How to Apply for a Thai Visa in Philadelphia

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

Philadelphia is the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania and is one of the oldest cities in the United States.  Founded in 1682 by Englishman William Penn, a social reformer and champion of liberty, he named the city Philadelphia using the Greek term meaning “brotherly love”.  Philadelphia has the nickname “City of Brotherly Love” and is nowadays more casually known by locals and non-locals alike as “Philly”.  The Philadelphia metropolitan area has over 6 million people (America’s eighth-largest metropolis) and includes cities and towns in the states of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, in addition to Pennsylvania.  The area is also a center of higher education and has more than 80 postsecondary institutions, making this part of the United States a popular destination for international students, including those from Thailand.  The University of Pennsylvania is one of a handful of schools in the U.S. that offer Thai language courses.

Thailand is a Southeast Asian country of nearly 70 million people that is about 4 ½ times the size of Pennsylvania by land area.  Bangkok is the country’s political capital and commercial center.  There are hundreds of American companies doing business in Thailand, including Philadelphia-based industrial firms like FMC, Axalta, and Crown Holdings.  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, computer equipment, and plastic products.  The country also has a strong agriculture sector and is the world’s leading producer of natural rubber.  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 shopping, food, and nightlife of Bangkok along with the country’s tropical islands and beaches along the Andaman Sea in the provinces of Phang Nga, Phuket, and Krabi.

Obtaining a Thai Visa from Philadelphia 

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 Philadelphia, you must send all the necessary documents by mail or courier service (FedEx, UPS) to the consulate in New York City.  (NOTE: The consulate does not provide in-person service at this time due to COVID-19.)  Here is the mailing address for the consulate:

Royal Thai Consulate-General New York
Visa Section
351 East 52nd Street
New York, NY. 10022

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 consulate.  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 visas on the Thai consulate website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Here is the link to the consulate website: https://www.thaicgny.com/thai-e-visa/.  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 Consulate-General New York” 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 Philadelphia

If you are a Thai citizen in Philadelphia with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the consulate in New York City by calling + 1 212-754-1770 and dial extension 304, 311, or 301.  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 consulate.  It is about a 2-hour drive to New York from Philadelphia, or 1 ½ hours by train.  You can find more information on the Royal Thai Consulate General New York website.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in the Philadelphia area or anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania 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 Philadelphia:

  • 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)