FAQs

I am a foreign correspondent. I am assigned to work as a correspondent in Thailand for the next 3 months, what do I have to do?

You must register with the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand through the MMOS (MFA Media Online Service) website in order to apply for a media visa (Non-immigrant visa category “M”) and other necessary documents enabling you to work in Thailand as a foreign media.

For more information on the process, please refer to the Guide for Foreign Media Personnel Wishing to Work in Thailand.

I am a freelance reporter and I am going to be based in Thailand for more than 3 months. Can I apply for a media visa?

You can apply for a media visa via the MMOS (MFA Media Online Service) website. In that process, you will need to submit an assignment letter from a media organization that you have made or will make regular contributions to, together with other required documents.

What documents do I need to submit with my media visa application?

Please refer to the Required Documents section for more information.

How many samples of previous work do I need to submit for the media visa application?

First-time applicants are required to submit samples of work they have produced in the past year, which shall be related to Thailand, if applicable. However, if the applicant has not done any work on Thailand, he/ she should submit other samples. At least five samples are required, though more may be requested on a case-by-case basis when deemed necessary.

Renewal applicants are required to supply articles/reports that they have produced in the past year that relate to Thailand and/or countries in the region they had been assigned to cover under their contract. At least five samples are required, though more may be requested on a case-by-case basis when deemed necessary.

I have never written/ produced about Thailand before. Do I still need to submit samples of my work unrelated to Thailand?

Yes, in cases where you have not done any media work on Thailand, you still have to submit at least 5 samples of your publication/ work during the year prior to the date the application.

Can I submit work samples in the original language, e.g. French, German, Vietnamese, Japanese or Chinese?

English summaries are required when submitting samples of work in foreign languages other than English. The summary must include key points and provide a clear overview of the subject matter.

Can I choose where my interview will take place?

Yes, you can choose to be interviewed at either the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok or any Royal Thai Embassy/ Royal Thai Consulate-General.

Can I choose the Royal Thai Embassy/ Royal Thai Consulate-General where I will obtain my media visa? Does it have to be the same place where my interview take place?

Yes, you can choose where you wish to obtain your media visa which does not have to be the same place where your interview takes place. When you submit your application on the MMOS website, you will be asked to designate where you wish to have an interview and where you wish to obtain the media visa.

Can I obtain a media visa at the Royal Thai Honorary Consulate-General?

No, the Honorary Consulate-General has no authority in issuing you a media visa. This can only be done at a Royal Thai Embassy or a Royal Thai Consulate-General.

How long does it take to obtain a media visa?

For new application and organization change application, the process takes approximately 1 to 2 months. It is advisable that applicants for these two categories submit their application as early as possible.

For renew application, the process takes approximately 1 month. It is advisable that applicants of this category submit their application at least 1 month but no more than 2 months before their media visa expires.

Due to an unforeseen circumstance, I applied for a media visa less than 1 week before my date of departure to Thailand. Will I be able to get a media visa in time?

It is highly likely that the Ministry will not be able to process your visa application within that given time frame. Please allow 1 to 2 months for the consideration of new media visa application.

How do I check the status of my media visa application?

You can check the current status of your media visa application through your account in the MMOS System.

I have received my visa from the Thai embassy and have arrived in Thailand. However, I have not applied for a visa extension yet, but need to travel out of the country to work on an urgent event in another country, what should I do?

The media visa issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General will be a Single-entry visa with 3-month duration. If you leave Thailand before a visa extension is granted, you will not be able to return to Thailand with said visa.

Before leaving Thailand, you have to apply for a “Re-entry permit” at the Immigration Bureau. With the Re-entry permit, you can return to Thailand before your visa expires (3 months from your date of arrival).

Due to an unforeseen circumstance, I submitted the application for my visa renewal one week before it expires. Will I be able to get accredited on time? What should I do?

It is highly likely that the Ministry will not be able to process your visa renewal within that given time frame. It is advisable that you submit your application at least 1 month, but no more than 2 months before your visa expires.

For regulations on overstaying your visa, please refer to www.overstay.immigration.go.th/advice.html

I was based in Thailand before and had to return to my country for a health related issue. Now I have fully recovered, and wish to renew my visa to continue working in Thailand. What should I do?

If you cannot apply for renewal before your visa expires, you can still submit your “renew application” via the MMOS (MFA Media Online Service) website. However, once your application is approved you will have to obtain the media visa from a Royal Thai Embassy/ Royal Thai Consulate General. Upon entry into Thailand using the media visa, you will have to log in to your MMOS account and upload a clearly scanned copy of your media visa and entry stamp from the Immigration Bureau. Three accreditation letters will then be issued so you can obtain necessary documents required for working in Thailand, i.e. an extension of visa and period of stay, a work permit, and a press card (if needed) from relevant governmental agencies.

I have been working as a foreign media member in Thailand for some time now and I would like to change my work organization. What should I do?

You will have to apply for a new visa, work permit, and press card, please refer to Change Organization Application. Applicants will have to submit a letter of cancellation from the previous organization and an assignment letter from the new organization.

I am a foreign reporter who is going to be based in Thailand, but I have entered Thailand with a Tourist visa, what should I do?

Thai Immigration Law does not allow tourist visa holders to work in Thailand. We advise you to submit an application for the media visa via the MMOS (MFA Media Online Service) website.

However, as changing category of visa in Thailand is not possible, after your application is approved, you will have to obtain the media visa at a designated Royal Thai Embassy/ Royal Thai Consulate-General. Upon entry into Thailand using the media visa, you will have to log in to your MMOS account and upload a clearly scanned copy of your media visa and entry stamp from the Immigration Bureau. Three accreditation letters will then be issued so you can obtain necessary documents required for working in Thailand, i.e. an extension of visa and period of stay, a work permit, and a press card (if needed) from relevant governmental agencies.

I have submitted an application for my media visa, but my company assigns me to travel to Thailand immediately, can I apply for a tourist visa or Non-Immigrant visa category “B” for the time being?

Thai Immigration Law does not allow tourist visa holders to work in Thailand. We advise you to apply for a “Non-Immigrant” visa category “B” on the same basis as foreign correspondents who are assigned to work in Thailand for less than 3 months.

However, as changing category of visa in Thailand is not possible, after your application is approved, you will have to obtain the media visa at a designated Royal Thai Embassy/ Royal Thai Consulate-General. Upon entry into Thailand using the media visa, you will have to log in to your MMOS account and upload a clearly scanned copy of your media visa and entry stamp from the Immigration Bureau. Three accreditation letters will then be issued so you can obtain necessary documents required for working in Thailand, i.e. an extension of visa and period of stay, a work permit, and a press card (if needed) from relevant governmental agencies.

I have stayed in Thailand for a while, but my family members are planning to move to Thailand to live with me, what should I do?

Please contact a Royal Thai Embassy/ Royal Thai Consulate-General nearest you for a Non-Immigrant Visa “O” (Accompanying Spouse or Family Members).

I have been granted the status of a “resident” in Thailand and I want to work as a correspondent, do I need to register?

You will have to submit a request for a work permit and press card, but a visa application is not necessary. You can do so by submitting an application via the MMOS (MFA Media Online Service) website.

I have a Thai wife and I am holding a “Non-Immigrant” visa category “O”. I want to work as a media member, how can I register?

Thai Immigration Law does not allow “Non-Immigrant” visa category “O” holders to work in Thailand. You have to submit an application for the media visa through the MMOS (MFA Media Online Service) website.

However, as changing category of visa in Thailand is not possible, after your application is approved, you will have to obtain the media visa at a designated Royal Thai Embassy/ Royal Thai Consulate-General. Upon entry into Thailand using the media visa, you will have to log in to your MMOS account and upload a clearly scanned copy of your media visa and entry stamp from the Immigration Bureau. Three accreditation letters will then be issued so you can obtain necessary documents required for working in Thailand, i.e. an extension of visa and period of stay, a work permit, and a press card (if needed) from relevant governmental agencies.