I am happy to present this week’s blog about Thailand’s visa process and other important information to have in mind. First off, I will start by mentioning the steps in going about the application. Have in mind that all documents presented at the embassy should be in copy form. If you, later on, require extending your Thai visa you will be asked for the original documents, but this happens later so just have them with you on your trip. Perhaps obvious documents you should present are: Passport (original and copy) important note about passport*should be valid up to 6 months after returning to your home country. Passport photograph (4×6 cm) in color with the light colored background, proof of study documents (documents/diploma/ est.), Copy of Student ID (both sides), proof of economic solvency of mínimum 20,000 pesos (approx.1000 USD) presenting bank statements of last 6 months in English! Recommendation letter issued by school directed “to whom it corresponds” and valid agreement between school, student and host company. This agreement is issued by WWI J
Letter of recommendation in order to apply for the ED non- immigrant visa also directed to “whom it corresponds” stating the exact purpose of the trip to Thailand. The company should also present you with an offer letter that you must present to the embassy as well. You will need to ask for ID of the person who signs all your documents from the host company in Thailand. You will need to ask for company’s legal registration and operating license. List company’s profile and the list of partners if they shall have any. Map and directions of the company (may be issued by company or you can present one from the internet). Proof of housing is also important. Note: most of the documents mentioned above are provided to you by the company and we will be in constant communication with them to make sure you have received all the necessary documents that the embassy will ask for J
Once you have completed the online application form http://thailatinamerica.net/mexico/index.php/visas/formato-de-solicitud-de-visa you must save it in PDF format. Make sure all the information you fill out in the application is up to date and coincides with your official ID/passport information.
The visa application for Thailand is applied for 3 months. The date you must state is the one of your official date of entry. If you are doing your internship for a duration of more than 3 months you should state the exact number of days you decide to be in the country for (eg. 180 days). The purpose of your trip will be internship or studies and the address should be of the company. Once you have completed and saved the application you should assist to the embassy to hand in all required documents along with your passport or official ID. The cost is 80 USD, be ready with the exact amount to pay if your payment is done in cash.
You do not schedule your visa appointment you need just to assist within opening hours: 9am-12.30 pm from Monday to Friday.
If you shall need to extend your visa, once you arrive the host company will help you with this. The cost for extensión is almost always covered by the host company and if not usually they consider paying half of the amount. In order to do this extensión of visa you must leave the country before your first 3 months are done (we recommend to travel to Malaysia for two days since it is close and not expensive). While you are out of Thailand you must apply for the extensión of your visa and pay the corresponding amount of 1000 THB (depending on the host company they may or may not pay this expense or a part of it J). The extension visa will be processed in one day and delivered to you the next. Once you have it you are ready to travel back to Thailand and continue your internship! Note: if you want to apply for a multiple entry visa you must assist to the immigration office in Thailand and apply for this and pay the extra fee, this is not necessary only if you want to do so.
More Information about vaccines and helpful travel information can be found at the following website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/thailand and https://www.roughguides.com/article/thailand-travel-tips/
