You should apply for your nonimmigrant visa as far in advance of your intended travel as possible. High demand for visas during peak travel season could mean that an appointment will not be available immediately. Also, the need for administrative processing might delay visa issuance. Please keep this in mind before purchasing non-refundable airline tickets or making non-refundable hotel deposits.
VISA APPOINTMENT WAIT TIME
The typical wait time for a nonimmigrant visa appointment is available online here.
We usually print and mail approved visas on the second business day after the appointment. Then, we will send the completed visa and information to you via Thailand Post, which usually delivers within three business days.
EXPEDITED VISA APOINTMENTS
The Consulate provides expedited nonimmigrant visa appointments on a case-by-case basis to accommodate urgent travel for:
- business travelers and APEC Business Travel Card holders
- student visa applicants (in the F and M categories) to allow them to arrive in time for their school start dates as shown on Form I-20
- exchange visitor applicants (in the J category) to allow them to arrive in time for their program start dates as shown on Form DS-2019
- other travelers who have legitimate medical or family emergencies.
Please note that having an expedited nonimmigrant visa appointment is not a guarantee of visa issuance. All applicants, including those with expedited appointments, must meet the relevant legal requirements for visa issuance.
HOW TO REQUEST AN EXPEDITED VISA APPOINTMENT
Before requesting an expedited appointment, please review the instructions on our How to Apply: Step-by-Step page. All nonimmigrant visa applicants must follow these instructions, including those with expedited appointments.
When you make your appointment through the VisaPoint system, you should take the earliest appointment slot that is available. Even if it is later than need to travel, book that appointment.
Once you have booked the appointment, VisaPoint will show you an appointment confirmation page. That page will have further instructions about requesting an expedited appointment. Please follow those instructions carefully, and please provide as much information as possible.
IF WE CANNOT EXPEDITE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Due to the high number of requests we receive for expedited appointments, we cannot approve them all. If we cannot expedite your case, you should check frequently with the VisaPoint service. Applicants sometimes change or cancel appointments, and the Consulate sometimes opens additional appointment times. You might be able to get an earlier appointment slot.