BAANLYY Editorial Team ·
First check if your passport needs a visa for your trip, then apply online on the Thai government's official e-Visa website before you travel. You cannot use that website while you are already in Thailand.
Getting a Thai visa starts with one simple question: do you need one for your trip?
Step 1: Check if you need a visa. Many passports can visit Thailand for a short stay without a visa. The rules depend on your passport and how long you plan to stay. The official e-Visa website, run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has a "Do I need a tourist visa?" check. Enter your passport country and the number of days you plan to stay.
Step 2: Pick the right visa type. The reason for your trip decides the visa. The official site lists types such as:
Step 3: Apply online before you go. The official site lists these steps:
Print the confirmation. You show it to the airline and to Thai immigration when you travel. The site says you can only apply if you are not in Thailand right now. It also says the embassy may ask for an interview or more papers, an application does not always mean a visa is granted, and fees are not refunded.
Step 4: Fill in the arrival card. Thai Immigration says all passengers must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). It asks foreigners to send their arrival card details 3 days before their arrival date.
After you arrive: Thai Immigration says that if you stay longer than 90 days, you must report your address to immigration every 90 days. You may not work in Thailand without a work permit.
Not sure which visa fits? Use our visa finder. For your own case, check with the Thai embassy, immigration or a lawyer.