Thailand’s Visa on Arrival lets eligible passport holders apply for a short-stay visa when they arrive at an approved immigration checkpoint.
This visa is for tourists and is not the same as a visa exemption. Travellers need to fill out an application, show the required documents, and pay a fee before they can enter.
Under Thailand’s current published rules, Visa on Arrival allows a stay of up to 15 days. Thailand has approved changes that would reduce the Visa on Arrival list from 31 countries and territories to four. At the time of writing, those changes have not yet taken effect, so travellers should check the latest official information before travelling.
This guide covers who can get a Visa on Arrival, what documents you need, how to apply when you arrive, the costs, and how this visa is different from a visa exemption or a tourist visa.
Thailand Visa on Arrival at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Main purpose | Short tourist visits |
| Application before travel | Not usually required |
| Where to apply | At an approved immigration checkpoint on arrival |
| Length of stay | Currently up to 15 days |
| Visa fee | Payable when applying on arrival |
| Extension | Normally limited and considered only in exceptional circumstances |
| Work permitted | No |
| Main requirement | Passport from an eligible country or territory |
| Important point | Visa on Arrival is different from visa exemption |
Who Is Eligible for Thailand Visa on Arrival?
Thailand Visa on Arrival is available only to passport holders from countries and territories included in the current official eligibility list.
To qualify, travellers must normally:
- Hold a passport from an eligible country or territory.
- Be visiting Thailand for tourism.
- Enter through an approved immigration checkpoint.
- Meet the passport, travel and financial requirements.
- Intend to leave Thailand within the permitted stay.
Eligibility depends on the passport you use for travel, not your country of residence. If you live in an eligible country but have a passport from somewhere else, you might not qualify.
Check the latest official eligibility list before booking or travelling, as approved changes to the Visa on Arrival scheme have not yet taken effect.
Thailand Visa on Arrival Requirements
Travellers applying for Visa on Arrival must meet the entry conditions and provide the required documents at the immigration checkpoint.
You should normally be prepared to show:
- A passport from an eligible country or territory with at least 30 days of validity remaining.
- A completed Visa on Arrival application form.
- A recent passport-style photograph.
- A completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
- Proof of confirmed accommodation in Thailand.
- A return or onward ticket showing that you will leave within the permitted stay.
- Evidence of sufficient funds — currently 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family.
- Payment of the Visa on Arrival fee.
Your passport needs to be valid according to the rules in place when you travel. Make sure the details on your application, travel documents, and Thailand Digital Arrival Card are the same.
Immigration officers might request more documents before they approve your application. Even if you meet the basic requirements, entry is not guaranteed.
How to Apply for Thailand Visa on Arrival
Step 1: Complete Your Arrival Card
You can submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card at tdac.immigration.go.th during the three days before you arrive, including your arrival date.
Step 2: Have Your Paperwork Ready
Keep your passport, Visa on Arrival form, photograph, hotel booking, onward ticket, proof of funds and application fee together before you join the queue.
Step 3: Go to the Visa on Arrival Counter
When you arrive, look for signs pointing to the Visa on Arrival counter before you go through passport control. This service is only offered at certain international checkpoints, so make sure your airport, land crossing or port provides it before you travel.
Step 4: Submit the Application and Pay the Fee
Hand your application and documents to the immigration officer, then pay the fee in cash using Thai baht.
Step 5: Wait for the Application to Be Checked
The officer might ask you some questions or request more documents. Processing times depend on how busy the checkpoint is.
Step 6: Continue to Immigration
After your visa is approved, go to passport control. Before you leave, check your passport to see how long you are allowed to stay.
Thailand Visa on Arrival Fee
The current Visa on Arrival fee is 2,000 Thai baht per person.
According to the Thai embassy, you need to pay the fee in cash and in Thai baht. The fee is not refundable, even if your application is denied.
Have the correct amount ready before joining the Visa on Arrival queue, as you should not rely on being able to pay by card or exchange money at the counter.
How Long Can You Stay with Thailand Visa on Arrival?
Thailand Visa on Arrival currently allows a stay of up to 15 days.
Your 15-day stay starts when you arrive in Thailand. Before you leave the immigration area, look at the date stamped in your passport. This date tells you the last day you can stay in the country.
Visa on Arrival is intended for short tourist visits. It is not designed for travellers who want to stay in Thailand for several weeks or months.
If you want to stay longer, it is best to get a tourist visa or another type of visa before you travel. According to the Thai embassy, the Visa on Arrival cannot usually be extended, except in special cases such as illness.
If unexpected circumstances mean you cannot leave before your permitted stay expires, contact a Thai immigration office as soon as possible and ask what documents you need to provide.
Thailand Visa on Arrival vs Visa Exemption
Visa on Arrival and visa exemption both allow eligible travellers to enter Thailand without a standard visa in advance, but they are two separate schemes.
With visa exemption, eligible passport holders can enter without applying for a visa or paying any fee. For Visa on Arrival, travelers must apply and pay a fee at an approved immigration checkpoint.
The main differences are:
| Feature | Visa on Arrival | Visa exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Limited to passport holders on the Visa on Arrival list | Available to passport holders covered by an exemption scheme |
| Application | Completed at an approved checkpoint | No visa application required |
| Fee | 2,000 Thai baht | No visa fee |
| Length of stay | Currently up to 15 days | Depends on nationality and the rules in force |
| Main purpose | Tourism | Tourism and other eligible short visits |
| Extension | Normally only considered in exceptional circumstances | May be available through Thai immigration |
Travellers should check which scheme applies to their passport before leaving for Thailand. Someone who qualifies for visa exemption would not normally need to apply for Visa on Arrival.
Thailand Visa on Arrival vs Tourist Visa
Visa on Arrival is designed for short tourist trips and is applied for at an approved checkpoint after reaching Thailand. A tourist visa must usually be approved before you travel.
The main differences are:
| Feature | Visa on Arrival | Tourist visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Completed on arrival | Usually completed online before travel |
| Eligibility | Limited to passport holders on the Visa on Arrival list | Available to a wider range of travellers, subject to approval |
| Length of stay | Currently up to 15 days | Usually up to 60 days per entry |
| Fee | 2,000 Thai baht | Depends on the visa type and place of application |
| Supporting documents | Shown at the immigration checkpoint | Submitted during the visa application |
| Extension | Normally only considered in exceptional circumstances | May be extended through Thai immigration |
| Best suited to | Eligible travellers making very short tourist visits | Travellers planning a longer holiday or who do not qualify for Visa on Arrival |
If you plan to stay in Thailand for more than 15 days or want your visa approved before you leave, a tourist visa is usually the best choice. You can apply through Thailand’s official e-Visa system.
Common Problems and Mistakes
Visa on Arrival applications can be delayed or refused when documents are missing, incomplete or do not match the traveller’s plans.
Common mistakes include:
- Arriving at a checkpoint that does not offer Visa on Arrival.
- Completing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card too early or forgetting to submit it.
- Bringing an incomplete application form.
- Not having a recent passport-style photograph.
- Failing to show a confirmed onward or return ticket.
- Not carrying enough Thai baht to pay the fee.
- Providing accommodation details that are incomplete or unclear.
- Being unable to show sufficient funds if asked.
- Assuming Visa on Arrival can normally be extended.
Check your documents before travelling and keep them together when you arrive. The details on your passport, arrival card, bookings and application form should all be consistent.
Meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee approval. The final decision is made by the immigration officer at the checkpoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card the Same as Visa on Arrival?
No, they are not the same. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is used to record your arrival details. The Visa on Arrival allows eligible travellers to enter Thailand for a short tourist visit. You must fill out both the arrival card and the Visa on Arrival application.
Do Children Need a Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
Yes. All foreign travellers, even babies and children, need their own Thailand Digital Arrival Card.
What if You Cannot Complete the Arrival Card Before Travelling?
Thai immigration provides internet access on arrival, and TDAC kiosks are available at several major airports. However, completing the form before travelling is likely to make your arrival easier.
Do Transit Passengers Need Visa on Arrival?
No, as long as they stay in the international transit area and do not go through Thai immigration. If travellers leave the airport or enter Thailand, they must follow the entry requirements.
Can Immigration Ask for More Documents?
Yes. Immigration officers may ask questions or request further evidence before deciding whether to approve the application. Having the listed documents does not guarantee entry.
Is Thailand Visa on Arrival Right for You?
Thailand Visa on Arrival may be suitable if your passport is eligible and you are planning a short tourist visit of no more than 15 days.
It can be convenient for travellers who do not qualify for visa exemption but still want to arrange entry after arriving in Thailand.
If you want to stay longer, get approval before you travel, or have more flexible travel plans, a tourist visa might suit you better.
Before you travel, make sure your passport is still eligible and that your entry point in Thailand offers Visa on Arrival.