The Thailand Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival Programs

To encourage tourism and reduce congestion at Thai embassies and airports, Thailand’s government provides options for visitors to gain legal entry to the country for short visits without complex visa applications. These programs make traveling to Thailand more convenient, especially for vacations or transit to other countries in the region.

Thailand’s Visa on Arrival (VOA) program enables citizens of certain nations to apply for a visa at the airport after they arrive. The Thailand Visa Exemption scheme takes this one step further and allows citizens of participating countries to enter and stay in the country for 60 days (extendable to 90 days) with no visa required, just a stamp in the passport at the immigration checkpoint.

This page will explain both programs and provide lists of the eligible nationalities for each. There are also recommendations for visas if you do not qualify for either of these programs.

Thailand Visa on Arrival

On the plane on the way to Thailand or at the immigration checkpoint of Thai international airports, you can get an application form for a Thailand Visa on Arrival. This visa will enable you to stay in Thailand for 15 days for the purpose of tourism, visiting, or transit.

The application can be filled out in a matter of minutes just outside the immigration checkpoint, so no preparation is needed before you arrive.

Who is eligible for a Thailand Visa on Arrival?

The list of qualifying countries for the VOA program has been expanded. Citizens of 31 countries are now eligible to apply for a 15-day Visa on Arrival:

• Africa: Ethiopia, Namibia, Seychelles, Tunisia
• Asia: Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Taiwan, Uzbekistan
• Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico
• Europe: Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Malta, Romania, Russia, Serbia
• Middle East: Cyprus, Saudi Arabia
• Oceania: Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu
• South America: Bolivia, Paraguay, Venezuela

Don’t worry if you do not see your home country on this list, as you may qualify for the Visa Exemption program, see below.

How to Get a Visa on Arrival in Thailand

To be approved for a VOA, you must inform Thai immigration that you will be staying, prove that you will leave when your visa expires, and prove that you can financially support yourself during your time in Thailand. Before arriving, ensure that you have the following:

• Your passport from the qualifying country with at least 30 days of validity remaining
• The completed VOA application form (available at the immigration checkpoint)
• A passport-sized photo taken in the last 6 months
• Proof of your accommodation in Thailand (hotel booking confirmation, friend’s address, etc.)
• Proof of a return ticket for your exit from Thailand (ticketing confirmation email, etc.)
• Proof that you possess at least 10,000 THB or the international equivalent if you are traveling alone, or 20,000 THB if you are with your family (bank statement, cash, etc.)
• 2,000 THB in cash for the visa fee (non-refundable, currency exchange can be done in the airport)

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required, though this can change quickly if an outbreak occurs.

You can present your application materials in person at the immigration checkpoint to get your VOA.

Alternatively, you can apply for the VOA before you depart for Thailand through the Thai E-Visa system. This online platform enables you to apply for a wide range of Thai visas online and gives the option to pay the visa fee electronically. Instead of paper copies of the above documentation, you will need digital copies to upload them as part of your online VOA application.

Using the E-Visa system to get your pre-approved VOA is more convenient, but be warned that once your application is in, your VOA will be valid starting from the day you indicated, and the date cannot be changed. So if your travel plans change, you will need a new VOA.

Thailand Visa Exemption Program

If your nationality does not qualify for the Visa on Arrival program, you may instead be eligible for the Thailand Visa Exemption scheme. As the name suggests, this enables tourists to enter Thailand without applying for a visa of any kind. You will instead get a stamp on your passport at the immigration checkpoint that lets you stay in Thailand for 60 days, generally for tourism purposes.

If you are going to Thailand for a single short visit and you qualify, this is the ideal immigration solution.

Who is eligible for the Thailand Visa Exemption program?

Citizens of 93 countries qualify for the Thailand Visa Exemption scheme:

• Africa: Mauritius, Morocco, South Africa
• Americas: Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay
• East/Central Asia: Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
• Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
• Middle East: Bahrain, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
• Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga

Citizens from Argentina, Chile, or Myanmar are also eligible for the visa-exemption application, however, extra steps may be required at the Thai international airport upon arrival.

How to enter Thailand without a visa?

As of the time of this writing, to enter on the Visa Exemption scheme, simply present your passport to the border officer on arrival along with some documentation (see below).

However, in 2025 the Thai government will implement an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system that all visa-exempt visitors must register with. Instead of handing your documentation over to a border officer upon arrival, you will register online through the E-Visa system before departure. As with the electronic VOA option, you will upload digital copies of your documentation and pay the fee through the E-Visa platform.

In either case, you will need the following documentation to qualify:

• Valid foreign passport
• Proof of your accommodation in Thailand (hotel booking confirmation, friend’s address, etc.)
• Proof of a return ticket for your exit from Thailand (ticketing confirmation email, etc)
• Proof that you possess at least 10,000 THB or the international equivalent if you are traveling alone, or 20,000 THB if you are with your family (bank statement, cash, etc)
• 2,000 THB in cash for the visa fee (non-refundable, currency exchange can be done in the airport)

Once approved, the border officer will put a stamp in your passport indicating the date that you must leave Thailand (60 days from arrival). If you want to stay longer, you can extend the duration of this entry permit by 30 days for a 90-day stay in total. To do this, you will need to travel to a Thai Immigration office, fill out a form, and pay a small fee.

Things to Keep in Mind about the Thai VOA and Visa Exemption Scheme

Here are some important points to consider if you are entering Thailand on either of these programs:

• If you stay past your departure date, you will be overstaying your visa in Thailand and may face fines or more severe consequences depending on how long you stay.
• You cannot gain employment in Thailand with either of these travel documents.
• If you repeatedly enter Thailand through either of these programs in order to prolong your time in Thailand via so-called “border runs” or “visa runs,” you risk being denied entry. Border officers have the authority to deny your visa or stamp if they believe you are trying to live here on the wrong visa. This will make it harder to get into Thailand in the future.
• If you do not qualify for either of these programs, you will need to apply for a standard Thai Tourist Visa to visit Thailand.
• If you visit Thailand frequently and want to eliminate the need for applications or don’t want to constantly worry about visa durations, consider one of Thailand’s long-term visa options. These include the cost-effective Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) as well as the convenient and highly rewarding Thailand Elite Visa.

Professional Visa Application Services

Siam Legal is a full-service law firm and visa consultancy, and we provide professional assistance to applicants for all manner of Thai visas. As the VOA and Visa Exemption stamps are simple to acquire and not full visas, we do not provide application assistance for them.

However, if you require assistance with your Thai Tourist Visa or are interested in acquiring a long-term Thai visa for frequent visits or settling in Thailand for an extended period, we can help. Our expert team makes acquiring Thai visas of all kinds fast and simple with the maximum chances for approval.

Contact Siam Legal today for expert assistance with your Thai visa and legal needs so you can enjoy the Land of Smiles worry-free.

Thailand Visa on Arrival and Visa Exemption FAQs

Do all members of my family need to register for a VOA or ETA?

Yes, all family members must submit their own applications and pay visa fees separately.

How do I provide proof of funds for the Visa on Arrival or Visa Exemption scheme?

You can provide a bank statement, show a bank balance on an app, show the border officer the amount in cash, or many other methods.

What is the Thailand Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?

Much like those found in the EU and foreign countries worldwide, this is an electronic system that records your traveler information to enable immigration authorities to keep track of who is entering and leaving the country as well as ease congestion at airports and embassies.

Registration with the ETA will be required of all visa-free travelers to Thailand starting in June 2025, at least according to the Thai government. In short, it handles the visa exemption registration before you arrive so that you do not need to sort it out with the border officer, saving time at the checkpoint. Once you register online for the ETA, you will get an electronic confirmation of your approval which you can then show the officer.

Can I extend a Thai Visa on Arrival?

Typically, no. Thai Immigration may allow a short extension in emergency situations, but you will have to go to the Immigration Office and provide proof that an extension is needed.

What’s the difference between a Visa on Arrival and a Thai E-Visa?

"E-Visa" is a term used to describe the Thai Tourist Visa that can be acquired through the E-Visa system. It is the same as a standard Tourist Visa, save that you apply for it online. See our page on the Tourist Visa for more info.

Which is better for a trip to Thailand, a Visa on Arrival or E-Visa?

This depends on the duration of your trip. An E-Visa is more expensive and difficult to get but lasts much longer. If your trip is very short, a VOA should be sufficient.