Tuvalu entry requirements for Thailand passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 21, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Thai passport holders can get a visa on arrival when landing in Tuvalu. Fill out a form at the airport and pay the fee in cash. As of 2026, this is the standard entry method for short visits.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa on arrival
Visa on arrival
Get a visa on arrival at Funafuti International Airport. Pay $100 AUD in cash (exact change preferred) — no card accepted. The officer will stamp you in for up to 30 days.Required
Valid passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay
Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from your departure date from Tuvalu. Airlines check this before boarding in Nadi or Suva.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of onward travel required
Immigration at Funafuti will ask to see a confirmed onward ticket out of Tuvalu. Airlines also enforce this before you board your flight to Tuvalu.Required
Proof of accommodation
Recommended but not always checked
Have a printed hotel booking or a letter of invitation from a host in Tuvalu. Officers rarely ask, but if you arrive without a plan they may question you.Recommended
Proof of funds
Recommended to show you can support yourself
Carry at least $500 AUD in cash or have a bank statement ready. Tuvalu has no ATMs and almost no card acceptance — cash is king.Recommended
Cash only at immigration
The visa-on-arrival fee must be paid in cash — Australian dollars (AUD) or US dollars (USD). There is no ATM or card machine at the airport. Bring enough cash to cover the fee plus a buffer for transport and food.
Limited connectivity on arrival
Funafuti Airport has no free Wi-Fi. If you need a local SIM, buy one at the Telecom Tuvalu office in town (a short walk from the airport). An eSIM from Airalo works immediately on landing if you set it up beforehand.

What happens at the border

1
Land at Funafuti International Airport
After deplaning, walk straight to the immigration hall. There's usually only one queue. Grab a visa-on-arrival application form from the counter or table.
2
Fill out the visa application form
Complete the form with your passport details, flight info, and accommodation address. Keep it simple — no need for a detailed itinerary.
3
Present documents at the immigration counter
Hand over your passport, completed form, return ticket (printed or on phone), and accommodation booking. The officer will process the visa on the spot.
4
Pay the visa fee
Pay in cash — AUD or USD. No credit cards. Get your receipt and check the visa sticker for the correct validity dates before walking away.
5
Collect your passport and proceed
Once stamped, you're free to enter. Baggage claim is just past immigration. If you need a taxi, there are usually a few drivers waiting outside.
Download Tuvalu Entry Checklist
PDF · Thailand Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 21, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days
Validity3 months from issue
CostFree (no fee for Thai passport holders)

Apply at Tuvalu High Commission in Suva, Fiji or by mail. Requires proof of accommodation and funds.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue
CostFree (no fee for Thai passport holders)

Same application process as single entry; allows multiple visits within validity.

Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa on arrival feeVisa on arrival is issued at Funafuti International Airport at no cost.Free (no fee charged for Thai passport holders)
Stay extension feeVisa on arrival is not extendable; must leave and re-enter.Not available (no extension allowed)
Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are not publicly listed; best to depart on time.Unknown (likely nominal, but avoid overstay)

Common reasons for entry denial

No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Unclear accommodation20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Tuvalu

No transit visa needed

Thai passport holders transiting through Funafuti International Airport do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsFunafuti International Airport (FUN)

Health & vaccines for Tuvalu

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)EssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialPolioEssentialInfluenzaConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk

Mosquito-borne; present in Tuvalu, especially during rainy season.

Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk

Risk of diarrhea and other infections from contaminated food/water.

LeptospirosisLow risk

Risk from freshwater exposure; rare in tourists.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Funafuti
Tuvalu Immigration Department
Government Building, Vaiaku, Funafuti
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Handles visa extensions and immigration matters. Extensions are not available for visa on arrival.

Practical information for TH travellers

Country basics
CapitalFunafuti
LanguageTuvaluan, English
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 30 days.
Money
CurrencyAustralian dollar (AUD)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1.4 AUD
updated May 22
Time zone
Local timeUTC+12
vs New York+16h
vs Los Angeles+19h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
IAustralian-style plug with two flat pins and an earth pin
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police911
Medical911
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

The fee is around 100 AUD (or equivalent in USD). Pay in cash at the immigration counter. No card or digital payment accepted.
Yes, but extensions are not automatic. You'll need to visit the Tuvalu Immigration Office in Funafuti before your visa expires. Bring your passport, a completed extension form, and the fee (around 50 AUD). Processing takes a day or two.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. A return or onward ticket is mandatory. A fully refundable ticket works if you're unsure of your plans.
Only if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. Thailand is not considered a risk country, so you won't need it for direct travel. Check if your itinerary includes any stopovers in affected regions.
No. The local currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). US dollars are also widely accepted. Credit cards are rarely used outside major hotels — bring cash for everything.
Yes, but Funafuti International Airport is the only international entry point. There are no land borders. The visa-on-arrival process is the same for all arrivals.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You'll be fined, and in extreme cases, detained until you can arrange departure. Always extend before your visa expires or leave on time.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 21, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.