Thailand visa requirements for Kenyans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Kenyans visiting Thailand

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Thai Visa.

  • A Kenyan passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (35 x 45 mm).
  • Travel document.
  • Original bank statement of the applicant showing a balance of at least $1,000 per person or $2,000 per family during the past 6 months.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.

Thailand Visa for Kenyans

Facts about Thailand

The tourism industry is a major industry in Thailand. The industry is promoted using the slogans “Amazing Thailand” and “Discover Thailand”. Foreigners in Thailand pick Bangkok as their go-to destination for its historical, natural, and cultural sites in its surroundings. The capital, Bangkok, also has beaches, islands, trekking destinations, minority ethnic groups, and forested mountains all of which combine to act as a magnet for tourists. Thailand is also known to have what is considered by many to be the largest market in the world, the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Foreigners in the country also enjoy taking courses ranging from Thai cooking to Buddhism and Thai massage. Other attractions in the country include archeological sites, museums, palaces, Buddhist temples, and several World Heritage sites.
 
The tourism industry has greatly impacted the Thai economy in recent times by contributing to the country’s GDP and the creation of a lot of jobs for locals. This has only been made possible by the influx of tourists in the country. It is expected that the outstanding performance of the tourism industry will continue for years to come.
 
Foreigners visiting Thailand with back-to-back visas are assumed to be doing illegal activities in Thailand and are likely to be questioned.
 
Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and South Korea do not require a visa to visit Thailand for stays of no more than 90 days. Citizens of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days.

Foreigners with the intention of engaging in adventure tourism such as zip lining, bungee jumping, rock climbing, and off-roading should ensure they take maximum safety precautions during these activities. Ensure the goods you purchase in the country is not a counterfeit or pirated. Thai government treats cases involving piracy very harshly.

Types of Thailand Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 15 days 90 days
Business visa 15 days 90 days
Student visa 15 days More than 90 days
Journalist visa 15 days 90 days
Transit visa 15 days 90 days

General Requirements for Thailand Visa

  • A Kenyan passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (35 x 45 mm).
  • Travel document.
  • Original bank statement of the applicant showing a balance of at least $1,000 per person or $2,000 per family during the past 6 months.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
Thailand Tourist visa Thailand Business visa Thailand Student visa Thailand Journalist visa Thailand Transit visa

Thailand Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Thailand tourist visa is issued to Kenyans who are visiting Thailand for the purpose of sightseeing, personal enlightenment, recreation, and relaxation.
  • The visa is also eligible for Kenyans intending to travel for medical purposes.
  • A big percentage of Thailand's revenue is gotten from the tourism industry. 
  • 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.
  • Travelers are required to bring one passport-sized (4 x 6 cm) photograph.
  • There are two types of Thailand tourist visa:
    • Single-entry tourist visa- this visa is valid for three months. However, the permitted length of stay is 60 days.
    • Multiple-entry tourist visa- this visa is valid for six months.
  • The Thailand tourist visa is valid for 30 days. Although, the visa is extendable to 60 days.
  • It is important for applicants to show proof of financial stability to cover their entire stay in Thailand. Applicants should have at least 20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family. 
  • Currency exchanges are available near the Visa on Arrival sections in the airports. No ATMs are available, so make sure you have THB or at least some form of major currency such as Dollars or Euros on you.
  • Vaccinations for the following is required; hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and meningitis.
  • If you are traveling with a life-partner, try not to show public affection in Thailand. It is greatly frowned on.
  • It is not common in Thailand to shake hands to greet people. It’s just not how the Thai people do it. Instead of shaking hands, you can do the traditional Thai greeting called ‘wai’. All you have to do is put your palms together in front of your body and you just did a wai.

Thailand Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

    • The Thailand business visa allows Kenyans to start-up or conduct business and work in Thailand.
    • The Thailand business visa is valid for 90 days. There are two types of business visa:
      • Single-entry visa: this visa valid for 90 days.
      • Multiple-entry visa: this visa is valid for one year.
    • If the applicant has previously worked in Thailand, the copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour is required.
    • Applicants should submit a copy of educational records of the applicant and letters of recommendation from the prior employers, identifying the job description and length of service time
    • Thailand’s continuous economic progress can be attributed to the presence of sufficient infrastructure and an efficient workforce, backed by strong support from the government.
    • Thailand allows foreigners to start up business in their country.
    • Before starting a business in Thailand you must go through the following:
    • You must create a cooperate name, and it must be approved within 30 days by the Business Development Office in the Ministry of Commerce.
    • A Memorandum of Association to be filed with the Business Development Office must include the name of the company that has been successfully reserved, the province where the company will be located, its business objectives, the capital to be registered, and the names of the seven promoters.
    • A statutory meeting must be set up. Within three months of the date of the Statutory Meeting, the directors must submit the application to establish the company. Company registration fees are 500 baht per 100,000 baht of registered capital. The minimum fee is 5,000 baht; the maximum is 250,000 baht.
    • Businesses are liable to income tax registration.
    • Applicants traveling for the purpose of attending a business meeting require the following documents:
      • A business letter written in your company’s letterhead is required.
      • Printed flight and hotel reservation under the applicant's name. It must show flights entering and exiting Thailand.
      • A copy of your bank statement is needed. Photocopy of the applicant's most recent bank statement as proof of sufficient funds ($700 per person - single entry and $7000 for multiple entries).                         

    Thailand Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

    • The Thailand student visa allows Kenyans to visit Thailand to study in one of the institutions of learning in the country.
    • The visa is also known as an education visa.
    • Applicants of this visa can attend training sessions, cooking classes, martial arts classes, participate in projects or seminars, or study as a foreign Buddhist monk.
    • The student visa also allows foreigners to undertake skilled work or to work as an expert or a specialist.
    • There are two types of Thailand student visa:
      • Single-entry visa: valid for 3 months.
      • Multiple-entry visa: valid for one year.
    • A letter of acceptance from the academic institution you have been accepted to. The letter should be written on the institution's letterhead and should state the course you have been accepted to.
    • Certificates and transcripts of previously attended institutions by the applicants of this visa.
    • Foreign students are allowed to work part-time for a period of up to 20-hours per week when school is in session and full-time when school is on break.
    • Qualified applicants can obtain an additional one-year stay permit counting from the date of entry in the country pertaining to the Office of the Immigration Bureau’s regulation on the extension of stay.
    • Students should show proof of financial stability. Students should have 15,000 – 25,000 Baht monthly. (Equivalent to 390 – 650 Euros).

    Thailand Journalist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

    • This visa allows Kenyans to work as a film-producer, journalist, or reporter.
    • A letter of invitation from the company you will be working with in Thailand. The letter should state the duration and purpose of the applicant’s visit to the country.
    • A letter from your employer in Kenya stating the purpose and duration of your visit to the country. The name of the company and the job position should be stated in the letter.
    • If you are traveling with a minor, the original copy of your birth certificate is required. A notarized consent signed by both the parents of the applicant is required.
    • Single-entry and multiple-entry visas are valid for three months. The multiple-entry visas could also be valid for one year.
    • This visa can be extended for an additional one-year stay counting from the date of entry in the country.
    • Foreigners should ensure they are vaccinated against yellow fever before they travel to the country.
    • A copy of the applicant’s stay permit in Kenya is required.
    • Proof of payment of paid visa application form should be presented.

    Thailand Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

    • Foreigners who intend to board a connecting flight from Thailand to their destination country are eligible for this visa.
    • Kenyans can also join up with a crew ship at a seaport in Thailand.
    • The Transit Visa does not allow foreigners to take up paid or unpaid employment while they are in the country.
    • Applicants of this visa cannot take up short courses in Thailand.
    • Receipt of paid visa application form is required.
    • Visa and other entry permits of the destination country should be provided.
    • Flight ticket of the applicant’s destination country is required.
    • This visa cannot be extended.
    • Applicants are advised to be vaccinated against yellow fever.

    Thailand Visa Fees

    Visa Type

    Sub Types

    Visa Fees

    Tourist visa

    40.00 (USD)

    Business visa

    100.00 (USD)

    Student visa

    100.00 (USD)

    Journalist visa

    100.00 (USD)

    Transit visa

    40.00 (USD)

    Thailand Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Kenya

    Location

    Address

    Nairobi

    Rode Avenue, off Denis Pritt Road, Nairobi, Kenya.

    http://www.thaiembassy.org/nairobi/en

    thainbi@thainbi.or.ke

    +254 20 271 5800, +254 20 271 4276

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best time of the year to go to Thailand?

    Although the climate varies throughout Thailand, you can visit all year round. The best time to travel is during the cool and dry season between November and early April.

    What is the passport validity for Thailand?

    The passport validity for Thailand is 30 days. Your passport must be original.

    How much money do you need per day in Thailand?

    Living in Thailand per day costs $30-35 per day depending on how much food  you consume and how many days you spend on the islands, where costs are higher.

    Do they speak English in Thailand?
    Most Thai people speak English. Except the uneducated ones, although they may understand it but will not speak due to shyness.
    Is Thailand safe to travel?
    Thailand is generally a safe country to visit, but it is smart to exercise caution, especially when it comes to dealing with strangers.
    I applied for a visa last Tuesday at the the Thailand embassy in Kenya, Nairobi.I wanted to know the progress?
    How long does it take for the Thailand visa to be processed from Kenya?
    What's the Thai pass,my friend was told in the Airport it's not allowed for kenyan woman to go to Thailand as tourist. What a cramp she had everything and visa too?
    1.Do i have to get all those vaccines listed 2. Does one have to make an appointment to process visa application 3.?
    1.Do i have to get all those vaccines listed 2. Does one have to make an appointment to process visa application?
    I need to apply for Thai visa . I have checked the requirements but i dont understand tbis two items. Travel document and itenerary?