Thailand Visa on Arrival – Application and Requirements
Are you planning to visit Thailand soon? If yes, you can apply for a Thailand visa on arrival at the airport after landing. This way, you won’t have to wait in long lines at the embassy or pay extra fees.
Visa requirements vary from country to country. In some countries, visitors do not require visas to enter the country. Others only allow certain types of travelers to enter without a visa. For example, citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States don’t need a visa to enter Thailand.
However, if you want to travel to other countries, such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia, you’ll need to obtain a visa beforehand. The positive side is that you can get a Thai visa upon arrival.
Indeed, you can travel to Thailand without having to get a visa beforehand. But, before applying for VOA, you must fulfill several requirements. Read on to learn more about them.
Where exactly is Thailand?
Thailand is a landlocked Southeast Asian country. Bangkok is the capital city. Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam are its neighbors.
Thailand gets its name from two Thai words: “Land of the Free.” This was chosen because the country was known as Siam until 1939, when it changed its name to reflect its new independence.
In addition, it is a tropical country of over 70 million people. It is bounded northwards by Myanmar (Burma), northeastwards by Laos, east by Cambodia, southeastwards by Malaysia, and southwestwards by Indonesia.
It has 645,400 square kilometers of land area and maritime borders with Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, and Burma.
What is Thailand Visa on Arrival?
Thailand Visa on Arrival refers to a visa obtained upon arrival in Thailand. If you are eligible for a Thailand visa on arrival, you can fly to Thailand and get your visa there.
In other words, foreign nationals planning to visit Thailand may need to apply for a Thailand visa first. However, the Thai government has waived visa requirements for citizens of several countries to facilitate tourism or diplomatic relations.
Additionally, although not exempt, nationals of a few particular nations are qualified to apply for a Thailand Visa On Arrival (VOA). This indicates they won’t need to visit a Thai diplomatic mission to obtain their visas.
Who is eligible for a Thailand Visa on Arrival?
If you are from one of the following countries, you are eligible for a Thai Visa On Arrival. Check with the embassy in your home country before packing your bags to see if you need this visa:
- 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 Obtain a Thailand Visa on Arrival
As the name implies, you must apply for a Thailand Visa On Arrival once you arrive in Thailand at one of the designated entry points listed below. Then, you must proceed to the “Visa On Arrival” area at the airport or another border crossing and queue to submit your application to one of the Immigration Officers.
However, before you travel, you must fill out the online Visa On the Arrival application form, print it, and bring it. Besides, you can apply for a Thailand Visa On Arrival online by clicking here.
On the online application form, you must enter your arrival and departure dates, the address where you will be staying, and the border crossing point.
Where Can I Get a Visa on Arrival in Thailand?
Visitors to Thailand can obtain a visa upon arrival at various international airports. Thailand Visa On Arrival is available at the following entry points:
- Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok
- Suvarnabhumi Airport, Samut Prakarn
- Chiangmai International Airport, Chiangmai
- Sukhothai International Airport
- Hua Hin Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Prochuabkirikan
- Trang Airport, Trang
- Phuket International Airport, Phuket
- Hatyai International Airport, Songkhla
- U Tapao Airport, Rayong
- Samui Airport, Surat Thani
- Chiangrai Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
- Surat Thani Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
What Documents Do I Need for a Visa on Arrival in Thailand?
You must provide the following documentation to the visa officer for your visa to be issued when you arrive in Thailand:
- Your passport must be active for at least 30 days after entry.
- The print-out of your Thai Visa On Arrival Application Form.
- A 2inch x 2inch photo of yourself on the application form.
- A return flight ticket with a departure date within the next 15 days.
- Proof of lodging in Thailand. You must provide a valid confirmatory Thai address, such as a hotel or apartment address. You could, for example, show your hotel reservation.
- Evidence of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay. If you are traveling alone, you will need 10,000 Thai Baht and 20,000 Thai Baht if you are traveling with a family.
Thailand Visa on Arrival Fee
Standard fees for a Thai visa on arrival are 2,000 Thai Baht (roughly USD 60) and must be paid in cash in Baht currency.
However, the Thai government stopped charging for visas upon arrival in 2018, and in October 2019, they continued to do so until April 2020.
So, at least until April 2020, there is no fee for a Thai Visa On Arrival.
How Long Does a Thailand Visa on Arrival Last?
Thailand Visa On Arrival is only valid for up to 16 days.
Can I Extend My Thailand Visa When I Arrive?
No, you cannot extend a visa on arrival. However, if you know you will stay for more than fifteen (15) days, you should apply for a regular Thailand Tourist Visa from a Thai diplomatic mission in your home country.
What If I Overstay My Thailand Visa When I Arrive?
A fine will be assessed if your Thai VOA is overstayed. Fines for exceeding your Visa’s validity by more than 40 days start at 500 Thai Baht per day and go up to 20,000 Thai Baht per day.
You will be prohibited from entering Thailand for one to ten years if your overstay exceeds 90 days.
What can you do with a visa on arrival in Thailand?
Tourists with a Thailand visa can visit various sites and attractions upon arrival. Thailand offers various attractions, from ancient cities to mountains and lakes.
Tourists with a Thailand visa can also participate in hiking, biking, and skiing upon arrival. In addition, many cultural activities are also available, such as visiting traditional villages and learning about the country’s history and customs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it challenging to obtain a Thailand visa on arrival?
Tourists applying for a Visa On Arrival may have to wait an hour or an hour and a half in line.
What documentation is necessary for a Thailand arrival visa?
Your passport must be good for at least 30 days after entry. Print out the Thai Visa On Arrival Application Form. You must attach a 2 x 2-inch photo of yourself to the application and a return flight ticket with a departure date within the next fifteen (15) days.
What documents are needed to obtain a visa on arrival?
- Documents Required for Border Visas
- Passport (at least one year)
- Photocopy of a passport
- Form for visa application completed.
- Visa surcharge (required in foreign currency)
- Reservation for a hotel.
- Round-trip flight.
- At least three biometric photos.
- Travel medical insurance.
How can I get a visa on arrival online in Thailand?
- Make an account.
- Fill out the Application Form.
- Please upload any supporting documents.
- Pay the Visa fee.
- Please wait for it. Your visa is being processed.
- Visa approval sends via email.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Thailand now?
The Immigration Authority of Thailand has requested that all passengers download and fill out the VISA ON ARRIVAL form before arriving in Thailand to facilitate and speed up passenger flow.
What is the difference between visa-free travel and visa-on-arrival?
Visa-free travel is the capacity to enter a foreign country without a travel visa. In this instance, the only requirement for entry and exit is a current passport. On the other hand, visa on arrival refers to the fact that travelers must obtain a visa to enter the destination country, but they can do so upon arrival.
Is it possible for a Thailand visa to be denied?
Generally, to avoid Visa Rejection, applicants must ensure that they have a sufficient bank balance to fund their trip and clearly state this in their application. In Thailand, there is a mandatory financial requirement of having a fixed amount of money in your account, which is USD 700 per individual or USD 1400 per family.
Conclusion
To summarize, a visa on arrival is a convenient and time-saving solution for visitors to Thailand. Visitors with a valid passports, including nationals from many ASEAN countries, are eligible to apply for a visa on arrival. Check with an Embassy before departing if you intend to apply for a visa on arrival. We hope you found this article helpful. Please forward this to a friend or family member. Thank you!
