Thailand Visa Fees & Processing Time from Dubai

The total cost of your Thailand visa depends on three factors: the government fee, the ancillary preparation costs (photos, bank statements, document travel), and any professional agency fees. Below is a full cost comparison across all entry types relevant to Dubai residents.

The USD 35 eVOA fee is a non-refundable government processing fee paid through the official Thai government portal at tp.consular.go.th. It covers electronic processing and the 15-day travel authorisation granted to the small list of Visa-on-Arrival nationalities (currently Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia; India once the approved reversion is published in the Royal Gazette). The fee is charged in USD and processed via international credit or debit card. Your bank or card issuer may apply a foreign currency conversion markup of 1 to 3 percent on top of the base fee.

Unlike some third-party eVOA websites that charge USD 50 to USD 80 for the same 15-day authorisation, the official portal charges only USD 35. Be aware that numerous unofficial websites impersonate the Thai government portal and charge significantly inflated fees while providing the same eVOA — or in worst cases, do not submit a real application at all. Always apply at tp.consular.go.th.

The Thailand tourist visa (TR) comes in two variants: single entry and multiple entry. The choice depends on your travel plans and how often you visit Thailand.

For most Dubai residents visiting Thailand on a holiday, the single-entry tourist visa is the right choice. The multiple-entry METV makes financial sense for those who visit Thailand more than twice per year or for business-related travel that requires multiple short visits.

Processing time is as important as cost when planning your travel. Below is a full comparison of how long each visa type takes to process from Dubai, including peak and off-peak timelines.

There is no express or priority processing option for Thailand visas from the UAE. Unlike some destinations that offer premium processing for an additional fee, the Thai e-Visa system processes all applications on a first-come, first-served basis within the standard timeline. This makes early application essential for peak season travel.

Beyond the headline government fee, there are several additional costs that catch many Dubai residents by surprise. Being aware of these upfront allows for accurate budgeting.

• Bank statement fee: Most UAE banks charge AED 25 to AED 50 for an officially stamped bank statement — required for tourist visa applications
• Passport photo: A compliant digital photo costs AED 20 to AED 35 at most photo studios in Dubai
• Currency conversion on eVOA: International card transactions in USD incur a 1 to 3% markup from most UAE banks
• Travel insurance: Not mandatory but strongly recommended — typically AED 50 to AED 150 for a one-week Thailand trip

OraVisa offers two service packages for Thailand visa applications from Dubai, designed to simplify the online process end to end. OraVisa is a visa service assistant — approval decisions rest with the Thai authorities.