Starting from March 19, New Zealand nationals who plan to travel to Thailand will have to pay higher visa fees, with prices varying between $122 and $1,831 for multiple entry three-year valid visas.
According to an announcement by the Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington, consular service fees will increase for all types of visas, short- and long-stay visas, with only those that are traveling on a diplomatic or official visa making an exception, VisaGuide.World reports.
The Royal Thai Embassy Wellington would like to announce that, effective from March 19, 2024, consular service fees will be adjusted in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, as well as the exchange rate.
New Visa Fees Can Go Up to $3,600
While a transit visa in September 2022 cost $30, the price rose to $122 per entry, as the latest announcement explains.
Tourist single-entry visas now cost $183 per entry, while multiple-entry visas with a six-month validity period have increased to $610 – showing a 223 percent increase. In 2022, a single-entry visa cost $36, whereas the price of a multiple-entry tourist visa was set at $183.
Non-immigrant visas are now two times more expensive compared to 2022 – with New Zealanders having to pay $488 instead of $73 for a single entry visa.
Similarly, multiple-entry visas with one-year validity now cost $1,221, increasing to $732. In addition, applicants looking to get multiple-entry tourist visas that are valid for a three-year period will have to pay $1,831 starting on March 19. Thailand’s multiple-entry non-immigrant visa which is valid for three years is a new type of visa that was not available in 2022.
SMART visa, also known as Working Holiday Visa, has higher costs now, with one-year visas costing $1,217 from $365. Those valid for two years now cost $1,521 and SMART visas valid for a three-year period are set at $1,825, up from $1,095 in 2022. In addition, the price of such visas with the longest stay period – the four-year validity period, is now set at $2,423.
In addition, the price of a Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR Visa) has spiked from $1,825 to $3,651 – doubling up the price for such visa fees.
Recently-Introduced Costs Stunned New Zealanders
The new costs have caused a stir in online forums, leaving people in disbelief and stunned due to doubling fees.
I emailed the embassy about it a day ago and got no reply. It is still up, so one has to assume the fees will be rising on March 19, 2024, not only in New Zealand but around the world, unless it is a mistake as you say.
Although it is still in its implementation procedures, a draft proposal at the EU Commission intends to raise visa fees for third-country nationals, citing inflation as one of the drivers for the initiative. This means that those who need a Schengen visa would be paying an additional $10 per application.