Thailand Visa on Arrival: Who Qualifies and How It Works

Landing in Thailand and heading straight through immigration sounds simple — and for many travelers, it is. The Thailand visa on arrival makes it possible for certain nationalities to get their entry stamp directly at the airport or border crossing, without any prior application. But this option is not available to everyone, and knowing the rules in advance prevents unpleasant surprises.

What Is the Thailand Visa on Arrival?

The Thailand visa on arrival (VoA) is a short-stay entry document issued to eligible foreign nationals directly at Thailand's international airports or land border crossings. Unlike a tourist visa applied for at a consulate, no advance paperwork is required — you apply and receive your visa on the spot.

It is granted for a maximum of 15 days and can be extended once for 7 additional days at an immigration office, bringing the total possible stay to 22 days.

This option is designed for short visits — a holiday, a layover, or a quick trip. If you are planning to stay longer, a standard tourist visa or another visa type would be more appropriate.

Which Nationalities Are Eligible?

The Thailand visa on arrival is available to nationals of 19 countries. As of 2026, the list includes:

Bhutan
Bulgaria
China
Cyprus
Ethiopia
Fiji
Georgia
India
Kazakhstan
Malta
Mexico
Romania
Russia (temporarily eligible in some periods)
Saudi Arabia
Taiwan
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu

This list is subject to change. It is different from the visa-exempt list, which covers around 60 nationalities who can enter Thailand without any visa at all. If your country is on the visa-exempt list — which includes the US, UK, EU members, Australia, and Canada — you do not need a visa on arrival. You simply enter for up to 60 days.

Thailand Visa on Arrival Requirements

To obtain a Thailand visa on arrival, you must present the following documents at the immigration counter:

A valid passport with at least 30 days of remaining validity beyond your intended stay
A completed TM76 arrival form (available on the plane or at the airport)
One recent passport-size photo (4x6 cm)
Proof of onward or return travel (a confirmed flight ticket)
Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or similar)
Proof of sufficient funds — at least 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family in cash or traveler's cheques
The visa fee: 2,000 THB, payable in cash (Thai Baht preferred)

It is strongly recommended to carry the visa fee in Thai Baht. While some airports accept other currencies, this is not guaranteed, and exchange rates at border counters are often unfavorable.

Where Can You Get a Thailand Visa on Arrival?

The Thailand visa on arrival is available at the following entry points:

International airports:

Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok)
Don Mueang (Bangkok)
Chiang Mai International
Phuket International
Hat Yai International
Samui Airport (Koh Samui)
And several other regional airports

Land border crossings: Several land border crossings also offer visa on arrival, though the process can be slower and the queue longer. If arriving by land, allow extra time.

How Long Does the Process Take?

At busy airports like Suvarnabhumi, the Thailand visa on arrival queue can be separate from the regular immigration queue and sometimes quite long — particularly during peak travel seasons such as December and January.

Experienced travelers recommend:

Arriving with all documents already prepared before joining the queue
Carrying the exact fee in Thai Baht to avoid delays at the payment counter
Completing the TM76 form while on the plane

Processing at the counter itself takes only a few minutes once you reach the front.

Extending a Thailand Visa on Arrival

If you wish to stay longer than your initial 15 days, you can apply for a 7-day extension at an immigration office. The extension fee is 1,900 THB. You will need to bring your passport, a TM.7 form, a photo, and the fee.

This brings the maximum total stay to 22 days. After that, you must leave Thailand. If you are considering a longer trip, a tourist visa applied through a consulate — which allows 60 days with a 30-day extension — is a better fit. You can find out more about visa options at hellothailandvisa.com.

5 Frequently Asked Questions About the Thailand Visa on Arrival

1. Can I get a Thailand visa on arrival at any airport? Most major international airports in Thailand offer the visa on arrival service, including Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. Smaller domestic airports do not. Always check that your arrival airport is eligible before traveling.

2. How much cash do I need for the Thailand visa on arrival? The visa fee is 2,000 THB. Additionally, immigration officers may ask you to demonstrate that you have at least 10,000 THB (or equivalent) available for your stay. Carry enough cash and, ideally, a return flight ticket to avoid being turned away.

3. Can I work in Thailand on a visa on arrival? No. The Thailand visa on arrival is for tourism and short visits only. Any form of work — paid or unpaid, remote or in-person — requires the appropriate work permit and non-immigrant visa. Working on a tourist or VoA status is illegal.

4. What if my visa on arrival is rejected? In rare cases, immigration officers can deny a visa on arrival if documents are incomplete or funds are deemed insufficient. In this situation, you would be put on the next flight home. This is why having all required documents ready before arrival is so important.

5. Is the Thailand visa on arrival the same as a tourist visa? No. A tourist visa (TR) is applied for in advance at a Thai embassy or consulate and typically allows a 60-day stay. The visa on arrival is obtained at the border and allows only 15 days. They serve different purposes and different lengths of stay.

What You Need to Remember

The Thailand visa on arrival is a convenient option for eligible travelers making short visits. Here is what to keep in mind:

Only 19 nationalities qualify — most Western travelers are visa-exempt and do not need it.
The fee is 2,000 THB, payable in cash at the border.
Maximum stay is 15 days, extendable once for 7 days.
Carry all required documents and sufficient funds to avoid being refused.
For stays longer than 22 days, apply for a standard Thailand tourist visa before traveling.