How to Apply for a Thai Visa in Phoenix : visasupply.com

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

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and is the largest city in the Mountain Time Zone. The Phoenix Metropolitan Area has a population of 4.8 million—the tenth largest metropolitan area in the United States—and is one of the fastest growing cities in America. New residents and businesses come here for the low cost of living and year-round warm weather. Phoenix gets more sunshine than any other major city on the planet. The Phoenix Metropolitan Area, also known as the Valley, includes the cities of Casa Grande, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Maricopa, Mesa, Peoria, Scottsdale, Surprise, and Tempe. There are only about 2,000 Thai people in the state of Arizona, but the overall Asian immigrant community is growing as more people search for new opportunities and lower cost of living outside of California. Phoenix has a Thai Buddhist temple and the Thai-American Association of Arizona is active in the community.

Thailand is a Southeast Asian country of nearly 70 million people 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 Phoenix-area firms selling products in the country like Forever Living Products, Fender, and PING Golf. Cold Stone Creamery (Kahala Brands), based in Scottsdale, has several locations throughout Thailand. 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 one of the world’s major exporters of seafood. Just as tourists flock to Phoenix to enjoy the sunshine, golf, and spa resorts, Americans come to Thailand to enjoy the country’s tropical islands and beautiful beaches. Thailand also welcomes over one million visitors each year for medical tourism.

Obtaining a Thai Visa from Phoenix

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 Phoenix, you must send all the necessary documents by mail or courier service (FedEx, UPS) to the consulate in Los Angeles. (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, Los Angeles
611 North Larchmont Blvd., 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90004

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 or 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://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-information. 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, Los Angeles” to pay the visa fee. Processing time will take about 2 weeks.

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 Phoenix

If you are a Thai citizen in Phoenix with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the consulate in Los Angeles by calling + 1 323-580-4222. 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. You can find more information on the Royal Thai Consulate General Los Angeles website: https://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/page/thai-passport

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in the Phoenix area or anywhere in the state of Arizona 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 Phoenix:

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)