Hello all,

First, please forgive me if this topic has been addressed in other areas on this forum. I was unable to find an answer to my question through the forum Search. My question is this:

I am a US citizen, 31 years old and I am hoping to study Muay Thai Kickboxing in Thailand for 90 days. I am told that I need to apply for a tourist visa, which is good for 60 days, at which point I must have it renewed for another 30 days. On the application, it states that I need to send in my passport. Is this correct? Do I need to send my original passport? I am afraid that it maybe lost in the mail, or mishandled at the embassy during the application process. Can I send a copy of my passport?

One website concerning the tourist visa states that I must include in my application:

Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months

- Visa application form completely filled out

- One recent( 4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant

- Air ticket or eTicket paid in full

- Financial means (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)

is this also correct?

Any advice and help regarding my inquiry is appreciated. Thank you for your help.

Del.

Do I need to send my original passport?

Yes, you send your original passport. The visa is stamped into the passport itself. Regarding the other requirements, you probably won't have to supply all of the information you listed (e.g. plane ticket) but this varies from consular office to consular office. You really need to contact whichever office you will apply for the visa and ask them specifically what they require.

Hello all,

First, please forgive me if this topic has been addressed in other areas on this forum. I was unable to find an answer to my question through the forum Search. My question is this:

I am a US citizen, 31 years old and I am hoping to study Muay Thai Kickboxing in Thailand for 90 days. I am told that I need to apply for a tourist visa, which is good for 60 days, at which point I must have it renewed for another 30 days. On the application, it states that I need to send in my passport. Is this correct? Do I need to send my original passport? I am afraid that it maybe lost in the mail, or mishandled at the embassy during the application process. Can I send a copy of my passport?

Yes, you must send your original passport. Thousands of people do this every year in the US without problem. I advise sending it by certified mail. You will need to enclose a self addressed stamped envelope for the return mail as well. Most larger Post Offices are familiar with the procedure of sending passports to and from foreign embassies and consulates and can help you with procedure. Here is the link to the Los Angeles Thai consulate and their visa application page, there are consulates in other cities as well. LA Thai Consulate