Do US citizens need a visa to visit Thailand after traveling in Southeast Asia?

Dec 18, 2024
3 days ago
LaVera ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone, I just realized I made a HUGE mistake and hope someone has some advice for me. I am a US citizen. I just spent 30 days in Indonesia and 28 days in Malaysia. I leave Malaysia in 2 days heading to Singapore for 3 days. My plan was to spend 60 days in Thailand on a tourist visa and 2-3 weeks in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. It just occurred to me I forgot to apply for the Thai Visa and I won’t be in Malaysia or Singapore long enough to get it. I haven’t checked yet, but does anyone know if it’s easier to get a tourist visa in Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia and apply for the Thai visa there? Another option is to stay longer in Singapore until I get it, but hotels are very expensive there and I don’t know how difficult their Thai visa process is. I can’t believe I did this! I appreciate your thoughts.

UPDATE: I have what I need so I’m turning off comments. Thanks again for being so kind and gracious with your advice, even though I made a silly mistake in misinterpreting the Thai Visa information. I also appreciate those of you who went beyond and reminded me of the other country requirements I will be visiting too. You guys are a real treasure. Best to you all.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A US citizen inquiring about the need for a Thai tourist visa realizes they are eligible for a 60-day visa exemption upon arrival in Thailand. Several commenters clarify that US citizens do not need to apply for a visa in advance and will receive a 60-day stamp on arrival. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding visa regulations and encourages the individual to enjoy their trip without the need for prior visa arrangements.
Angie *****
LaVera , Rest assured, yu are fine, as everybody here says. With a US passport , yu get 60 day visa-exempt in Thailand! So, there's no need to apply for a visa! Chill , enjoy yr trip! (:
Pierre **********
Cross over to Johor Bharu, you can have a six month stamp, do your planning for Thailand and Vietnam, voilà!!....Have a good trip and stay safe!
Jestine ******
Need for a Thai visa but make sure you get your Vietnam visa with time to spare. Ours got approved the night before our flight, close call.
Cubi ******
I think he's talking about the new 2025 e visa or e entrance proposal that has been discussed. It's like Philippines e travel.
Shane **********
You don’t need a visa. You’re visa exempt for 60 days.
Terary **********
You'll be fine with Visa Exempt for 60 days.
Markie ******
USD goes along way in singapore compared to AUD. All best in the visa
Leone **********
There is a new biometric/ETA type system coming in but has been delayed till next year sometime
Darren **********
You’re a US citizen. You automatically get tourist visa in every country that you mentioned. You just need to go there. Currently Thailand gives a 60 day tourist visa with an option to renew an extra 30 days.
Baz *********
USA passport gets 60 days free visa exemption entry into Thailand..

The day you enter is day 1 of the 60 days so keep that in mind.

BUT ...

You will need a visa before you travel to Vietnam..

THERE IS NO VISA ON ARRIVAL IN VIETNAM for US passport..

Apply online for Evisa to Vietnam
Kim ***********
I know you get a free visa but I heard that from 1st December you need a ETA which is the new system that 5 Asian countries are using like Schengen.
Kim *********
@Kim **********
no one use that now and IF it is eventually approved/adopted it will be for the 92 countries eligible for visa exempt
George *************
@Kim **********
implementation of this requirement has been indefinitely postponed.
Baz *********
@Kim **********
postponed indefinitely so don't worry about it
Zeynep *******
You're Visa Exempt for 60 days
Pam *********
How good is Thailand 60 days visa free and the best place
Arnold *****
Great news!
Joseph *********
Just make sure you get yiur visa for Vietnam if yiu need one.
Graham ******
@Joseph ********
a US passport does
Joseph *********
@Graham *****
good...wish Aust did...but it's cheaper than Bali.
Phil *******
Have you even looked at entry requirements for Thailand for American passport holders?
Mark *********
I've been to Vietnam Loas and Thailand in the last 4 months. Vietnam you go to the government website and whatever number of days they tell you it takes to process your Visa is what it takes to the minute almost. loas I just showed up in the airport and paid the Visa on demand fee Emma's allowed to enter the country. Thailand is the easiest: show up at the airport and got my 60 day Visa free stamp for no charge and no previous form filling. enjoy!
Steve ******
No need visa. Just forget about Singapore, just stay in penang, Malaysia. Is just 2 hours drive to Thailand border
Luit *****************
@Steve *****
Any special reason why not go to Singapore?
Alessandro **********
@Luit ****************
because it's more fun in Thailand.
Luit *****************
@Alessandro *********
You can only compare that by checking yourself.
Alessandro **********
@Luit ****************
been there done that. Of course it's more fun in Thailand
Steve ******
@Luit ****************
1. Super expensive lifestyle

2. All high rise building n shopping

3.maybe have a universal studio. 😂
Luit *****************
@Steve *****
tourists not always go for the cheapest places, then they can better stay home, because that most times is cheaper.
Steve ******
@Luit ****************
since you are rich, you may go. I stay in Malaysia, would never visit Singapore, prefer to visit Thailand and other neighbouring country for their sightseeing and food and cultural experience
Luit *****************
@Steve *****
Since you never visited Singapore, you should not give an advice about visiting it.

I also do not give an advice, since the only thing I have seen from Singapore is the airport.

But I certainly will visit it when I get the possibility, then I at least can tell like
@Alessandro *********
that I have been there.

And that Thailand is more fun is no reason not to visit Singapore or Malaysia.
Steve ******
@Luit ****************
I lived in johor, I am a Malaysian. Who said I never go Singapore
Bart **************
Why do you want a visa?
Tim *********
They're right, US passport gets you stamped into Thailand for 60 days, no charge. You can extend by another 30 days, if you want, by visiting an Immigration Office near you and paying 1,900 baht
LaVera ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
OMG you guys are making my day!!! Everything I was reading online and on their website was saying I need to apply for the E-tourist visa in advance. I was so nervous about it I guess I was overlooking the obvious. This group is the best. Thank you so much!!
John **********
@LaVera *******
you idiot
Kim *********
@John *********
an idiot because he didn't know? I think the finger points at you for that ridiculous comment
John **********
@Kim ********
pppffftttt toots
Guy **********
@LaVera *******
I imagine that big country USA has a govt website that ur tax dollars paid for , for travel that you can see what the entrance requirements are for each country ur planning to visit. I’m sure it shows whether a visa is required, the length of stay allowed , and links if visa are required to official government sites of that country to apply , etc etc.

IMO that’s the best place to confirm entrance requirements and information for a country ur planning to visit. It’s simple and takes two seconds. Safe travels.
Maksym ***********
@LaVera *******
where you read this?
Kim *********
@Maksym **********
it is not entirely correct because of "for no longer than 60 days" since the 60 days can be extended for an additional 30 days which was not mentioned
Maksym ***********
@Kim ********
no. Extension can be received only inside, and extension is possible but not guaranteed. Visa exemption is 1-60 days only.
Kim *********
@Maksym **********
yes but can be prolonged with 30 days at immi which is of course inside - so yes
Maksym ***********
@Kim ********
but visa e[emption is for tourist travels up to 60 days, and ticket can be asked exactly for this pariod. Extension exist separately.
Kim *********
Todd *********
@LaVera *******
you are fine. Just enter Thailand with your USA passport and receive visa exemption
Marcus ************
Most nationalities get a 60 day “visa free” entry into Thailand. Just come with your passport.
Stuart ***********
You are given 60 days visa exempt when you arrive and can extend this by 30 days if required.

The day you arrive counts as day 1, so be careful about how many days you stay, as I see a lots of people posting that they calculated the stay incorrectly by 1 day.
Frankie *******
Americans r visa exempt n u get 60 days on arrival. Go to thermal Cafe n pick up a freelancer
Dhyana ******
U get 60 day visa exempt
Charles ********
If I am correct you don’t need a visa for Thailand, you can stay in Thailand for 60 days without one.
Luit *****************
@Charles *******
not 2 months, 60 days, and the day you arrive is day 1, no matter what time you arrive.
Charles ********
@Luit ****************
I knew that, thanks 🙏
Elías ********
American citizens need no visa. Actually, almost nobody needs a visa.
John ********
No problems for you just need to get the plane to Thailand as you will get a 60 day stay in Thailand
Ian **********
Us citizens get stamped in for a free 60 day entry visa-exempt. No visa required
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