Nauru passport holders can get Thailand visa on arrival, stay up to 15 days

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published an official list of 19 countries and territories whose citizens qualify for a visa on arrival. Passport holders from the listed places can request permission to enter after landing in Thailand, rather than arranging a visa through a Thai embassy or consulate before travelling.

Key facts

• 19 countries and territories are on the list, published through the ministry's official portal
• Eligible travellers apply for entry permission upon arrival in Thailand
• Permitted stay under the scheme is up to 15 days
• Ethiopia is the only African country included
• Passport holders from countries not on the list must obtain a Thai visa before departure

Which countries are on the list?

The 19 eligible countries and territories are Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan and Vanuatu.

Only one African nation appears on the list. Citizens of Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and other major African travel markets are not included, so they must go through the standard Thai visa application process before they travel.

How does the visa on arrival work?

The arrangement is meant to simplify entry for short-term visitors from the listed countries by removing the need to secure a visa in advance. Travellers approved under the scheme may stay in Thailand for up to 15 days.

What if my country is not on the list?

Passport holders from countries outside the list must apply for the appropriate Thai visa before travelling. Which category applies depends on the purpose of the visit and how long the traveller intends to stay, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states.

Is this the same as visa exemption?

No. Thailand also maintains a separate visa exemption list that works independently of the visa on arrival scheme and covers a different set of nationalities. Citizens who qualify under that arrangement do not need any visa at all to enter Thailand for short visits.

What this means for travellers

Travellers holding passports from the 19 listed countries and territories, including Nauru, can plan to sort out entry permission after they land instead of applying abroad in advance. Anyone whose nationality is not on the list should apply for the correct Thai visa before departure, based on the purpose and length of their stay, and should separately check whether they qualify for visa exemption instead.

The published list does not state a fee for the visa on arrival, and no date has been given for any change to the separate visa exemption scheme.