Visas

Visitors to Koh Tao must comply with Thailand’s visa regulations, which vary based on nationality, length of stay, and the purpose of the visit — whether you are arriving for a short tropical holiday or planning a long-term professional dive training program with us.

Most short-stay tourists enter under the Visa Exemption Scheme, which currently grants up to 60 days for citizens of 93 eligible countries. Long-term diving internship candidates, particularly those joining our Divemaster, Dive Instructor or Conservation Diver pathways, typically arrange a Tourist Visa (TR) or a Non-Immigrant Education (ED) Visa before they arrive.

Thai immigration policy is reviewed and refined regularly, so it is essential to check the latest entry requirements with your nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate before booking your flights. Our team is always happy to provide up-to-date guidance and supporting documentation for candidates joining our internship programs.

How to Get a Visa for Koh Tao

The visa application process varies from country to country, and our most useful immediate advice is to contact your local Thai Embassy or consulate. They will provide you with the most up to date information on visa categories, application procedures, fees and processing times for your nationality.

In some cases, where there is no Thai Embassy or consulate in your country of residence, applicants will need to visit a designated embassy in a neighbouring country to lodge their application.

Thailand also operates an official Thai e-Visa portal, which now accepts applications from most countries worldwide. This is often the most convenient route for Tourist Visa and Non-Immigrant Visa applications, with paperwork submitted digitally and the e-Visa issued electronically before travel.

Visa Exemption — 60 Days for 93 Countries

Thailand’s Visa Exemption Scheme allows passport holders from 93 eligible countries to enter Thailand without applying for a visa in advance. The current entry stamp grants a stay of up to 60 days, which has been the standard since the scheme was extended in July 2024.

Eligible nationalities include the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea (90 days under bilateral agreement), and most countries across the European Union. The full official list is published by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is subject to periodic review.

If 60 days is not enough, your stay can be extended at any Thai Immigration office. Under the rules in force since November 2025, visa-exempt visitors may extend their stay twice per calendar year: a first extension of 30 days, and a second extension of 7 days. Each extension currently costs 1,900 THB. Combined with the initial 60-day stamp, this means a maximum total stay of up to 97 days per visit.

Even though the Visa Exemption Scheme requires no advance application, immigration officers may ask to see the following on arrival, so it is sensible to have everything ready:

• A passport with at least 6 months validity remaining and at least one blank page
• Proof of onward travel — a return flight or onward bus/ferry ticket
• Proof of accommodation — hotel booking, dive resort confirmation, or host address
• Proof of funds — 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family

Travellers should also be aware that Thai authorities are reviewing the scheme, with proposals under discussion to reduce the visa-free stay back to 30 days or to narrow the list of eligible countries. As of 2026, no change has been formally enacted, and the 60-day rule remains in force. Always check the latest position before you travel.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

Since 1 May 2025, every foreign visitor entering Thailand must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). The TDAC has fully replaced the old paper TM6 arrival card and applies regardless of which visa category you hold — visa exemption, Tourist Visa, ED Visa or any other.

The TDAC is completed online through the official Thai Immigration Bureau portal, free of charge, within the 72 hours before your arrival in Thailand. After submitting the form you receive a QR code, which you should keep on your phone or printed out for inspection at immigration.

The TDAC asks for basic travel and accommodation details, including your flight number, port of entry, length of stay and address while in Thailand. Failing to complete the TDAC before arrival will cause delays at the border, so we strongly recommend filling it in the day before you fly.

Tourist Visa (TR) for Longer Stays

If you are not eligible for the Visa Exemption Scheme, or if you simply want a guaranteed longer stay with less uncertainty at the border, the Tourist Visa (TR) is the standard pre-arranged option.

The Single-Entry Tourist Visa is issued for an initial stay of 60 days and can be extended once at a Thai Immigration office for a further 30 days, giving a total stay of up to 90 days per entry. The Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) is valid for 6 months, with each entry permitting a 60-day stay, and is well suited to travellers who plan to combine Thailand with regional travel around Southeast Asia.

Tourist Visas are applied for in advance at a Thai Embassy, Consulate, or via the e-Visa portal, and require basic supporting documents — passport, photographs, proof of funds, flight itinerary and accommodation details.

Education (ED) Visa for Diving Internships and Long-Term Training

For aspiring scuba divers joining our Divemaster, Dive Instructor or extended Conservation Diver internship programs, the Non-Immigrant Education (ED) Visa is the most secure and appropriate long-stay option. Unlike short-stay tourist routes, the ED Visa is designed specifically for foreign nationals undertaking full-time education, vocational training, or curriculum-based internships in Thailand.

The ED Visa landscape has expanded in recent years, and there are now several variants depending on the type of program and institution involved:

• Standard Non-Immigrant ED Visa — issued for university study, language schools, training programs, vocational courses and curriculum-based internships.
• Non-Immigrant ED Plus Visa — designed for international students at bachelor’s degree level or above at recognised Thai universities, with simpler re-entry rules and a one-year post-graduation extension.
• ED Visa for Internships and Training — the variant most relevant to long-term dive professional candidates, requiring an invitation letter from the host organisation in Thailand and a confirmation letter from the candidate’s home institution where applicable.

The standard ED Visa is initially valid for 90 days from the date of entry, and can be extended in 90-day increments at a Thai Immigration office for the duration of the program, typically up to a year of total stay. Holders are required to report their address to immigration every 90 days while in the country, which is a straightforward formality.

At Black Turtle Dive, we are able to assist eligible candidates joining our longer-term Conservation Diver internship programs with the supporting documentation needed for an ED Visa application, in full adherence to current Thai immigration rules.  We strongly recommend getting in touch with us early in your planning so we can confirm whether your specific program qualifies and walk you through the application process step by step.

Visa and Accommodation

Whichever visa category you choose, immigration officers and embassy staff may ask for evidence of where you will be staying in Thailand. This applies to short tourist stays as much as to long-term ED Visa applications.

For divers signing up for our extended Scuba Diving Internship lifestyle packages, you can expect to be with us for between 3 and 6 months at a minimum. For non-divers progressing all the way through to our Dive Instructor Internship pathway, you can expect to be staying with us for the full 9 months at a minimum, with our MSDT Internship adding another 1 to 2 months on top of that.

The length of time you stay with us depends on your goals, how flexible you want your training schedule to be, and of course your visa situation. We provide reliable advice on visa renewals once you are with us,

Scuba Diving Internship Packages

Koh Tao remains one of the most popular and accessible places in the world to train as a dive professional, and our internship packages are designed to take you all the way from beginner through to a working PADI Pro qualification, with optional Conservation Diver specialisations layered in along the way.

Our pro-level team works closely with each intern to build a schedule that fits your visa duration, your previous experience and your professional goals. Whether you are joining us for an intensive Divemaster program, a longer Instructor Development pathway, or a marine conservation focused internship, we tailor the structure around what you want to achieve.

Koh Tao itself is a small, walkable island with a deeply established diving community, year-round warm water, and reliable boat access to more than 25 dive sites. Life on the island is calm, friendly and built around the ocean, which makes it an ideal environment for serious training and meaningful long-term study.

Long Stay Visa Options for Koh Tao

All routes to long-term stay in Thailand begin at your local Thai Embassy. Visit them, explain your plans, and ask exactly what they require to start the application process. Documentation requirements can vary slightly between embassies, and getting the paperwork right the first time saves significant time.

Beyond the ED Visa, Thailand also offers the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), launched in 2024 for digital nomads, remote workers and those undertaking soft-skills training such as Muay Thai. The DTV is a multi-entry, long-stay visa with a five-year validity and 180-day stays per entry. It is not the right fit for full-time dive professional internships, but it suits some candidates who plan to combine remote work with extended Thailand stays.

Please get in touch with us early when planning a long-stay program with Black Turtle Dive. We can provide the latest information on supporting documents, recommend the most appropriate visa category for your circumstances, and make sure your arrival on Koh Tao is as smooth as possible. We look forward to welcoming you.

Check here for the official list of Thai embassies and consulates

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