New York is America’s most prominent city and some proud New Yorkers may consider it the “Capital of the World”. Certainly a case can be made for this title since the city is the headquarters of the United Nations; it is one of the most important economic regions in the world; it has the highest number of billionaires of any city in the world; it is the most linguistically diverse city in the world; its metropolitan region has the largest foreign-born population; it is one of the most preeminent cities in the world for arts and culture; it has some of the best restaurants in the world and without a doubt, has the best pizza! New York is also a great place for Thai food, particularly the Elmhurst neighborhood in Queens, where there is a large Thai immigrant community. There are about 20,000 Thai people living in the New York Metropolitan Area, and the city is home to a Thai consulate, Thai Trade Center, and Thailand Board of Investment office.
Thailand is a Southeast Asian country of nearly 70 million people that is over 3 ½ times the size of New York state by land area. Bangkok is the country’s political capital and commercial center. There are hundreds of American companies doing business in Thailand, including New York-based firms like Colgate-Palmolive, AXA Insurance, J.P. Morgan, Philip Morris, Pfizer, WeWork, and many others. Thailand is the 2 nd largest economy in Southeast Asia and has a growing industrial sector that includes the manufacture and export of vehicles, electrical appliances, and computer equipment. The country also has a strong agriculture sector and is the world’s leading producer of natural rubber. Thailand, known as the “Land of Smiles”, has a huge tourism sector that attracts nearly 40 million visitors each year, including one million Americans. Visitors love the shopping, food, and nightlife of Bangkok along with the country’s tropical islands and beach towns like Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Patong.
Obtaining a Thai Visa from New York
Visas for Thailand are issued by the Thai government in the United States. The Thai government is represented by three consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City, along with one embassy located in Washington, D.C. To apply for a Thai visa from New York, you must send all the necessary documents by mail or courier service (FedEx, UPS) to the consulate in New York City. ( NOTE: The consulate does not provide in-person service at this time due to COVID-19. ) Here is the mailing address for the consulate:
Royal Thai Consulate-General New York
Visa Section
351 East 52nd Street
New York, NY. 10022
UPDATE: Starting 27 SEP 2021, Thailand now has a new e-Visa Stickerless System. This means you will no longer mail your passport and visa application documents to the consulate. Instead, you must apply for the visa online and submit your documents electronically through this website: Official Website of Thailand Electronic Visa (thaievisa.go.th) The visa will be issued electronically by email.
It is important to review the requirements for visas on the Thai consulate website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate. Here is the link to the consulate website: https://www.thaicgny.com/thai-e-visa/. You will also include a self-addressed return envelope with a $26.35 postage stamp (US Postal Service Express Mail) along with a money order made payable to “Royal Thai Consulate-General New York” to pay the visa fee. Processing time will take at least 15 business days.
Other things to consider:
Emergency Assistance for Thai Citizens in New York
If you are a Thai citizen in New York with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the consulate in New York City (Manhattan) by calling + 1 212-754-1770 and dial extension 304, 311, or 301. If you need to renew your Thai passport or obtain an emergency passport, you must schedule an appointment online and appear in person at the consulate. You can find more information on the Royal Thai Consulate General New York website.
We Can Help if You Need Assistance
If you live in the New York City or anywhere in the state of New York or New Jersey and have difficulty applying for a Thai visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company. We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Thailand visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents. Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Thai government. Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.
We provide the following Thai visa services for our customers in New York:
