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What types of visas are available to Thai citizens?
There
are two general categories of visas: Immigrant and Non-immigrant.
Depending on the purpose of your visit, there are approximately
20 different non-immigrant visas for temporary visits
to the United States. The most common of the non-immigrant
visas are B1 and B2 which are issued for business, pleasure
and/or medical treatments. Students must apply for an
F, M, or J visa.
Do
I need a visa before I depart for the United States?
This
depends on what country you are a citizen of and whether
that country is allowed a visa waiver. Thai citizens are
not eligible for the "Visa Waiver Pilot Program"
and thus must obtain a visa prior to departing Thailand.
How
soon before my trip should I apply?
Applications
for non-immigrant visas should be submitted one to two
months before intended date of travel. Applications can
normally be processed within one business day, but there
are occasional delays, particularly due to the large number
of applications received by the Embassy. Immigrant visas
may require longer periods of time to evaluate and process.
Where
do I apply for a visa?
An
applicant may apply for a US visa, in person or through
a representative, at any visa issuing post. However, there
are fewer complications for applications submitted in
the applicant's country of origin or permanent residence.
The Consular Section at the US Embassy in Bangkok accepts
applications Monday through Friday, between 7:00 and 9:00
a.m., except on US and Thai holidays. The Consular Section
is at 95 Wireless road, across the street from the main
Embassy. The Consulate General in Chiang Mai accepts visa
applications on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:30
to 10:30 a.m.
How
much does a US visa cost?
All
visa applications require a non-refundable fee of USD65,
or the Thai Baht equivalent, payable at any post office
in the Bangkok area. Certain visas require an additional
fee depending on the visa type and the nationality of
the applicant. It is important to retain the receipt of
payment from the post office to submit with your application.
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