Thailand Visa on Arrival Changes 2025

WHAT THE VISA ON ARRIVAL IS A reminder of the baseline: Thailand''s Visa on Arrival (VoA) grants a 15-day stay for eligible foreign nationals who obtain their visa at the airport or border crossing on the day of arrival, rather than applying in advance at a consulate. The fee is 2,000 THB. The VoA is distinct from Thailand''s visa exemption programme (30 days, no application required at all) — most Western nationals (Australia, UK, USA, EU, Japan, South Korea) do not use the VoA because they qualify for the 30-day visa exemption automatically. The VoA is primarily used by nationals of India, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, and other countries not covered by the exemption list. KEY CHANGES SINCE 2022 EXPANSION OF ELIGIBLE NATIONALITIES Thailand has periodically expanded the VoA eligible nationality list to boost tourism from specific markets. As of June 2025, the full list is maintained by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs at mfa.go.th. Nationals of India and Kazakhstan are among the commonly VoA-eligible nationalities that benefited from expanded or restored access post-COVID. FEE WAIVER PERIODS (PERIODIC PROMOTIONS) Thailand''s government has run VoA fee waiver periods — temporary zero-baht VoA — as a tourism stimulus measure. These have been announced at short notice and apply for limited windows. Whether a fee waiver is in effect at the time of your travel should be verified with the Thai consulate or MFA before departure. ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION (THAILAND VoA ONLINE) Thailand introduced an online pre-registration option (available at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports) allowing VoA-eligible travellers to upload documents and pre-pay the 2,000 THB fee before arriving, reducing time at the airport counter. This is not mandatory — walk-up VoA remains available. The pre-registration portal is accessible at immigration.go.th or through approved travel portals. The pre-registration shortens airport processing time but does not change the 15-day stay grant or any other VoA conditions. WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED • The 15-day maximum stay (not extendable) • The 2,000 THB fee for nationalities that do not receive a fee waiver promotion • The requirement to leave Thailand before the 15-day stay expires • The basic document requirements: return ticket, accommodation evidence, funds IF 15 DAYS IS NOT ENOUGH If you are travelling to Thailand from a VoA-eligible country and need more than 15 days, a tourist visa (60 days) is the right option — applied for at a Thai Embassy before departure. Some VoA-eligible nationalities can also use Thailand''s e-Visa portal (evisa.thaigov.go.th) for a tourist visa without a consulate visit. HOW TO CONFIRM YOUR CURRENT ELIGIBILITY VoA nationality lists and fee waiver promotions change. Before travel, verify: 1. Your nationality is still on the current VoA list at mfa.go.th 2. Whether a fee waiver promotion is currently running 3. Whether your desired port of entry (land border vs airport) offers VoA COMPLIANCE NOTE Visa on Arrival changes are announced via the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Bureau. Visa Centre does not speculate about future policy changes — we report only confirmed information from official Thai government sources. For the most current list, check mfa.go.th directly. General guidance only. VoA eligibility and terms are set by the Thai government and subject to change without advance notice. No outcome guaranteed. Independent visa assistance agency; not affiliated with any government body.