Guide to entering Thailand as a tourist, covering visa exemptions, tourist visa types, required documents, the application process, and how to extend your stay.
Check if you qualify for visa-free entry (visa exemption)
Citizens of 57 countries — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations — can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days (extended from 30 days in 2024). This applies to arrivals by air and by land.
Determine if you need a Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Citizens of 19 countries (including China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan) can get a VOA at Thai airports and border checkpoints. The VOA costs ฿2,000 ($55) and allows a 15-day stay. Lines at busy airports like Suvarnabhumi can take 1-3 hours during peak times.
Decide between a Single-Entry Tourist Visa (TR) or Multiple-Entry (METV)
The TR visa allows 1 entry with a 60-day stay and costs $40. The METV costs $200 and is valid for 6 months with unlimited entries, each allowing 60 days. The METV requires proof of $7,000 (฿200,000) in your bank account held for at least 6 months.
Check if you need the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-exempt entry
Thailand launched a digital arrival system in 2024 requiring pre-registration. Check the Thai Immigration Bureau website for whether the ETA is required or optional for your nationality at the time of your travel.
Tourist Visa (TR) Document Requirements
Passport valid for at least 6 months with 2+ blank pages
Thailand enforces the 6-month rule strictly at both consulates and immigration checkpoints. Airlines will also deny boarding if your passport has less than 6 months validity from your date of entry into Thailand.
Completed visa application form (download from Thai consulate website)
Each Thai consulate has its own form — download it from the specific consulate where you are applying. The form takes about 15 minutes to fill out. A 4x6 cm color photo (taken within the last 6 months) must be attached.
Confirmed round-trip flight booking
Thai immigration — both at the consulate stage and at the airport — expects to see a confirmed return or onward ticket. One-way tickets frequently cause issues at airport check-in, where airlines may deny boarding without proof of exit from Thailand.
Hotel bookings or accommodation proof for the full stay
For hostels or Airbnb-type stays, a booking confirmation email with the address is sufficient. If staying with someone in Thailand, provide their Thai ID card copy, house registration (tabien baan), and a handwritten invitation letter.
Bank statement showing at least $700 equivalent (฿20,000) for single-entry
For the METV, you need $7,000 equivalent (฿200,000) maintained for at least 6 months. The Thai consulate verifies this carefully. Newly deposited lump sums right before application are flagged and can lead to denial.
Proof of employment, enrollment, or self-employment
An employment letter stating your job title, salary, and approved leave dates is standard. Retirees should provide a pension statement. Freelancers need tax returns or client contracts showing income for the past 12 months.
Application and Processing
Apply at the Thai consulate or embassy in your jurisdiction
Thailand has 9 consulates in the US (Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, Denver, Honolulu, Coral Gables, Portland, Kansas City). Some accept walk-ins; others require appointments. Check your specific consulate's policy and hours before visiting.
Submit all documents and pay the visa fee
Single-entry TR visa: $40. Multiple-entry METV: $200. Most Thai consulates accept cash or money order only — credit cards and personal checks are rarely accepted. Fees are non-refundable.
Wait for processing (3-5 business days standard)
Some consulates process visas same-day if submitted before noon. Others take the full 5 business days. Mail-in applications take 7-14 days total including shipping both ways. Include a prepaid self-addressed envelope if mailing.
Collect your passport with the visa sticker
Verify the visa type (TR), number of entries, validity dates, and your name. The visa validity (typically 3 months) is the window to enter Thailand — your 60-day stay starts from the date you pass through Thai immigration.
Arriving in Thailand
Complete the TM.6 arrival/departure card (if still required)
Thailand has been phasing out the paper TM.6 card and replacing it with digital processing. As of 2024, air arrivals at major airports no longer need to fill out TM.6 cards, but land border crossings still require them. Confirm the current policy before your trip.
Present your passport, visa, return ticket, and accommodation proof at immigration
Immigration officers may ask to see proof of funds. The cash-on-hand requirement is ฿20,000 ($550) per person or ฿40,000 ($1,100) per family for tourist visa holders. Random checks happen — carry the equivalent in cash or show a bank app balance.
Get your passport stamped and note your allowed departure date
The stamp shows your exact departure deadline. Overstaying results in a fine of ฿500 ($14) per day, up to a maximum of ฿20,000 ($550). Overstays longer than 90 days result in bans: 1 year for 90+ days, 3 years for 1+ year, 5 years for 3+ years.
Extending Your Stay
Visit a Thai Immigration Office before your stay expires to apply for a 30-day extension
Extensions are available for both visa-exempt entries and TR visa holders. The fee is ฿1,900 ($53). Apply at least 7 days before your current stay expires — the Bangkok Immigration Office at Chaeng Watthana is the busiest, with wait times of 2-4 hours.
Bring your passport, a 4x6 cm photo, a copy of your passport pages, and the TM.7 form
The TM.7 extension form is available at the immigration office or downloadable from immigration.go.th. You also need a copy of your passport bio page, visa page, most recent entry stamp, and TM.6 departure card (if applicable). Bring a pen — the office charges ฿5 for copies.
Receive the extension stamp in your passport (same-day processing)
Extensions are processed same-day at most offices — arrive early (before 10 AM) and expect to wait 1-3 hours. The 30-day extension starts from your original expiry date, not from the date you apply. You cannot apply for a second extension on a tourist visa.
Consider a border run if you need more time beyond one extension
Leaving Thailand and re-entering restarts your visa exemption period (60 days). However, Thai immigration tracks frequent border runs — doing more than 2-3 per year raises flags and can result in denied entry. Land border crossings are scrutinized more than air arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Thailand?
Citizens of 57 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations, can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days (extended from 30 days in 2024). For longer stays, you can apply for a Single Entry Tourist Visa (60 days) or Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (6 months with 60 days per entry) at a Thai embassy. Visa-exempt visitors can extend their stay once at a local immigration office for an additional 30 days for THB 1,900.
How much does a Thailand tourist visa cost?
A Single Entry Tourist Visa (TR) costs approximately $40-50 (THB 1,000) and a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa costs approximately $200 (THB 5,000). The Visa on Arrival (for eligible nationalities not covered by visa-exempt entry) costs THB 2,000. Thailand also offers the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa for remote workers and retirees with different fee structures. Check the Royal Thai Embassy website for fees specific to your country.
Can I extend my Thailand tourist visa?
Yes, both visa-exempt entries and tourist visas can be extended once at any immigration office in Thailand for 30 additional days. The extension fee is THB 1,900 (approximately $55). Bring your passport, a passport photo, a completed TM.7 form, and photocopies of your passport and departure card. Some travelers do visa runs to neighboring countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia) to reset their entry allowance, though frequent visa runs may attract scrutiny from immigration officers.
What is Thailand's 90-day reporting rule?
If you stay in Thailand for 90 consecutive days or more (on any visa type), you must report your address to immigration every 90 days. This is separate from visa extensions and applies to long-stay visa holders. Reporting can be done in person at an immigration office, by mail, or online through the Thai Immigration Bureau website. Failure to report results in a THB 2,000 fine. This rule applies even if your visa is valid for a year or longer.