply for a non-immigrant visa must contact a Thai embassy or consulate abroad, fill in the application form and state the purpose of his visit as mentioned above. As this type of visa is of special importance being the only kind of visa that enables its holder to apply for a work permit and long term extension of stay in the kingdom as necessary, presently Thailand uses stickers in the passport for this type of visa, although some consulates, mostly honorary consulates, still use a stamp affixed to the passport. There is no difference in the validity of the visa whether it is a sticker or a stamp. The visa type and class is clearly stated on the sticker or stamp, e.g. NON-IMMIGRANT VISA class B for business, class ED for education and O for other purposes, according to the list given above. The date of validity stated on the visa is often misunderstood as permission of stay in the kingdom. In fact the date of validity indicates the period within the visa must be utilised entering Thailand. If used within the validity period, the visa entitles its holder of an initial stay of 90 days in the kingdom from the date of arrival, even if he arrives on the last date of validity of the visa.

In addition, if the English words EXTENSION OF STAY NOT PERMITTED/NO EXTENSION OF STAY are written on the visa stamp or sticker, the holder may after the initial admission period has elapsed, apply for an extension according to his individual reasons and necessity. If the officer in charge agrees with the stated reasons and necessity and the applicant fulfils the specifications set by the Immigration Bureau, the stay may be extended accordingly.

Issued to holders of diplomatic passports entering the kingdom to perform their assigned duties

Issued to holders of official passports for official duties (e.g., attending official meetings).

Issued to holders of official passports who travel to Thailand as tourists or in specific, officially approved cases, often free of charge

A specialized, long-term visa targeting highly skilled professionals, investors, executives, and startup entrepreneurs in targeted industries