11 Oct 07 Thailand Visa On Arrival Form
Last Updated 17 June 2008
I am often in Thailand and I use the Visa on Arrival facility (People from about 20 countries can use this facility at 12 Thai airports and borders checkpoints). The trouble is that the “Visa on Entry” or the “Visa on Arrival” form is not online at any of the Thai official sites. One ends up wasting a lot of time in usually crowded “Visa on Arrival” area with some rather irritated visa officers - trying to locate the form and then filling it and then applying for the visa.
Thai Visa on Arrival Form
I have scanned the Visa on Arrival form and I am making it available for download here. Hope it saves some of your time and frustration.
Click here to download the Thailand Visa on Arrival Form (in PDF format, take a double sided printout)
NOTE: I have used the printed form couple of times but another reader informed me that hers was not accepted, she had to fill another form. Seems they are inconsistant about this. Try your luck. You can always find the forms next to the Visa on Arrival counter.
What you need for the Visa
You will need
1. One completed visa form per person
2. Passport (need at least six months validity from the day you enter Thailand). Carry a photocopy of the first page of your passport.
3. Visa Fee: 1000 Bhat
4. Proof of ability to stay in Thailand: 10,000 Baht per person (or 20,000 Baht per family)
This can be in any major currency as long as it is equivalent to the Thai currency above. I have got around using US dollars, Singapore Dollars, Japanese Yen and Chinese Renmenbi in the past. They will not take this money. They just want to make sure you have enough money. Also, they do not acknowledge Credit or Debit cards. There are ATMs nearby if you need to withdraw cash.
Again about 50% of the time they did not ask me to show the money but don’t take chances. I have seen them give hard time to people who could not show this expense money.
5. Your original ticket or e-ticket printout. Your return date must be within 15 days from the date of entry (Visa on arrival allows you to stay for 15 days only). They might photocopy your ticket to keep a copy. To save time, you may want to carry a photocopy of the ticket with you.
6. Passport size photograph. There is a booth nearby to take pictures. Carry your own to save time and money.
Optional
If I can and I have booked the hotel in advance, I carry a printout of my hotel reservation.
Border Crossings
You can use the same form at the border crossings too. On some of the lesser used border crossings, the visa officers sometimes make noise if you try to get a visa on arrival. I once had such an experience at a smaller border post between Shan State of Burma and Northern Thailand. The guys finally relented and gave me a Visa on Arrival form but after much cajoling and repeadetly insisting that I knew I could get the Visa on Arrival.
I would recommend taking a printout of Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website page on Visa on Arrival and carrying it with you just to prove to them that you know the Visa On Arrival rules and you are entitled to the visa.
The below information is from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website page on Visa on Arrival. Check the website for the latest info.
The citizen of these countries can apply for Visa on Arrival
1. Bhutan : Kingdom of Bhutan
2. China : People’s Republic of China (including Taiwan)
3. Cyprus : Republic of Cyprus
4. Czech : Czech Republic
5. Estonia : Republic of Estonia
6. Hungary : Republic of Hungary
7. India : Republic of India
8. Kazakhstan : Republic of Kazakhstan
9. Latvia : Republic of Latvia
10. Liechtenstein : Principality of Liechtenstein
11. Lithuania : Republic of Lithuania
12. Maldives : Republic of Maldives
13. Mauritius : Republic of Mauritius
14. Oman : Sultanate of Oman
15. Poland : Republic of Poland
16. Russian Federation
17. Saudi Arabia : Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
18. Slovakia : Slovak Republic
19. Slovenia : Republic of Slovenia
20. Ukraine
List of Thailand Immigration Checkpoints which have visa on arrival facilities.
1. Suvarnabhumi Airport
2. Don Muang International Airport , Bangkok
3. Chiangmai International Airport , Chiangmai
4. Phuket International Airport , Phuket
5. Hatyai International Airport , Songkhla
6. U Tapao Airport , Rayong
7. Mae Sai Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
8. Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
9. Chieng Khong Immigration Checkpoint , Chiengrai
10. Betong Immigration Checkpoint , Yala
11. Sadoa Immigration Checkpoint , Songkhla
12. Samui Airport , Surat Thani
13. Sukhothai International Airport, Tak Immigration Checkpoint
14. Bangkok Harbour Immigration Checkpoint, Bangkok
15. Sri Racha Immigration Checkpoint , Chonburi
16. Mabtaput Immigration Checkpoint , Rayong
17. Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai
18. Samui Immigration Checkpoint , Surat Thani
19. Phuket Immigration Checkpoint , Phuket
20. Satun Immigration Checkpoint , Satun
21. Krabi Immigration Checkpoint , Krabi
22. Songkhla Harbour Immigraion Checkpoint , Songkhla
23. Chiangrai Airport Immigration Checkpoint, Chiangrai
24. Surat Thani Airport Immigration Checkpoint , Surat Thani
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[...] Thailand Visa On Arrival Form I am often in Thailand and usually end up taking the Visa on Arrival (People from China, Russia, India, Taiwan and about 16 other countries can use this facility at 12 immigration check points - see the list below). The trouble is that the Thailand Visa on Entry or Visa on Arrival form is not online … [...]
Hello Preetha
What would I fill under the reference address column as I donno anyone. I just have the hotel’s addresses I will be staying.
Is it ok to fill the hotel’s address ?
Thanks,
Rishi
Yes, the hotel address is fine.
Hi,
Thanks for the form. I am going to Thailand for first time. The application says I should have 10000 Thai Baht for living and 1000 for visa fees. I am carrying US $ is it fine?
Also I am going alone for a 3 days pleasure trip is it fine? What type of questions they ask at immegration?
Regards,
Prashant
Hi Prashant, The 1000 Baht Visa Fee is usually paid in Thai currency. You can change money at a money changer stall close to the visa on arrival area. There are couple of ATMs where you can use your Master/Visa/Cirrus/Plus cards to withdraw Thai currency.
You will need to show them 10,000 Baht per person (or 20,000 Baht per family) so that they know you have enough money for your living expense. This living expense can be in any major currency. I have used US dollars, Singapore Dollars, Japanese Yen and Chinese Renmenbi in the past. They will not take this money, they just want to see that you have enough cash to cover your expenses.
If you have your papers in order, they don’t ask you any questions. Just be prepared to wait for a long time as the queue can get very long.
Thanks Preetam. Hope I will not endup in a long queue.
Thank you for this info, most useful
one more thing, do you know for sure that the thai immigration will accept this pfd version of the form?
I like the cartoon of the whole process, very informative
Hi Preetam,
Thanks for putting up this post. Really helps out.
Instead of 10,000 Baht Cash, can we show a credit card/recipt showing money in bank account etc..? I was not planning on carrying a lot of Cash since I have an international debit card (they give the bext exchange rates!).Any alternatives to carrying the 10K Baht cash?
rgds
Vikram
Dear Sir,
I would like to know, can I apply Visa on arrival at Chiangmai airport? If I fly with China air lines for Taipei direct to Chiangmai.
Best regards,
Tony
Hi Vikram
Thanks for dropping by my blog. The visa authorities refuse to acknowledge a credit/debit card. There are couple of ATMs near the Visa on Arrival area from where you can withdraw money. They might eventually let you in but you would have to spend a lot of time arguing with them. I would suggest carry some US$ or Euros or some other currency.
I think end up paying a transaction fee each time you use your debit card to withdraw money on a foreign network.
Hi Tony, The process is the same as the airport in Bangkok mentioned above.
Will accept travellers cheques (US dollar) for the proof of living expenses?
hi there, thanks so much for this. it’s invaluable! a couple of questions please:
1) i’ve printed the form you’d scanned on double-sided A4 paper. would immigration accept this printed out copy?
2) i’m visa-exempted, but my domestic helper from China needs one. she doesn’t speak english (much less thai), so would you know if immigration would allow me to queue with her and get the visa-on-arrival application done together with her? indonesia didn’t allow that and it was a huge hassle when we were there, given the language barrier…
thanks again!!
Hi Yvonne,
If you have 2-3 days or more before your trip, I would recommend getting a Thai visa for your domestic help from the nearest Thai embassy. If you submit the passport today, they will return the passport with the visa on the next working day.
For the visa on entry,
The form has no serial number so it should be fine. The other regular visa forms of Thailand are online and they let you download, print and submit them. They just missed out putting up this particular form.
Your immigration area is different from the visa on arrival immigration area. What I would suggest is to be with your domestic help until you finish the part where they verify you have enough cash. After that, it is just queuing up and submitting the papers for the actual visa. The visa on arrival area usually has some Chinese citizen waiting too, she can always ask around if she is confused at any point.
While she is queuing up you can finish your immigration and walk right up to exit of her immigration (near the baggage belts) so that you can assist her if needed.
Hi Sriram
I have never tried using travellers cheques. I feel it should be ok. Just in case carry couple of hundred USD to be safe. I will try to ask them the next time i am there and i will post it over here.
Hi Preetam
This info is really helpful.
I have one question and am hoping you can help.
My passport has no blank pages on the right side. Only left side pages (with some other visas on its back side.
Do you know if the visa on arrival can be stamped on a completely blank page (i.e blank on both sides) or a left side page should be fine?
Thanks
Sohil
hi sir/mam i wold like to get information to get visa on arrival on pakistan passport i wold wate to mail me ef posibal thaks /
Preetam,
Thanks a lot for the updated VOA information. I got VOA a couple of times in 2006 and it seems the procedure has changed a bit since then. Back then everything was done at one place - form submission, document verification and issue of visa. Then you had to proceed to immigration to get the entry stamp. I was also never asked to show my money and guess what! They even filled the form for me by copying info from my arrival form. I just had to sign it.
Regards,
Deb
Hi,
I’m travelling to bangkok tomorrow and plan to get the visa on arrival. Am from India. The information so har has been quite useful but now am confused as to whether I should carry enough cash to show them or not. I was planning to carry a nominal amount of cash with and for other things use my card. Kindly advise!
Rgds,
Nisha
I’m travelling to bangkok tomorrow and plan to get the visa on arrival. Am from India. The information so har has been quite useful but now am confused as to whether I should carry enough cash to show them or not. I was planning to carry a nominal amount of cash with and for other things use my card. Kindly advise!
Rgds,
Nisha
Hi Nisha, yes you need to carry 10,000Baht to show them. If you are going with your family then you need to show 20,000 Baht for the whole of your family. They do not acknowledge card and you can’t pay your visa fee by card. You can however withdraw cash with your card fro the nearby ATMs.
Sohil, Visa can be stamped on any blank page.
Deb, that was the old airport at Don Muang. They changed the procedure after moving to the new airport.
Imran, they don’t offer Visa on Arrival for Pakistan yet, I would recommend you get a Visa at the nearest Thai embassy in your country.
This information is the most useful I have found. I have a question similar to one above. I am a US citizen but I will be arriving from China on Thai Airways. I know that I will not need a visa upon arrival. My friend, however is coming from Hungary 1 hour after I arrive. He speaks very little English and I am afraid he will have a very hard time during this process. Do you think it is possible for me to wait for him to arrive before starting this process. I can be sure to be the last person off my flight and he should be one of the first off of his. Do you think I can stretch the hour between flights long enough to escort him through the process? Thanks for your advice.
One hour delay for the immigration should be ok but I am not sure what they will do with you bags as the baggage counter is after the immigration. In most airports they will place it by the baggage belt.
If you do decide to wait for your friend and they question you about the delay, you could tell them about helping your friend with the Visa on Arrival.
Once you have filled the forms and shown them the cash, the rest is fairly straight forward. Your friend then go and queue up for the actual fees payment and stamping of the passport. Meanwhile you can go and get your passport stamped.
If you start walking towards the baggage area, you will see the Visa on Arrival counters and the queue. You can wait there for your friend to finish his immigration and to assist if the visa officers need more info.
Hi,
I will be transferred to sydney flight in bangkok airport and i need to wait for 13 hours to board the sydney flight. so i thought of going out in bangkok using the visa on arrival facility. However, i dont have any contact person/address to fill in the visa form. So, i am not sure how to furnish the complete form to get the visa.
Thanks in advance.
-Muthusamy
Hi
Just thought I’d mention that your return ticket (ie, flight out of Thailand) needs to be (i) confirmed and (ii) within 14 days of your arrival. This means no open end tickets are accepted nor a ticket beyond 15 days of your arrival. Last time a woman ahead of me in the Q had a harrowing time because she was holding a return ticket beyond 15 days and they wouldn’t accept it. Another time a guy had an open end ticket and he was refused entry too because the airline office was closed and he couldn’t get them to endorse his return.
hello
I am arriving bangkok at midnight from Korea , i will spend 2 days in Bangkok before proceeding to India. The blog has given me a good info and also the picture gives a clear information. Would the queues be long at midnight? and what happens to the baggage during this time if the time is long
Also i am flying to Korea via Bangkok, i have about 6hrs before my onward journey, can i get the on arrival done at this time rather than wait
till i get back
Samy, you can leave the contact person blank. Thanks Kumar for the important addition. Ansari, here are answers to your questions.
I am arriving bangkok at midnight from Korea , i will spend 2 days in Bangkok before proceeding to India. The blog has given me a good info and also the picture gives a clear information.
Would the queues be long at midnight? and what happens to the baggage during this time if the time is long
The queue depends on the flights at that time. If couple of flights from China or India arrives at that time then you might end up waiting for a while. Don’ worry about the luggage. The baggage handlers will unload it off the belt and leave it next to the belt.
Also i am flying to Korea via Bangkok, i have about 6hrs before my onward journey, can i get the on arrival done at this time rather than wait till i get back
No you cant do that.. As visa on arrival is stamped immediately after you are issued the visa. You might want to try at the Thai Embassy in Seoul.
653-7, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 140-210
790-2955, 795-0095, 795-3098, 795-3253
798-3448
rteseoul@kornet.net
http://www.thaiembassy.or.kr
Have a good stay in Korea and Thailand.
Preetam
Dear Preetam thanks for your reply. I am going to Busan hence i think it would not be possible to do that. I guess i will have to try when i actually land. What about the rush at midnight ( i am arriving at 2330 hrs) and what about baggage?
Dear Preetam
I have the answers sorry for the second comments. i did not see the earlier one
Hi Preetam ,
your info is really useful. is visa on arrival counter open all 24 hours ??
Rgds
Sanjay
Hi Preetam,
Im an Indian citizen and im arriving in Phuket via a cruise .We have a few hours on land so I presume I’ll need a transit visa.How difficult is it to get a transit visa on arrival at phuket port of arrival
Elizabeth
Hi Sanjay, the Visa on Arrival is open 24 hours. Elizabeth, according to a Thai embassy I called, you’ll have to get a visa in a visa in advance from the country you are currently residing in.
Dear pritamrai,
i have gone through all informations but could not find any detail about visa officers librality with regards to photoes size requirement as indian passport size is 3.5X3.5cms and normal passport and visa size is 3.5X4.5cms with white back ground as i am visiting along with 30 members group and all of as are having photoes of either of sizes, i have seen visa application form it states 4X6 cms size, please advice me in this regards to what to do.
thanking you,
Dinesh, Bangalore, India
Hi there, i’m taking my second trip to thailand in june but am a UK citizen so the question is not for myself. My girlfriend is coming with me and she is from poland although she lives/works in the UK, she’s not a UK resident yet though. Anyway from what i’ve read it’s a case of visa-on-arrival for her. What I need to know is if there is anything else I need to be aware of apart from the outbound ticket, funds, passport and photo…is visa on arrival ever refused for any reason, I know i’m probably worrying unnecessarily but I want to be clear on everything, thanks!
Pete,
The Thai visa on entry is hardly ever refused. Your girlfriend’s entry should be fine.
Hi Dinesh,
I usually use a passport size photo,I can’t remember the exact size but it is the same as the ones that you attach to passports in India. I remember once I took some passport size photos in Bangalore and used it on my Thai visa on entry. The Visa officer was fine with it.
Hi Preetam,
I understand the hassle of standing in a queue for a long time especially after a long flight. I shall be using the scanned copy of the form tommorrow; will share the experience with you.
I think its a great initiative from your end to put a scanned copy online so that it is available for everyone.
Regards
Aakaash
hi preetam
very informative post.
the pdf file for the form is corrupted it seems.
can you mail me a copy? or put up a new one?
also, is tourist visa is what one should take when going for exams like cfa?
hi
Can somebody tell me pls, how strict is the check of the money for expenses? i have like around 5000 baht in USD, but im gonna stay only for 1 day, and i can prove that with confirmed air tickets. Can i apply for a visa on arrival with that money? do they check it really strict, like count and exchange it?
thanks’
Hi Anand, The PDF is fine now. I am not sure if you can use the tourist visa for your exams, but it might work as you are not there to work or for business. The best thing to do would be to call your nearest Embassy and ask them.
Hi Toxicdog, How much attention they give on how much money you have depends on the visa officer etc. I have sometimes a visa officer actually convert all my currency to see if it matched the amount, I have also had times when the officer didn’t even ask me show the money. Lately they seem not to be too strict with it.
Hi Preetam,
I am flying from New York to Hyderabad via Thailand (Suvarnabhumi). I am flying by Thai Airways to and from thailand.
I am bit confused about the baggage issue do I have to check out my entire baggage at Thailand and re-check in the next or just check out by hand bag and collect the luggage at Hyderabad. Since I am flying Thai all the way to Hyderbad.
Thanx for the wonderful blog.
Great info here. Just wanted to let you know that I have posted an updated visa on arrival page on my website.
http://www.thailandguide.in/content/thailand-visa-arrival
You can also discuss questions related to the same on the forum.
Thanks
Hello,
Thank you for the info.
I will be going for my honeymoon to Bangkok in Aug. My fiance is a H1 B visa holder.
Me being a first time traveller, recently got my passport,
can I face any hassles for on entry visa?
Also, what extra papers would I need?
You need the basic documents that is
1. Completed Visa Form (you can get this from the visa on arrival counter)
2. Passport, make a photocopy of first page just in case
3. Return Ticket or printed e-ticket (again make a photocopy)
4. 1000 Bhats Visa Fee
5. 10,000 Bhats or equivalent in any mazor currency just to show. they will not take it. Sometimes if they are busy they don’t even ask you to show this.
Optional (the don’t ask for this but good to have just in case)
5. Printout of your hotel booking
Don’t worry, they won’t hassle you. Have a good trip and enjoy Thailand. Remember to bargain at the markets, you can get pretty good deals.
Thanks a lot! We are going to Thailand for the second time and this form is very helpful to have in advance!
Hi Preetamraj
I am Flying to Bagkok on Monday
This Blog is really very Useful
Thanx a tonne….
Hi Pritam,
I am in Delhi & going to bangkok for the first time to receive an award. I have read your blog it is very helpful. I have some more questions:
1. Can I take my handycam with me to bangkok. Do I have to pay any custom duty in Bangkok.
2. If I purcahse any article such as cloths, shoes, mobile or electronic item totalling to not more than 10000 bhats do I have to pay customs duty at Delhi when I return.
3. Please suggest any other tips to going to bangkok.
Kindly reply soon.
Hi Suryaveer, I have replied to you via your email.
Hi Pritam,
Thanks for the helpful post.
I have similar to question as Suryaveer above;
1. Will it be a problem carrying in my Digicam, Latop and cellphone when i visit bangkok for 10 days?. Do I have to pay any customs duty.
2. Please suggest any other tips to going to bangkok.
Thanks!
Hi Preetam,
Thanks a lot for all the info you have provided. Though I think I have a fair idea of what is required for a VoA, I just want to make sure that a VoA will be issued not just for tourists, but also for those who are going to Thailand for a few days on official work.
Hi Prasad, the visa that they stamp says employment prohibited. I would recommend you ask your nearest Thai embassy if you need a business visa. I have used Visa on Arrival for conferences before but I am not sure if it works for an official business visit.
Hi Guys, thanks for all the Info about VoA, can someone tell me the approximate time for the VOA formalities and also has anyone here used the scanned application form. I am planning to goto Bangkok in Jan 09. Thanks for your help on advance.
Cheers
Mohan
Hey Preetam, just wanted to say that this post is really helpful, appreciate your effort! Cheers mate.
Hi Mohan, it might take you anywhere from 15 mins to an hour and more depending on how many flights from India and China arrive at that moment. I have used the scanned form twice and it worked. However someone elsed informed me that it did not work for her.
Hi Preetam, thanks for the Info, I will be travelling from Sydney and will reach Bangkok around 14.15. Will use the scanned form. Thanks for the info.
Allo Preetam, I am Amy an Indonesian but know less abt traveling abroad things but im planning to take my sister to go to Singapore for holiday and to check-up her hearing loss if possible. My question is what entry requirements needed to get visa on arrival there? do i need to show some cash too? how much? Thank you for your attention and reply later. You have good time and luck!
Hi Preetam,
I’m a UK citizen flying to Bangkok from Moscow. I’ll have flights to return in 15 days and I have a visa to return to Russia from Thailand. From your knowledge do you envisage any problem for me in getting the visa exemption stamp? (I know that isn’t exactly what this blog is about but I thought I’d ask)
Indonesian citizen don’t need visa to Singapore and can stay till 30 days.
UK passport does not need a visa for Thailand for short stays.
hi Preetam,
just wanted to say that this post is really helpful,
1. can you pls let me know the Immigration clearance procedure @ bangalore air port(Bcoz i will be using VOA @ bangkok)?
2. My friend is comming from Xiamen-China, stop over at Bangkok & we are comming together back to bangalore. Shoud he collect the baggage at bangkok or can he send it directly to banglore & afer 4 days can he collect it at banglaore?
Hi Vinod,
1. If you are going to a country that has Visa on Arrival then Bangalore airport will not ask for anything else. They might want to see your return ticket.
2. I would suggest collecting the baggage at Bangkok and leaving it at left luggage at the airport. I think most airlines don’t allow you to send baggage unaccompanied.
Check this page for the location of the left luggage office
http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/134
I will be travelling to Bangkok this evening with my family. Really glad I came across your blog.. Thank you so much!
I will be attempting to pass off the printed out form, I’ll let you know if I’m successful!
Thanks Preetam. This is a very helpful post. Nice to know that Visa on arrival is open 24 hours.
dear preetam
thank you you very much for such helpful tips.you are just great.
i too want to use the printed ou form.thank for this form,
priscilla
Hi I am travelling to Bangkok in Jan 09 with my mother.. we both have UK passports but my mothers was issued by the brit emabassey in cyprus.. we are going for 16 days… do you need visa’s?
Hi,
I’m travelling to thailand this saturday . I’m Slovakian, so need visa on arrival. I read previous post/notes but i’m a bit confused.
When we arrive in BKK, do i need to first queue to get a form(which i’ve already downloaded, many thanks) , fill it in and show enough currency and then go to another queue to get a visa/have passport stamped?
Or , as i alraedy have your form, which i filled in, do i go straight to have my passport stamped? Hope this makes sense. Many thanks.
Luds
Hi Luds,
You pass your filled form and the money and the photos etc. at the desk. They will ask you to wait in the chairs near the desk and give you a token number. The wait time depends on the number of people. Once the visa is stamped on your passport, they will call your number and return your passport. They you have walk about 50 meters to join the regular immigration queue where the immigration officer will stamp your visa.
Hi
i travelled already 4 times to tahiland before with Visa on hand. This time i would like to take VOA. Will thai authorties will paste the Visa card on the passport or they stamp it on the passport.
Best Regards
Hi Henny, They will stamp the visa on the passport.
dear preetam.thank you for the form, i printed out the forms but out of them one is in thai language is it for the official use?do i need to fill in only the first one.thanks