There is no single national approval time for the Thailand e-Visa, because each embassy or consulate decides and publishes its own. Examples are 5 working days at the Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, 3 to 7 working days in Colombo and up to 10 working days in Doha. Fees are set by each embassy in local currency, paid by card and not refunded if the visa is refused.
The e-Visa is the normal way to get a Thai visa before you travel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs runs the portal, but your application is read by the embassy or consulate that covers where you live. That is why times and fees differ. Below is what the embassies publish themselves, plus what to carry at the border.
Figures in this guide were checked at the time of writing and can change. Always confirm with the official source or in your free pre-check.
How long does a Thailand e-Visa take?
The portal does not promise one number. Each mission states its own time, usually in working days from a complete application. If you must add documents, the clock can restart.
| Mission | Published time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consulate-General, Ho Chi Minh City | 5 working days, not counting the day you submit | The count starts again when you send missing documents. Page last updated April 2025. |
| Embassy, Colombo | 3 to 7 working days for a tourist visa | Non-Immigrant visas and the DTV take longer. The embassy may ask for extra documents or an interview. Page dated September 2026. |
| Embassy, Doha | Up to 10 working days, up to 14 if documents are incomplete | Date of the page not stated. |
For the DTV, expect longer than for a tourist visa. Posts differ, so read the notice of your own mission before you book flights, and do not plan around the fastest figure.
What does a Thailand e-Visa cost?
There is no one fee in baht for all applicants. Each mission sets the fee in its own currency and publishes it on its page. The missions we checked agree on three points:
- Payment is by credit or debit card on the portal.
- The fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
- A multiple-entry visa costs several times the single-entry fee.
For example, the Ho Chi Minh City consulate listed USD 40 for a single-entry tourist visa and USD 200 for a multiple-entry one on a page last updated in April 2025. Treat that as an example, not as today's price. The DTV fee is about 10,000 THB, charged in the local currency of the mission, and some embassies list a different figure. Always read the fee on the page of the mission you will use.
How to apply for the e-Visa, step by step
- Pick your mission. Apply to the embassy or consulate that covers your country of residence. For the DTV, reports point to the mission for your nationality or permanent residence, so read the notice of your mission.
- Create an account on the Thailand e-Visa portal.
- Choose the category: tourist single entry, tourist multiple entry, DTV or a Non-Immigrant type.
- Fill in the form and upload your documents.
- Pay the fee by card.
- Answer any request for extra documents or an interview.
- Receive the result through the portal.
These are the steps in order as the missions describe them. Screens on the portal change, so follow the instructions on the day.
Which documents does a tourist e-Visa need?
The Ho Chi Minh City consulate lists these for a tourist visa. Other missions can add items.
- A passport valid for at least 6 months
- A recent photo, taken within the last 6 months
- Proof of where you live now
- A flight booking
- Proof of accommodation in Thailand
The DTV needs more, such as proof of funds, proof of remote work or a qualifying activity, and a police certificate since 31 August 2026. See the DTV guide.
How long is an e-Visa valid, and how long can you stay?
Validity and stay are two different numbers. Validity is the time you have to enter Thailand. The stay is what you get after entry. For a tourist visa, the Ho Chi Minh City consulate states a validity of 3 months for a single entry and 6 months for a multiple entry. After you enter, a tourist visa gives about 60 days per entry, and one extension of 30 days is usually possible. The DTV is valid for 5 years and allows up to 180 days per entry.
e-Visa vs visa on arrival vs visa exemption
| e-Visa (tourist) | Visa on arrival | Visa exemption | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Anyone who needs a visa in advance | Only 3 nationalities since 15 September 2026: Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia | 60 countries and territories, tourism only |
| Stay | About 60 days per entry | Short, reported as 15 days | 30 days, 15 for Seychelles and Mauritius |
| Cost | The fee of your mission, paid before travel | Reported as 2,000 THB, in cash at the border | None in advance |
| Extension | Usually once for 30 days | Not stated in the sources we checked | Up to 30 days, at the officer's discretion |
| Certainty | Decided before you fly | Decided at the border | Decided at the border |
For a trip of 30 days or less, the exemption is simplest if your passport is on the list. For more than that, or if you want to know the answer before you fly, apply for the e-Visa. The full comparison of the three entry routes is in visa on arrival vs embassy visa.
Which nationalities need a visa in advance now?
Since 15 September 2026, around 21 nationalities no longer enter visa-free for tourism. Reports name, among others, Albania, Colombia, Mexico, Morocco and Sri Lanka. Travellers who entered on or before 14 September keep the stay stamped at entry. We do not repeat a full list here because it is based on press reports. Check your passport on the e-Visa portal before you book. The background is in the 30-day exemption guide.
What is the 20,000 baht rule?
It is the rule that visitors may be asked to show a minimum amount of money when they enter Thailand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand reminded travellers of it on 6 July 2026 and said it is a reminder, not a new measure. It rests on old Ministry of Interior announcements.
| Entry type | Per person | Per family |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | 20,000 THB | 40,000 THB |
| Non-Immigrant visa | 20,000 THB | 40,000 THB |
| Visa on arrival | 10,000 THB | 20,000 THB |
| Visa exemption | 10,000 THB for certain cases; some embassies state 20,000 THB | 20,000 THB, or 40,000 THB at some embassies |
- Children under 12 are exempt.
- The money can be baht, an equivalent in foreign currency, or other payment documents. Whether cards or bank apps are accepted is not confirmed.
- Officers may ask at their own discretion, and the decision is theirs. Reports say checks were rare in the past and have become stricter.
- For the visa exemption the sources differ, so carry the higher amount.
Keep your onward ticket and accommodation address ready as well. See also what you must show at the border.
Do you still need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
Yes. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is a separate, free form for every foreign traveller, including those who enter visa-free. File it within 3 days before arrival at tdac.immigration.go.th, and do not pay anyone who asks for money. It is not a visa and does not replace one. See who files and when.
What if the e-Visa is refused or you are in a hurry?
The fee is not refunded, so check the documents before you pay. If your trip is close, tell us your dates. We can tell you whether the exemption, a shorter route or a later application is the safer choice, and we help you prepare the file. See our tourist visa service.
We check your case first and handle the paperwork, so you avoid wasted trips and fees.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Thailand e-Visa take?
It depends on the embassy. Published examples are 5 working days in Ho Chi Minh City, 3 to 7 working days in Colombo and up to 10 working days in Doha. The DTV and Non-Immigrant visas take longer.
How much does a Thailand e-Visa cost?
Each embassy sets the fee in its own currency, so there is no single price. One consulate listed USD 40 for a single entry and USD 200 for a multiple entry in 2025. The fee is paid by card and is not refunded if the visa is refused.
Is the e-Visa the same as a visa on arrival?
No. You apply for the e-Visa online before you fly and receive the answer in advance. The visa on arrival is bought at the border and, since 15 September 2026, is open to only 3 nationalities.
What is the 20,000 baht rule?
Officers may ask you to show money when you enter: 20,000 THB per person (40,000 per family) for a tourist or Non-Immigrant visa, and 10,000 THB per person (20,000 per family) in other cases. Children under 12 are exempt, and the officer decides.
Can I apply for the e-Visa at any embassy?
Apply to the mission that covers your country of residence. For the DTV, reports point to the mission for your nationality or permanent residence, so check your mission's notice.
Do I need the arrival card as well?
Yes. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is free, separate from the visa, and due within 3 days before arrival.
How long is a tourist e-Visa valid?
One consulate states 3 months to enter for a single-entry visa and 6 months for a multiple-entry visa. After entry you get about 60 days per entry.
Official sources
- Thailand e-Visa portal (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
- Royal Thai Consulate-General Ho Chi Minh City: tourist visa (e-Visa)
- Royal Thai Embassy Colombo: new visa measures
- Royal Thai Embassy Doha: tourist visa
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: reminder of the proof-of-funds rule (6 July 2026)
- Royal Thai Embassy Abuja: Thailand Digital Arrival Card
- Thai Immigration Bureau: Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Last reviewed on . Thai immigration rules and fees change. We confirm the current requirements for your case in your free pre-check.