Applying for a US visitor visa as a Thai traveller: the B1/B2 process step by step

Thai travellers heading to the USA must obtain a B-2 or combined B1/B2 visitor visa from the US Department of State before boarding. Thailand is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA is not available, and there is no visa on arrival. Transit through the USA also needs a visa.

Why do Thais need a visa and not ESTA?

The US Department of State limits ESTA to citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, and Thailand is not on that list. Even a short holiday or a connection through a US airport therefore requires a proper visa. Check the Visa Waiver Program page if you also hold another passport.

• No ESTA and no visa on arrival for Thai passports.
• Transit through the USA also needs a US visa, with no visa-free airside option.
• Most trips involve at least one connection, so check airlines and the transit country's rules.

What is the difference between B-1 and B-2?

The US Department of State describes B-1 as for business visits such as meetings and conferences, and B-2 as for tourism, visiting family and friends, or medical treatment. Applicants usually receive a combined B1/B2 visa that covers both purposes. Neither allows you to work for a US employer.

How do you apply step by step?

The process starts with an online form and ends with an interview at the embassy. Gather your information before you begin, because the answers must match what you say at the interview.

1. 1Complete the DS-160Fill it in at ceac.state.gov. You need a digital photo that meets State Department rules and a list of social media identifiers used in the last 5 years: platform and username only, never passwords.
2. 2Pay the visa application feeCheck the current fee and payment method only on the official embassy or State Department site, since fees and new charges can change.
3. 3Book the interview at the US Embassy BangkokBook through the system linked from the Visas page of th.usembassy.gov. There is also a consulate in Chiang Mai, so check which office handles your visa type.
4. 4Attend the interviewA consular officer asks short questions about your trip purpose. The separate interview guide covers this in detail.
5. 5Receive your passport backIf approved, the passport is returned with the visa in the way you selected. Check your name, birth date and visa type as soon as it arrives.

What documents do you need for a US visa?

The essentials are your passport, the DS-160 confirmation page and the appointment confirmation. Supporting papers help explain the trip and your finances, but officers may not ask to see them, so your own answers matter most.

How long is the visa valid versus how long can you stay?

Visa validity and permitted stay are different things. Validity is the period in which you may seek entry, while the CBP officer at the port of entry sets the length of stay and records it on the electronic I-94. Check your I-94 after every entry and never rely on the visa dates alone.

How long is the wait, and where should you apply?

The US Department of State publishes appointment wait times for each embassy on travel.state.gov. Read that page yourself rather than trusting figures from old posts, and apply as early as your travel plans allow. Since 6 September 2025, applicants should apply in their country of nationality or residence, so Thais should apply in Thailand.

How do internet and your phone number help during the application?

During the application you rely on an email address you can always reach for confirmations and appointment notices, and many steps send one-time passcodes to your phone. Keep your Thai SIM active for Thai bank and service OTPs, with data roaming off on it. Save the DS-160 confirmation and appointment page as files on your phone as well as printing them.

Once the visa is approved, plan your data for the trip itself. The guide “Preparing for Your First USA Trip and Choosing Internet: eSIM or Another SIM” covers the options.

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