Are you considering a trip to Thailand and wondering about the visa requirements for Nigerian passport holders? While the visa process for Thailand may seem daunting, rest assured that the effort is well worth it. Thailand offers an incredible travel experience with its stunning beaches, rich food culture, and affordable massages that can be enjoyed after every meal. Discover why obtaining a visa to Thailand is a rewarding step for your upcoming adventure.

Read here for my article on Thailand Travel Safety Guide for Women (TravelingBouquet.com)

Click on the image below for the time I went exploring South East Asia, Thailand included;

Visa to thailand, how to guide for nigerians — That time I went to Thailand

Apply for an e-Visa for Visa to Thailand

Nigerians living in Nigeria are not eligible for Thailand’s online visa application program, but for other nationalities, visit the Thai E-Visa Official Website. Update! Nigerians living abroad, depending on the country you live in, may also apply for a visa online (click on the image below to see if you qualify). If unsure of if you can apply online, you can easily check on the site if you qualify for an e-visa application process – click on the image below.

Again, update! Nigerians living abroad, depending on the country you live in, you may also apply for a visa online. Do note that there was no official announcement or update on the Abuja Thai embassy website, I stumbled on this when checking if the Thai E-visa official website had made changes regarding Nigerian passport holders. If you can successfully obtain a visa using the website, please let me know.

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“From 26 September 2021, 11.00 PM (UTC), it is no longer required for e-Visa applicant to submit his/her passport and original supporting documents in person at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate. After the e-visa application has been approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to applicants. It is kindly requested to print a copy of the confirmation e-mail to present to the airline and Thai Immigration officials to carry out checks when traveling to Thailand.”

The Complete Visa to Thailand Process for Nigerians

Take a deep breath, these are the looooooong steps you need to take to get a Visa to Thailand with a Nigerian passport download the checklist here ;

Also, read about the Visa to Thailand regulations here:

Documents Needed for Visa to Thailand

Original current and previous passports
The current passport must be valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival in Thailand.
The applicant is also required to submit their immediate previous passport. In case the previous passport has been lost, the police report on the lost passport must be provided.
Application forms with a document checklist filled and signed by the applicant.
One original application form and an additional three copies are required.
Four photographs, taken within the last six months, must be affixed to all application forms (both original and copies)
Copy of the passport data page
Original certificate of criminal clearance
- The passport holders of the following countries must submit the police clearance certificate; Nigeria, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
- The police clearance certificate must be originally issued by a police authority for not more than one year from the date of application.
  - A detailed guide on how to get one easily is – HERE
- Copy of drug clearance certificate from NDLEA
  - This requirement applies only to Nigerian nationals.

Nigerians Need NDLEA Clearance for a Visa to Thailand

Nigerians applying for a Thai visa need NDLEA clearance if applying in Nigeria. Nigerians who are residents of a foreign country with an official consulate or embassy may submit the local police clearance certificate instead. Check with your local Thai embassy for more information, rules may across different embassies.

For those applying in Nigeria, the certificate must be issued by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency of Nigeria (NDLEA) not more than one year from the date of application

Also, make sure that the guarantors you use in your NDLEA form are people who are comfortable with the process. NDLEA will most likely have their homes visited to confirm their legitimacy. The guarantors will also need to accompany you for the visa clearance interview at NDLEA’s office.

For those who have gone through the NDLEA visa clearance process in the past, your guarantors will only need to sign a re-commitment letter and do not need to revisit the NDLEA visa clearance interview process.

Application for Visa to Thailand Clearance from NDLEA Requirements:

Evidence of Business Status/Occupation
Evidence of Business link overseas/Admission letter/Invitation letter
Payment of Ten Thousand (#10,000.00)Naira, non-refundable, should be made to any bank of your choice in favor of Accountant General(Federal Sub-Treasury) CBN Acct No: 3000002095. A photocopy of evidence of payment should be brought to NDLEA for the issuance of FGN treasury receipt.
Photocopy of Tax Clearance Certificate
Certificate of Local Government/State of Origin
A file jacket. (NOT PLASTIC FILE)
Six Passport-sized photographs ( taken without eyeglasses on)
Colored copy of data page and the first page of International passport
Typewritten application addressed to the CHAIRMAN/CHIEF EXECUTIVE, NDLEA titled APPLICATION FOR CLEARANCE by the traveler

In writing state who is sponsoring the trip, how and the source of finance. Other than the applicant, the sponsor MUST write a letter of sponsorship with a passport photograph attached.
Original copy of the statement of account of the sponsor, signed, stamped, and dated by a bank
Production of two(2) guarantors for the interview(father/mother, brother/sister, wife/husband guarantors not allowed). NON-NIGERIANS ARE ALSO NOT ALLOWED

Link to NDLEA’s site for a visa to Thailand

Note that the Royal Thai Embassy in Abuja has diplomatic jurisdiction covering nine countries; Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and São Tomé and Príncipe. The passport holder of a country outside the Embassy’s jurisdiction is required to submit a valid resident permit or proof of residence in one of the above nine countries.

Proof of profession for Visa to Thailand

Introduction letter from the applicant’s employer
- If you are employed – Letter of reference from the company which you are employed stating your position, present salary, duration of work, the purpose of visit, duration of stay and address in Thailand as well as contact details of your employer etc. The letter must be signed by authorized managing director and affixed the seal of the company. The following documents must be attached with the letter; (1) a copy of the employer’s company registration certificate (2) a copy of company tax clearance certificate and (3) a copy of an official document showing the specimen signature of the authorized managing director who signs the letter.
- If you are self-employed – Letter of introduction signed by yourself stating your position, present salary, duration of work, the purpose of visit, duration of stay and address in Thailand as well as contact details of your employer etc. The following documents must be attached with the letter; (1) a copy of the company registration certificate (2) a copy of company tax clearance certificate and (3) a copy of an official document showing the specimen signature of the authorized managing director who signs the letter.
- If you are unemployed – Letter of reference from a guarantor or parents, stating the relationship with the applicant, referee’s job position, present salary, duration of work, purpose of the applicant’s visit, duration of stay and address in Thailand, referee’s contact details as well as financial commitment statement to sponsor applicant’s trip in Thailand etc. The following documents must be attached with the letter; (1) a copy of the referee’s company registration certificate (2) a copy of company tax clearance certificate and (3) a copy of an official document showing the specimen signature of the authorized managing director who signs the letter.

Proof of financial status for Visa to Thailand

Original bank statement
- If your trip is self-sponsored – Your bank statement for the last 6 months issued by the authorized
  bank officer/manager indicating sufficient funds to cover the entire visit to Thailand
- If your trip is sponsored by someone else – The bank statement of your sponsor for the last 6 months issued by the authorized bank officer/manager indicating sufficient funds to cover the entire visit in Thailand

Proof of Accommodation and Flight – for Visa to Thailand

Reservation of a hotel
- If you stay in a hotel – A hotel reservation to cover the entire stay in Thailand with the address and telephone number of the property
- If you don’t stay in a hotel – Proof of accommodation to cover the entire stay in Thailand with the name of the property owner, address, and telephone number, e.g. the rent contract or a letter from an inviting person who allows you to stay with them.
Reservation of the return air tickets
- The evidence of confirmed return air tickets together with the evidence of its payment

Types of Visas

Tourist visa for Thailand (TR)
- Travel itinerary indicating travel programs, places to visit, and other relevant documents e.g. tour package reservation, entrance e-tickets
Non-immigration B visa (Non-B)
- To conduct business/meet business partners in Thailand
  - Invitation letter from the company in Thailand detailing the nature of the business, the purpose of the visit, and the duration of stay in Thailand. The letter must be signed by an authorized managing director and affixed to the seal of the company.
  - Copy of business registration of the inviting company issued by the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand
- To be employed in Thailand – Please also apply for a Non-immigration B visa (Non-B)
  - Employment contract indicating the position and the offered salary. The letter must be signed by an authorized managing director and affixed to the seal of the company.
  - Copy of business registration of the inviting company issued by the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand
  - Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour (in case you are newly recruited) or a copy of your work permit (in case you are a current employee)
Non-immigration ED visa (Non-ED)
- To study in Thailand
  - If you are a newly recruited student –
    - Letter of acceptance from the receiving school/university or institute in Thailand
    - A copy of the school/university registration certificate/license of the receiving school/university in Thailand. This requirement is applicable only to private schools/universities in Thailand.
    - Letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand
    - A copy of the course syllabus
    - Copy of the latest degree corticate of your previous institution
  - If you are a current student –
    - A letter certifying student status from the receiving school/university or institute in Thailand
    - A copy of the school/university registration certificate of the receiving school/university in Thailand. This requirement applies only to private schools/universities in Thailand.
    - Letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand
    - Copy of transcript (in case of the normal curriculum) or attendance record (in case of language school)
Non-immigration ED visa (Non-ED)
- To attend a conference/seminar/training in Thailand
  - Invitation letter from the concerned agency/organization in Thailand
  - Copy of entity registration certificate of the inviting agency/organization. If an inviting entity is a private company, the certificate must be issued by the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand.
Non-immigration O visa (Non-O)
- To visit a family member in Thailand
  - To visit a married Thai spouse
    - A reference letter from the spouse detailing the relationship and place of the couple’s residence. A copy of the spouse’s Thai ID card must be attached.
    - A copy of the marriage certificate
    - Six couples’ photos were taken at different periods.
  - To visit a child with an unmarried Thai spouse –
    - A reference letter from the unmarried Thai spouse detailing the relationship and place of the couple’s residence. A copy of the Thai ID card of the spouse must be attached.
    - A copy of the birth certificate of the child
    - Six photos of the applicant with the child were taken from different periods of time.
  - To visit a non-Thai relative who is residing, working or studying in Thailand –
    - A copy of marriage certificate or birth certificate issued by the relevant authority
    - A reference letter from the inviting person in Thailand. A copy of passport and copy of valid visa of the inviting person must be attached.
    - A copy of a valid working permit of the inviting person in Thailand
    - A proof of residence of the inviting person in Thailand
  - To register the marriage with a Thai citizen –
    - please apply for a tourist visa
Medical visa (MT)
- To seek medical treatment in Thailand
  - Record of medical treatment or appointment letter from a hospital in Thailand or Proof of medical treatment in the applicant’s country with doctor’s recommendation to seek medical treatment in Thailand
- To assume duties in a diplomatic mission/international organization in Thailand – Please apply for a Diplomatic visa (D) (This type of visa is issued only to a diplomatic passport holder)
  - Note Verbale/official letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or relevant government agency or international organization
  - The applicant is exempted from submitting documents number 4-9 on the first page.
Official visa (F)
- To temporarily perform an official function in Thailand
  - Note Verbale/official letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or relevant government agency or international organization
  - The applicant holding a diplomatic and official passport is exempted from submitting documents number 4-9 on the first page.
For other purposes of the visit
Please visit www.thaiembassynigeria.com, or contact the Embassy’s Consular Section by telephone number +234-706-308-0501 (Nigeria) between 10.00-16.00 hrs. (break time between 12.00-14.00 hrs.) or by email address: consular.abj@mfa.go.th

Visa Processing and Collection Time

The visa will be ready for collection on the fifth day from the date of application. For example, if the applicant submits the application on Monday 1st February, the visa will be ready on Friday 5th February. 3.4.2.

The applicant is required to bring the visa application receipt to receive their passport at the Consular Section between 14.00-15.00 hrs. The applicants can also entrust somebody with the Power of Attorney to receive their passports. The Embassy is closed during weekends and on public holidays. Please check the Embassy’s website for further details about the Embassy’s holiday.

Visa Fees

Thailand Visa Form

Click here for a link to the visa application form and fee

Where to Apply

Royal Thai Embassy
24 Tennesse Crescent,
Off Panama Street,
Maitama,
Abuja, Nigeria

Visa working hrs:
Submit application
Mon-Fri 9.00-11.00

Collection of Visa
Mon-Fri 14.00-16.00

(For consular matters)
consular.abj@mfa.go.th

(For non-consular matters)
thaiabj@mfa.go.th

Consular Section Tel.
(+234) 706 308 0403
(234) 7067 4558

Chancery Tel.
(+234) 706 308 0501

Fax+234-941-35193

Website URL: http://www.thaiembassynigeria.com/eng/

Best Ways to Fly to Thailand from Lagos

Now that you have your visa to Thailand sorted, it’s time to hop on a flight for the adventure!

I prefer to fly from Lagos using Kenya Airways mostly because I like the service they offer compared to the other easy option, Ethiopian Airlines. Both only have 1 layover in their country hub, but Ethiopia route from Lagos to Bangkok is 17 hours whereas Kenya offers it at 32 hours. It is a big difference, but Ethiopian Airlines remains my worst travel experience that I’m not will to re-experience.

For folks traveling from other countries, see

See Here for the Best Accommodation Deals in Bangkok

Hotel/ApartHotels

If you’re in Bangkok for a relaxing retreat and want a lot of quiet and luxury, search here for pretty good deals in Bangkok

Hostels

If you are traveling solo and do not have friends in Bangkok, definitely stay in a hostel. If you are keen on experiencing the amazing crazy nightlife of Bangkok as safely as possible, I recommend staying in a hostel, getting a good read on the people, and forming a mini travel community there with other travelers on your wavelength.

Book Fun Activities in Bangkok

Once you have resolved the visa process to Thailand for your Nigerian passport, you can start planning fun activities in the country.

I’ve visited Bangkok a fair number of times and a lot of the activities I did there were self-booked, but it requires having to haggle a lot in order to avoid getting scammed. If you’re not keen on dealing with the hassle, feel free to use Viator to book from travel operators. Always read the reviews for the best tour to pick.

My No 1 Safety Tip for Travel

Always travel with travel insurance. I was robbed during one of my trips in Thailand and that almost ruined the entire trip.

There are some local travel insurance companies in Nigeria like AXA Mansard and Allianz Nigeria. I prefer to use international insurance companies in order to receive the same dollar value of the loss because the local companies reimburse in Naira, which is not so great with the ever-fluctuating currency.

My current preferred option is SafetyWings which goes as low as $11.27 for a 7 days trip when you visit any country but USA, which attracts a higher fee.

Visa to Thailand, How To Guide for Nigerians

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