Quick answer: Since 1 January 2025, every Royal Thai embassy and consulate (94 missions) takes visa applications online at thaievisa.go.th (TAT Newsroom). Create an account, verify your email, fill in the form, upload documents, pay online, and the approved e-Visa is emailed to you to print. You must apply from outside Thailand, through the mission covering the country where you currently are, with proof of your location. Most missions quote 5 to 15 working days. You may not need a visa at all: since 15 September 2026, nationals of 60 countries can enter visa-free for 30 days (previously 60), extendable once by 30 days (TAT Newsroom). For anything longer, apply for a visa here.
This Thailand e-Visa guide explains how the system allows applicants to submit visa applications entirely online, without visiting an embassy or consulate in person unless the mission asks for an interview. Since 1 January 2025 it has been the standard way to apply for a Thai visa at every Royal Thai embassy and consulate worldwide.
This guide explains how the Thai e-Visa works, which visas you can apply for online, and walks you through the full application process from account creation to approval.
What Is the Thailand e-Visa?
The Thai e-Visa is an electronic visa application system operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Instead of mailing your passport or visiting an embassy counter, you upload documents, pay fees, and receive your visa approval through an online portal.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official portal | thaievisa.go.th |
| Worldwide rollout | 1 January 2025, all 94 Royal Thai embassies and consulates-general |
| Visa delivered as | e-Visa sent to your email; print it for check-in and immigration |
| Passport submission | Not required, unless the mission invites you to an interview |
| Application fee | Varies by visa type and mission (paid online in local currency, non-refundable) |
| Processing time | 5 to 15 working days at most missions (set by each mission) |
| Available 24/7 | Yes, submit any time; processed during business hours |
Important Distinction
The e-Visa is not the same as a visa on arrival or visa exemption. It is a standard visa that you apply for in advance, but through a digital process rather than a paper-based one. You still need to meet all normal requirements for the visa type you are requesting.
Do You Need an e-Visa at All?
The e-Visa system itself did not change on 15 September 2026, but the answer to "do I need a visa?" did:
- 30-day visa exemption: Nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, every EU member state, India and Japan, can enter visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days. From July 2024 until 14 September 2026 this was 60 days. The new rule was published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and has applied since 15 September 2026 (TAT Newsroom). You can extend it once by up to 30 days at an immigration office for 1,900 THB, so about 60 days in total. Land-border entries on the exemption are capped at twice per calendar year, except for nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore.
- 15-day visa exemption: Seychelles and Mauritius.
- Visa on arrival: Now limited to Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.
- Bilateral agreements: Some countries have separate agreements with their own stay lengths. Check the current rule with the Thai mission.
If you plan to stay longer than the exemption allows, work, study or retire, apply for the right visa through the e-Visa portal before you travel. For most tourists who want more than 30 days in one go, that is the Tourist Visa (TR). For the full change, see our 30-day visa exemption news page.
Which Visas Are Available Through the e-Visa System?
Not every Thai visa category is available online. The following types are commonly offered through the e-Visa portal, though availability depends on which Thai embassy or consulate serves your country of residence.
Visa Types on the e-Visa Portal
| Visa Type | Code | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa | TR | Tourism stays beyond visa exemption |
| Special Tourist Visa | STV | Extended tourism (up to 270 days) |
| Non-Immigrant B | Non-B | Business and employment |
| Non-Immigrant ED | Non-ED | Education and study |
| Non-Immigrant O | Non-O | Family, retirement, volunteer work |
| Non-Immigrant O-A | Non-O-A | Long-stay retirement (1 year) |
| Transit Visa | TS | Short transit through Thailand |
| Destination Thailand Visa | DTV | Digital nomads and remote workers |
Checking Availability for Your Location
Visa availability varies by consulate. When you create your e-Visa account and select your country and the embassy that serves your jurisdiction, the portal will display only the visa types available to you. If a visa type is not listed, you must apply through traditional channels at that specific embassy.
Which Countries Can Use the e-Visa System?
All of them. Since 1 January 2025, the e-Visa system has been live at all 94 Royal Thai embassies and consulates-general worldwide (TAT Newsroom). It is no longer a pilot covering a list of participating countries.
What matters is where you are when you apply, not only your nationality:
- Apply through the mission covering your current location. The portal's first step asks for your travel document, your permanent residency or current location, and the mission to submit to (MFA e-Visa user manual).
- Stay in that country for the whole process. The Royal Thai Embassy in Islamabad, for example, requires applicants to be physically present in Pakistan throughout and to upload proof of current location, such as a rental agreement, utility bill or immigration stamps (Islamabad e-Visa FAQ). The Hague rejects applications from anyone outside the Netherlands during processing.
- You cannot apply from inside Thailand. Changes and extensions inside the country are handled at immigration offices.
- The DTV has a stricter rule. Since 31 August 2026, DTV applicants must be a national or permanent resident of the country where they apply, and must upload proof of permanent residence plus a criminal record clearance certificate (MFA announcement, Royal Thai Embassy Vientiane). See where to apply for a DTV.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Create an Account
Visit thaievisa.go.th, click "Create Account" and choose the "Individual" tab.
- Enter your first name, family name, country and contact number in English
- Use a valid email address you check regularly — all communications come by email
- Set a password of at least 8 characters with at least one lowercase letter, one uppercase letter and one number
- Accept the terms, enter the CAPTCHA code and click "Create Account"
- Activate the account through the verification link sent to your email. If it has not arrived within 30 minutes, check your spam folder, then sign in and use the resend button
- One account can hold applications for you and family members (the Islamabad embassy says up to 10 at a time) and can be reused for future visas
Step 2: Start a New Application
After logging in, click "Apply for new visa" on your dashboard.
- Check your eligibility: travel document, permanent residency or current location, and the mission you will submit to
- Choose your passport type, purpose of visit and visa type
- Select single or multiple entry if the option is available
- Confirm your travel dates
Step 3: Fill in the Application Form
The online form mirrors the traditional paper application. You will need to provide:
- Personal details — Full name as on passport, date of birth, nationality
- Passport information — Passport number, issue date, expiry date, issuing authority (ensure your passport meets minimum requirements)
- Travel details — Intended arrival date, departure date, accommodation address in Thailand
- Employment details — Current employer, position, salary (or retired/student status)
- Previous visits — History of travel to Thailand
- Contact in Thailand — Hotel name and address, or name and address of a Thai contact
- Emergency contact — A contact person in your home country
Tip: Fill in every field carefully. The system may reject your application if required fields are incomplete or if information does not match your uploaded documents.
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
You will be prompted to upload scanned copies of your supporting documents. Each mission sets its own file rules, and the upload screen shows what each field accepts. The missions that publish their limits ask for JPG/JPEG files of no more than 3 MB: The Hague and Doha for the passport page and photo, Bucharest for documents, and Islamabad for the photo (The Hague, Bucharest, Doha). Common requirements include:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport bio page | JPG/JPEG, up to 3 MB at the missions above |
| Passport photo | JPG/JPEG, up to 3 MB, taken within the last 6 months |
| Proof of current location | Lease, utility bill, residence permit or local immigration stamps |
| Flight itinerary | Must be genuine; fake bookings lead to rejection and possible blacklisting |
| Hotel booking | Must be genuine, same as above |
| Bank statements | Recent statements in your name |
| Additional documents | As listed for your visa type |
Document Upload Tips
- Scan documents in color for best results
- Ensure text is legible and not blurry
- Passport photo must meet Thai visa photo specifications (4x6 cm, white background)
- Name files clearly (e.g., "passport_bio_page.jpg") to avoid confusion
- If a field only accepts images, save each page of a multi-page document as a separate JPEG under the size limit
Step 5: Review and Submit
Before final submission:
- Review every field for accuracy
- Check that all uploaded files are the correct documents
- Verify that your passport number is entered correctly
- Confirm the embassy selection is correct for your jurisdiction
Once submitted, you cannot edit the application. If you discover an error, you may need to withdraw and start a new application.
Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee
Completed applications sit in the "Ready to Submit" tab. Tick the ones you want to send, click "Proceed to Payment", then "Pay Now". You can pay for several applications to the same mission at once.
The figures below are the baseline Thai fees. Each mission charges in its own currency and sets its own amount, so check the payment screen: London charges in pounds sterling, and Washington lists the DTV at US$400 against a 10,000 THB baseline. A few missions take payment offline; Islamabad, for example, takes cash at the embassy.
| Visa Type | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (single entry) | 1,000 THB (~$28) |
| Tourist Visa (multiple entry) | 5,000 THB (~$140) |
| Non-Immigrant B (single) | 2,000 THB (~$57) |
| Non-Immigrant O/O-A | 2,000 THB (~$57) |
| Transit Visa | 800 THB (~$23) |
Payment methods typically include credit card (Visa, Mastercard) and sometimes bank transfer. The exact options depend on the consulate.
Note: Fees are non-refundable, even if the visa is denied.
Step 7: Wait for Processing
Processing times are set by each mission. What some missions publish:
| Mission | Stated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| The Hague | 5-10 working days after a complete application |
| Bucharest | At least 5-10 working days after a complete application |
| Doha | Up to 10 working days; up to 14 if incomplete |
| London | Allow 5-15 working days |
| Islamabad | About 14 working days after the fee is received |
Our general guide, based on those figures:
| Scenario | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Standard processing | 5 to 15 business days |
| Peak season (Nov to Feb) | Up to 20 business days |
| Additional documents requested | Add 5 to 10 business days |
| Consulate-specific delays | Varies |
You can track your application status by logging into your e-Visa account. Statuses typically include: Submitted, Under Review, Approved, or Denied.
Step 8: Receive Your e-Visa
If approved, the e-Visa is sent automatically to the email address on your application. You can also download the visa document from the portal.
- Print the e-Visa and carry it when traveling. You show it at airline check-in and to Thai immigration on arrival
- There is no visa sticker and you do not send your passport. London stopped accepting passports on 27 September 2021 when it moved to stickerless e-Visas
- Keep a copy on your phone as backup, but do not rely on it alone: the Islamabad embassy states that mobile or electronic copies will not be accepted
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
Many e-Visa applications encounter preventable problems. Here are the most frequent issues.
Application Errors
| Error | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Name mismatch | Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport |
| Wrong embassy selected | Choose the embassy that has jurisdiction over your area of residence |
| Expired passport photo | Use a photo taken within the last 6 months |
| Incomplete form fields | Double-check every section before submitting |
| Wrong visa type selected | Research which visa fits your purpose before starting |
Document Upload Errors
- File too large: Compress PDFs or reduce image resolution before uploading
- Wrong format: Convert documents to the accepted format (PDF or JPEG)
- Blurry scans: Rescan at a higher resolution (300 DPI recommended)
- Missing pages: Combine multi-page documents into one file
- Password-protected PDFs: Remove password protection before uploading
Payment Errors
- Card declined: Try a different card or contact your bank to authorize international payments
- Session timeout: Complete payment promptly after submission to avoid losing your session
- Double charge: Contact the consulate with your transaction ID if charged twice
After Approval: Using Your e-Visa
When you arrive in Thailand with an e-Visa:
- File your Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online at tdac.immigration.go.th before you arrive. It replaced the paper TM.6 arrival and departure card
- Present your passport at the immigration counter
- Show your printed e-Visa when asked
- The immigration officer will verify the electronic record linked to your passport
- You will receive an entry stamp with the permitted stay period
Your permitted stay begins from the date you enter Thailand, not from the visa approval date. The visa itself has a validity window (typically 3 months) during which you must enter Thailand.
e-Visa vs. Traditional Embassy Application
Since 1 January 2025 the e-Visa has been the standard route at every Royal Thai embassy and consulate, so paper applications with passport mailing have largely disappeared. For reference, here is how the two compare:
| Factor | e-Visa | Traditional (paper) |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | Apply from anywhere with internet in the mission's jurisdiction | Had to visit or mail to the embassy |
| Processing visibility | Track status online | Limited visibility |
| Document handling | Upload digital copies | Submit physical originals |
| Passport mailing | Not required unless called for interview | Always required |
| Speed | Similar processing times | Similar processing times |
| Fee | Same as standard visa fee | Same as standard visa fee |
| Availability | All 94 missions worldwide | Largely replaced by the e-Visa |
Troubleshooting
- Cannot create account: Check that your email is not already registered, try Chrome, disable VPN or ad blockers, and clear your browser cache.
- Application stuck on "Under Review": Do not submit duplicate applications. If it has been more than 20 business days, contact the embassy by email. Check your spam folder.
- Activation email not received: Wait 30 minutes and check spam. Then go to the Sign In page, enter your email and password, and click the resend button.
- Asked to attend an interview: Missions can call applicants in or request extra documents. This is the one case where you may need to visit the embassy or bring your passport; follow the instructions in the mission's email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a Thai e-Visa while I am in Thailand?
No. You must apply for the Thai e-Visa from outside Thailand, through the embassy or consulate that has jurisdiction over your country of residence. The portal is built for applicants abroad, and you cannot use it to change or extend your status while already in the country. If you are already in Thailand, handle extensions and changes of visa type at a local immigration office instead.
What are the Thai e-Visa photo requirements?
Upload a recent passport-style photo taken within the last six months: 4x6 cm, plain white background, full face, no glasses or head covering (except for religious reasons). Save it as a JPEG within your mission's size limit (3 MB at the missions that publish one; keeping it under 2 MB is a safe margin). Most rejected uploads fail because the photo is older than six months, uses a colored or busy background, or exceeds the file-size limit. See our full photo requirements for the exact specs.
Why can't I upload my photo to the Thai e-Visa portal?
Photo uploads usually fail for one of four reasons: the file is larger than the size limit (3 MB at the missions that publish one), it is in the wrong format (use JPEG, not PNG or HEIC), the image dimensions do not match the 4x6 cm ratio, or the portal flags the photo as older than six months. Resize and compress the image, convert it to JPEG, and re-take it against a plain white background if the system still rejects it. Disabling your VPN and clearing the browser cache resolves many upload errors.
How long does the Thai e-Visa take to process?
Each mission sets its own time, and most quote 5 to 15 working days (The Hague 5-10, London 5-15, Islamabad about 14). During peak season (November to February) it can stretch to 20 business days, and applications that trigger a request for extra documents take 5 to 10 days longer. Apply at least 30 days before your travel date to leave room for delays.
How much does the Thai e-Visa cost?
Fees are paid online and depend on the visa type: a single-entry tourist visa is about 1,000 THB ($28), a multiple-entry tourist visa about 5,000 THB ($140), and Non-Immigrant B, O, and O-A visas about 2,000 THB (~$57). Missions charge in their local currency, so the amount on your payment screen can differ from these THB figures. Fees are non-refundable even if your application is denied. See our full Thailand visa costs breakdown for every visa type.
Can I submit PDF documents for the Thai e-Visa?
It depends on the mission and the upload field. The missions that publish their upload rules (The Hague, Bucharest and Doha) ask for JPG/JPEG files of no more than 3 MB, and the passport photo is always uploaded as a JPEG at those missions. The upload screen shows what each field accepts. If a PDF is refused, save each page as a separate JPEG under the size limit. Remove any password protection before uploading.
How do I receive my Thai e-Visa?
By email. Once approved, the e-Visa is sent automatically to the email address on your application, and you can also download it from the portal. Print it and carry it: you show it at airline check-in and to Thai immigration. There is no sticker in your passport.
Do I need an e-Visa if my country has a visa exemption?
Not for a short tourist trip. Since 15 September 2026, nationals of 60 countries can enter visa-free for up to 30 days (it was 60 days from July 2024 until 14 September 2026), and can extend once by up to 30 days at an immigration office for 1,900 THB (TAT Newsroom). The exemption is for tourism only. If you want to stay longer than about 60 days in one visit, or to work, study or retire, apply for a visa through the e-Visa portal before you travel. See our visa exemption guide for the details.
The dates on my approved e-Visa look wrong. What should I do?
Check the difference between the visa validity window and your permitted stay first. The validity window (typically 3 months) is the period during which you must enter Thailand; your actual permitted stay is counted from the day you enter, not from the approval date. If a genuine error appears in your name, passport number, or entry dates, contact the issuing embassy by email immediately with your application reference — do not travel on an incorrect e-Visa.
Final Thoughts
The Thai e-Visa system has made visa applications significantly more accessible for travelers worldwide. While the process is straightforward, success depends on accurate information, properly formatted documents, and patience during processing. Start your application well in advance of your travel date — at least 30 days — to allow time for processing and any follow-up requests from the consulate.
For first-time applicants, the e-Visa portal is often the easiest path to obtaining a Thai visa without the hassle of an in-person embassy visit.
Sources
- Thailand e-Visa official portal (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- MFA, Guide to Thailand E-Visa Application (English manual): account creation, email activation, eligibility step, payment
- TAT Newsroom, "Thai e-Visa Launches Worldwide on 1 January 2025" (December 2024)
- Royal Thai Embassy Islamabad, Thailand's E-Visa System in Pakistan (March 2025): location rule, photo limit, email delivery, printing, processing time
- Royal Thai Embassy The Hague, E-Visa General Conditions: residence rule, file limits, no passport submission
- Royal Thai Embassy Bucharest, E-Visa General Information (updated June 2025)
- Royal Thai Embassy Doha, e-Visa Information
- Royal Thai Embassy London, How to Apply for Thailand's E-Visa (Stickerless)
- TAT Newsroom, "Thailand introduces new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules from 15 September" (September 2026)
