Thailand offers visa on arrival to tourists from 18 countries and for the period from October 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, this mode of Thailand visa has become even more attractive. According to a press release that appeared on the official website of Tourism Authority of Thailand, the length of stay for tourists entering Thailand after taking visa on arrival will be increased from 15 days to 30 days during the six-month period mentioned above. Here’s all you need to know about Thailand Visa on Arrival:
List Of Countries Eligible For Visa On Arrival
- Bhutan
- Bulgaria
- China
- Cyprus
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Georgia
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Malta
- Mexico
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Taiwan
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
Thailand Visa on Arrival Requirements
The following documents/other stuff are required to apply for Thailand Visa on Arrival:
1. Passport with remaining validity of more than 30 days on the day of arrival in Thailand. Tha passport should have two blank pages for the visa stamp.
2. Confirmed return or onward journey air tickets. Plan to leave by a land-border crossing is not accepted for visa on arrival.
3. Confirmed hotel bookings for the entire stay in Thailand (The bookings must be verifiable).
4. Proof of funds (preferably cash, in THB or a convertible currency), which should be a minimum of 10,000 THB per person and 20,000 THB per family.
5. Visa on Arrival application form. This form is available free of cost in the visa on arrival areas of the airports/border crossings where visa on arrival is issued. The form can also be downloaded from this official link: https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list2/form-download/1486544488315.pdf
6. A passport sized photograph (4 cm x 6 cm) of the passenger, to be affixed on the visa application form.
7. Arrival/departure card (T.M.6) which is recently discontinued but maybe reintroduced in the future. This form was earlier provided to passengers in the flight of arrival.
8. The purpose of the visit must be tourism only, and any sort of employment in Thailand is prohibited for tourists.
Visa on Arrival Fee
Thailand visa on arrival fee was 2000 THB per person at the time of writing or updating this article, and it is to be paid in Thai currency only. Usually, you will find a money changer’s counter near the visa on arrival area. The fee amount may change at any time, depending on the policy of the Thai government.
Length of Stay In Thailand
For the tourists opting for visa on arrival, the maximum permitted length of stay is 15 days, including the days of arrival and exit. This period cannot be extended. However, as a special policy to stimulate tourist arrivals in Thailand, the maximum length of stay for the visa on arrival mode is to increase from 15 days to 30 days between 1st October 2022 and 31st March 2023 (source).
The Process To Avail Thailand Visa on Arrival
The process to avail of Thailand visa on arrival involves the following steps:
1. Fill-up the visa on arrival application form, affix your photograph on it, and present the form at the document-check counter, along with your passport, other documents, and visa fee.
2. Staff at the document-check counter may ask for additional information and may demand to see the cash you are carrying.
3. If your documents are found to be in order, you receive a token number and will need to wait for your turn to approach the visa processing counter.
4. When your token number is called, you approach the allotted counter where your photograph (webcam) and biometrics are taken, and a receipt is given to you for the visa fee paid.
5. Once the formalities are over, your passport is returned with visa stamp printed on one of the blank pages. The stamp indicates your day of arrival and the validity of the visa.
Airports and Other Checkpoints Where Visa on Arrival Is Issued
The Thai government immigration bureau website mentions that there are 51 border checkpoints where visa on arrival is issued. However, I could find a list of only 48 such checkpoints, and the same is reproduced below. I will update the list as and when I find more information.
Thailand visa on arrival is available at the following airports/land-border crossings:
- Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok
- Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok
- Chiang Mai International Airport, Chiang Mai
- Phuket International Airport, Phuket
- Hat Yai International Airport, Songkhla
- U-Tapao Airport, Rayong
- Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai
- Chiang Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai
- Chiang Khong Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai
- Betong Immigration Checkpoint, Yala
- Sadao Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Samui Airport, Surat Thani
- Sukhothai International Airport, Tak Immigration Checkpoint
- Bangkok Harbor Immigration Checkpoint, Bangkok
- Si Racha Immigration Checkpoint, Chonburi
- Map Ta Phut Immigration Checkpoint, Rayong
- Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
- Samui Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
- Phuket Immigration Checkpoint, Phuket
- Satun Immigration Checkpoint, Satun
- Krabi Immigration Checkpoint, Krabi
- Songkhla Harbor Immigraion Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Chiang Rai Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai
- Surat Thani Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
- Pattaya Immigration Checkpoint, Chonburi
- Khlong Yai Immigration Checkpoint, Trat
- Pong Nam Ron Immigration Checkpoint, Trat
- Aranyaprathet (Poipet) Immigration Checkpoint, Aranyaprathet
- Mukdahan Immigration Checkpoint, Mukdahan
- Tak Immigration Checkpoint, Tak
- Padang Besar Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Sungai Kolok Immigration Checkpoint, Sungai Kolok
- Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
- Bueng Kan Immigration Checkpoint, Bueng Kan
- Phibun Mangsahan Immigration Checkpoint, Ubon Ratchathani
- Tha Li Immigration Checkpoint, Loei
- Nakhon Phanom Immigration Checkpoint, Nakhon Phanom
- Nan Immigration Checkpoint, Nan
- Ban Prakob Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
- Khuan Don Immigration Checkpoint, Satun
- Tak Bai Immigration Checkpoint, Narathiwat
- Bukit Tal Immigration Checkpoint, Narathiwat
- Samut Prakan Checkpoint, Samut Prakan
- Kanchanaburi Land Border Checkpoint, Kanchanaburi
- Prachuap Khiri Khan Checkpoint at Hua Hin Airport, Prachaup Khiri Khan
- Phu Sing Land Border Checkpoint, Sisaket
- Satun Checkpoint at Koh Lipe Marine Port, Satun
- Trang Airport, Trang
E-visa on Arrival
E-visa on arrival for entering Thailand is a rather useless service provided by VFS Global, that costs an additional 500 THB. You still have to pay the regular visa on arrival fee. The only advantage of this service is a possible shorter wait time at the airport of arrival in Thailand. But there is no guarantee. I have seen tourists carrying e-visa and still waiting in the same queue as everyone else.
Disclaimer
All the information given in this article is obtained from reliable sources, is supplemented from personal experience, and is presented/updated on a best-effort basis. You may like to verify the information from other available sources.
