Who needs this Thailand visa photo
This page is for people who apply from the United States. A visa lets a foreign national enter and stay in Thailand for a set period, for tourism, business, study or a longer stay. The application from the US goes through a Royal Thai Embassy or consulate, and the visa application form of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in New York asks for a recent photo. If you apply through the official online system instead, see our Thailand visa online photo page, which prepares a digital photo file for the upload.
Thailand visa photo size explained
For a US application, the photo size is a square 2×2 inches, about 51×51 mm. Photos in this format are often called passport-sized photographs. In our template the head size is about 1.29 inches from the chin to the top of the head, with the eyes about 1.18 inches above the bottom edge of the photo. A print at 300 DPI keeps the visa photo sharp at this size. This size applies to applications filed from the US; if you apply somewhere else, check the photo size with the Thai embassy or consulate there.
Printed photo or digital file
The same photo can be printed or used as a digital file. For a paper application, print the photo at 300 DPI, cut it to the 2×2 inch size and attach it to the form. For an online application, the file must stay under 240 KB, and our photo maker keeps the file size within that limit. Keep in mind that a scan of an old print is not the same as a fresh digital photo: it often loses sharpness and colour.
Documents that go with the photo
The visa photo is one part of the application. A typical application also includes:
- A passport valid for at least six months, with blank pages for the visa stamp.
- The completed and signed visa application form.
- Proof of accommodation, such as hotel bookings or an invitation letter from a host in Thailand.
- Proof of funds, such as bank statements.
- A travel itinerary or round-trip flight booking.
- Extra papers for some visa types, for example a business letter or a school enrolment letter.
Check the current list on the Royal Thai Embassy website before you submit, since the requirements can vary by visa type.
Visa types and the photo
Thailand issues several visa types: the Tourist Visa (TR) for leisure travel, the Non-Immigrant Visa for business, work or family visits, the Education Visa (ED) for students and the Transit Visa (TS) for travellers passing through Thailand. For an application from the US, this page uses one photo spec for all of them: a recent 2×2 inch colour photo with a plain white background.
Thailand visa photo checklist
- Correct photo size: 2×2 inches for an application from the US.
- Plain white photo background, no shadows or patterns.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open.
- Head straight and centred in the photo.
- Your full face stays inside the frame.
- Recent, sharp colour photo with no filters.
How to prepare your visa photo step by step
Start with a fresh visa photo rather than an old print: the application asks for a recent photo, and your appearance should match the passport you travel with to Thailand. Stand about an arm's length from a plain wall, face the light and keep your head level. Take a few shots and pick the sharpest one with a calm, neutral face. Upload it to our online tool, which crops the visa photo to the 2×2 inch size, places your head at the right height and replaces the background with plain white. The AI then checks the visa photo for sharpness, expression and lighting. When the check passes, download the file for an online upload or print the visa photo at 300 DPI. Cut along the guide lines so the print is exactly 2×2 inches, without white borders.
Where to print the visa photo
You can print your visa photo on a home photo printer or at a print shop. Print a couple of spare copies in case a print gets damaged. Check the print size with a ruler before you attach the photo: a sheet scaled to "fit page" by the printer gives a wrong photo size.
After you get the visa
Once the visa is approved, check the details in the visa stamp. If you want to stay longer in Thailand, you can apply for an extension at the Immigration Bureau in Thailand; overstaying can lead to fines. Some nationalities can enter Thailand without a visa for a limited period, so check the official Thai government website for the latest rules before you prepare a visa photo.
