The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Los Angeles is one of the busiest Thai diplomatic missions in the United States. It covers all of California, eleven other western states, Hawaii and the US Pacific territories. It handles visa applications for that region, provides consular services, and supports the large Thai-American community in the West.
Since 27 September 2021 the consulate has issued stickerless e-Visas, and every standard visa application is now filed online at thaievisa.go.th. The portal routes your file to the mission that covers where you live. If you live in one of the states below, your application goes to Los Angeles.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles |
| Address | 611 North Larchmont Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90004 |
| Phone | +1 (323) 962-9574 |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Closed | Weekends, Thai holidays and US federal holidays |
| Website | thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org |
| Jurisdiction | AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY and the US Pacific territories |
| Visa applications | Online only, via the Thailand e-Visa portal |
| Stated processing time | Up to 15 business days |
Note: The consulate closes for both Thai national holidays and US federal holidays. Check the consulate website's holiday calendar before planning a visit.
Jurisdiction and Coverage
The Los Angeles consular district is:
| State | State | |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Montana | |
| Arizona | Nevada | |
| California (entire state) | New Mexico | |
| Colorado | Oregon | |
| Hawaii | Utah | |
| Idaho | Washington | |
| Wyoming |
It also covers the US Pacific territories, including Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Important: There is no Thai Consulate-General in San Francisco. All of California, including Northern California and the Bay Area, belongs to Los Angeles, and so do Oregon and Washington. Residents of other states file under the Embassy in Washington DC, the Consulate-General in New York or the Consulate-General in Chicago. Our full US jurisdiction map resolves every state.
US Nationals and Visa Exemption
US passport holders enjoy Thailand's 30-day visa exemption for tourism. Most American tourists do not need a visa at all — you can fly to Thailand and receive a 30-day entry stamp at immigration upon arrival.
From July 2024 until 14 September 2026 the exemption was 60 days. The 30-day rule was published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and has applied since 15 September 2026 (TAT Newsroom). If you entered before that date, you keep the stay you were granted.
You only need to apply for a visa if:
- Your stay will exceed 30+30 days (exemption plus a 30-day extension obtained in Thailand)
- You require a Non-Immigrant visa for work, business, retirement, education, or family reasons
- You want a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for repeated visits
- You are applying for a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
- You hold a passport from a country that is not on Thailand's visa exemption list
Visa Types and Fees
| Visa Type | Purpose | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (TR) - Single Entry | Tourism, up to 60 days, valid 3 months | $40 |
| Tourist Visa (METV) - Multiple Entry | Tourism, valid 6 months | $200 |
| Non-Immigrant B | Business or employment | $80 single / $200 multiple (1 year) |
| Non-Immigrant O | Retirement, family | $80 single / $200 multiple (1 year) |
| Non-Immigrant O-A | Long-stay retirement (1 year, age 50+) | $200 |
| Non-Immigrant ED | Education | $80 single / $200 multiple (1 year) |
| Non-Immigrant IB | Investment (BOI) | $80 single / $200 multiple (1 year) |
| Non-Immigrant M | Media | $80 single / $200 multiple (1 year) |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | Remote work, soft-power activities | $400 (multiple entry, valid 5 years) |
| Transit Visa (TS) | Passing through Thailand | $35 |
Fees as published on the consulate's visa fee page. The fee is paid by credit card only, inside the e-Visa system. Check the page before you apply, as fees can change.
How to Apply for a Visa
All standard visa applications go through the official portal, thaievisa.go.th. The consulate has not required passports or original documents by mail since 27 September 2021, and it does not accept walk-in or drop-off visa applications.
- Register an account on thaievisa.go.th.
- Complete the form and select the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles, if you live in one of the states above.
- Upload your documents: passport, photo, flight and accommodation bookings, and the financial evidence your visa type requires (see below).
- Pay the fee online by credit card.
- Wait for the decision. The consulate states up to 15 business days, plus another 5 business days if it asks for more documents.
- Print the approval email and carry it with your passport. Airlines and Thai immigration officers will ask to see it.
Apply from where you actually live. The consulate lists applications from outside its jurisdiction as a reason for refusal. It recommends applying about one month before you travel.
Required Documents by Visa Type
Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
- Copy of your passport, valid for at least 6 more months (see passport requirements)
- Two passport-size photos (2x2 inches, JPEG format) — review photo requirements
- Round-trip flight reservation showing travel from the US to Thailand and a flight out of Thailand
- Hotel bookings or other accommodation arrangements
- Recent bank statement showing at least $700 per person or $1,500 per family
- Non-US citizens: proof of US residency status and proof of employment or study
Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
- All documents required for a single entry tourist visa, plus:
- Bank statements for the last 3 months with a minimum balance of $2,000 in every month
Non-Immigrant Visas and the DTV
Requirements for Non-Immigrant visas and the DTV differ by category and change more often than tourist visa rules. Use the consulate's own checklist before you upload anything:
- Non-Immigrant O-A (long-stay retirement)
- Non-Immigrant O (retirement)
- Non-Immigrant B (employment)
- Non-Immigrant ED (education)
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
The full list is on the consulate's visa types and requirements page. Since 31 August 2026, DTV applicants must also submit proof of permanent residence and a criminal record clearance certificate (announcement).
Processing Times
The consulate states a processing time of up to 15 business days for all visa applications, excluding weekends and holidays. If it asks for more documents, allow another 5 business days after you upload them. No expedited service is listed, so apply about a month before you travel, and earlier in peak travel periods (November through February).
Getting to the Consulate
The consulate is located on Larchmont Boulevard in the Hancock Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
By Car
Metered street parking is available on Larchmont Boulevard and side streets (2-hour limits in some zones). Paid lots are nearby along Beverly Boulevard. From the 101 Freeway, exit at Melrose Avenue and head east.
By Public Transit
- Metro Bus: Several lines stop along Beverly Boulevard and Melrose Avenue, within walking distance
- Metro Rail: Wilshire/Western station on the B Line (Red Line) is 1.5 miles south; transfer to a bus or rideshare
What to Expect
The consulate is on the second floor at 611 North Larchmont Boulevard. You may pass through security screening. Staff are bilingual in Thai and English. Visa applicants have no reason to visit: the office handles consular matters such as legalisation and Thai-national services, and it does not take visa applications at the counter.
Other Thai Diplomatic Missions in the United States
| Mission | Location | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Thai Embassy | Washington, D.C. | AL, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, plus DC and Puerto Rico |
| Royal Thai Consulate-General | New York | CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT |
| Royal Thai Consulate-General | Chicago | AR, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OK, SD, WI |
| Royal Thai Consulate-General | Los Angeles | AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY, plus the US Pacific territories |
Always apply under the mission covering your state of residence. Applying under the wrong mission can get your application refused. Thai honorary consuls in cities such as Denver and Portland cannot accept visa applications. See the US jurisdiction map for every state.
Consular Services
Beyond visas, the consulate provides document legalization, Thai passport issuance and renewal, civil registration (birth, marriage, death, divorce), notarial services, emergency assistance for Thai nationals, and overseas voting coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Thailand?
For tourist visits of up to 30 days, no. US passport holders receive a visa exemption stamp on arrival. For longer stays or non-tourist purposes (work, retirement, study), a visa is required.
Which Thai consulate covers San Francisco and Northern California?
Los Angeles. There is no Thai Consulate-General in San Francisco. All of California is in the Los Angeles consular district, along with Oregon, Washington and nine other states, Hawaii and the US Pacific territories.
How far in advance should I apply?
The consulate recommends applying about one month before your travel date. Processing takes up to 15 business days, and longer if extra documents are requested. During peak season (October through February), start earlier.
Can I walk in without an appointment?
Not for a visa. The consulate does not accept walk-in or drop-off visa applications. All standard visas are filed online at thaievisa.go.th, and the approved e-Visa arrives by email.
What if my application is denied?
Visa fees are non-refundable. You may reapply with improved documentation. The consulate is not obligated to provide a specific reason for denial.
Can I extend my visa exemption in Thailand?
Yes. A 30-day visa exemption can be extended once, by up to 30 days, at any Thai Immigration office in Thailand for 1,900 THB. That gives about 60 days in total. See the visa exemption extension guide for the process.
Final Thoughts
The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Los Angeles serves a vast jurisdiction and a high volume of applicants. For most American tourists, the visa exemption means no visa is needed. If you need one for a longer stay, work, or retirement, apply online about a month ahead, file under Los Angeles only if you live in its district, and follow the consulate's own checklist for your visa type.
Sources
- Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles — Jurisdiction
- Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles — Visa Information
- Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles — Visa Fee
- Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles — Visa FAQ
- TAT Newsroom — Thailand introduces new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules from 15 September
