Phuket is the largest and the most popular island of Thailand, attracting millions of visitors every year. One of the busiest in the country Phuket International Airport (HKT) gives an opportunity for the citizens of India, China and 16 other countries to get Thai Visa on Arrival straight at the airport.
You can get your Visa on Arrival at Phuket Airport only if you are flying here directly without a connection in Bangkok. If your flight is connecting and you change flights in Bangkok, you will need to get your Thai Visa on Arrival at the airport in Bangkok – Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK). In such a case check:
- Bangkok Visa on Arrival - Thai Visa at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
- Thai Visa on Arrival at Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK)
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is included in the official list of Thailand’s Immigration Checkpoints providing facilities for issuance of Visa on Arrival and you can get your visa here. Other international airports, harbours and land border crossings issuing Thai Visa on Arrival are listed here – Immigration Checkpoints issuing Visa on Arrival.
Arriving at Phuket Airport
If you hold a passport that lets you enter Thailand on Free visa-exempt stay or you’ve applied at Thai embassy or consulate for a Single Entry Tourist Visa / Multiple Entry Tourist Visa in advance, you just need to fill Thailand Arrival Card and proceed to the immigration. Your passport will get stamped and you will be allowed to enter Thailand. Thailand Immigration control procedure at the airport is briefly described here: Thailand Immigration Control Procedure for Foreigners.
If you’re a citizen of one of the countries eligible to obtain Thai Visa on Arrival and decided to get your Phuket visa at the airport, you need to proceed to Visa on Arrival counters. Don’t forget to prepare all your documents in advance!
Documents required for getting visa in Phuket
When applying for Thai Visa on Arrival in Phuket you will need:
1. Valid passport – your passport must be valid for at least 30 days.
2. Return or onward journey ticket – you need to prove that you will get out from Thailand within the next 15 days. Get a really good flight deal for your trip to Thailand here: Cheap Flight Deals.
3. Photo – you need to attach one passport size (4 x 6 cm) photo on application form and it must be not older than 6 months.
4. Application form – check how to fill Thai Visa on Arrival application form correctly.
5. Thailand Arrival Card - you will get the arrival/departure card during your flight, so save your time and fill it while on the plane.
6. Cash in Thai Currency for paying Visa on Arrival fees - current Phuket visa fee is 2,000 Thai Baht and it must be paid in Thai Currency.
7. Address of hotel in Phuket or other Thai destination – you will be requested to present proof of hotel booking, so get your hotel booking on Booking.com or Agoda.
8. Proof of appropriate means of living – you might be requested to show 10,000 THB per person and 20,000 THB per family in cash (equivalent in any currency will be fine).
Phuket Visa Fees
Phuket visa fees on arrival normally are 2000 THB per person and can be paid in cash only with Thai Baht being the only acceptable currency.
Getting Visa on Arrival at Phuket Airport
Once you arrive at Phuket International Airport, follow the signs leading to Immigration. On the way to Immigration you will notice signs leading to Phuket Visa on Arrival counters.
If you have all the required documents, applying for Visa on Arrival at Phuket Airport will be easy – just wait in the line, give all the documents, pay the fee and you will get your Thai Visa on Arrival stamped in into your passport.
With your Visa on Arrival already in the passport, just proceed to the immigration, present your passport and filled Thailand Arrival Card to the officer, get an entry stamp and you are good to go anywhere in Phuket.
New E-Visa Thailand
There is also a new e-Visa Thailand online application system for Thailand Visa on Arrival being implemented at the moment. This way of application is also available at Phuket International Airport. More info about the new online application system can be found here: E-Visa Thailand (E-VoA).
Detailed information about how to how to apply for e-Visa Thailand and how to fill in e-Visa application form correctly can be found here: Thailand eVisa Application: How to Apply for Thai eVisa.
New Thailand eVisa on Arrival system was launched but it hardly improved the situation. More info: New Thailand eVisa on Arrival (eVOA) by VFS Global.
Where to Stay in Phuket
Phuket is the largest island in the country and attracts millions of tourists every year. The island is capable to accommodate travelers of any taste and budget so you will definitely find something for yourself here.
If you want to be at the center of nightlife and entertainment, you should stay at Patong Beach or Kata Beach. More relaxing atmosphere can be found at Karon Beach and Kamala Beach. If you are planning to take many tours to the surrounding islands, staying at Rawai Beach is the most convenient option. Choose to stay at Bang Tao Beach, Mai Khao Beach, Nai Harn Beach or Surin Beach if you are willing to escape biggest crowds of tourists. Cheapest accommodation options can be found in Phuket Town.
If you are looking for a special place to stay in Phuket, choose one of 10 Best Hotels in Phuket.
For more places to stay in Phuket check Hotels in Phuket on Booking.com or Hotels in Phuket on Agoda.com.
Tips
Book a discounted Thailand 4G SIM Card and pick it up at the airport: [SALE] 4G SIM Card for Thailand (HKT Airport Pick Up).
Welcome to Phuket!
Any Questions?
Check our Frequently Asked Questions about Thailand Visa on Arrival and ask your own question if it's not answered there yet.