Foreign nationals who want to enter Thailand may have to apply for a Thailand Visa beforehand. However, in order to facilitate tourism, or due to diplomatic relations, the Thai government has waived visa requirements for citizens of several countries.
See who is exempt from Thai Visas.
In addition to that, citizens of a select number of countries, although not exempt, are eligible to apply for a Thailand Visa On Arrival (VOA). This means they do not have to go to one of the diplomatic missions of Thailand in order to receive their visas.
Who Is Eligible for a Thailand Visa on Arrival?
You are eligible for a Thai Visa On Arrival if you are from one of the following countries:
- Bulgaria
- Bhutan
- People’s Republic of China
- Cyprus
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Georgia
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Malta
- Mexico
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Taiwan
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
How to Apply for a Thailand Visa on Arrival?
As the name suggests, you have to apply for a Thailand Visa On Arrival after you arrive at one of the designated entry points in Thailand (listed below). You have to approach the “Visa On Arrival” area at the airport or another border crossing and wait in line to submit your application to one of the Immigration Officers.
However, before you travel, you have to complete the Visa On Arrival online application form, print it, and bring it with you. You can complete the online application form for a Thailand Visa On Arrival here.
On the online application form, you have to register the dates of arrival and departure, the address where you will be staying as well as which border you’ will enter through.
Where Can I Get a Thailand Visa on Arrival?
You can receive a Thailand Visa On Arrival at one of the following entry points:
Airports where you can get Thailand Visa On Arrival
- Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok
- Suvarnabhumi Airport, Samut Prakarn
- Chiangmai International Airport, Chiangmai
- Phuket International Airport, Phuket
- Hatyai International Airport, Songkhla
- U Tapao Airport, Rayong
- Samui Airport, Surat Thani
- Sukhothai International Airport
- Hua Hin Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Prochuabkirikan
- Trang Airport, Trang
- Chiangrai Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
- Surat Thani Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
Land and sea entry points where you can get Thailand Visa On Arrival
- Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
- Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
- Chieng Khong Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
- Betong Immigration Checkpoint, Yala
- Sadao Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Bangkok Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Bangkok
- Sri Racha Immigration Checkpoint, Chonburi
- Mabtaput Immigration Checkpoint, Rayong
- Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
- Samui Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
- Phuket Immigration Checkpoint, Phuket
- Satun Immigration Checkpoint, Satun
- Krabi Immigration Checkpoint, Krabi
- Songkhla Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Sattahip Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Chonburi
- Khlong Yai Immigration Checkpoint, Trat
- Pong Nam Ron Immigration Checkpoint, Chanthaburi
- Aranyaprathet Immigration Checkpoint, Sa Kaeo
- Mukdahan Immigration Checkpoint, Mukdahan
- Tak Immigration Checkpoint, Tak
- Padang Besar Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Su-ngai Kolok Immigration Checkpoint, Narathiwat
- Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
- Bueng Kan Immigration Checkpoint, Bueng Kan
- Phobun Mangsahan Immigration Checkpoint, Udon Ratchathani
- Tha Li Immigration Checkpoint, Loei
- Nakhon Phanom Immigration Checkpoint, Nakhon Phanom
- Nan Immigration Checkpoint, Nan
- Ban Prakob Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Khuan Don Immigration Checkpoint, Satun
- Tak Bai Immigration Checkpoint, Narathiwat
- Bukit Tal Immigration Checkpoint, Narathiwat
- Samut Prakarn Immigration Checkpoint, Kanchanaburi
- Kanchanaburi Land Border Immigration Checkpoint, Kanchanaburi
- Phu Singh Land Border Immigration Checkpoint, Sisaket
- Satun Immigration Checkpoint at Koh Lipe Marine Port, Satun
Does It Take Long to Receive a Thailand Visa on Arrival?
Typically, tourists applying for a Thailand Visa On Arrival may have to wait in line for about one hour or one hour and a half.
What Documents Do I Need for a Thailand Visa on Arrival?
When you travel to Thailand, you must present the following documents to the Immigration Officer so they can issue your Thailand Visa On Arrival:
- Your passport, which is valid for at least another 30 days from the date of entry.
- The printout of the Thai Visa On Arrival Application Form.
- A picture of yourself (2inch x 2inch) pasted on the application form.
- A confirmed return travel ticket, which is dated within the next 15 days.
- Proof of accommodation in Thailand. You must give a valid address in Thailand which can be confirmed, such as the address of a hotel or apartment. You can show your hotel reservation, for example.
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the duration of your stay. You need 10,000 Thai Baht if you are traveling alone or 20,000 Thai Baht if you are traveling as a family.
How Much Is the Thailand Visa on Arrival Fee?
Normally, the fee for a Thai Visa On Arrival is 2,000 Thai Baht (about USD 60), to be paid in cash in the Baht currency.
However, in 2018, the Thai government waived fees for Visas On Arrival, and in October 2019, the fee waiver was extended until April 2020.
So, at least until April 2020, you do not have to pay a fee for a Thai Visa On Arrival.
How Long Is a Thailand Visa on Arrival Valid For?
The Thailand Visa On Arrival is only valid for a maximum of 16 days.
Can I Extend a Thailand Visa on Arrival?
No, you cannot extend a Thailand Visa On Arrival. If you know you need to stay for longer than 15 days, then you should apply for a regular Thailand Tourist Visa from a Thai diplomatic mission in your country.
What Happens If I Overstay My Thai Visa on Arrival?
If you overstay your Thai VOA, you will be fined. The fines for overstaying start from 500 Thai Baht per day, and can reach as high as 20,000 Thai Baht per day if you overstay for more than 40 days.
If you overstay for more than 90 days, you will also be banned from returning to Thailand for a certain period of time, which can range from one to ten years.
Can You Work With a Thailand Visa on Arrival?
No, a Thai Visa On Arrival does not allow the holder to work. If you want to work, you have to apply for a Thai Work Visa (Non-Immigrant Thai Visa category ”B”) as well as a Work Permit before you travel to Thailand.
What Other Ways Can I Apply for a Thailand Visa?
If you need to stay in Thailand for longer than 15 days, or you are traveling for reasons other than tourism, then you have to apply for a Thai Visa from one of the diplomatic missions of Thailand in your country. You have to apply for the type of Thai visa which matches the purpose of your travel.
What Are the Other Types of Thailand Visas?
Other than the Visa On Arrival, the Thailand government issues the following types of visas through its diplomatic missions:
- Thailand Tourist Visa, issued to foreigners who are traveling for tourism or leisure activities. This is a short-term visa, which can be issued for single or multiple entries.
- Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa, which is issued to foreigners entering Thailand for reasons other than tourism or leisure. The Non-Immigrant Visa for Thailand is further categorized depending on the purpose of travel, such as a Work Visa, Student Visa, or Business Visa.
- Thailand Transit Visa, issued to foreigners who will transit through the territory of the Kingdom of Thailand in order to make their way to a third country of destination.