If you happen to’re based mostly in Thailand and planning a brief journey to a close-by nation, visa guidelines could make all of the distinction in how simple your getaway is to plan. The most typical quick journeys are based mostly round visa runs, however why not use the chance to spend a couple of days out of the country.
Right here’s a breakdown of visa choices for well-liked close by locations, together with which of them provide visa on arrival (VoA), e-Visas, or visa-free entry.
This information is primarily focused at travellers from the UK, EU, US, Canada, and Australia. Nationals of different international locations akin to India, South Africa, or Southeast Asian nations ought to double-check the particular visa and entry necessities that apply to them earlier than travelling.
Visa guidelines and border insurance policies are topic to frequent change, particularly as many international locations are more and more adopting digital journey and well being techniques (e.g., e-Visas, digital arrival playing cards, well being declarations).
To keep away from surprises or denied entry:
- All the time seek the advice of official authorities or embassy web sites for essentially the most present info earlier than reserving your journey.
- Verify entry guidelines on your particular nationality and passport kind.
- Hold an eye fixed out for brand new necessities like digital registration and biometric information assortment.
Staying knowledgeable helps guarantee a easy and stress-free journey.
Nation-by-Nation Snapshot
| Vacation spot | Visa on Arrival (VoA) | e-Visa Possibility | Price (USD) | Visa Validity / Keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laos | Sure, at main airports and choose borders | Sure, on-line utility | VoA: $35–40 (money) e-Visa: $50–52 (on-line) |
VoA: 30 days, extendable to 90 days e-Visa: 30 days keep, legitimate 60 days from approval |
| Cambodia | Sure, at airports & some land borders | Sure, on-line (restricted border validity) | VoA: $30 (vacationer), $35 (enterprise) + price e-Visa: ~$30 |
VoA: 30 days e-Visa: 30 days |
| Vietnam | Sure, however solely with pre-approval letter | Sure, on-line utility | VoA: $25–50 (money, pre-approval) e-Visa: $25 (single), $50 (a number of) |
VoA: 30/90 days (per approval) e-Visa: As much as 90 days |
| Myanmar | No for UK/EU/US; restricted for some nationals | Sure, beneficial for all Western travellers | e-Visa: $50 VoA: $50 (restricted nationals solely) |
e-Visa: 28 days keep, legitimate 90 days VoA: 30 days (restricted) |
| Singapore | No visa required | No visa required | N/A | Visa-free 90 days |
| Malaysia | No visa required | No visa required | N/A | Visa-free 90 days |
| Indonesia | Sure, at main airports, seaports, land borders | Sure, on-line e-VoA | VoA/e-VoA: $35 | 30 days, extendable as soon as (complete 60 days) |
Nation-by-Nation Deep Dive
1. Laos
UK/EU/US/CA/AUS:
Visa on Arrival (VoA):
- Accessible for many nationalities together with UK/EU/US/Indian travellers.
- Length: Legitimate for 30 days, with the choice to increase twice for as much as 90 days complete.
- Price: Sometimes US $35–40, payable in money (USD solely) on the border or airport.
Extra necessities:
- Carry passport-sized images (2 copies) to keep away from further charges or delays.
- Passport should be legitimate for a minimum of 6 months from entry date.
Entry factors accepting VoA:
- Main worldwide airports: Wattay (Vientiane), Luang Prabang, Pakse.
- Chosen land borders with Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia (test upfront).
- VoA is handy however queues and cash-only cost might trigger slight delays.
e-Visa
- Length: Legitimate for 60 days from approval, permitting a 30-day keep.
- Price: Round US $50–52, paid on-line throughout utility.
- Processing time: Normally 3 working days, however can take as much as per week throughout busy durations.
- Entry factors: Accepted in any respect main worldwide airports and a number of other major land crossings.
- Benefits: Sooner, no want for images or money on arrival, much less ready time.
- Apply on the official Laos e-Visa portal.
2. Cambodia
UK/EU/US/CA/AUS:
Visa on Arrival (VoA):
- Legitimate for 30 days
- US $30 for vacationer visa,
- US $35 for enterprise visa,
- + US $6–7 processing price (in some circumstances). Payable in money — USD most popular.
- Carry passport images and guarantee passport has a minimum of 1 month validity past departure.
e-Visa:
- US $30, accessible on-line.
- Legitimate for entry at major airports (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville)
- Additionally accepted at some land borders:
- Bavet (from Vietnam),
- Poi Pet and Cham Yeam (from Thailand).
- Not legitimate in any respect border crossings, particularly smaller or distant ones.
- Additionally accepted at some land borders:
Tip: Cambodia extensively makes use of USD for many transactions, together with visas. Small notes ($1s, $5s, $10s) are finest. ATMs usually dispense USD, nevertheless it’s most secure to hold it in money.
3. Vietnam
UK/EU/US/CA/AUS:
e-Visa (most typical choice):
- Legitimate for as much as 90 days,
- US $25 for single entry,
- US $50 for a number of entry,
- Processing time: 3–5 working days, although delays are attainable.
- Accepted at 33 worldwide checkpoints, together with all main airports, seaports, and plenty of land borders (e.g., from Laos, Cambodia, China).
Visa on Arrival (VoA):
- Solely accessible for those who prepare a pre-approval letter by way of a journey company earlier than arriving.
- Usually utilized by travellers who can’t entry e-Visas or are flying into particular airports (like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang).
- Requires:
- Approval letter printed out,
- Passport legitimate for six months,
- 1–2 passport images,
- Money cost of stamping price (USD $25 for single entry / $50 for a number of entry).
- Not accessible at land borders.
- Requires:
Tip: Most travellers ought to use the e-Visa — it’s easy, quick, and legitimate for entry by air, land, or sea. VoA is principally a fallback for sure conditions.
4. Myanmar
UK/EU/US/CA/AUS:
Visa required for all nationalities — no visa-free entry.
e-Visa (beneficial):
- Price: US $50,
- Legitimate for 90 days from problem,
- Permits a 28-day keep, single entry solely.
- Processing time: 3 working days (might be longer throughout holidays).
- Entry factors: e-Visa is accepted at 3 worldwide airports:
- Yangon,
- Mandalay,
- Nay Pyi Taw,
- and land borders with Thailand:
- Tachileik (reverse Mae Sai),
- Myawaddy (reverse Mae Sot),
- Kawthaung (reverse Ranong).
Visa on Arrival (VoA):
- Not accessible for UK, EU, US, or most Western travellers.
- VoA is restricted to a couple nationalities solely (e.g. China and India) and solely legitimate at choose airports.
- Western travellers should apply upfront, both through e-Visa or embassy.
5. Singapore:
UK/EU/US/CA/AUS:
- Visa-free entry for tourism, enterprise, or social visits.
- Keep as much as 90 days per go to.
- Simply guarantee your passport is legitimate for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry.
- No visa, no price, no paperwork required upfront.
Entry necessities:
- Proof of onward or return journey could also be requested.
- Could also be requested for proof of adequate funds (uncommon for vacationers).
- Travellers from Thailand by land can cross at Woodlands or Tuas checkpoints — the method is easy however can contain queues, particularly at weekends and holidays.
- SG Arrival Card (on-line well being/journey declaration) should be submitted inside 3 days of arrival through the official ICA web site or cellular app. That is free and takes only a few minutes.
6. Malaysia
UK/EU/US/CA/AUS:
- Visa-free entry for tourism functions.
- Allowed keep of as much as 90 days per go to.
- Passport ought to have a minimum of 6 months validity from date of entry.
- No visa utility or price required earlier than journey.
- Should full MDAC arrival type on-line inside 3 days earlier than arrival.
7. Indonesia
UK/EU/US/CA/AUS:
- Visa on Arrival (VoA) / e-VoA:
- Accessible for 30 days initially,
- Extendable as soon as for a further 30 days (complete 60 days max).
- VoA might be obtained upon arrival at main worldwide airports, seaports, and choose land border crossings.
- VoA price: US $35, payable in money or card at airports (varies by location).
- e-VoA might be utilized for on-line earlier than journey through the official Indonesian immigration web site or licensed suppliers.
- e-VoA price: US $35
Entry factors accepting VoA/e-VoA embody:
- Airports: Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Ngurah Rai (Bali), Juanda (Surabaya), and others,
- Seaports and chosen land borders (restricted). Smaller ports/land crossings might not settle for VoA.
- Passport necessities: Legitimate for a minimum of 6 months from date of entry, with a minimum of two clean pages.
Vital Notice on Entry
Having a sound visa or visa exemption doesn’t assure entry into any nation. Immigration officers on the border have the authority to refuse entry if they don’t seem to be glad together with your documentation or intentions.
Frequent further necessities upon arrival might embody:
- Proof of onward or return journey (akin to a flight ticket overseas).
- Proof of adequate funds to cowl your keep (money, financial institution statements, or bank cards).
- Typically, lodging particulars or an invite letter could also be requested.
To keep away from points at immigration:
- All the time carry a duplicate of your return or onward ticket.
- Have entry to funds to reveal you may assist your self throughout your go to.
- Be ready to reply questions on your journey plans actually and clearly.
Final Up to date on

