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Thailand changed its rules on . Nationals of 60 countries and territories now get 30 days visa-free for tourism, replacing the old 60-day scheme. If your passport is not on that list, or you stay longer, you apply online at thaievisa.go.th. A single entry tourist e-Visa costs AED 400, and the Dubai consulate quotes up to 5 to 20 days.
What changed in September
Until recently, passports from 93 countries and territories could stay 60 days without a visa. Thailand revoked that. Under a Royal Gazette notice from , the new exemption gives 30 days for tourism to nationals of 60 countries and territories.
The Thai foreign ministry infographic lists, among others, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, the USA, Japan and the EU states. The Thai embassy in New Delhi confirms that Indian passports are covered. The list is printed as a graphic, so check your own nationality on the official PDF before you rely on it.
A few more groups have their own rules:
- Bilateral agreements: China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
- Visa on arrival for THB 2,000: Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.
- 15-day exemption: Seychelles and Mauritius.
Your UAE residence does not add you to any of these lists. They follow your passport.
When you need the Thai e-Visa
You need a visa if your passport is not exempt, or if you plan to stay past 30 days, or for reasons other than tourism. Since , every foreign national who needs a visa and lives in the UAE applies online at thaievisa.go.th. The whole application is online.
Thai visa fees for UAE residents
| Visa type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Tourist, single entry | AED 400 |
| Tourist, multiple entries within 6 months | AED 1,000 |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), multiple entries over 5 years | AED 1,500 |
| Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) | Free |
Source: fee notice of the Royal Thai Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate-General Dubai, in force since , and the consulate TDAC page, checked . Visa fees are non-refundable.
Most UAE holidaymakers who need a visa want the single entry tourist visa. The multiple entry option suits people flying back and forth within 6 months. The DTV is a long-term multiple entry visa with its own criteria on the e-Visa site.
What Dubai agencies charge
Dubai visa agencies publish about AED 225 to AED 1,000 for Thailand tourist e-Visa help (published prices of 5 Dubai agencies, checked ). At least one agency says the Thai embassy fee is charged separately from its package, so check whether the AED 400 is in a quote or on top of it. Some agencies also sell TDAC filing. The TDAC itself is free on the official site.
Documents for the Thai e-Visa
The e-Visa site shows the exact list for each category. For a tourist e-Visa from the UAE, expect to upload:
- Passport bio page, valid for the trip.
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, to show you live here.
- A recent photo.
- Flight booking in and out of Thailand.
- Hotel bookings or an address in Thailand.
- Recent bank statements.
Upload clear scans, not phone photos at an angle. If the officer cannot read a file, expect a request for a new one, which adds days.
Processing time
The two Thai missions in the UAE give different figures. The Dubai consulate says "up to 5-20 days" and asks you to apply 20 to 30 days before you leave. The Abu Dhabi embassy says 3 to 10 working days. We plan on the Dubai figure, because it is longer. Apply a month before your flight and you are safe on both.
The TDAC: easy to forget, needed by everyone
All non-Thai nationals must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within the 3 days before arrival. That includes UAE citizens and anyone else on the 30-day exemption. It is free, and the only official site is tdac.immigration.go.th. Some agencies charge to file it for you, but you can do it yourself.
Reasons a Thai e-Visa is refused or held
- Applying when you are exempt. The fee is spent and you did not need it.
- Wrong category. A long stay on a single entry tourist visa.
- Low funds in the bank statements.
- Mismatched dates between the bookings and the form.
- Poor scans that the officer cannot read.
How it works with us
Send your passport copy, UAE residence visa and travel dates on WhatsApp, or fill in the form on this page. A visa adviser checks the new 30-day list for your passport first. If you are exempt, you hear that straight away. If you need a visa, the adviser picks the right category and gives you one total price before you pay. The team files the application on thaievisa.go.th with you, replies to any request from the consulate and sends you the approved e-Visa. We also remind you about the TDAC. DubaiVisaDesk.com is a private visa service. The Royal Thai Consulate-General or Embassy decides.
Thai visa fees are not refunded by the missions after a refusal. Before you pay, your adviser tells you in writing what part of our total, if any, comes back if the visa is refused.
Tips for UAE residents going to Thailand
- Island hopping to Singapore? See the Singapore visa for UAE residents guide.
- Longer Asia trip? Check the Japan and China pages for UAE residents.
- Want to compare with places that need nothing at all? The visa-free countries for UAE residents page has the list, and visas from Dubai covers the rest.
Official sources
- Royal Thai Consulate-General Dubai, e-Visa: e-Visa for UAE residents, 5 to 20 days.
- Royal Thai Embassy Abu Dhabi, e-Visa: 3 to 10 working days.
- Royal Thai Embassy Abu Dhabi, visa fees: AED fee notice.
- Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa exemption scheme: 30-day list, bilateral and on-arrival lists.
- Royal Thai Embassy New Delhi, revision of visa exemption: 30 days for Indian passports.
- Royal Thai Consulate-General Dubai, TDAC: free, 3 days before arrival.
- Thai e-Visa official site: where to apply.
All checked .
