If you are planning to stay in Thailand only for couple weeks and you hold a passport from any of the countries listed below, you are eligible for Thailand Visa on Arrival that is valid for 15 days. This type of Thailand Visa can only be used for tourism purposes and can be applied for and received on the day of your arrival at all international airports and most land border crossings.
List of countries and territories which are entitled to apply for visa on arrival
European Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival
Asian Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival
American Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival
African Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival
Oceania Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival
Thailand Visa on Arrival Documents
You should ensure that you meet all requirements before travelling to Thailand and when applying for a Thailand Visa on Arrival you will need these documents:
- Passport
- Return / onward journey ticket
- One passport size photo
- Thailand Visa on Arrival application form
- Thailand Arrival Card
- A visa fee of 2,000 THB
- Hotel address in Thailand
- A proof that you have enough funds
1. Passport
For getting Visa on Arrival your passport must be genuine and valid for at least 30 days from the day of your arrival to Thailand.
However, as a general rule and the recommendation of some Thai embassies and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), it is advised that a passport should have at least 6 months of validity while traveling aboard. So, it could be the case that certain airlines might not allow those who travel with less than 6 months of validity on the passport to board the plane.
2. Return / onward journey ticket
Visa on Arrival gives you the right to stay in Thailand up to 15 days, including the days of your arrival and departure into this number. When applying for Visa on Arrival you need to submit a ticket for return journey back to your home or for onward journey to another country. The ticket for going out from Thailand must be within the next 15 days from the day of your arrival to prove that you will leave the country before the visa expires.
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3. One passport size photo
One passport size photo must be attached to your Visa on Arrival application form. The photo should be taking not more than 6 months before applying for the visa. Current Thailand Visa on Arrival photo size 2022 is 4 x 6 cm.
4. Thailand Visa on Arrival application form
Visa on Arrival application form must be duly filled-in with all required information. For detailed guide on filling Thailand Visa on Arrival application form check: How to Fill Thailand Visa on Arrival Application Form.
5. Thailand Arrival Card
When applying for Visa on Arrival you also need to submit duly filled-in Thailand Arrival Card that is normally provided during the flight to Thailand. Otherwise, it can be found at the place of your arrival as every foreigner must fill it. For detailed guide on filling Thailand Arrival Card form check: How to Fill Thailand Arrival Card Form.
6. A Visa on Arrival fee of 2,000 THB
Thailand Visa on Arrival Fee 2022 is 2000 THB and is non-refundable. Thailand Visa fees on Arrival should be paid in cash at the time of your arrival to Thailand, at the airport or border crossing. Only local currency (Thai Baht) is accepted for paying Thailand visa fees on arrival.
If you need to change cash for paying your Thailand Visa on Arrival fees, change only the amount needed for paying the fee at currency exchange booths in the hall before Visa on Arrival counters as you can get much better currency exchange rates at Suvarnabhumi Airport. For detailed information and more tips on getting Visa on Arrival at BKK airport check How to Get Thailand Visa on Arrival at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
7. Hotel address in Thailand
For getting your Visa on Arrival you need to provide a hotel or apartment address in Thailand that can be verified. For verification of your address in Thailand they normally ask to show your hotel booking confirmation (can be printed or presented on smartphone).
If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, you can simply book your hotel on Booking.com or Agoda.
8. A proof that you have enough funds
A proof that you have sufficient funds to cover travel expenses of at least 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family during your stay in Thailand is needed when applying for Visa on Arrival. If asked by the officer, you will need to show this amount of money in cash (can be any currency). They rarely ask for it but it is better to be prepared as failing to show the money can be the reason for refusal of your entry to Thailand.
Immigration Checkpoints issuing Visa on Arrival
You can get Visa on Arrival if you are arriving to Thailand by air, by sea or by land through border crossings from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia. For detailed information check the list of International airports, harbours and land border crossings where you can get Visa on Arrival.
Thailand Immigration control procedure at the airport in Thailand is briefly described here: Thailand Immigration Control Procedure for Foreigners.
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New e-Visa on Arrival Service
E-Visa Thailand (E-VoA) online application system for Thailand Visa on Arrival was implemented in November 2018.
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.
Extension of Stay
Your stay in Thailand can be extended once. Visa on Arrival holders can apply for visa extension by 7 days. For more information check: Thai Visa Extension. The application can be submitted at any office of Immigration Bureau in Thailand.
Visa on Arrival Updates / News
Updated status of Visa on Arrival scheme in Thailand can be found below,
On 1 October, 2021: Thailand has resumed the Visa on Arrival service to foreign tourists by applying for VoA at one of the international airports in Thailand.
On 11 March, 2020: Thailand canceled granting of Visa on Arrival for 18 countries including China and India and visa exemption for three other countries to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
4 November, 2019: Thailand Visa on Arrival fee waiver was extended for 6 more months. It means that Thailand Visa on Arrival was issued for free until April 2020.
31 October, 2019: Thai Visa on Arrival fee exemption was valid until 30th April 2019. Later Thailand Visa on Arrival fee waiver was extended until 31 October 2019 in order to attract tourists to Thailand.
14 April, 2019: The list of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival changed as new countries were included in the list and others were moved to Thailand visa exemption scheme. More details can be found here:
- Thailand Visa Exemption Available for 7 New Countries
- Thailand Visa on Arrival Available for 5 New Countries
Visa on Arrival Tips
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the main travel hub of Thailand so there’s a big chance that you will enter the country and start your Thailand trip at the main airport of Bangkok. There is usually a queue at Visa on Arrival counters which can mean a wait up to one and a half hour (if few flights from Thailand Visa on Arrival eligible countries like China and India just arrived). A fast track counter gives you an option to jump the queue for an additional fee of 200 THB.
If you are coming to Bangkok's second airport Don Mueang Airport (DMK), read more about getting your Thailand Visa on Arrival here: Thai Visa on Arrival at Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK).
Phuket Airport is another popular entry point and you can get your Thailand Visa on Arrival there: Thai Visa on Arrival at Phuket International Airport (HKT).
If you are flying directly to Chiang Mai, get your Visa on Arrival at Chiang Mai Airport: Chiang Mai Visa on Arrival – Visa at Chiang Mai Airport (CNX).
Other Types of Visa
Your country is not listed here? It might be that you can use Thailand free visa-exempt stay.
The maximum period of stay permitted for Visa on Arrival holders is 15 days, so if you need a longer stay in Thailand, check Single-Entry Tourist Visa or Multi-Entry Tourist Visa are the options for you.
Where to Stay in Bangkok?
What is the best area to stay in Bangkok? Our recommendations for choosing the best area to stay in Bangkok can be found here: Where to Stay in Bangkok - Guide to Bangkok Best Areas.
Any Questions?
Check our Frequently Asked Questions about Thailand Visa on Arrival and ask your own question if it's not answered there yet.