EMDC 2026 Visa Information (Asia)

Do you need a visa

The following link gives guidance as to what countries are visa exempt and the citizens of which countries can obtain a visa upon entry.

64 countries do NOT need a visa to enter Thailand and stay for 30 days. See further details on the official thaiembassy.org website. This document also includes a list of countries entitled to apply for Visa on Arrival for 15 days.

If you country is not on that list then you MUST APPLY FOR A VISA from a Thai Embassy or Consulate near you. You can find your nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate on the official Thai Embassies web site.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) >>> NEW INFORMATION FOR 2026

The official website where you need to apply for your TDAC is found here, and it is free of charge: https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home. 

All passengers must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Car irrespective of their visa type.

For the first application, please use the “Arrival” button on the left. Should anything change in your itinerary, you can use the button on the right to make changes: “Update Arrival Card”.

This application needs to be made within 3 days prior to the anticipated day of arrival in Thailand.

You will receive details of your TDAC and your TDAC number via mail, and will need to either print it out before traveling or be prepared to show it on your mobile device when entering Thailand.

Special Note :

Nationals of the following 93 countries and territories are entitled to visa exemption for the purpose of tourism business engagements.

Nationals of the following 31 countries and territories may apply for visa on arrival at the immigration checkpoints on arrival for tourism purpose.

See https://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/visa-exemption-and-visa-on-arrival-to-thailand for further details.

If you need a visa for EMDC Thailand

Start planning now! You can apply for your visa up to 3 months before your arrival in Thailand, so you can apply to a Thai Embassy starting 18 February 2026.

EMDC and our Thailand sponsor, SIL International, can provide you with two documents, and additional supporting documents, that can assist you with your visa application.

  1. A letter confirming your housing at the Empress.
  2. An Invitation Letter inviting you to the event and guaranteeing expenses for your stay in Thailand.

Please complete your EMDC registration fully, and as soon as possible. It can take several weeks to get a visa to Thailand.

Your supporting letter will be emailed to you automatically based on your passport country in your registration.  For personal help from the EMDC Visa Team please email visa@emdcon.org including the following information.

  • Given / First Name(s) as written in your passport
  • Family / Last Name as written in your passport
  • Passport Country
  • Passport Number
  • Passport Issue Date
  • Passport Expiry Date

About Housing

You do not need to pay for your housing before applying for your visa. We will guarantee your housing payment, indicating it as paid by our Thailand host, SIL International, in the documents we send you. You will still need to pay for housing to confirm your place at the Empress. However, you can do this online at the EMDC registration site when you have your visa.

The Visa Application Process

The visa application process varies from country to country. Find out details specific to the embassy you plan to visit on the official Thai Embassies web site.

Here is a general description of the process:

  1. Download the necessary form(s) for your nearest Embassy from the Thai Embassies web site.
  2. Complete the form carefully. Have someone check the form with you.
  3. You will need 2 passport size photos
  4. A complete copy of every page of your passport.
  5. Get your supporting documents. These may include:
    1. Paid return air ticket
    2. Housing confirmation (from EMDC)
    3. An Invitation / Guarantee Letter.  This should NOT be required for a Tourist Visa application, but it might be.
    4. Bank account statements for the last 6 months [some embassies]
    5. A reference letter from a national in your passport country [some embassies]
    6. A reference letter from your employer in your passport country [some embassies]
  6. Apply in person at your nearest Thai Embassy.
  7. Pay the approximately 2000 baht fee. Around $60 USD but could be up to $100 USD.
  8. You will need to wait for 2 – 3 days before your visa will be issued.

Embassies vs Consulates

Depending on the country the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs may have delegated only very limited authority to consulates. Therefore we recommend applying in person at a Thai Embassy if at all possible.

Visa on Arrival Pre Approval

An E-Visa on Arrival is available to those from countries eligible for the 15 day Visa on Arriva. You can have your Visa on Arrival pre-approved through the E-Visa on Arrival system.