Everything You Need to Know about Thailand’s E-Visa

Since January 1, 2025, Thailand has started to offer an electronic visa (e-visa) application service for foreigners looking to visit the country. Tourists from around the world and those entering Thailand for various purposes may now apply for a visa permit at the convenience of their phones or personal devices.

This change provides solutions to the confusing paperwork and allows applicants to skip a demanding visit to an embassy. With online documentation, the complicated visa process becomes much easier.

In this Pacific Prime Thailand article, we will be covering all important information about Thailand’s e-visas, including different types of visas available for online application, the step-by-step guide for visa application, and other useful insights.

What is Thailand’s E-Visa?

Thailand’s E-Visa is a new online system that allows visitors to complete their entire visa process from any location through their official website. The site has a user-friendly interface and clearly states an effortless six-step procedure for applicants to follow upon visiting.

This improvement is part of the Thai government’s broader scheme to promote tourism and ensure visitors have a smooth travel experience, increasing their appeal to visit the country.

While the e-visa does not entirely eliminate the ordeal of visa applications, it helps overcome the tiresome process of thick paperwork and delays.

The system is now active in the databases of all Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates across the world, guaranteeing that the permission for your travel is secure and reliable. This facility becomes ideal for many people, particularly tourists, short-term visitors, and business travelers.

Note that Thailand also offers a Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme, which allows travelers from 93 countries and territories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and most European countries, to enter the country without a visa if their period of stay does not exceed 60 days.

Types of Thailand’s E-Visas

There are several types of visas for people traveling to Thailand for different purposes, including tourist visas, transit visas, and long-term resident visas. Visitors may choose from the six types of visas available through the online application listed below to meet their stay requirements:

1. Tourist Visa (TR)

This type of visa is strictly for visitors to Thailand for tourism, sightseeing, and medical treatment. It can be obtained as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa with the option for extension up to 30 days. The visa holder, however, is prohibited from working during their stay in the country.

2. Non-Immigrant Visa

For non-leisure purposes, including business, education, and familial visits, this visa permits a 90-day period of stay. This visa is also required for entering Thailand prior to applying for a spouse/dependent visa or a retirement visa.

3. Transit Visa

This short-stay visa permits a stay in Thailand for up to 30 days if you are merely transiting to another country.

4. SMART Visa

Professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking to visit Thailand can benefit from the SMART visa. It has up to four years of validity and comes with an exemption from the work permit requirements as a plan to attract those with talent, particularly in the technology and medical industries.

5. Long Term Resident Visa (LTR)

This visa is catered to digital nomads, investors, skilled workers, and retirees who are interested in relocating to Thailand. It grants a 10-year stay with the benefits of reduced income tax rates. This type of visa holder is only subjected to an annual immigration report.

6. Destination Thailand Visa (DVS)

The Destination Thailand Visa allows digital nomads and remote workers a 5-year stay in Thailand for multiple entries, with up to 180 days period of stay per each entry.

Each type of visa requires different regulations, documents, and fees. Further information on other types of visas can be found on the Thailand e-visa official site.

How to Apply for a Thai E-Visa

Required Documents and Visa Fees

Before beginning the process, it is best to know what documents you need to prepare to avoid going back and forth between the procedures. Moreover, visa fees are required as a processing cost.

This is a list of common requirements that most travelers should have ready before applying for electronic visas.

• Passport: The passport must be valid for more than 6 months before entering Thailand.
• Visa photo: The size must be 3.5 x 4.5 cm (roughly 1.4 x 1.8 inches) with a clear, front-facing view of the applicant’s face in a white/off-white background.
• Proof of funds: An individual traveler must be able to provide at least 10,000 THB in their bank statements, while a family must demonstrate 20,000 THB.
• Travel booking confirmation: Flight ticket details that show the date of entering and exiting Thailand.
• Proof of Accommodation: A confirmation page of any accommodation type you intend to stay at.
• Letter of invitation or supporting documents: In the case of traveling for business, education, or family visits, provide an invitation letter from the company, school, or your relatives.
• Extra documents (for minors): For those under the age of 20, a birth certificate and parents’ marriage or custody documents are required.
• Fees: Visa costs range from 1,000 to 6,000 THB, depending on your visa type and nationality.

A Guide to Visa Application Process

Firstly, the official e-visa application can only be completed through the Thailand E-visa official website. Here is a general outline of the application process:

• STEP 1: Create an account 

Register as an individual by entering your basic information and contact. A verifiable email is mandatory. Once the account is created, click on “Apply for a new visa” in the “Dashboard” menu and determine your visa type before moving on to the next step.

• STEP 2: Fill in an application form

Fill in personal information (travel document details, address, employment details, travel plans, etc.).

• STEP 3: Upload supporting documents

Upload the required and supporting documents (passport, photograph, proof of funds, proof of accommodation, and travel booking confirmations) for your visa type.

• STEP 4: Pay the visa fee

Pay directly through the system by debit or credit card. Each visa type costs differently. Once paid, the fee is not refundable.

• STEP 5: Wait for the visa to be processed

Application status can be checked through email updates and your registered account on the official website. In case there are any additional required documents, you will be notified.

• STEP 6: Print out your e-visa

Once approved, your visa will be sent to your email. Print it out as a hard copy, as you will need to show it at immigration upon entering Thailand.

When You Should Start Applying for E-Visa

You should begin the visa application process no earlier than 3 months and no later than 1 month before your entry date.

This is because the issued visa has a 60-90 day validity after its approval. Meanwhile, it usually takes 3–10 working days to process your visa, and while most people do receive it within 2 weeks, it is best to spare some time for delayed processing or if additional documents are required.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for the wrong visa: When applying for a visa, check for the type that best suits your travel needs and recheck your eligibility.
• Applying too early/late: Timing is highly important when applying for a visa. Applying too late or too early may affect your intended travel date.
• Your passport does not meet the required validity: Double-check your passport expiry date and make sure that it will be valid for at least 6 months on your intended entry date.
• Visa photo does not meet requirements: Strictly follow visa photo guidelines. Getting your photo taken professionally can help ensure it meets the requirements.
• Mistakes in documentation: Mistakes in spellings or autofills, unclear photos of documents, or documents uploaded in the wrong order may lead to rejection of a visa.
• Booking non-refundable flights/hotels: If you book non-refundable flights or hotels, you risk losing money in the event of visa rejection. Opt for the cancellation-free or changeable option when booking accommodations and other activities.

Secure Your Trip to Thailand with Pacific Prime

Thailand’s initiative to offer e-visa service helps simplify the complicated visa process for travelers visiting the country. It organizes the confusing paperwork, and a visit to the Thai embassy is no longer necessary, making a trip to Thailand conveniently within your reach.

For short-term tourists, meeting new friends and exploring Thai culture could be exciting, but to ensure a worry-free adventure, it is best to have comprehensive travel insurance that will help cover any travel- and health-related matters in the event of any accident.

For visitors planning a longer stay in Thailand, international health insurance can guarantee access to top-notch healthcare services without exhausting your resources.

At Pacific Prime Thailand, we have 20+ years of experience and resources in helping our clients choose insurance plans that best suit their needs. Whether you need short-term or long-term coverage, contact our team today for a FREE plan comparison. We are eager to help you secure peace of mind while staying in Thailand.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Palida Weerawat

Content Creator at Pacific Prime Thailand

Palida is a passionate writer who is now creating content at Pacific Prime Thailand. She recently earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, where she received formal training to write clearly and effectively. While studying, Palida had experiences publishing social and cultural features on social media platforms and working as an English tutor, where she refined her skills in breaking down complex ideas and explaining them in a simple, straightforward manner—skills that she has transitioned into delivering insurance-related content.

With her background as an avid traveler and as an exchange student in Spain, Palida values the benefits of insurance and understands the frustrations that may come with making the best decisions for your health and safety in an unknown environment. Here at Pacific Prime, she aspires to create content that will help expats and travelers understand international health insurance with ease.

In her spare time, Palida enjoys reading short stories as much as binging on sitcoms. She is also a self-proclaimed "foodie" with the goal of trying as many cuisines from all over the world as possible. Combining her passion for writing with her love for food, she is an aspiring Google Local Guide reviewer.

Latest posts by Palida Weerawat (see all)

• Everything You Need to Know about Thailand’s E-Visa - May 9, 2025