Thailand citizens Vietnam visa guide: Updated requirements and procedures
Key facts for Thai travelers to Vietnam
- Visa requirement: Thai citizens can enter Vietnam visa-free for 30 days, but need visas for longer stays or multiple entries
- Visa types: E-visa (30-90 days, single/multiple entry) or visa on arrival (VOA) for extended stays
- Processing time: 5-10 business days through official government websites, or faster (4 hours to 5 days) through services like VisaNow
- Entry points: Permitted at 13 airports, 16 land borders, and 13 seaports
- Visa extension: Possible to extend from 30 days to 6 months, depending on the visa type
Thai citizens enjoy visa-free entry to Vietnam for tourism purposes, making Vietnam an accessible destination for short trips. However, for extended stays, business purposes, or multiple entries, Thai travelers need proper visas. VisaNow will outline the appropriate visa types for different purposes in the guide below.
Professional visa application support from VisaNow
While Thai citizens can apply for Vietnam visas themselves, thousands choose VisaNow each year to save time, avoid mistakes, and ensure success. Compare our professional service with the DIY approach:
| Factors | Doing it yourself | VisaNow service |
| Processing time | 5-10 days normally | 3 DAYS guaranteed processing 1-2 DAYS for urgent cases |
| Paperwork time | 2-3 hours of reading requirements | Get the complete checklist right away |
| Application help | No help filling forms | Step-by-step guidance and checking |
| Question answering | Only basic FAQ on the government site | 24/7 English-speaking help team |
| Avoiding mistakes | Easy to make errors that cause rejection | Expert review prevents common errors |
| Emergency service | Usually not available | Only 4 hours in urgent cases |
| Airport support | No help when you arrive | Fast-track service available |
| Total cost | Cheaper at first but may pay twice if rejected | Slightly more but guaranteed results |
Our total fees for Vietnam visas for Thai citizens are:
| Type of visa | Processing time | Full charge (including Government fee) |
| Single | 4-5 days | 60 |
| 2-3 days | 54 | |
| 1 day | 120 | |
| 4 hours | 150 | |
| Emergency | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 | |
| Multiple | 4-5 days | 90 |
| 2-3 days | 110 | |
| 1 day | 150 | |
| 4 hours | 180 | |
| Emergency | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 | |
| Visa on arrival for Tourist | 4-5 days 3 days 2 days 1 day 4 hours | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 |
Note: Full charge includes both the Vietnam Government charge (USD 25 for single-entry or USD 50 for multiple-entry) and our service fee.
Who needs a Vietnam visa from Thailand?
Thai citizens do not need a visa for short-term tourist visits to Vietnam. Thailand is among the countries whose citizens can enter Vietnam visa-free for 30 days for tourism purposes. However, you will need a visa if:
- Your stay exceeds 30 days
- You plan multiple entries within a short period
- Your purpose is business, work, or study
- You want to extend your stay beyond the visa-free period
- You’re traveling on a diplomatic or official passport
Visa-free entry conditions for Thai citizens:
- Maximum stay: 30 days
- Purpose: Tourism only
- Passport validity: At least 6 months from entry date
- Previous visit gap: Must wait 30 days between visa-free entries
Updated Vietnam visa procedures for Thai nationals
Thai citizens planning to visit Vietnam have different visa options based on their situation and purpose of travel. Below is a comprehensive guide for both Thai citizens outside Vietnam and those already in the country.
- Application procedures from Thailand
- Extension procedures while in Vietnam
- Short-term visits to Vietnam
| Visa type | Duration | Entry type | Purpose | Best for |
| Tourist visa | Up to 30 days | Single entry | Vacation, sightseeing, visiting friends | First-time visitors, leisure travelers |
| E-visa | Up to 90 days | Single or multiple | Tourism, business, family visits | Business travelers, frequent visitors |
- Job-seeking or business exploration
| Option | Initial visa | Duration | Purpose | Next Steps |
| Job seeking | Tourist visa or e-visa | Up to 90 days | Networking, interviews, job hunting | Apply for business visa if opportunities arise |
| Business visa | Business visa | Up to 90 days | Investment activities, business meetings | Convert to temporary residence card when securing employment |
Long-term stay options
| Option | Duration | Benefits | Processing time | Ideal For |
| Temporary residence card (TRC) | Up to 5 years | – No frequent renewals – Multiple entries/exits – Long-term stay freedom | 5-10 working days | – Foreign employees – Investors – Those married to Vietnamese citizens |
| Visa extension | 30 days to 6 months | – Extended stay without leaving – Simpler than new application | 3-5 working days | Those needing extra time who don’t qualify for TRC |
How to apply for a Vietnam visa from Thailand
- Applications from outside Vietnam
- Applications from inside Vietnam
Apply for Vietnam e-visa (recommended)
The e-visa is the most convenient option for Thai citizens needing extended stays beyond the 30-day visa-free period. Our e-visa service provides:
- Processing time options: From 4 hours (emergency) to 5 days (standard)
- Document assistance: We handle all paperwork and application submission
- Approval guarantee: Expert review prevents common rejection errors
- Status updates: Real-time tracking of your application progress
- English support: 24/7 assistance from our experienced team
With VisaNow’s e-visa service, you receive comprehensive support throughout the entire process, ensuring your application meets all requirements and is processed efficiently.
Apply for a tourist/business visa
For Thai citizens requiring tourist or business visas, there are two main steps in the traditional visa process:
Step 1. Obtain an approval letter
- Submit passport copy and travel dates to a travel agency
- Standard processing time: 7-10 days
- Receive official approval letter via email
Step 2. Visa stamping
- Present approval letter, passport, photos, and application form
- Complete visa stamping at Vietnamese Embassy or airport upon arrival
- Pay required fees at the counter
Our tourist/business visa service gives you:
- Full paperwork handling – We manage all document preparation and submission
- Document verification – Expert review prevents rejection due to incomplete or incorrect documentation
- Flexible processing times – From 7 days standard to 4 hours for emergency cases
- English-speaking staff – Clear communication throughout the process
- Application status updates – Regular updates on your visa progress
- Time-saving convenience – Avoid multiple trips to embassies and lengthy paperwork review
With VisaNow’s comprehensive service, you can focus on planning your Vietnam trip while we handle all visa complexities.
Apply for visa on arrival (VOA)
Does Vietnam have visa on arrival for Thai citizens? Yes, Vietnam offers visa on arrival through a pre-approval letter system followed by visa stamping at the airport.
Visa on arrival involves obtaining a pre-approval letter before travel, then completing visa stamping upon arrival at Vietnamese airports. This option works best for urgent or last-minute trips when you don’t have time for embassy processing.
Our VOA service gives you:
- Quick approval letters – Including same-day emergency processing when needed
- Step-by-step airport instructions – Clear guidance for smooth airport visa stamping
- Documentation assistance – We ensure you have all required documents ready
- Airport fee payment support – Guidance on exact fees and payment procedures
We also offer airport fast-track service as an enhancement to standard VOA processing. This service helps you skip long immigration lines and complete your visa stamping quickly, letting you start your Vietnam trip smoothly.
Apply for a temporary residence card
For Thai citizens planning long-term stays in Vietnam, we recommend getting a temporary residence card. This card helps you avoid applying for new visas every few months.
Benefits of having a temporary residence card:
- Valid for up to 5 years
- Enter and exit Vietnam freely without new visas
- Easier banking and local services access
- Legal status for living in Vietnam
Benefits of having a temporary residence card:
- Valid for up to 5 years
- Enter and exit Vietnam freely without new visas
- Easier banking and local services access
- Legal status for living in Vietnam
Getting this card requires submitting paperwork to Vietnam immigration offices. Many Thai citizens find this process confusing and time-consuming without local knowledge. Our temporary residence card service saves you hours of frustration with friendly, step-by-step guidance from our English-speaking experts who handle everything for you.
Extend your Vietnam visa
Already in Vietnam, but need to stay longer? You can extend your Vietnam visa without leaving the country. This is perfect if you want to spend more time in Vietnam after your first visa expires.
The visa extension allows you to add:
- 30 days for tourist visas
- Up to 3 months for business visas
- Multiple extensions based on your visa type
Many Thai citizens struggle at immigration offices due to language barriers and confusing rules. Why waste your vacation time in long lines and filling out forms? Our Vietnam visa extension service makes it simple – hand us your passport and current visa, and our friendly English-speaking team takes care of everything. No stress, no confusion, just reliable results!
Updated Vietnam visa fees for Thai nationals
Fees for applications outside Vietnam
If you apply for the e-visa yourself, your fee and processing time will be as follows:
- E-visa and approval letter: Usually takes 5-10 business days after you submit your application through the official government website.
- Visa stamping at airports, embassies, or consulates: Typically 30-60 minutes, but may take longer during busy times (weekends, holidays) or at crowded locations.
| Visa type | Duration | Entries | Fee (USD) |
| E-visa | 30-90 days | Single | 25 |
| 30-90 days | Multiple | 50 | |
| Visa on arrival | Up to 90 days | Multiple | 50 |
| 90-180 days | 95 | ||
| 6 months-1 year | 135 |
In case you apply with VisaNow, your choices for Vietnam e-visa processing time and costs will be as follows:
| Type of visa | Processing time | Full charge (including Government fee) |
| Single | 4-5 days | 60 |
| 2-3 days | 54 | |
| 1 day | 120 | |
| 4 hours | 150 | |
| Emergency | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 | |
| Multiple | 4-5 days | 90 |
| 2-3 days | 110 | |
| 1 day | 150 | |
| 4 hours | 180 | |
| Emergency | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 | |
| Visa on arrival for Tourist | 4-5 days 3 days 2 days 1 day 4 hours | Whatsapp 24/7: (+84) 943 676 226 |
Fees for applications inside Vietnam
- Temporary residence card: Usually takes 5-7 working days after you submit all your documents. It may take longer during busy holiday times.
- Vietnam visa extension: Takes 5-7 working days. You will get a paper showing when to pick up your extended visa. During busy tourist times or holidays, it might take a bit longer.
| Type | Duration | Entry type | Fee (USD) |
| Temporary residence card (TRC) | 1 – 2 years | Multiple entry | 145 |
| 2 – 5 years | 155 | ||
| 5 -10 years | 165 | ||
| Visa extension | 90 days | Single entry | 25 |
| 90 days | Multiple entry | 50 | |
| 90 – 180 days | Multiple entry | 95 | |
| 6 months – 1 year | Multiple entry | 135 |
Frequently asked questions about Vietnam visa procedures for Thai citizens
Where can Thai nationals enter Vietnam with e-visa?
Airports (13 locations):
– Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi)
– Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
– Da Nang Airport
– Cam Ranh Airport (Nha Trang)
– Phu Quoc Airport
– Can Tho Airport
– Cat Bi Airport (Hai Phong)
– Vinh Airport
– Dong Hoi Airport
– Hue Airport
– Pleiku Airport
– Buon Ma Thuot Airport
Rach Gia Airport
Land borders (16 locations): Including major crossings with China, Laos, and Cambodia
Seaports (13 locations): Including Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Da Nang ports
Can Thailand passport holders extend their Vietnam visa?
– Direct application at immigration offices
– Authorized travel agencies
– Professional visa services like VisaNow
Extensions are available for tourist visas, business visas, and other temporary stay categories. The extension process typically takes 5-7 working days.
How long can Thai travelers extend their Vietnam visa?
Tourist visa extensions:
– 30 days (single entry): USD 25
– 90 days (multiple entry): USD 50
Business visa extensions:
– 90 days (multiple entry): USD 50
– 90-180 days (multiple entry): USD 95
– 6 months-1 year (multiple entry): USD 135
Multiple extensions are possible, but each extension must be applied for separately. The maximum extension period depends on your visa category and immigration officer discretion.
Professional Vietnam visa assistance for Thai nationals
With more than 10 years of expertise in Vietnam immigration services, VisaNow has successfully processed thousands of visa applications for Thai citizens across all major Vietnamese cities including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Our comprehensive approach ensures smooth visa processing for both individual travelers and corporate clients, with more than 1,000 companies trusting us annually for their foreign staff visa needs.
- Comprehensive service solutions: From initial visa applications to residence cards, work permits, document translation, and official legalization – we manage every aspect of your immigration requirements
- English-speaking experts: Our multilingual specialists provide crystal-clear communication and accurate guidance throughout your entire visa journey
- Efficient time management: While you focus on planning your Vietnam experience or business operations, our team handles all documentation preparation and submission processes
- Transparent cost structure: Complete fee breakdown provided upfront with no hidden charges or unexpected costs
As your dedicated Vietnam immigration partner, VisaNow guarantees exceptional service quality and complete client satisfaction. Trust our proven expertise to transform your Vietnam visa application into a seamless, stress-free experience.
