Where Is the Application Form for Visa on Arrival?
Travellers eligible for Thailand's Visa on Arrival (VOA) must complete immigration paperwork at the border. The main form is TM88, sometimes called the VOA application form. Having it filled in before you reach the counter saves time at busy airports like Suvarnabhumi.
Thai Visa Centre helps VOA travellers every week confirm documents, TDAC, and entry options. This FAQ explains where to get TM88 and what else to prepare.
Last reviewed June 2026. Verify before travel.
Mandatory Digital Arrival Card for all foreign nationals since May 2025.
Embassy documents, immigration filings, and marriage registration support.
Appointment booking and live chat available on tvc.co.th.
Short answer
TM88 is the Visa on Arrival application form. You can:
Browse all visa types or read our Thailand lifestyle guide for long-stay planning.
Key point: TM88 is the Visa on Arrival application form. You can:
Documents to submit with TM88
Immigration expects these at the VOA desk:
|------|-------------|
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid at least 30 days beyond arrival; blank pages for stamp |
| Photo | 4×6 cm, taken within six months |
| Proof of accommodation | Hotel booking or host address |
| Proof of funds | At least 10,000 THB solo / 20,000 THB per family |
| Onward ticket | Confirmed departure from Thailand within 15 days |
| VOA fee | 2,000 THB cash in Thai baht (non-refundable) |
| TDAC | Thailand Digital Arrival Card completed before entry, mandatory since May 2025 |
TM88 vs TDAC, do not confuse them
|------|------|---------|
| Form | When | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| TDAC | Before every entry (online) | Digital arrival registration |
| TM88 | At VOA counter | Visa on Arrival application |
| TM6 | Largely replaced | Old paper arrival card. TDAC replaced this for most travellers |
What TM88 asks for
Typical fields include:
Complete the form in block capitals where requested. Errors slow processing and can lead to refusal.
- Full name (as passport)
- Nationality and date of birth
- Passport number and expiry
- Flight or vehicle number
- Address in Thailand during stay
- Purpose of visit (tourism)
- Signature and date
What TM88 asks for
Work through these named steps in order where they apply to your situation. Skipping document legalisation, TM30 registration, or re-entry permits is a common reason applications fail at immigration.
Full name (as passport)
Full name (as passport)
Nationality and date of birth
Nationality and date of birth
Passport number and expiry
Passport number and expiry
Flight or vehicle number
Flight or vehicle number
Address in Thailand during stay
Address in Thailand during stay
For 90-day reporting help, see 90day.in.th. For entry requirements, see Thailand entry requirements.
Before you travel or file
Use this checklist alongside the steps above. Most rejections we see at Bangkok immigration come from missing one item on this list rather than from the main visa rule itself.
- Download the current checklist from thaievisa.go.th for your nationality and visa category. Lists change without wide announcement.
- Complete TDAC within 72 hours before every flight, train, or land crossing into Thailand.
- Carry printed copies of embassy letters, insurance certificates, and financial proof, not phone screenshots alone.
- Confirm your passport has enough blank pages and validity for the full intended stay plus buffer days.
- Book embassy or district office appointments before you fly if your nationality requires in-country processing in Bangkok.
- Set calendar reminders for 90-day reporting, extension expiry, and re-entry permit dates before you leave on holiday.
Who this guide is for
This FAQ is written for foreign nationals planning travel, registration, or long-stay compliance in Thailand. The answer may differ if you hold a Thai passport, diplomatic status, or a work permit tied to a BOI-promoted company.
Short-stay tourists
Verify visa exemption or VOA eligibility, complete TDAC, and carry travel insurance even when not mandatory. Hospitals expect payment or cover before major treatment.
Long-stay visa holders
Track TM30, 90-day reporting, annual extensions, and re-entry permits. Privilege and LTR tiers may simplify some reporting but never remove TDAC or overstay rules.
Couples and families
Marriage registration at a district office is separate from ceremonies and from marriage visa applications afterward. Plan embassy documents and MFA legalisation before you book wedding venues.
Workers and employers
A B visa alone does not authorise work. Every employer change requires a new work permit. Remote work for foreign employers on tourist stamps remains high risk at immigration.
Compliance reminders
Thailand is welcoming when your paperwork matches your behaviour. These habits apply across most visa categories, whether you are visiting for two weeks or renewing a one-year marriage extension.
- Complete TDAC within 72 hours of every landing, including returns after holidays abroad.
- Confirm your landlord or hotel files TM30 address notification within 24 hours of check-in.
- File 90-day TM47 reports when you remain in Thailand 90 consecutive days without departing.
- Obtain a re-entry permit before leaving if you hold a single-entry visa with a valid extension.
- Match your visa category to your activity. Tourism stamps do not authorise employment in Thailand.
Common mistakes
These wrong assumptions appear frequently at our Bangkok office. Correct them before you book non-refundable flights or sign a lease.
- Relying on outdated forum advice instead of current official lists.
- Arriving without TDAC completed before landing.
- Mixing tourist entry with work or long-stay plans without the correct visa.
- Missing translation or MFA legalisation on foreign documents.
- Assuming a ceremony or stamp alone creates legal status without registration or extension.
Frequently asked questions
General answers for planning purposes. Confirm specifics with official sources or our team before you travel.
Q:Can I apply for VOA before I fly?
A:VOA itself is issued on arrival at eligible checkpoints. Some nationalities can use e-Visa VOA pre-approval on thaievisa.go.th, this is not the same as a tourist visa applied at an embassy.
Q:Is TM88 the same at airports and land borders?
A:Yes, same form category. Land borders may have fewer staff; printing TM88 in advance is wise.
Q:Should I use VOA or visa exemption?
A:Many passports qualify for 60-day visa exemption at no fee. If you are eligible, exemption usually beats paying 2,000 THB for only 15 VOA days. Check visa exemption list first.
Q:When was this guide last reviewed?
A:June 2026. Immigration and embassy rules change without notice. Verify on official sources before you travel, extend, or register.
Q:Can Thai Visa Centre handle this for me?
A:Our Bangkok team prepares embassy documents, files TM47 90-day reports, coordinates district office marriage registration, and manages extension season paperwork. Book an appointment or start live chat for a document review.
Q:Does this FAQ replace legal or immigration advice?
A:No. This page is general orientation for planning. Your nationality, visa history, finances, and employer structure may change the correct answer. Confirm specifics before you book non-refundable flights or sign a lease.
Official references
Official sources verified June 2026.