How to Apply for a Visa to Thailand

 I have checked the requirements for a Thailand visa as a Nigerian citizen and passport holder living in Lagos, Nigeria. The details I found pushed the country further down my travel list.

I don’t mean to say that getting a Thai visa from Nigeria is impossible, it just required several hoops that I was not prepared to jump at the time.

Fast forward to a few years later, Mark and I moved to Nairobi and there, I checked again for the visa requirements to apply from Kenya. Although I can’t find the reference for this information now, I could have sworn that the embassy’s website stated (at the time) that Nigerians in Kenya needed to travel back to Nigeria to apply. Wow! What an experience?

After reading this, I decided I would save Thailand for such a time when the visa application process became more favourable.

Then that time came in February 2024 when I reviewed the embassy’s website again and it stated that they would receive and review applications from Nigerians on a case-by-case basis.

As I was armed with this information, I emailed the embassy and was glad to receive a quick response, stating that I could submit my documents in Kenya. And so, my journey to Thailand with Mark began!

If you’re like me, living outside Nigeria and looking to visit Thailand then continue reading to see how I successfully applied for my tourist (TR) visa in Kenya. I have also included additional information for applicants in Nigeria.

How To Apply for a Thailand Visa

The first thing you should do when applying for a Thailand visa is to check the official Royal Thai Embassy website in your country of residence. For Nigeria, this is the website address; for Kenya, this is it. You will find up-to-date information about the Thai visa requirements and application procedures there.

Next, compile your documents and submit them in person at the Royal Thai Embassy. If you apply in other countries, like Kenya, there might be an option to have a third party submit on your behalf.

The requirements for the visa will also vary per country, especially for Nigerians. Generally, these are the requirements for a tourist visa to Thailand for Nigerians applying for this visa from Nigeria.

Thailand Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens

Original current and previous passports

Application forms, including the document checklist form filled and signed by the applicant

A copy of the passport data page and a copy of every previous Thai visa and immigration stamp on the current and immediate previous passport

An original certificate of police clearance

A copy of a drug clearance certificate (aka NDLEA certificate)

A copy of your resident permit – for non-citizens

Proof of profession

Introduction letter from your employer

Proof of financial status

6-month bank statement

Proof of accommodation/residence in Thailand

Reservation of return air tickets

Documents relating to the purpose of visit/category of visa

You can see and download the full checklist of documents required here. Note that if you apply for this visa outside Nigeria, you might not need the two asterisked documents, i.e. Police Clearance and NDLEA certificate. Nevertheless, you should email the embassy to confirm before going there to submit.

In my case, the embassy asked for 2 sets of my visa application documents, excluding the Police Clearance and NDLEA certificate.

Thailand Visa Application Fee

I submitted my documents in person at the embassy and paid 5,000 Ksh (~$36) for a single-entry tourist (TR) visa. The embassy accepts MPESA and cash payments in Nairobi and only cash payments in Abuja.

Thailand Visa Application Processing Times

The processing time for the Thailand Visa will vary based on the location you apply from. In Kenya, it takes 2 working days to get your visa, while in Nigeria, it is 5 working days. This is one of the fastest (sticker) visa processing times I’ve seen and the application process in Kenya was seamless and efficient.

Royal Thai Embassy Addresses in Nigeria and Kenya and Opening Times

The Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi is located at Rose Avenue, Off, Denis Pritt Rd, Nairobi. They are open every working day, except public holidays, from 9 am to 12:30 pm for application submissions and 9 am to 11 am for collections.

In Nigeria, the embassy is located in Abuja at 34 Rhine Street, Maitama and is open from 9 am to 11 am for submis

sion and 2 pm to 3 pm for collection.