Thailand eVisa Now Available to Visitors from 23 Countries

Thailand has extended its online visa service to include a total of 23 countries. Nationals of these sovereign states can apply online to get a tourist visa for Thailand.

The recent update has added 9 diplomatic missions (embassies and consulates) to the list of those that process visa applications made online.

The Thailand electronic visa (eVisa) is a useful service that allows tourists to get a visa online. Applicants enter their details into a short form using a computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Once approved, they receive a confirmation email. This is printed and presented to airline staff when boarding the flight to Thailand. It must also be shown to border control officials on arrival.

The online system has the big advantage of being able to apply from wherever you are. There is no need to go to an embassy or consulate in person.

Nationals of the 23 countries eligible for Thailand’s eVisa program can get a tourist visa valid for a stay of up to 60 days in the country online.

By expanding and developing the eVisa service, Thailand hopes to make it easier for more foreign nationals to visit the Southeast Asian country and increase tourism.

Which 23 Nationalities Can Get a Thai Tourist Visa Online?

With the latest expansion of the e-Visa service, a total of 23 nationalities can apply, with 38 embassies and consulates capable of processing online visa applications.

Citizens of the following 23 countries can currently apply for the electronic tourist visa for Thailand:

• Canada
• US
• Austria
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• UK
• China (including Hong Kong)
• South Korea

Some of these countries host multiple Thai diplomatic missions capable of processing eVisa requests. For example, the United States has the Embassy of Thailand in Washington DC, as well as Thai consulates in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Thailand has 10 diplomatic offices in China that deal with eVisa applications. One of these is in the autonomous region of Hong Kong.

How the Expansion of Thailand’s eVisa Program Makes Travel Easier

Thailand’s visa policy continues to evolve with the aim of boosting tourism by making it easier for foreign visitors to authorize their trips.

Before the pandemic, the eVisa platform was a work in progress. While the initial application was done online, some supporting documents still had to be submitted to a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate for approval.

Since September 26, 2021, this is no longer the case. The eVisa service is now fully online. Supporting documents can be uploaded in digital format. The printed confirmation email is all that is needed to board a flight to Thailand.

The whole visa application process is now much quicker and easier.

With the eVisa program extended to more and more countries, Thailand is making it easier for more potential tourists to visit its shores.

Online visa extensions for Thailand

Thailand plans to continue using digital tools to improve its visa application services. The country’s Immigration Bureau has announced that it will introduce an online visa extension service, dubbed “e-extension”.

Currently, foreign visitors either have to leave Thailand and return with a new visa or go through a lengthy, in-person process of applying for an extension at an office within the country.

Being able to do this online without having to leave is expected to make it easier and less time-consuming to extend a Thai visa.

• Applications for all types of visas in Thailand can be done online through the e-Visa official website for passport holders of 23 countries.
• Thailand’s Immigration Bureau recently unveiled its online visa extension (e-extension) service. The service is expected to make visa extensions easier, less costly, and less time-consuming for foreigners in Thailand.
• Attention: From 26 September 2021, 11.00 PM (UTC), it is no longer required for e-Visa applicant to submit his/her passport and original supporting documents in person at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate. After the e-Visa application has been approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to applicants. It is kindly requested to print a copy of the confirmation e-mail to present to airline and Thai Immigration officials to carry out checks when travelling to Thailand.