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Updated 14 December 2022
Following the severity of COVID-19 cases being reduced over the year, the precautionary measures in Thailand have now been eased. With the Covid-19 precautionary measures being eased, understandably, many travellers are looking to reacquaint themselves with Thailand’s extraordinary beauty and cultural uniqueness.
If you’re a Saudi resident looking to travel to Thailand, here is a definitive breakdown of the Thailand visa for Saudi residents.
Can Saudi residents travel to Thailand?
Yes, they can. Saudi residents looking to visit Thailand will be pleased to learn that Thailand has now scrapped its pre-departure RT-PCR testing requirement for vaccinated international travellers arriving in Thailand.
International arrivals to Thailand are NO longer required to register themselves for the Thailand pass and possess a USD 10,000 health insurance, thus welcoming all travellers with proof of either a certificate of vaccination or a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR or professional ATK (Antigen Test Kit) test result.
Do Saudi residents need a visa for Thailand?
No, Saudi residents holding ordinary Saudi passports, are eligible for the Visa Exemption Scheme in Thailand allowing them to travel to Thailand, visa-free, for tourism purposes with a stay period of not more than 30 days.
The Visa Exemption Scheme, however, only allows Saudi residents entering Thailand by air to stay for a period of 30 days, and those entering the Kingdom by land are granted a 15-day stay. Hence, if for any reason the resident is planning to stay for more than 30 days, they will be required to apply for a Thailand Tourist visa with an extended duration of stay.
Visa on arrival for Saudi residents from specified countries
Please note that Saudi residents holding passports from certain countries may apply online for proper authorization in the form of a Thailand visa on arrival. The countries are as follows:
- Australia
- Bhutan
- Bulgaria
- Czech Republic
- China
- Cyprus
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Georgia
- Hungary
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Liechtenstein
- Malta
- Mexico
- Nauru
- Oman
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Taiwan
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
Saudi residents holding one of the above passports may apply for the visa on arrival at the official portal of Immigration Bureau Thailand.
Thailand visa application for Saudi residents
To apply for a Thailand visa follow the steps given below:
- Download this Thai visa application form.
- Fill in by typing all the answers or the necessary details asked in the form.
- Gather all the required documents needed for the visa application that you are to apply for.
After that, bring your visa application form and the required documents needed for the visa application to the Royal Thai Embassy, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Please note that applicants must visit the Embassy themselves, to apply for a visa.
Furthermore, if the applicants are in the western part of Saudi Arabia, they can apply at the Thai Consulate in Jeddah, by contacting the Consulate directly at [email protected]
Thailand visa validity for Saudi residents
The Thailand tourist visa has a validity of 3 months under the single-entry scheme and 6 months of validity under the multiple-entry scheme. The visitors can stay up to 60 days without the need for an extension of stay, with the Thailand tourist visa.
Holders of the Thailand tourist visa can further extend their visa for a maximum of 30 days (90 days in total).
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Thailand visa requirements for Saudi residents
As per the information provided by the Royal Thai Consulate-Riyadh, the following documents will be required by Saudi residents to apply for a Thailand tourist visa:
Single entry visa
- The duly-filled visa application form.
- One (1) passport-size colour photograph, taken within the last six (6) months.
- A single copy of the ID Card for Saudi residents.
- Original Passport (with one photocopy) valid for at least six (6) months from the date of entry to Thailand
- A visa fee of 160 SAR (USD 42.62), per person, has to be paid. Please note that the amount is non-refundable and must be paid in Saudi Riyals.
Multiple entry visa
- The duly-filled visa application form.
- One (1) passport-size colour photograph, taken within the last six (6) months.
- A single copy of the ID Card for Saudi residents
- Original Passport (with one photocopy) valid for at least six (6) months from the date of entry to Thailand.
- Bank Statement with details of the last six (6) months, showing a balance of not less than 25,000 SAR (USD 6,659.44), per person, or 50,000 SAR (USD 13,318.88), per family.
- A visa fee of 750 SAR (USD 199.78), per person, has to be paid. Please note that the amount is non-refundable and must be paid in Saudi Riyals.
Please note that at present, all visa applicants can go to the Embassy without a prior appointment from 9.00 AM to 11.30 PM. The Consulate will be open on official days, that is, from Sunday to Thursday (except Embassy’s official holiday). The visa collection process might take place on the next working day.
The Consulate has the right to reject your visa application or ask for some additional documents required to be submitted. Please reach out to the Royal Thai Consulate in Riyadh through their email, or contact the Visa Section at (966-11) 488-0300, 488-1507 to get information regarding the additional documents required.
Covid testing requirements
Thailand has now scrapped its pre-departure RT-PCR testing requirement for vaccinated international travellers arriving in Thailand. International arrivals to Thailand are NO longer required to register themselves for the Thailand pass and US$10,000 health insurance, thus welcoming all travellers with proof of either a certificate of vaccination or a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR or professional ATK (Antigen Test Kit) test result.
Furthermore:
- Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
- Travellers 5-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
Thailand visa on arrival for Saudi residents
As mentioned above, Saudi residents holding passports from certain countries can apply for a Thailand visa on arrival online. The requirements are as follows:
- Must be the citizens of nationalities in accordance with the Ministry of Interior’s announcement
- The passport must be genuine and have over 30 days of validity
- The purpose of the visit must be for tourism and the stay period is not more than 15 days
- Must have confirmed return ticket within 15 days
- Must provide the address in Thailand that can be verified
- Not under section 12 Immigration Act B.E.2522 (A.D.1979)
- Visa fee in Thai currency only (cash) and is non-refundable
- Having appropriate means of living (10,000 Baht/person, 20,000 Baht/family)
The online application can be found at the official portal of Immigration Bureau Thailand.
Thailand visa cost for Saudi residents
The cost for a single-entry tourist visa in Thailand for Saudi residents is 160 SAR (USD 42.62) for a single-entry visa, and750 SAR (USD 199.78) for a multiple-entry tourist visa (in cash only). The visa fees are non-refundable.
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According to the recent announcement made by the Immigration Bureau of Thailand, foreigners with student visas must provide certificates from educational institutions when they apply for a visa extension. This is done as a part of the department program, which aims to prevent the establishment of illegal businesses run by foreigners.
