Comparing and Contrasting the US and Thai Immigration Systems

Dealing with Visa and Immigration issues can bethey will only be granted 15 days presence in the
difficult in any country. That being said, ThailandKingdom.
and the United States have very differentThose who wish to remain within the borders of
immigration systems and an analysis of theirthe Kingdom of Thailand for a longer duration can
similarities and differences can be beneficial forapply to obtain a Thai visa at a consular post
those looking to immigrate to either country.outside of the Kingdom of Thailand. Common Thai
In comparing and contrasting the ImmigrationImmigration Categories are: Business, Tourist,
systems in both the United States of AmericaEducation, and "Other" which is used as something
and the Kingdom of Thailand, it becomesof a catch-all category.
immediately apparent that Thailand's immigrationBy comparing the Immigration process of Thailand
system is far less complex than that of the USA.with the USA, one can easily see that the
At the same time, Thailand accords foreignersmethods of controlling immigrant activity are not
with easier access to the country than the USA.similar. Where the Thai model is relatively
Currently, Thailand allows people from manypermissive, the United States has been in the
different countries to enter the Kingdom visaprocess of tightening Immigration regulations. At
free. Those entering the Kingdom without a visaone time, it was possible to obtain a United States
are granted entry based upon a visa exemption.tourist visa without being subjected to a visa
Most non-immigrants must depart the Kingdominterview. After the tragedy of 9/11 regulations
within thirty days. However, should one enterhave required that those seeking tourist visas to
Thailand using a visa exemption at an Immigrationthe USA be interviewed by an American Consular
checkpoint on one of Thailand's land borders, thenOfficer.