Are you a South African citizen travelling to Phuket? If yes, then this article is for you. You will find here a list of different types of visa you might need to enter Thailand, including the one you’ll need if your final destination is Phuket.

One of the most visited tourist attractions in Thailand is Phuket Island. Each year, thousands of tourists travel to this island for relaxation. Many choose to stay in the hotels on Phuket. It is important to note that all foreigners who intend to stay longer than 30 days in Thailand are required to obtain a non-immigrant visa.

Do South African Citizens Need A Visa For Phuket

Applying for a Thai visa to visit Thailand can be a stressful and confusing process, especially if you don’t know anyone who has been through the process before. It’s easy to make a mistake on the paperwork and wonder why your visa has been rejected. Here are the important points you need to know when you apply for a Thai visa for the first time, so that you understand what is involved in the process and know what you need to do when filling out your application.

Thailand Visa Application

Citizens of South Africa

Citizens of South Africa are permitted to stay in Thailand up to 30 days if entering via international airport and up to 15 days if entering through a land border checkpoint from a neighboring country (Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia) under the Visa Exemption Rule.

Currently, Siam Legal visa services do not cover the local citizens and permanent residents of South Africa.

Please note that you must be in possession of the following if you wish to visit Thailand:

1. A valid passport.You will need a passport valid for at least 6 months following your departure date. It is also recommended that your valid passport have at least 2 remaining unused pages for any necessary entry and exit stamps that may be issued.
2. A confirmed travel itinerary
3. Proof of accommodation and funds of at least THB 10,000 per person and THB 20,000 per family.

Thailand Visa Option

For citizens of South Africa who are residing and staying in the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and some EU countries, please contact our 24/7 Customer Support or email us to find out how you qualify for other Thai visa options.

We may be able to assist you when you meet the eligibilities on the following:TOURIST “TR”

• Tourism purposes only, not for business or employment purposes.
• Duration of stay for 30 or 60 days.
• Extension allowed for another 30 days.

EDUCATION (Non-immigrant “ED” Visa)

• Study visits and training sessions in Thailand.
• Term visa of 90 days travel (single entry) and then 1 year travel to Thailand (multiple entries).

BUSINESS (Non-immigrant “B” Visa)

• Conduct business or employment by Thai company.
• Term visa of 90 days travel (single entry) and then 1 year travel to Thailand (multiple entries).

MARRIAGE (Non-immigrant “O” Visa)

• Married to Thai national.
• Income of THB 40,000 or bank account of THB 400,000, or combination.
• Term visa of 90 days travel (single entry) and then 1 year travel to Thailand (multiple entries).

RETIREMENT (Non-immigrant “O” or “OA” Visa)

• Must be 50 years or older.
• Pension of 65,000 THB or 800,000 THB in Thai bank, or combination.
• Term visa of 90 days travel (single entry) and then 1 year travel to Thailand (multiple entries).

DEPENDENT/GUARDIAN “O”

• Dependent or immediate family of foreigners holding non-immigrant visas.
• Guardian or immediate family of a Thai child or student foreign child.
• Term visa of 90 days travel (single entry) and then 1 year travel to Thailand (multiple entries).

Local citizens and/or foreign nationals settled in South Africa who wish to apply for any type of visa mentioned above must apply in person at the nearest Royal Thai embassy or consulate in South Africa. Please note that application procedures and fees may vary depending on your location.

All tourists traveling to Phuket and anywhere in Thailand must possess a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond their intended length of stay (Retirement visa requires at least 18 months validity). Thailand has over 30 International Immigration Check points, though most visitors to Phuket will clear immigration either at Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi International Airport) or Phuket International Airport. For full list of international check points please see http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15393-Visa-on-Arrival.html for contact information.

For many tourists it is not necessary to apply for a visa beforehand if you come from a country that is eligible for a Visa Exemption and are not going to be in the country for more than 30 days. Other tourists may be able to apply for a Visa on Arrival, which costs 1,000 baht and is valid for 15 days. For everyone else, and for those wishing to stay longer in the country for purposes of tourism or leisure should apply for a 60-day Tourist Visa from the Royal Thai Embassy or consulate in the country where you reside.

(If you are coming to Phuket to work or you wish to take up residence please see non-immigrant visa).

Tourist Visa Exemption

Passport holders from the countries listed below do not require a visa when entering Thailand for tourist purposes if their stay does not exceed 30 days (or 90 days – denoted by ***). You must show proof of a confirmed return ticket and sufficient funds during your stay, which according to the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a minimum of 20,000 baht per individual or 40,000 baht for a family (or equivalent in foreign currency). You may or may not be asked to show these depending on the discretion of the immigration officer.

According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002), 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002), 18 October B.E. 2547 (2004), 6 May B.E. 2548 (2005), and 23 June 2554 (2011), passport holders from 48 countries and 1 special administrative region – Hong Kong SAR – are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days on each visit. If such foreigners enter the Kingdom at the immigration checkpoints which border neighboring countries, they will be allowed to stay for 15 days each time, except Malaysian nationals who cross the borderline from Malaysia whose granted period of stay will not exceed 30 days each time.

– Please note that Tourist Visa Exemption does not apply to foreigners holding Travel Document for Aliens issued by these countries.

– Foreigners entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category must possess adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand (i.e., cash 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family).

Nationals from the following countries are eligible for Tourist Visa Exemption:

1. Australia : Commonwealth of Australia
2. Austria : Republic of Austria
3. Belgium : Kingdom of Belgium
4. Brazil : Federative Republic of Brazil (****)
5. Bahrain : State of Bahrain
6. Brunei Darussalam : Negara Brunei Darussalam
7. Canada
8. Czech : Czech Republic
9. Denmark : Kingdom of Denmark
10. Finland : Republic of Finland
11. France : French Republic
12. Germany : Federal Republic of Germany
13. Greece : Hellenic Republic
14. Hong Kong : Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
15. Hungary : Republic of Hungary
16. Iceland : Republic of Iceland
17. Indonesia : Republic of Indonesia
18. Ireland : Republic of Ireland
19. Israel : State of Israel
20. Italy : Republic of Italy
21. Japan
22. Korea : Republic of Korea (****)
23. Kuwait : State of Kuwait
24. Liechtenstein : Principality of Liechtenstein
25. Luxembourg : Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
26. Malaysia
27. Monaco : Principality of Monaco
28. Netherlands : Kingdom of the Netherlands
29. New Zealand
30. Norway : Kingdom of Norway
31. Oman : Sultanate of Oman
32. Peru : Republic of Peru (****)
33. Philippines : Republic of the Philippines
34. Poland : Republic of Poland
35. Portugal : Republic of Portugal
36. Qatar : State of Qatar
37. Singapore : Republic of Singapore
38. Slovakia : Slovak Republic
39. Slovenia : Republic of Slovenia
40. South Africa : Republic of South Africa
41. Spain : Kingdom of Spain
42. Sweden : Kingdom of Sweden
43. Switzerland : Swiss Confederation
44. Turkey : Republic of Turkey
45. United Arab Emirates
46. United Kingdom : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
47. United States of America
48. Vietnam : Socialist Republic of Vietnam

(****)Thailand holds bilateral agreements on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official and ordinary passports for a visit of not exceeding 90 days with Brazil, the Republic of Korea and Peru. Therefore, nationals of these 3 countries are exempted from visa requirements and are permitted to enter and stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 90 days.

*** Due to bilateral agreements, nationals of the countries denoted with *** may be permitted to enter Thailand for purposes of tourism or leisure for up to 90 days without a visa.

Source: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15396-Tourist-Visa-Exemption.html

Visa on Arrival

– According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements, passport holders from 28 countries and territories may apply for visas at the immigration checkpoints for the purpose of tourism for the period of not exceeding 15 days.

– The applicant must possess means of living expenses at the amount of 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly.

– The applicant must possess a passport with at least six-month validity and must present full paid ticket which is usable within 15 days since the date of entry

– Visa on arrival is provided at 24 designated international checkpoints and applicants should submit the application form duly filled out and to which his/her recent photograph (4 x 6 cm) is attached. The application fee is 1,000 Baht.

– Visitors who enter the Kingdom with Visa on Arrival generally cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special cases such as illness which prevents them from traveling, etc. They can submit an application at the Office of Immigration Bureau , Immigration Division 1, Government Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210. Tel 0-2141-9889 or at website http://www.immigration.go.th