American citizens can enter Thailand as a tourist for up to 30 days without needing a pre-approved visa. This period of stay, often referred to as “Visa on arrival,” can be organized upon landing at one of Thailand’s international airports. For more information, please visit ThaiEmbassy.com.
For U.S. citizens wishing to travel to Thailand, it’s advisable to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter, review the Country Security Report for Thailand, and have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance. For details, see Thailand International Travel Information.
If the purpose of the visit includes employment, U.S. citizens must obtain a Thai Work Permit and a Thai Work Visa, which will be valid for a year. A Work Permit must be received from a company or an organization within Thailand. To explore other visa options, contact the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand, or visit their website for more information on Thai Visas for Americans.
According to the CDC, the Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is no longer in effect. For COVID-19 updates and travel advisories, please check the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand’s COVID-19 Information page.
Travelers to Thailand must be aware of the entry requirements effective January 9 to January 31, 2023. Travelers aged 18 and older arriving in Thailand must have proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID in the last 6 months, or a vaccine-exemption letter from a doctor. For the latest updates, visit Latest Thailand Entry Requirements.
For additional information on Thailand’s entry/exit requirements, contact the Royal Thai Embassy, or visit the Thailand Travel Advisory page.
Thailand has recorded over 4.67 million cases of COVID-19 as of September 26, 2022, with an average of around 700 cases reported per day. For an in-depth travel guide and what to expect when traveling during COVID-19, please see the article on Traveling to Thailand during Covid-19 by CNN.
