Thailand Visa on Arrival Photo - 4×6cm (40×60mm) Airport Format

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The Challenge

Thailand Visa on Arrival requires 4×6cm (40×60mm) photos — significantly larger than standard 35×45mm passport photos. Most travellers arrive at Thai airports with wrong-sized photos and pay ฿200-500 for instant photos at the airport. Using standard passport photos at VOA counters risks rejection and delays in immigration queues.

VOA photos are DIFFERENT from standard Thai visa photos

Visa on Arrival: 4×6cm (40×60mm) — THIS TOOL
Standard visa/passport: 35×45mm — use the passport/visa tool
Standard passport photos WILL be rejected at some VOA counters
Print VOA photos BEFORE your flight — airport photo services charge ฿200-500

Thailand Visa on Arrival photo requirements

Thailand's Visa on Arrival is available to nationals of eligible countries arriving at international airports and land border checkpoints. VOA photos must be 4×6cm (40×60mm) — larger than the standard 35×45mm format used for embassy visa applications. Head should cover 70-80% of the photo. White or off-white background required. Photos must be taken within 6 months, in colour, with neutral expression. One photo is stapled to the VOA application form at the immigration counter. Print photos before departing — airport photo services are expensive and queues can be long.

Thailand VOA photo checklist — prepare before your flight

40×60mm dimensions (4×6cm) — NOT standard passport size
Head covers 70-80% of photo height
White or off-white background, no shadows
Taken within last 6 months
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
No teeth visible
Glasses allowed if eyes clearly visible, no glare
No hats/headwear unless religious/medical
Colour photo — no black and white
Full face and shoulders visible
Even lighting, no shadows on face or background
Printed on photo paper before departure
Bring at least 2 copies as backup

Common mistakes at VOA immigration counters

Bringing 35×45mm passport photos instead of required 4×6cm
Not having any photos — some counters require them before processing
Photos older than 6 months or heavily edited
Blurry, pixelated, or poorly printed photos
Dark or patterned background instead of white
Forgetting to print — digital photos on phone screens not accepted
Wearing sunglasses or hat in photo

Where Thailand VOA is available

Thailand Visa on Arrival is processed at designated international airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, and others) and some land border checkpoints. VOA allows stays of 15-30 days depending on nationality. Fee is ฿2,000 (approximately $55 USD). Applicants need: valid passport (6+ months), completed VOA form, one 4×6cm photo, proof of accommodation, proof of funds (฿10,000 per person or ฿20,000 per family), and return flight ticket within VOA validity period.

How to print VOA photos before your flight

Download print sheet from this tool with 4×6cm photos
Print at home on photo paper (matte or glossy both accepted)
Alternative: Print at pharmacy, photo shop, or office supply store
Cut along grey guide lines to get exact 40×60mm photos
Verify dimensions with ruler — 4cm wide × 6cm tall
Pack at least 2 printed photos in carry-on luggage (not checked bag)
At Thai airport: fill VOA form, attach photo, queue at VOA counter

VOA photo vs standard visa photo — key differences

VOA: 40×60mm (4×6cm) — larger format for immigration counters

Standard visa: 35×45mm — too small for VOA, may be rejected

VOA: physical print required at airport counter

Standard visa: digital upload to thaievisa.go.th (no print needed)

Both: white/off-white background, neutral expression

Both: taken within 6 months, colour photo

Both: glasses allowed if eyes visible

E-VOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival) option

Thailand also offers E-VOA through VFS Global (thailandevoa.vfsevisa.com) — an expedited pre-approval system. E-VOA requires digital photo upload in addition to the application. If using E-VOA, you still need a printed 4×6cm photo at the airport immigration counter for final processing. E-VOA costs more (฿2,500 vs ฿2,000 for standard VOA) but offers faster queue processing. Photo requirements are identical for both VOA and E-VOA.

Cost of photos at Thai airports vs preparation

Airport photo booth at Suvarnabhumi/Don Mueang: ฿200-500 ($6-14 USD)
Photo shop near airport: ฿100-300
Photo shop in Bangkok/tourist areas: ฿50-150
This tool: Free — print before flight for cost of paper
Savings: ฿200-500 per person, plus avoiding airport queue time
Tip: Airport photo booths may have long queues during peak hours — prepare in advance

Need standard Thai visa photo?

This tool is specifically for Visa on Arrival (40×60mm format). For Thai passport, embassy visa applications, e-Visa, or any pre-approved visa, use the Thailand Passport & Visa Photo tool (35×45mm format). Using VOA photos for embassy applications will also be rejected — wrong dimensions.

Official Thai Government Resources

Step-by-Step Workflow

Upload Photo

Position Face Using Guidelines

Select Enhancement

Print Photo Sheet Before Flight

Specifications

Photo Size: 40×60 mm (4×6 cm)
Resolution: 945×1417 pixels at 600 DPI
Head Coverage: 70-80% of photo height
Background: White or off-white
Recency: Taken within last 6 months
Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Paper Type: Photo paper (matte or glossy)
Quantity: 1 photo required (bring 2 as backup)
Valid For: Thailand Visa on Arrival (VOA) only

Best Practices

4×6cm (40×60mm) is LARGER than standard passport photos — don't use passport photos for VOA
Print photos BEFORE your flight — airport photo services charge ฿200-500 with long queues
Pack printed photos in carry-on luggage, not checked bags
Bring at least 2 copies — one for VOA form, one as backup
Glasses are allowed in Thailand — ensure no glare on lenses
Thailand accepts both matte and glossy photo paper
Avoid white clothing against white background for clear contrast
VOA fee is ฿2,000 ($55 USD) — have Thai baht ready or check if card payment available

Frequently Asked Questions

What size photos for Thailand Visa on Arrival?

4×6cm (40×60mm). This is significantly larger than standard 35×45mm passport photos. Using standard passport photos at VOA counters risks rejection. At 600 DPI, this is 945×1417 pixels.

Can I use passport photos for Thailand VOA?

Not recommended. Standard passport photos are 35×45mm. VOA requires 40×60mm. Some immigration officers may accept slightly smaller photos, but many VOA counters strictly enforce the 4×6cm requirement. Print correct size to avoid issues.

How many photos for Thailand VOA?

One photo is required, attached to the VOA application form. Bring at least two printed copies as backup in case one is damaged or an officer requests an additional copy.

Can I get photos at Thai airports?

Yes, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports have photo booths, but they charge ฿200-500 ($6-14 USD) and may have long queues during peak hours. Preparing photos before departure saves money and time.

What's the difference between VOA and E-VOA?

Both allow on-arrival visa processing. Standard VOA (฿2,000) is processed entirely at the airport counter. E-VOA (฿2,500 via VFS Global) is pre-approved online for faster counter processing. Both require a printed 4×6cm photo at the airport.

Can I wear glasses in VOA photos?

Yes. Thailand allows glasses in visa photos if eyes are clearly visible with no glare or reflection. No tinted lenses or sunglasses. If your glasses cause glare, remove them for the photo.

What background for Thailand VOA photos?

White or off-white background required. No patterns, objects, or shadows. Wear dark or coloured clothing for contrast against the light background.

Can I submit digital VOA photos on my phone?

No. VOA at Thai airports requires physical printed photos. You cannot show a photo on your phone screen. Print photos before departure on photo paper and bring them in your carry-on.

Which airports offer Thailand VOA?

Major international airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK), Chiang Mai (CNX), Phuket (HKT), Hat Yai (HDY), and several others. Also available at some land border checkpoints. Check Thai Immigration website for full list.

How recent must VOA photos be?

Within last 6 months. Must reflect your current appearance. Immigration officers compare the photo to your face at the counter — significant differences in appearance may cause issues.