Visa Renewal by Mail Program

Important Notice:

    • Visa Renewal by Mail Program will take approximately 15 business days. We cannot return your passport to you or provide status updates during this time.
    • 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.
    • For pilots and crewmembers, if you need to use your passport within 15 business days, please do not submit your application by mail.
    • Expedited visa renewal by mail option is not available.
    • Visa Renewal by Mail Program is only available at U.S. Embassy Bangkok.

On this page:


Overview

If you would like to renew your visa by mail, you may qualify to submit your application by mail provided you meet all the qualifications listed below. Click here to request an in-person interview if you do not meet the qualifications or if you will need your passport during the 15 days it takes for mail-in process.

Qualifications

You are qualified for the mail in renewal program if you meet ALL criteria below:

  • You are a Thai citizen, or a usual resident of Thailand with evidence of your Thai residency.
  • You are physically present in Thailand.
  • Your U.S. visa is currently valid or has expired within the last 48 months (four years).
  • You are applying for the same visa type as your previous visa, OR
  • You were previously interviewed by a consular officer and issued a visa in any other classification and you are applying within 48 months of the most recent visa’s expiration; and your previous visa was not a
    • Diplomatic or official visa (A, C and G visas),
    • B1B2 visa,
    • J1 non-academic visas (Au Pair, Summer Work Travel, Intern, Trainee, High School Exchange,Camp Counselor).
  • If your previous B1/B2 visa has the following annotations, you have to schedule an in-person interview. Please click here.
    • B1 Domestic employee
    • B2 Study incidental to visit
    • B1 Install
    • B1 Voluntary Service Program
  • You are not applying for an L Blanket visa.
  • Your previous visa was issued after the age of 14 years old.
  • Your name, surname, date/month/year of birth, and nationality in your current passport match those in your previous visa.
    • If your name and/or surname is different from your previous visa, a copy of an official name and/or surname change certificate with English translation is required.
    • If your date/month/year of birth and/or nationality do not match your previous visa, click here to request an in-person interview.
  • Your previous visa was not annotated “Clearance Received”, “Waiver Granted”, or “Fingerprints Waived”.
  • You have not been refused a U.S. visa since your most recent visa issuance.
  • You have never been denied entry to the United States.
  • You have never been arrested in Thailand, the United States, or any other country.
  • Your previous visa was not revoked.
    • If yes, click here to request an in-person interview.
  • You answered “no” to all the security and background questions on the Form DS-160.
  • F, M, and J visa applicants who are nationals of Nigeria or the People’s Republic of China are not eligible for mail-in processing and have to schedule an in-person interview. Please click here.

 

How to Apply

If you meet the requirements above, please follow these steps. As a reminder, all visa renewal by mail must meet the above criteria. Failure to include correct supporting documents in visa applications may cause delays in visa processing, or result in applicants being required to appear for an in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

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 type 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 Offices. To view Thailand Post document drop-off locations, click here for Bangkok and its vicinity and click here for all other locations.

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. Once your visa is adjudicated, Thailand Post will mail your passport and documents to your designated address.

What documents do I need to submit?

All visa applicants must enclose the following documents. Please do not submit other documents than what are listed below:

  1. The Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter with UID and QR code,
  2. Your current passport must have at least two blank pages for the new visa,
  3. Old passport with most recent valid U.S. visa or expired within the last 48 months (if not in currently valid passport),
  4. DS-160 Confirmation page with barcode, completed and submitted online,
  5. 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,
  6. Visa fee receipt,
  7. If applicable, a copy of official name and/or surname change certificate with English translation, and
  8. Applicants who are not Thai citizens are required to send evidence of their legal residence in Thailand (e.g., house registration, copies of residence permit, work permit, etc.)

Additional documents for applicants applying for a child who is under 14 years old, or applicants who are 80 years old or older.

  • Click here for additional documents and information for children and the elderly.

Additional documents for C1/D visa renewal

  • Recent employment letter

Additional documents for F or M visa renewal (DO NOT submit original documents unless indicated.)

  • Form I-20
  • SEVIS I-901 Payment Confirmation
  • Copy of marriage or birth certificates for all dependent applicants
  • Copy of principal applicant’s F or M visa for all dependent applicants
  • Copy of recent academic transcripts of principal applicant
  • Copy of recent evidence of sufficient funds to meet the individual's tuition, cost of living, and other financial needs

Additional documents for J academic program visa renewal (DO NOT submit original documents unless indicated.)

  • Form DS-2019 (wet signatures or digital signatures are acceptable.)
  • SEVIS I-901 Payment Confirmation
  • Copy of marriage or birth certificates for all dependent applicants
  • Copy of principal applicant’s J1 visa for all dependent applicants
  • Copy of recent academic transcripts of principal applicant
  • Recent evidence of sufficient funds to meet the individual's tuition, cost of living, and other financial needs

Additional document for H, L, O, P, Q, or R visa renewal (DO NOT submit original documents unless indicated.)

  • Copy of approved and valid Form I-797 and I-129 for L visa for principal applicant
  • Copy of marriage or birth certificates for all dependent applicants
  • Copy of principal applicant’s H, L, O, P, Q, or R visa for all dependent applicants

Track Visa Renewal Documents

Once you have 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