Visa Requirements for Thai Citizens

Visa requirements for Thai citizens are the specified rules applicable upon entering foreign countries. Each one establishes their own visa requirements, making it clear whether or not Thai citizens will need a visa to enter.

Citizens of Thailand do not have the most significant international travel liberty, with only 40 visa-free countries, 9 of them being part of the ASEAN (The Association of the Southeast Asian Nations).

Moreover, over a hundred destinations still require travelers from Thailand to present a valid Embassy-issued visa upon their arrival. Leaving about 30 countries that offer an eVisa system and around 40 of those offering a Visa on Arrival.

The most accessible option of all four available is the eVisa one. Electronic visas have been recently used by an increasing number of countries that wish to speed up and simplify visa application processes. When applying for an eVisa, one does not have to visit an Embassy, and the whole process is completed online.

Whereas Embassy visas are the most difficult ones to obtain since the whole process requires numerous supporting documents, Embassy visits, and sometimes even a visa interview. Traditional visas can be issued for both short and long-term trips, including those relating to work, education, or joining a family member abroad.

eVisas, VoAs, and visa-free travel for Thailand citizens are issued for short-term trips, usually between 30 and 90 days of stay.

Further information on each visa type for Thai citizens is available below.

Electronic visa

eVisa is an electronic alternative to a traditional Embassy visa introduced to make applying for a visa easier. Dozens of countries are now using an eVisa system helping travelers visit their territory for short-term stays relating to leisure, business, or transit.

List of countries that offer eVisas for Thai citizens

33 countries offer an eVisa option for Thai passport holders to use when traveling abroad. Visiting any of the above-listed destinations is now possible with a visa obtained online. eVisas are obtained after following a quick and intuitive 3-step process online. Applicants usually need a valid passport, an active email address, and any working device, such as a phone or laptop.

Once approved, eVisas arrive directly at the applicant’s email address in the form of a PDF file. This document should then be printed out and taken onto the travel.

Approved eVisas allow their holders to stay abroad for a short-term period, usually between 30 and 90 days.

Since electronic visas work just like traditional visas but are much easier to obtain, they allow travel for tourism, business, and transit purposes. This means that citizens of Thailand can travel using the eVisa system to:

  • Go on vacation
  • Go on a business trip
  • Visit friends and family living abroad
  • Take a layover while transiting

Visa on Arrival

Visa on Arrival is a type of visa obtainable after arriving at the selected country at the entry border checkpoint. Travelers must fill out the VoA application form after waiting in lines and then wait for approval.

List of Visa on Arrival countries for Thai citizens

  • Armenia
  • Bahrain
  • Benin
  • Bolivia
  • Cape Verde
  • Comoros
  • Ethiopia
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Jordan
  • Kenya
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Lesotho
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • The Maldives
  • The Marshall Islands
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nauru
  • Nepal
  • Nicaragua
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rwanda
  • Saint Lucia
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tanzania
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Zambia

40 countries offer Thai citizens the possibility to get the necessary visa upon arrival, allowing them to stay abroad for a short-term period of time.

To get a Visa on Arrival, travelers should visit the nearest border control checkpoint immediately after arriving at the selected destination. Next, they should ask for a VoA application form and carefully fill it out. The application process may also require an issuing fee to be paid or additional supporting documents to be provided.

Therefore, it’s best to research the specific requirements beforehand and check if any documents to validate the purpose of the trip may be needed.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that many VoA countries have an additional eVisa option available. Using an eVisa system saves travelers from the long waiting lines and helps them travel prepared by obtaining their visa online a few days before the planned trip.

Embassy visa

Embassy visas or traditional visas are issued by an Embassy of the country to be visited. These types of visas may serve for both short and long-term stays, even those relating to pursuing work, education, or joining a significant other abroad.

List of countries that require an Embassy visa from Thai citizens

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bhutan
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • The Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • China
  • Colombia
  • The Republic of the Congo
  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Cyprus
  • The Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Eswatini
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gambia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Kiribati
  • Kuwait
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • The Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Paraguay
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sudan
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syria
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkmenistan
  • The United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen

102 countries allow Thai passport holders to cross the border only upon presenting a valid Embassy visa obtained prior to arrival.

If the country Thai citizens plan on visiting does require having a regular visa, they must start the application process at least a few weeks prior to arrival.

The first step into applying for an Embassy visa should always be checking the current requirements and documents to be prepared. Next, with the filled application form and collected paperwork on hand, applicants should visit the Embassy to submit their application.

Additional steps may be required; however, the specific application process depends on the selected destination.

Since applying for a regular visa may be complicated and the processing time may take even a few weeks, it’s best to start applying well ahead of the planned departure date.

Visa-free countries

Forty countries allow Thai citizens to visit their territory visa-free for a short-term stay. Traveling without the need to handle a visa is one of the most convenient ways of traveling.

Check the list of visa-free countries for Thai citizens.

Even though a visa is not required, Thai citizens still have to prepare one crucial document – a valid passport or a valid ID card. Which one will be needed depends on the selected country.

Moreover, sometimes foreign countries require additional documents to be provided upon arrival, e.g., a return ticket or proof of booked accommodation.

When traveling visa-free, just like with an online visa, Thai citizens can enjoy all leisure, professional, and transit-related activities.

This includes going on vacation, exploring foreign destinations, trying the available tourist attractions, as well as handling any business-related duties.

Citizens of Thailand can visit visa-free countries to go on a business trip, negotiate future contract deals, and participate in a conference or seminar. Lastly, transit travel is also available, so reaching another final destination is more manageable as well.

Bogdan T
2022-10-5

Visa Requirements for Indonesian Citizens
Belgium Passport Visa-Free Countries
Visa Requirements for Australian Citizens
Visa Requirements for Singaporean Citizens
Visa Requirements for New Zealand Citizens

Evisa Express uses cookies and similar technologies for statistical and analytical purposes to optimize usage. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you do not change the settings, cookies will be saved in your device's memory. Cookie Policy and Terms of Service.