Thailand visas 2026: every type, explained
Which visa fits your trip, how long you can stay, and where and when to apply — up to date for Latvian citizens and residents after the September 2026 changes.
30 days visa-free — what changed in 2026
Since 15 September 2026 Latvian passport holders can stay in Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days (previously 60). The visa-free stay is for tourism only.
You can apply at a Thai immigration office to extend your stay by another 30 days (fee 1,900 THB), but it is at the officer’s discretion — not guaranteed.
Visa-free entries over land borders are limited to two per calendar year, and frequent “visa runs” can be refused entry. If you plan to spend longer in Thailand, it is safer to get the right visa from the start.
Thailand visa types side by side
| Visa | Purpose | Stay | Validity | Consular fee* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa (TR) | Holidays, travel | 60 days (+30 in Thailand) | 3 months | SEK 370 |
| Multiple-entry tourist (METV) | Several trips within six months | 60 days per entry | 6 months | SEK 1,850 |
| DTV | Remote work, freelancing, Muay Thai, courses, medical treatment | Up to 180 days per entry | 5 years | SEK 3,700 |
| Non-B | Business, employment in Thailand | 90 days | 3 months / 1 year | SEK 740 / 1,850 |
| Non-O | Spouse, family, retirement | 90 days | 3 months / 1 year | SEK 740 / 1,850 |
| Non-O-A | Retirees aged 50+ | Up to 1 year | 1 year | SEK 1,850 |
* Consular fees of the Royal Thai Embassy in Stockholm (fee notice effective 5 November 2024). Paid in Swedish kronor on top of our service fee; the embassy may change them.
Tourist visa
For holidays longer than the 30 visa-free days. Up to 60 days, extendable by another 30 inside Thailand.
DTV visa
The 5-year Destination Thailand Visa for remote workers, freelancers and Muay Thai, cooking or wellness programmes.
Non-B business visa
For business trips, work with Thai companies and employment in Thailand. Single entry or one-year multiple entry.
Non-O visa
For retirees aged 50+, spouses of Thai nationals and family members. The basis for a long stay with yearly extensions.
e-Visa via Stockholm — fully online
By residence
Applications from residents of Latvia are handled by the Royal Thai Embassy in Stockholm. There is no Thai consulate in Riga that issues visas.
Online only
The application is filed on the official thaievisa.go.th system. No passport is posted; the e-Visa arrives by email.
6–8 weeks ahead
Apply 6–8 weeks before your trip, but no earlier than 90 days before it.
15+ working days
Processing takes at least 15 working days, and 15–25 working days in the holiday season.
What to prepare for any visa
- Passport scan — the open photo page, up to 3 MB; passport valid for at least 6 months
- Biometric face photo without glasses and without smiling, in JPG or JPEG format
- Latvian ID card (for citizens and non-citizens) or residence permit
- Employer name, address and phone number, or other proof of occupation
- Registered home address and personal phone number
- Depending on the visa: bank statement, flight and accommodation bookings, invitation letter, criminal record certificate
Photos and scans must be straight, sharp and in their original format — no screenshots, no copies of copies.
Honest about the risks
- 01
If a visa is refused, or travel dates change after applying or after the visa is issued, consular and service fees are not refunded.
- 02
The immigration service reserves the right to refuse a visa without explanation.
- 03
People who have previously broken the law or immigration rules in Thailand may be blacklisted and refused entry even with a valid visa.
- 04
A visa does not guarantee entry — the final decision is made by the border officer.
- 05
We are not responsible for the actions of visa-issuing authorities: refusals, delays, or changes to rules and processing times.
Questions about Thailand visas
Do I need a visa for Thailand with a Latvian passport?
Not for a holiday of up to 30 days. Since 15 September 2026 the visa-free stay is 30 days (it used to be 60) and it covers tourism only. If you plan to stay longer, work remotely, do business or live in Thailand, you need a visa. Either way, you must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours before arrival.
How long does a Thai e-Visa take?
Applications from residents of Latvia are processed by the Royal Thai Embassy in Stockholm. Processing takes at least 15 working days, and 15–25 working days in the holiday season. We recommend applying 6–8 weeks before your trip, but no earlier than 90 days before it.
Do I have to visit the embassy in Stockholm?
No. Thai visas for residents of Latvia are handled entirely online through the official thaievisa.go.th system. You don’t post your passport — the approved e-Visa arrives by email; you print it and take it with you.
Which documents do I need?
The basics: a passport scan (valid for at least 6 months), a biometric photo without glasses or smile in JPG format, your Latvian ID card or residence permit, employer details, home address and phone number. Depending on the visa type you may also need a bank statement, flight and hotel bookings, an invitation letter or a criminal record certificate. We’ll put together the exact list for your case.
Can you help if I’m not a Latvian citizen?
Yes. The embassy accepts applications by place of residence, not nationality, so non-citizens of Latvia and foreigners with a Latvian residence permit also apply via Stockholm. Requirements and visa-free rules depend on your passport — we check that in the consultation.
What if my visa is refused?
The embassy may refuse a visa without giving reasons, and the consular fee is not refunded. Our service fee is also non-refundable after a refusal or a change of travel dates. That is exactly why we check every document before filing — to keep the risk of refusal as low as possible.
Not sure which visa fits you?
Tell us where you’re going and for how long — we’ll answer for free, with no obligation.