How do you apply for a Thailand visa? Thailand has long been one of Taiwanese travellers' favourite destinations in Southeast Asia. Under Thailand's latest "free visa on arrival" policy announced this January, travellers from 21 countries — including Taiwan — no longer need to pay the THB 2,000 visa-on-arrival fee when visiting Thailand. Let's take a look at how to apply for this great-value visa on arrival! Once your visa is sorted, grab a no-throttle Thailand data SIM and you are ready for the trip you have been looking forward to ✨

Three common types of Thailand tourist visa

  • Visa on Arrival (VOA): a 15-day stay, free of charge, but requires queuing to have your documents checked.
  • Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA): a 15-day stay, applied for online with a THB 600 fee.
  • Single-entry Tourist Visa (TR-Single): a 60-day stay, costing NT$1,200 for a single entry.

How do I apply for Thailand's Visa on Arrival (VOA)?

On arrival at a Thai airport, simply have the following documents ready to process your visa on arrival — processing time depends on how busy the queue is.

Documents required:

  • Original passport (valid for at least six more months)
  • Photo: one 4×6cm close-up or 2-inch white-background ID photo (taken within the last six months)
  • A confirmed return flight ticket departing within 15 days
  • A verifiable address in Thailand (bring a copy of your hotel booking)
  • The THB 2,000 visa fee — Thai baht can be exchanged at the airport, but it is best to have it ready before you leave Taiwan
  • THB 10,000 in cash (or equivalent in foreign currency) per person, or THB 20,000 per family, that you must be able to show if asked
  • An arrival/departure card

Skip the queue with the eVOA option

Want to avoid the wait for a visa on arrival? You can apply for the electronic visa on arrival ahead of time from Taiwan — but since it requires travel details (such as your flight and accommodation), be sure to book your flight and hotel first before applying.

Application site — VFS.GLOBAL: https://thailandevoa.vfsevisa.com/thailand/online/home/index

Applying in person for the single-entry tourist visa (TR-Single) in Taiwan

Besides the two visa-on-arrival options above, you can also spend a little time in Taiwan getting your Thai visa sorted in advance, so you never have to worry about missing paperwork once you land.

The single-entry tourist visa (TR-Single) is valid for three months and allows a 60-day stay.

(Good to know: once a single-entry visa has been used, you will need a brand new visa to re-enter Thailand — so if you plan to travel to Thailand more than once, consider applying for a multiple-entry tourist visa instead.)

Besides going through a travel agency, there are currently three places in Taiwan where you can apply for a Thai visa in person:

  • Thailand Trade and Economic Office, Taipei: 12F, No. 168 Songjiang Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City (near Songjiang Nanjing Station)
  • Taipei VFS Global visa application centre: 2F, No. 141, Section 2, Minsheng East Road, Taipei City
  • Kaohsiung VFS Global visa application centre: 6F, No. 260, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Kaohsiung City

Documents required:

  • Original passport (valid for at least six more months)
  • Two 2-inch ID photos (passport-style, taken within the last six months; must differ from your national ID or passport photo unless your passport was issued within the last six months, in which case the same photo can be used)
  • Photocopy of both sides of your national ID card (applicants under 18 must also include a photocopy of their household registration)
  • Round-trip flight booking
  • Visa fee: NT$1,200 per person (please bring the exact amount)
  • A fully completed application form (download the latest form here)

*Please note: applying at the Taipei or Kaohsiung visa centres incurs an additional NT$300 service fee

Applying through a visa centre has the advantage of longer processing hours and shorter queues. Applications generally take about 3 to 5 business days (excluding weekends), and same-day collection is sometimes possible, though we still recommend applying 7 to 10 days before departure in case anything needs correcting. One more thing to note: if you plan to apply in person, the offices are closed not only on Taiwan's weekends and public holidays, but on Thai public holidays too. Check each office's website for exact holiday schedules (Thailand Trade and Economic Office, VFS Global visa centre).

Further reading:
>> What months are best for a Thailand trip? A complete guide to travel tips worth saving for your planning
>> How to choose a Thailand data SIM: comparing AIS, Truemove and DTAC, and our top carrier pick
>> 2023 roundup of credit cards offering free airport transfers — 16 banks including Taishin, CTBC and Cathay United covered