VISIT & VISA

Travel & Visa Information

Types and criteria for visa application

People traveling through the Kingdom (Transit Visa)

+ Features

This type of visa will be issued to aliens who wish to enter the Kingdom for any of the following purposes:

To travel through the Kingdom (TS)

to play sports (S)

Be a vehicle operator or crew member of a vehicle entering a port, station, or locality in the Kingdom (C)

Visa Validity	Period of stay in the Kingdom	charge	Amount of money
3 months	30 days per time	800 baht (not more than 4 times)	10,000 baht/person 20,000 baht / family

Documents for consideration

ㆍPassport or document used in lieu of passport. Use life not less than 6 months

ㆍCompleted visa form.

* Two 2-inch photos (taken within the past 6 months/not wearing a hat and dark glasses)

ㆍRound-trip air ticket or to a third country.

ㆍEvidence showing that you will depart Thailand after the tour ends, such as a round-trip airplane ticket. or to travel to a third country

ㆍ For (TS) visa of a third country in the passport or passport substitute document.

ㆍ For (S) a letter of invitation to participate in a sporting event.

ㆍFor (C) a certificate of being a vehicle operator or crew member of a vehicle entering a port, station, or locality in the Kingdom.

You may also be asked to show additional documents or interview the visa applicant.

Tourist (Tourist Visa)

+ Features

This type of visa is issued to foreigners who wish to enter the Kingdom for tourism purposes (TR).

Visa Validity	Period of stay in the Kingdom	charge	Amount of money
3 months (Single Entries) 12 months (Multiple Entries)	60 days per time	1,000 baht (Single Entries) 5,000 baht (Multiple Entries)	20,000 baht / person 40,000 baht / family

Documents for consideration

ㆍ Passport or document used in lieu of passport. Use life not less than 6 months

Completed visa form

Two 2/2 inch photos (taken within a period of no more than 6 months/not wearing a hat and dark glasses)

ㆍEvidence showing that you will depart Thailand after the tour ends, such as a round-trip airplane ticket. or to travel to a third country

Documents from travel companies (In the case of traveling with a tour company)

You may also be asked to show additional documents or interview the visa applicant.

Temporary person (Non-Immigrant Visa

+ Features

This type of visa will be issued to aliens who wish to enter the Kingdom for one of the following purposes:

Performing official duties (F)
Contacting or conducting business and working (B)

Investments approved by the relevant ministry (IM)

Investment or other activities under the regulations of the Investment Promotion Law (IB).
Education, work visits and training (ED)
Performing media duties (M)

Propagation of religion approved by the Department of Religious Affairs Ministry of Education (R)

Scientific research or training in a research institute. or educational institutions in the Kingdom (RS)
Professional craftsmanship (EX) operations.
Other things (0)

Entering later life as an elderly person
Entering as a litigant or witness for a legal proceeding.
Performing duties or missions in an alien family who entered the Kingdom temporarily to perform diplomatic duties Consul or performing other duties as a father, mother, spouse or child who is a dependent and part of the family.

House of such person

Performing duties as a personal servant who travels from abroad to work normally at the residence of a person on a diplomatic mission. or a person who has equal privileges with a person holding a diplomatic position according to an agreement with the government.

Thailand has made agreements with foreign governments. or with the organization or international agencies

Providing patronage to or receiving patronage from persons of Thai nationality. or a person residing in the Kingdom as a father, mother, spouse, or child who is a dependent and part of the household of such person.
Performing duties for state enterprises or public charity organization
Entry into the Kingdom of people who previously had Thai nationality to visit relatives or request to return to stay in the Kingdom
Entering the Kingdom for medical treatment
Entering the Kingdom to be an athlete coach as required by the government.

Visa Validity	Period of stay in the Kingdom	charge	Amount of money
3 months (Single Entries) 12 months (Multiple Entries)	90 days per time	2,000 baht (Single Entries) 5,000 baht (Multiple Entries)	20,000 baht / person 40,000 baht / family

Documents for consideration

Passport or document used in lieu of passport. Use life not less than 5 months
Subject form with complete text.
Two 2-inch photos (taken within the last 6 months / not wearing a hat and dark glasses)
For (0) entering as a person in the household or as a dependent.

– Work certificate Work permit that is still valid of people working in Thailand

– Evidence of being a father, mother, child / birth certificate / marriage

certificate – Evidence showing that the spouse is of Thai nationality. or are a resident of the Kingdom, evidence of financial status –

letter from the Embassy Consulate General international organization Government agencies, state enterprises, as the case may be

+ for (0) coming in to receive medical treatment

– Letter of acceptance from a hospital certified by a government agency in Thailand

For (0) litigants or witnesses in court

– letters or warrants from Thai courts

For (0) entering to live as an elderly person – the

applicant must be 50 years of age or older. Specify the purpose of requesting to live as an elderly person or retire. and will not work while staying in Thailand –

Evidence of financial status or evidence of receipt of pension

– Maintain additional details in the topic People staying temporarily for long-term employment in the Kingdom (Long Stay O-A, D-X

+For (ED) students / students

– Letter of acceptance from the educational institution

For (ED) monks who will come to study Buddhism – letter

of permission from the Buddha Office. national religion

For (F) performing duties in government/state enterprises, for (ED) training, work visits

– Letter from the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate General International organizations, state enterprises, and related government agencies

For (8) looking for work

– Department of Employment book Ministry of Labor Notification of the results of consideration for allowing foreigners to work in the company.

+ For (B) business dealings

– Certificate of employment of the company where the applicant works. Including specifying the purpose of your trip to Thailand, the name of the company, store or agency you will contact.

– Evidence showing the applicant’s financial or business status. (In the case of not working any company or agency)

– Evidence of financial status/projects that will be incorporated in Thailand (In case of wishing to become a business operator in Thailand)

– Evidence showing the financial status or business conduct of the applicant. (In the case of not working for any company

or agency) – Invitation letter from a company in Thailand for the petitioner to travel to Thailand to conduct business. (Must attach company documents such as company registration certificate or limited partnership Certificate of registration of the company or stock partnership

Restricted section from the Ministry of Commerce / list of shareholders / factory operating license (if any) / value added tax registration certificate / latest year’s financial statements, etc.)

– In this case, the petitioner claims to be the company’s advisor. A copy of the company’s personal appointment letter must be submitted.

For (8) teachers/lecturers in private educational institutions

– Letter of acceptance from the educational institution

-Proof of educational

qualifications – Certificate that there is no criminal record.

Diplomatic Visa

* feature

This type of visa is limited to requesting a visa to enter the Kingdom temporarily to perform diplomatic or consular duties. or performing official duties and the petitioner must hold Diplomatic passport or United Nations passport

(UN Laissez-Passer), which is equivalent to a diplomatic passport only.

Length of stay in the Kingdom	fee
90 days per time	90 days per time

Documents for consideration

The applicant must present a letter of introduction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. or from the country’s embassy or from a United Nations agency or organization to which the petitioner belongs The certificate must clearly state the name, position, and purpose of travel.

Government (Official Visa)

* feature

This type of visa is limited to applying for a temporary visa to enter the Kingdom. To perform official duties and the petitioner must hold Official passport or United Nations passport (UN Laissez-Passer), which is equivalent to an official passport only.

Length of stay in the Kingdom	fee
90 days per time	90 days per time

Documents for consideration

Lead letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or from the embassy / consulate / government agency of the requesting country or from the agency or the United Nations organization to which the petitioner belongs or from Thai government agencies by certificate The name, position, and purpose of travel must be clearly stated.

Courtesy Visa

* feature

A courtesy visa is limited to applying for a temporary visa to enter the Kingdom for any of the following purposes:

– Requesting a visa for holders of diplomatic or official passports or a United Nations passport that is equivalent to a diplomatic or official passport. For purposes other than coming to be stationed in the Kingdom to

perform diplomatic duties or consul or official

– Requesting a visa for ordinary passport holders who wish to enter the Kingdom as a royal guest, guest of the government, or government agency

Length of stay in the Kingdom	fee
90 days per time	90 days per time

Documents for consideration

Lead letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or from the embassy / consulate / government agency of the requesting country or from the agency or the United Nations organization to which the petitioner belongs or from Thai government agencies by

certificate The name, position, and purpose of travel must be clearly stated.

Snr. Prof. Ranjith Senaratne

Chairman, National Science Foundation Sri Lanka,
Senior Professor of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna,
Former Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna

Brief Bio

Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Emeritus Professor in Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, possesses over 40 years of experience in higher education, including teaching, research and administration and community development. He has held several senior administrative positions with distinction for a period of over 20 years, i.e. the posts of Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ruhuna, Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Directors, Chairman of the Ocean University and Vice Chairman, University Grants Commission. Presently, he serves as Chairman of the National Science Foundation and the General President of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science in 2023.

As Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna, he has been strongly committed to promoting academic excellence, high impact research, creative enterprise, strategic partnership with industry, community development and international cooperation. In recognition of his outstanding contribution in education, science, community development and international cooperation, the University of Durham, UK conferred a honorary Doctorate (honoris causa) on him in 2007.

Prof. Senaratne has been the recipient of several internationally competitive and prestigious research grants, i.e. from the Board on Science and Technology for International Development (BOSTID) of the National Research Council of the USA and has held a number of coveted fellowships, including the Andre Mayer Fellowship of the FAO and the Marie Curie Fellowship of the European Community. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences and has over 100 research communications and papers to his credit. In addition, he has written and edited over 10 books related to agriculture, higher education, science & technology and national development.

Prof. Senaratne has provided strategic, inspirational and operational leadership to higher educational institutions, and he is a visionary leader and an institution builder.

Title of the Speech – Agriculture in Sri Lanka: Harnessing Potential and Embracing Change

Abstract

Agriculture, which mainly fed the population in the Agrarian Era, has since undergone a great deal of transformation in its scope, purpose, nature, complexity and sophistication. Agriculture today needs to produce not only food, but also feed, fibre, fuel (energy), nutraceuticals (e.g. dietary supplements, functional food, and medicinal food), cosmeceuticals and biotechnological products such as vaccines, antibiotics and enzymes. This sector presently occupies around 40% of land and consumes over 80% of the fresh water resources in the country. However, it is beset with a myriad of issues, including stagnant and low yield and quality, inefficient use of resources, including water and fertilizer, uncoordinated and unregulated production leading to unpredictable gluts and scarcities that cause drastic price fluctuations, overuse and abuse of pesticides and fertilizers, and heavy post-harvest losses. Low value addition, the predominance of small and scattered holdings, excess labour with low productivity, a lack of innovative business models and poor integration of agriculture into national, regional and global value chains are the other major constraints. In addition, with the advent of climate change, there is rising demand for crops and livestock that are resistant to pests, diseases and abiotic stresses. These issues have been exacerbated by lack of a rational, coherent and consistent national policy with a clear sense of direction and depth, particularly in agriculture, land and trade.

Therefore agriculture today poses serious challenges to economic, social, environmental, nutritional and health sectors. Meanwhile, its technological landscape is changing rapidly and markets are becoming increasingly globalized, sophisticated, dynamic and competitive. Besides, importing countries impose stringent control on food quality, safety and hygiene as the consumer is becoming increasingly health-conscious.

The agriculture and food systems should, therefore, become more productive, more resource- efficient, more resilient, more environment-friendly, less wasteful and more profitable. This is a formidable challenge, but has to be met. This calls for a new bold and compelling vision for agriculture. Hence, a step change in agriculture in Sri Lanka is urgently needed to transform it into a tech-savvy, export-oriented agri-business through smart farming where the whole process from production, processing, storage, marketing and distribution should be reengineered and remodeled for value chain enhancement. This includes, among other things, advance provision of weather data, market dynamics and price fluctuation, early detection of pests and diseases, and determination of water and nutrient needs. These will contribute a great deal to reduce the risk and uncertainty associated with agriculture.

This demands a suite of technologies to be adopted, such as ICT, biotechnology, nanotechnology, remote sensing and GIS, artificial intelligence, automation, Big Data, drones, Internet of Things, Robotics, etc., all of which are of great relevance and value. Here, one should not disregard or underestimate the value and relevance of indigenous knowledge (IK) — a precious hitherto untapped national resource — that should be harnessed to enhance agricultural production in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.

Therefore, it is imperative to rethink not only the way we produce, process, package, store, transport, distribute, market, deliver and consume food, but also the way we dispose of agricultural waste, to create a “zero waste” society. This calls for the transformation of conventional agriculture into a knowledge-based circular agriculture through a sea change which will enable increased production. This will be based on the use of considerably less resources and inputs to achieve sustainability with a reduced carbon footprint, water footprint, energy footprint and ecological footprint with greater profit. Therefore, a cultural revolution of sorts is the need of the hour, paving the way for a new Agri-Culture in Sri Lanka.