Thailand visas
Whether you need a visa to enter Thailand depends on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay — eligible nationalities can visit for tourism under the visa-exemption scheme or with a visa on arrival. Thailand's visas are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand, with tourist, transit and non-immigrant visas available online through the official Thai eVisa system. This hub explains the main visa types in plain language and links to the official sources so you can confirm exactly what applies to you before you travel or apply.
Important information
Thai visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Thailand — tourism, visiting family or friends, business trips and transit, plus any visa-free or electronic-authorisation options.5 visas
- Work visasComing to Thailand to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.2 visas
- Study visasStudying in Thailand — student visas and permits for accepted students, and what they let you do.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a family member in Thailand — spouse, partner, child and other relative routes.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Thailand as a highly skilled or exceptional individual.3 visas
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Thailand long term — permanent residence and, where available, the path to citizenship.3 visas
Thai visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Who needs a visa to Thailand
Those who wish to visit Thailand but are not eligible for Visa-Free Travel must apply for a Visa in advance at the Thai Embassy in their home country. Thai embassies abroad will only accept applications from citizens of these countries if they have a resident permit in the country from which they wish to apply. Tourists from 18 Countries can obtain a Visa on Arrival in Thailand. A multi-entry visa allows visitors to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days per visit and they are allowed leave the country and return without needing another visa.
Entry into Thailand
All passengers must fill out their personal information on the Passenger Arrival Document No. 6 which is issued by the Immigration Bureau upon arrival in Thailand for the Immigration Bureau to contact them while they are in Thailand. The airline staff will give the aforementioned document to passengers so that they can fill it out before the plane lands.
Who can visit Thailand without a visa
Tourists from 64 countries can enter Thailand without a visa under the Visa Exemption rule. Visitors who enter Thailand through an international airport or land border from another country can stay for up to 30 days. The provisions of the VISA EXEMPTION RULE and BILATERAL AGREEMENT allow passport holders from 64 countries to enter Thailand if they meet the following criteria:
During your stay in Thailand, you must show proof of funds for at least 10,000 THB for single travellers and 20,000 THB for families.
- Be a citizen of an approved country.
- Visit Thailand solely for tourism purposes.
- Have a valid passport that is more than six months old.
- Can provide a valid address in Thailand that can be verified upon entry. This address could refer to a hotel or an apartment.
- A confirmed return ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days is required. Open tickets are not eligible.
What To Do If Your Visa to Thailand is Refused
You get the opportunity to dispute this verdict. The embassy of the Member State that opted to deny the visa distributes a standard form to notify the applicant of the decision to deny a Thailand visa and the reasons for the cancellation. Contact the Thai embassy and appeal the decision.
Thailand — key facts
- Entry document
- Visa, exemption or VOA
- Depends on your nationality and purpose of travel
- Authority
- MFA (Thailand)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand
- eVisa
- Apply at thaievisa.go.th
- Tourist, transit and non-immigrant visas
- Visa exemption
- Up to 30 days
- For tourism, eligible nationalities, per the MFA
Thai visas — people also ask
It depends on your nationality. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs operates a visa-exemption scheme (a stay not exceeding 30 days for tourism) and a visa on arrival (not exceeding 15 days) for eligible nationalities. Others must apply for a tourist visa. Check the official guidance for your nationality.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-09. Information only — not legal advice.