Tourist visa — documents, process and pitfalls

Who this fits

• Salaried employees on approved annual leave with an employment letter stating the dates
• Business owners travelling for leisure, backed by company registration documents
• Retirees with pension or fixed-deposit evidence of income
• Students travelling in term breaks with a parent as sponsor

Documents specific to this purpose

Beyond the base set (passport, spec-compliant photo, financial evidence, tickets and accommodation), this purpose requires:

1. 1A day-by-day itinerary with cities, dates and main activities that matches your bookings
2. 2Accommodation covering every night; if staying with a friend, an invitation letter plus the host's documents
3. 3Employment letter stating position, salary, length of service and the approved leave dates
4. 4Six months of bank statements showing regular income, not just a closing balance
5. 5Evidence of ties to Thailand: title deeds, lease, vehicle registration or family responsibilities
6. 6Travel insurance at the destination's required level (Schengen requires at least EUR 30,000)

What officers look at hardest

• A large unexplained deposit shortly before filing is the clearest red flag
• An itinerary far more expensive than the declared income supports
• Any prior overstay anywhere is re-examined at every later application
• Single applicants with no steady job and no assets must explain their return reasons more fully

Matching visa names by country

Other purposes