4 March 2012
Thailand applies different visa rules depending on your nationality. This means, for example, that the same visa rules which apply to tourists from India or Russia will not apply to passport holders from the United Kingdom or the United States entering Thailand. It is quite a common mistake for visitors to Thailand to confuse the tourist visa on arrival with the visa exemption. However, these are not the same thing. The current rules for tourist visa on arrival in Thailand are detailed below.
Thailand Tourist Visa on Arrival
The Thailand tourist visa on arrival is only available to passport holders from the countries and territories listed below:
1. Andorra
2. Bhutan
3. Bulgaria
4. China
5. Cyprus
6. Estonia
7. Ethiopia
8. India
9. Kazakhstan
10. Latvia
11. Lithuania
12. Maldives
13. Malta
14. Mauritius
15. Romania
16. Russia
17. San Marino
18. Saudi Arabia
19. Taiwan
20. Ukraine
21. Uzbekistan
Where is Tourist Visa On Arrival available in Thailand?
If you are a passport holder from one of the countries listed above, the tourist visa on arrival is available at designated immigration checkpoints in Thailand including all international airports (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, Chiang Mai etc.) and most major border crossing points. Please note that some smaller checkpoints (e.g. Ko Lipe) do not currently have facilities to process visitors under the tourist visa on arrival scheme. If in doubt, please contact your nearest Thai consulate or embassy for advice.
What is required?
- Proof of adequate finances for the duration of your stay in Thailand. Although this may not always be requested by the immigration officer, it is still a requirement and may need to be shown at the point of entry into Thailand. The amount required is 10,000 Baht per person or 20,000 Baht per family (in cash or traveller’s cheques).
- A passport with at least 6 months validity.
- A completed application form with a recent passport-size photograph.
- Application fee of 1,000 Baht (subject to change without notice).
How long can I stay?
Assuming you meet all of the above requirements, you will be granted a stay in Thailand for a period not exceeding 15 days.
If you have any questions or queries concerning these rules and regulations, you are respectfully advised to contact the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country. Similarly, if you need to stay in Thailand for longer than 15 days or do not meet all of the requirements above for tourist visa on arrival, you may need to apply for a tourist visa in advance of your visit to Thailand. Please contact your nearest Thai embassy or consulate for advice.
Updated visa information
Please note that visa regulations in Thailand may have changed since this article was first written. Check the visa section on this site for more details on the current rules.
