Thailand e-Visa: how to apply online

Thailand's e-Visa is applied for online at thaievisa.go.th, the official site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Your application goes to the Thai embassy or consulate responsible for where you live, which sets the fee and processing time. Most travellers from visa-exempt countries only need one for stays longer than 30 days.

Do you need one?

• Visa-exempt passport, short holiday: no. Check your visa-free days.
• Passport not on the exemption lists: yes, for any visit.
• Longer stays, work, study, retirement: yes, whatever your passport. See retirement visa requirements.

The seven steps

1. Go to thaievisa.go.th. Type the address yourself.
2. Create an account. One account can hold applications for your family too.
3. Choose your visa type.
4. Enter your personal and travel details. Choose Ordinary Passport unless you are a government official, and copy your name, passport number and dates exactly from your passport.
5. Upload your documents.
6. Pay the fee online.
7. Track the status; the approved visa is sent by email.

Documents most applications need

• Colour scan of your passport's photo page
• A colour biometric photo taken within the last six months: face fully visible, no glasses, properly cropped (Vienna asks for JPG up to 3 MB)
• Proof that you live in the country you apply from
• Documents for your visa type: flight and hotel bookings, bank statements, or letters from an employer or school

You usually need to be in the country of the embassy handling your application when you apply and pay.

Timing and fees

Each embassy sets its own processing time and fee. For example, the Royal Thai Embassy in Vienna takes applications no earlier than 90 days before you arrive, recommends applying at least 30 days ahead, and decides within 15 to 30 working days, with more time if it asks for extra documents. Fees are not refunded, even if the application is rejected for a typo. Do not book non-refundable travel until the visa is approved.

Avoid paid look-alike sites

As with the TDAC, some private sites use names and designs that look official and add their own fees. The official address ends in .go.th.

Questions

What is the official Thailand e-Visa website?

thaievisa.go.th, run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sites on other addresses that charge extra are private agents.

How long does a Thai e-Visa take?

It depends on the embassy handling your application. The embassy in Vienna, for example, decides within 15 to 30 working days and recommends applying at least 30 days before you travel. Check your own embassy’s stated time.

What happens if I make a mistake on my e-Visa application?

A wrong name spelling, passport number or passport date gets the application rejected, and you have to apply and pay again. Fees are not refunded, so check every passport detail before you pay.

How much does a Thai e-Visa cost?

Each embassy sets the fee in its own currency, and it depends on the visa type. The fee is shown before you pay on the official site.

Do I need an e-Visa if my country is visa-exempt?

Only if you plan to stay longer than the visa-free 30 days plus any extension, or you are travelling to work, study or retire.