Nonimmigrant Visas

Have questions or need assistance with a U.S. visa application at U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand? Our Visa Navigator will guide you to the information you need, point you to answers on our website, and help you ask us for assistance too.  Check out the Visa Navigator link or scan the QR code to access it from your phone.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Mission Thailand is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period.

Please visit our Global Support Services (GSS) website for complete information on applying for a nonimmigrant U.S. visa, including a directory of nonimmigrant visa categories.

The following is a step-by-step guide for applying for a non-immigrant visa. For full instructions, see Apply for a U.S. Visa.

Step 1: Visit website www.ustraveldocs.com/th

Review general information on how to apply for each category of visa. Select the proper visa for your purpose of travel. Click on the Visa Type on this webpage to learn more about the requirements for that visa class.

Step 2: Complete your online visa application (DS-160)

Complete it at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ and print out the DS-160 confirmation page.

Step 3: Create your personal profile

Create it online at www.ustraveldocs.com/th, supply your personal information, and choose your passport delivery option and address.

Step 4: Pay the visa fee

Pay your non-refundable visa fee (in local currency) by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) –OR– pay at any Krungsri bank. You must print your CGI Cash deposit slip and bring it to the bank in order to pay the fee.

Step 5: Make an appointment

Once payment is completed, you can schedule your visa appointment via www.ustraveldocs.com/th the following business day after 12.00 (if paid by cash) or 2 business days later after 14.00 (if paid via EFT).

Step 6: Come to U.S. Embassy for visa interview

Bring DS-160 confirmation page, appointment letter, your passport (current and all previous passports), one 2×2 inch color photo with white background, and supporting documents.

Step 7: Passport Return

If your visa application is approved, your visa will not be issued on the day of your interview. Your passport with your visa will be returned to you by Thailand Post. When you receive your visa, please confirm the all of the information is correct.

We recommend prospective travelers submit their applications well in advance. Applicants should refrain from contacting the Embassy Consular Section merely to inquire about the status of their application until the full processing time has expired. We also strongly recommend that applicants not purchase airplane tickets or make nonrefundable travel arrangements until they have actually received their visa; visa applicants should never assume their application will be automatically approved.

What to expect on the day of your Interview.

1. Arrive at the U.S. Embassy

  • The time on the appointment letter is the time to arrive at the Embassy gate. It is not the time for your interview with the visa officer.
  • You are advised to come to the gate just 15 minutes before the appointment time.

2. Security check

  • All applicants must pass through security, which includes putting your personal belongings through an x-ray machine and walking through a metal detector. When planning your visit, bring only what is needed for your business with us.
  • You will be allowed to check one cell phone at the Embassy gate but the US Embassy and the Embassy guards are not liable for any loss or damage to your cell phone while it is checked.

3. Hand in Passport at the booth

  • Hand in passport to the staff at the booth. Our staff will perform appointment check and gives back your passport with Thailand Post slip.

Please write down your EMS tracking number for passport tracking purpose.

4. Submit your documents at window #15

  • After receiving the Thailand Post number. please go directly to Window #15 (the intake window) in the Visa Section waiting room to submit your passport.
  • Place four left-hand fingers flat on the green square. Repeat this procedure with your right-hand fingers. Then place your thumbs together on the green square.

5. Verify fingerprints

  • Proceed to the Window #10 for fingerprints verification.

6. Interview

  • After you are fingerprinted, please go to the line to wait for your interview with a consular officer.

To contact a customer service representative, please visit the GSS Contact Us page for full information or use contact information below:

  • Address:
    U.S. Embassy in Bangkok
    95 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
    U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai
    387 Wichayanond Road, T. Chang Moi, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50300
  • E-mail Inquiries:
    Email inquiries for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas should be directed to: support-thailand@ustraveldocs.com
  • Call Center representatives are available:
    Monday – Friday:  8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (excluding Thai and U.S. holidays)
    Local telephone: 02-105 4110; from the U.S. (703)-665-7349

U.S. Embassy in Bangkok
95 Wireless Road,
Lumpini, Pathumwan,
Bangkok 10330

No parking on the Embassy ground is available. Please use public transportation.
Nearest BTS Station:

  • Ploenchit Station (Exit 5 ; about 15 minutes walk)

U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai
387 Wichayanond Road,
T. Chang Moi, A. Muang,
Chiang Mai 50300

The Embassy does not store prohibited items for visa applicants. There is no facility at the Embassy to store such items, so you must make arrangements to store these items elsewhere before you enter. If you arrive with a prohibited item, you will be turned away and asked to make a new appointment.

Embassy security procedures require that all visitors receive a security inspection. You will be allowed to check one cell phone at the Embassy gate but the US Embassy and the Embassy guards are not liable for any loss or damage to your cell phone while it is checked.

You will NOT be allowed to enter the U.S. Embassy for your appointment carrying any of the following items:

  • Any other battery-operated or electronic devices such as computer tablets, digital diaries, pagers, cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3s, floppy disks, laptops, or portable music players.
  • Any oversize shoulder bags or purses.
  • Any oversize handbags and travel bags, large back-packs, briefcases, or suitcases. Applicants can only carry in clear bags containing papers needed for their appointment
  • Any food item (there is a coffee stand with snacks available for purchase).
  • Sealed envelopes or packages.
  • Cigarettes / cigars / match boxes / lighters.
  • Any sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail files.
  • Weapons or explosive materials of any kind.

The list provided above is not exhaustive. Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of security staff. Other than the one allowed cell phone, the US Embassy will not accept the storage of any of the above prohibited items. You will have to make alternate arrangements to store these items before you enter the Embassy.

Most of the visa waiting room at the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General is a covered but outdoor space with no air filtration system.  During periods of unhealthy or hazardous air quality customers should consider taking precautions to protect themselves.  While customers are required to remove facemasks during the security screening and interview, customers are allowed to wear facemasks while sitting in the waiting room.  If you wish to reschedule your appointment during a period of unhealthy or hazardous air please note that visa applicants can reschedule up to three times without additional charge. For more information about rescheduling your appointment please see the Schedule My Appointment page on www.ustraveldocs.com/th.

Forbidden Items and Entry Regulations:

Embassy security procedures require that all visitors receive a security inspection. You will be allowed to check two cell phones at the Embassy gate but the US Embassy and the Embassy guards are not liable for any loss or damage to your cell phone(s) while it is checked. You will NOT be allowed to enter the U.S. Embassy for your appointment carrying any of the following items:

  • Any other battery-operated or electronic devices such as computer tablets, digital diaries, pagers, cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3s, floppy disks, laptops, or portable music players.
  • Any oversize shoulder bags or purses.
  • Any oversize handbags and travel bags, large back-packs, briefcases, or suitcases. Applicants can only carry in clear bags containing papers needed for their appointment
  • Any food item (there is a coffee stand with snacks available for purchase).
  • Sealed envelopes or packages.
  • Cigarettes / cigars / match boxes / lighters.
  • Any sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail files.
  • Weapons or explosive materials of any kind.

The list provided above is not exhaustive. Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of security staff. Other than the two allowed cell phones, the US Embassy will not accept the storage of any of the above prohibited items. You will have to make alternate arrangements to store these items before you enter the Embassy.

Only visa applicants with confirmed appointments will be granted access on to the Embassy compound. Accompanying persons are required to wait outside the Embassy entrance.

If you fail to follow these security requirements you may face delays or cancellations to your visit.

Please click here for detailed instructions on how to apply for Diplomats/Government Officials (A Visas), International Organizations (G visas), and  C-3 visa.

Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas are for citizens of countries with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation. Thailand is one of these countries. For a list of all treaty countries, click here.

To qualify for Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas applicants must be coming to the United States either to:

  • Engage in substantial trade, including trade in service or technology, in qualifying activities, which is principally between the United States and the treaty country; or
  • To develop and direct the operation of an enterprise in which the applicant has invested a substantial amount of capital.
  • To learn more about E2 visas, please click here

The spouse and unmarried children (under 21 years of age) of treaty traders, treaty investors, or employees of enterprises may receive dependent E visas in order to accompany or follow to join their spouse or parent. They are not required to have the same nationality as the principal applicant to obtain an E visa.

E visas permit the investor/trader and his or her family to live in the United States during the period of stay authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). E visas are nonimmigrant visas; consequently, visa holders are allowed to live in the United States only so long as the conditions under which the visa was granted remain valid. Holders of E visas must intend to depart the United States upon the termination of their E status. Dependents are not authorized to work in the U.S. unless they receive explicit authorization to do so from DHS-USCIS in the United States. Dependents of treaty traders/investors may apply for work authorization after their arrival in the United States.

Qualifications for E visas
Please choose the type of E visa that applies to you:

How to Apply
To apply for E visa, please click here.

How Long is Visa Processing?
Your E-visa application requires a lengthy review of up to four weeks. Therefore, we must receive your supporting documents at least 15 business days before your interview date. Failure to submit your documents in a timely manner will significantly delay your appointment time. If we do not receive your documents at least 15 business days prior to your interview date, your interview date will be rescheduled to at least three weeks after you submit your documents. Your interview date can be rescheduled up to 3 times. After that, you will have to repay the visa fee and restart the process from the beginning. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PREPARE ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS BEFORE YOU SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

How to Reapply
Ineligible under Section 221(g)
Applicants are ineligible under Section 221(g) of the INA because some document or information is missing. If you are ineligible under Section 221(g), we will give you a letter listing what is needed and explaining how to submit additional documentation. A new visa application fee is NOT required for 221(g) ineligibilities within one year

Ineligible under Section 214(b)
If an applicant is found ineligible under Section 214(b) of the INA, we recommend that he/she reapplies only after his/her current family, social, professional or economic circumstances have changed significantly and/or if there are important facts that were not presented at the initial interview.

For any inquiries related to the Treaty Traders and Investor (E) visa applications, you may contact the Business Travel Unit at BangkokBusinessTravel@state.gov.