Visas for Children and the Elderly

Important Notice:

      • The use of the mail-in service does not guarantee visa issuance. 
      • In some cases, applicants may still be required to appear in person for a visa interview at the Embassy or Consulate.  
      • Visas for children and the elderly will take approximately 30 business days. If your travel is urgent, please schedule an in-person interview. 
      • Expedited visa renewal by mail option is not available.

On this page:

Overview

If you are an applicant who is 80 years old or older, or applying for a child who is younger than 14 years old at the time of application, you are eligible to apply for a visa by mail provided that the applicant can answer “yes” to all of the following questions. 

      1. I am applying for a B1/B2 (Business/Tourism) visa. 
      2. I am physically present in Thailand. 
      3. I was not born in or do not hold a passport from Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, or Iraq. 
      4. I answered “no” to all of the security and background questions on the Form DS-160. 
      5. I have never been denied entry to the United States.
      6. I have never been refused a U.S. visa, or if I was refused a U.S. visa before, I was subsequently issued that same visa type.

Additional requirements for children under 14 years old 

      • One of the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must have a valid B1/B2 (Business/Tourism) visa at the time of the child’s application. 
      • Neither parent(s) nor legal guardian(s) is a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States or a U.S. Citizen.

If you do not qualify for an interview exemption, click here to schedule an appointment for an in-person interview. 

How to Apply

If you meet the requirements above, please follow these steps.

Step 1:

Complete the Form DS-160. 

Read the Guidelines for Completing the Form DS-160 carefully. All information must be accurate. After submitting your Form DS-160, you will not be able to edit or modify your information again. The call center cannot help you complete your Form DS-160.  

Note: You need access to a printer to complete this process. 

Step 2:

Create a profile and pay the visa application processing fee. 

The visa fee page lists the visa types and fees in U.S. dollars and Thai baht. For detailed payment options, please click here.  After you pay the fee, please keep your proof of payment. 

Step 3:

Log into your profile by using the same username and password to answer questions and print out Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter with UID and QR code. 

You will need the following items to continue: 

      • Your passport number,
      • The visa fee receipt number (Click here if you need help finding the fee receipt number), and 
      • The 10-digit barcode number from your DS-160 Confirmation page.

Step 4 (Final Step):

Compile and mail your documents via Thailand Post (please use the checklist below). 

Please follow the instructions from the checklist on the Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter with UID and QR code and mail the required documents to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok or the U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai. Once your visa is adjudicated, Thailand Post will mail your passport and documents to your designated address. 

What documents do I need to submit for visa application by mail? 

      1. The Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter with UID and QR code,
      2. Your current passport must have at least two blank pages for the visa,
      3. DS-160 Confirmation page with barcode, completed and submitted online,  
      4. Two photos (5x5 cm or 2x2 in, in color with white background, taken within the last six months, no digital enhancement or alteration, no glasses, color contact lens, or hat), submitting unqualified photos may delay the visa process, and  
      5. Visa fee receipt.
      6. If applicable, a copy of official name and/or surname change certificate with English translation.

Additional documents for children under 14 years old 

      • A copy of a valid birth certificate, or legal custody document(s) with English translation
      • A copy of valid B1/B2 (Business/Tourism) visa of one, or both of the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) at the time of application
      • If applicable, a copy of official name and/or surname change certificate of the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) with English translation. 

Track Visa Documents

Once you submitted your application through Thailand Post’s drop-off locations. Please keep the receipt for your records. You may track the location of your visa package with Thailand Post’s Track & Trace Service, which can be found here.