Starting September 15, 2026, ordinary passport holders from Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama will be required to obtain a visa for Thailand prior to their trip, according to new directives issued by the country’s Ministry of Interior.
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This measure ends the option of entry through visa exemption or visa-on-arrival previously available to travelers from these Central American nations. With this immigration policy adjustment, Thai authorities aim to regulate entry flows and standardize consular security requirements.
Thailand visa changes based on passport type
The updated policy applies according to the traveler’s nationality and document type:
- Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador: Ordinary passport holders must apply for a tourist visa or the corresponding visa type before boarding their flight. Travelers holding diplomatic or official passports retain visa-exempt entry for stays up to 90 days.
- Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Peru: Ordinary passport holders maintain bilateral agreements that allow visa-free entry for up to 90 days.
If you are planning a trip to Asia, organize your airfare booking in advance to compare flights and verify immigration entry requirements for every layover.
Requirements for obtaining a tourist visa
The Royal Thai Embassy in Santiago provided consular details for travelers in the region. To complete the digital tourist visa application, travelers must submit scanned copies of the following documents:
- Valid passport: Must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from the date of arrival in Thailand.
- Digital photo: A recent photograph taken within the last 6 months, facing forward, with a white background in JPG or JPEG format.
- Proof of travel: Confirmed round-trip flight tickets into and out of Thailand.
- Accommodation booking: Hotel reservation confirmation covering the full duration of the stay. It is recommended to secure lodging early by reviewing options for hotels in Bangkok or other cities on your itinerary.
- Proof of financial solvency: Recent bank statement showing sufficient funds for the stay (minimum equivalent of 10,000 THB per person, or roughly $300 USD).
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: International Certificate of Vaccination if traveling from or transiting through a country with transmission risk, such as Costa Rica.
Step-by-step guide to applying online
The visa application process for Central American passport holders is 100% digital through the official Thai e-Visa system. It is best to start the application at least 1 month before your scheduled travel date.
- Create an account: Access the official Thai e-Visa portal and register a user account with your personal email address.
- Select visa category: Fill out the interactive application form, selecting your nationality, country of residence, and assigned embassy (for Central America, select the Royal Thai Embassy in Santiago).
- Complete details and upload documents: Enter your personal and trip details, uploading clear copies of your passport, photo, and required supporting travel documents.
- Pay the consular fee: Pay the processing fee online using a credit or debit card directly within the platform.
- Receive and download the visa: Once approved (processing typically takes 10 to 15 business days), the e-Visa PDF will arrive in your email. Print out a copy to present to your airline and immigration officers upon arrival.
Before purchasing plane tickets or booking tours in Bangkok, be sure to review current immigration policies carefully. It is also essential to check travel insurance options and required coverage details to protect against unexpected health emergencies while abroad.
If you are putting together your next adventure across Asia or around the world, check out all of my destination guides.
