How to Apply for a Thai Visa in Houston

UPDATED November 27, 2022 (Please see information below under "Other things to consider")

Greater Houston is the fifth most-populous metropolitan area in the United States with a population of over 7 million residents.  Houston is one of America’s most ethnically diverse cities.  With over 145 different languages being spoken in this global city, it is no surprise Houston has plenty of great restaurants offering delicious cuisine from all over the world, including several Thai restaurants.  This is a fast-growing and youthful city that attracts entrepreneurs, corporate businesspeople, and international investors and students.  Houston is the home to the country’s oil and gas industry and is also home to 350 aerospace and aviation companies.  There are a few thousand Thai citizens living in Houston and the city is home to a Thai Buddhist temple.  Greater Houston encompasses nine counties and includes the cities of Sugar Land, Baytown, Conroe, Pasadena, Pearland, The Woodlands, and Galveston.    

Thailand is a Southeast Asian country of nearly 70 million people located on the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, that borders Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia.  Bangkok is the country’s political capital and commercial center.  There are hundreds of American companies doing business in Thailand, including Houston firms like Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Minute Maid, Schlumberger, and Baker Hughes.  Thailand is the 2nd largest economy in Southeast Asia and has a growing industrial sector that includes the manufacture and export of vehicles, electrical appliances, and computer equipment.  The country also has a strong agriculture sector and is a leading exporter of seafood.  Thailand, known as the “Land of Smiles”, has a huge tourism sector that attracts nearly 40 million visitors each year, including one million Americans.  Visitors love the nightlife and cultural sights of Bangkok along with the country’s tropical islands and beach towns of Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Patong.  

Obtaining a Thai Visa from Houston

Visas for Thailand are issued by the Thai government in the United States.  The Thai government is represented by three consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City, along with one embassy located in Washington, D.C.  To apply for a Thai visa from Houston, you must send all the necessary documents by mail or courier service (FedEx, UPS) to the embassy in Washington, D.C.  (NOTE: The embassy does not provide in-person service at this time due to COVID-19.)  Here is the mailing address for the embassy:

Royal Thai Embassy 
Consular Section (Attn: Visa)
2300 Kalorama Rd., N.W.
Washington, D.C 20008-1623

UPDATE: Starting 27 SEP 2021, Thailand now has a new e-Visa Stickerless System.  This means you will no longer mail your passport and visa application documents to the embassy.  Instead, you must apply for the visa online and submit your documents electronically through this website: Official Website of Thailand Electronic Visa (thaievisa.go.th) The visa will be issued electronically by email. 

It is important to review the requirements for the visa on the Thai embassy website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Here is the link to the embassy website: https://thaiembdc.org/visas/.  You will also include a self-addressed return envelope with a $26.35 postage stamp (US Postal Service Express Mail) along with a money order made payable to “Royal Thai Embassy” to pay the visa fee.  Processing time will take at least 15 business days.

Other things to consider: 

  • U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 45 days if they are traveling for tourism or visiting family.
  • U.S. citizens should have a valid passport that does not expire within six months of their date of arrival into Thailand, AND an onward/return ticket that shows they are leaving Thailand within 45 days (if traveling to Thailand without a visa).
  • Starting October 1, 2022 travelers entering Thailand are no longer required to show Proof of Vaccination or a COVID-19 test result.  
  • It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before any international trip in case of medical emergencies.  We advise getting the Geo Blue Voyager Single Trip Plan.
  • Please visit the U.S. Department of State website and review the Entry, Exit, and Visa Requirements for the latest information: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Thailand.html

Emergency Assistance for Thai Citizens in Houston

If you are a Thai citizen in Houston with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the embassy in Washington, D.C. by calling + 1 202-640-5310.  If you need to renew your Thai passport or obtain an emergency passport, you must schedule an appointment online and appear in person at the embassy.  Please click on the following link for more information: https://thaiembdc.org/thai-e-passport-eng1/

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in the Houston area or anywhere in the state of Texas and have difficulty applying for a Thai visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Thailand visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Thai government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.  

We provide the following Thai visa services for our customers in Houston:

  • Thai Tourist Visas (Category “TR” – Single and Extended Multiple Entry)
  • Thai Business Visa (Category “B”)
  • Thai Work Visa (Category “B”)
  • Thai Medical Visa (Category “MT”)
  • Thai Spousal Visa (Category “O”)
  • Thai Retirement Visa (Category “O-A” – 1 Year and Category “O-X” – 10 Year)
  • Thai Student Visa (Category “ED”)
  • Thai Elite Visa
  • Thai Smart Visa
  • Thailand Special Tourist Visa (STV)