Visa Rules Change Frequently
Quick Answer
What is the Thailand e-Visa?
Online application for a Tourist or Non-Immigrant visa — no embassy visit required in 26+ eligible countries.
Thailand's e-Visa system (thaievisa.go.th) allows travellers in participating countries to apply for a Tourist Visa entirely online, uploading scanned documents and paying by credit card — no embassy visit or postal application required. Once approved, you receive an electronic visa linked to your passport number that immigration systems can read on arrival; you do not receive a physical sticker unless specifically requested.
The e-Visa programme launched in 2019 and has expanded to over 26 countries as of 2026, with more being added regularly. Available visa types through the portal include TR (Tourist), Non-Immigrant B (Business), Non-Immigrant ED (Education), and Non-Immigrant O (retirement/family). Processing typically takes 3–5 business days and the portal accepts most major credit and debit cards.
Required Documents
| Document | Required |
|---|---|
| Scanned passport bio-data page (JPEG/PNG, under 2MB) | |
| Digital passport photo (4×6 cm equivalent, white background) | |
| Proof of onward travel (flight itinerary) | |
| Hotel reservation or accommodation proof | |
| Bank statement showing ฿20,000+ equivalent balance | |
| Travel insurance documentation | Optional |
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (TR) — single entry | ~$40 USD |
| Tourist Visa (TR) — multiple entry (METV) | ~$200 USD |
| Non-Immigrant B (single entry) | ~$80 USD |
Step-by-Step Process
Check if your country is eligible
Visit thaievisa.go.th and confirm that your country of residence is on the eligible list. If not, you must apply at a physical Thai embassy.
Create an account on the e-Visa portal
Register with your email address at thaievisa.go.th. You will receive an email to verify your account before you can begin an application.
Select visa type and complete the application
Choose 'Tourist Visa (TR)' or the appropriate non-immigrant type. Fill in all personal and travel details accurately — mistakes are difficult to correct after submission.
Upload documents
Upload scanned copies of your passport, photo, flight itinerary, accommodation proof, and bank statement. Files must be JPEG or PNG, under 2MB each, and clearly legible.
Pay the visa fee
Pay using a Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card. The portal does not accept certain cards (e.g., prepaid Visa cards from some issuers). Keep your payment receipt.
Track your application and receive approval
Log in to the portal to check your status. When approved, you will receive an approval email. Print or save the e-Visa approval letter with QR code to present on arrival.
Expert Tips
- Apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date to allow for processing and any requests for additional documents.
- Ensure your passport photo meets Thai standards exactly — a common rejection reason is incorrect photo background colour or size.
- Print the e-Visa approval letter and carry it with you; while the system is electronic, some airlines and immigration officers still expect to see a printout.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Selecting the wrong visa type — double-check whether you need TR (tourist) or a Non-Immigrant type for your intended activities.
- Uploading blurry or cropped document scans that fail quality checks and delay processing.
- Not checking spam folders for the approval email — it sometimes ends up there.
Important Warnings
When entry can be refused
Holding a valid visa is not the same as a right of entry. The Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) sets out eleven grounds on which an immigration officer may refuse a foreigner at the border.
- 1
No genuine valid passport, or a valid passport without a visa — unless you meet the visa exemption requirements. The terms of both visa issuance and visa exemption are set by Ministerial Regulations rather than by the Act itself.
- 2
No appropriate means of living after entering the country.
- 3
Entering to work as an unskilled or untrained labourer, or to work in breach of the Alien Work Permit law.
- 4
Being mentally unstable, or having any of the diseases listed in the Ministerial Regulations.
- 5
Not vaccinated against smallpox or otherwise inoculated as required, and refusing vaccination by the Immigration Doctor.
- 6
Having been imprisoned by a Thai court, or by a foreign court — except for petty offences, negligence, or cases the Ministerial Regulations exempt.
- 7
Behaviour that could endanger the public, or being subject to an arrest warrant from a foreign government.
- 8
Reason to believe entry is for prostitution, trafficking of women or children, drug smuggling or other smuggling against public morality.
- 9
Not holding the money or bond the Minister prescribes.(Section 14)
- 10
Being a person the Minister has prohibited from entry.(Section 16)
- 11
Having been deported by Thailand or another country, had a right of stay revoked, or been expelled from Thailand at the Thai government's expense — unless the Minister grants an individual exemption.
Summarised in plain English from the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand and read on 2026-08-12. This is a summary, not the statutory text — read the source document if anything here affects your travel.
Thai bank holidays, 2026
Banks, government offices and immigration are closed. Visa extensions and 90-day reports cannot be filed on these dates, and the days either side are the busiest of the month.
- H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Memorial Day
- H.M. King Chulalongkorn the Great Memorial Day
- Substitution for H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great’s Birthday, National Day and Father’s Day (Saturday 5th December 2026)
- Constitution Day
- New Year’s Eve
Source: Bank of Thailand. Financial-institution holidays; some government offices keep different hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Visa Guides
Thailand Tourist Visa (TR)
The standard visa for planned holidays — 60 days with one possible 30-day extension.
Thailand Visa Exemption
Free entry for 93+ nationalities — 30 or 60 days with no pre-application required.
TDAC — Thailand Digital Arrival Card
The online replacement for the TM.6 paper arrival card — required for all arrivals since 2024.
Thailand Visa Extension Guide
How to extend any Thailand visa or stamp at immigration — step-by-step process and tips.
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