Thailand Visa on Arrival is valid for 15 days and is available for holders of a passport issued by one of the countries listed below. 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 Thailand international airports and most land border crossings.
Visa on Arrival Eligible Countries
The list of countries eligible for Thailand Visa on Arrival is adjusted from 15 July 2024. While there are currently more countries in the list, from 15 July 2024 a significant part of these countries are also eligible to use Thailand Visa Exemption so applying for Visa on Arrival is not needed for passport holders of these countries.
European Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival
- Armenia (can apply from 15 July 2024)
- Belarus (can apply from 15 July 2024)
- Bulgaria (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Cyprus (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Georgia (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Malta (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Romania (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Russia (can use Visa Exemption)
- Serbia (can apply from 15 July 2024)
Asian Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival
- Bhutan (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- China (can use Visa Exemption)
- India (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Kazakhstan (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Kyrgyzstan (can apply from 15 July 2024)
- Saudi Arabia (can use Visa Exemption)
- Taiwan (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Uzbekistan (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
American Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival
- Bolivia (can apply from 15 July 2024)
- Costa Rica (can apply from 15 July 2024)
- El Salvador (can apply from 15 July 2024)
- Mexico (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Paraguay (can apply from 15 July 2024)
- Venezuela (can apply from 15 July 2024)
African Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival
- Ethiopia
- Namibia (can apply from 15 July 2024)
- Seychelles (can apply from 15 July 2024)
- Tunisia (can apply from 15 July 2024)
Oceania Countries Eligible for Visa on Arrival
- Fiji (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Papua New Guinea (from 15 July 2024 can use Visa Exemption)
- Vanuatu
- Nauru
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
- Visa on Arrival application form
- Thailand Arrival Card (if arriving by land or sea)
- A visa fee of 2,000 THB
- Hotel booking
- 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.
3. One passport size photo
One passport size photo must be attached to your Visa on Arrival application form. The photo should be taken not more than 1 month before applying for the visa. Thailand Visa on Arrival photo size 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 the application form check: Thailand Visa on Arrival Form.
5. Thailand Arrival Card
When applying for Visa on Arrival on land border or at sea port, you also need to submit duly filled-in Thailand Arrival Card that can be found at the point of your arrival as every foreigner arriving by land or sea must fill it (no longer needed when arriving at the airport). For detailed guide on filling Thailand Arrival Card form check: Thailand Arrival Card.
6. Visa on Arrival Fees
Thailand Visa on Arrival fee 2024 is 2,000 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 arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and need to exchange money for paying your visa fees, we would recommend to exchange only the amount needed for paying the fee at currency exchange near Visa on Arrival as you can get much better currency exchange rates at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
7. Hotel booking
To get 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.
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 the 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.
Travel SMART! Get discounted Thailand SIM Card with unlimited Internet much cheaper here: [SALE] SIM Card for Thailand (Airport Pick Up)
E-Visa on Arrival Service
For an additional fee you can use online application system for Thailand Visa on Arrival that should speed up the process at the airport. E-Visa on Arrival is available at the following airports:
- Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) in Bangkok
- Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok
- Phuket International Airport (HKT) in Phuket
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) in Chiang Mai
There is currently left 1 online system for Thailand E-Visa on Arrival application: eVisa on Arrival (eVOA) by VFS Global
Visa on Arrival Extension
Your stay in Thailand can be extended once. Visa on Arrival holders can apply for visa on arrival 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 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). VIP Immigration fast track service gives you an option to jump the queue and pass the immigration quickly. Visa on Arrival fast track can be booked online here: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Immigration VIP Fast-Track Service.
For detailed information and more tips on getting Visa on Arrival at BKK airport check Visa on Arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.
If you are coming to Bangkok's second airport Don Mueang Airport (DMK), read more about getting your Thailand Visa here: Visa on Arrival at Don Mueang Airport.
Phuket Airport is another popular entry point and you can get your Visa on Arrival there: Visa on Arrival at Phuket Airport.
If you are flying directly to Chiang Mai Airport, get your Visa on Arrival there: Visa on Arrival at Chiang Mai Airport.
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, 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: 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.