Thailand and Vietnam both split entry into two tracks: travelers from visa-exempt nationalities enter for tourism without applying in advance, and everyone else applies for an official e-visa online. Two extra rules catch people out most often. Almost all arrivals to Thailand must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before they land, whether they hold a visa or enter visa-exempt. Vietnam issues e-visas only after review, so apply several working days ahead. On top of that, most travelers need a passport valid for at least six months plus proof of onward travel. What follows is a practical overview for trade partners planning client trips across our two core destinations, and it pairs with our guides to the best time to visit Thailand and Vietnam when you are choosing dates. It is guidance, not legal or immigration advice, so confirm the current rules for each traveler's nationality with the official sources we link below before booking flights or applying for anything.
Thailand entry overview
Most leisure travelers reach Thailand in one of two ways. Many nationalities qualify for the visa-exemption scheme and enter for tourism without applying in advance. Travelers whose nationality is not on the exemption list, or who are visiting for a purpose the scheme does not cover, apply through the official Thailand e-Visa portal. Separately, almost all foreign arrivals must now complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before they arrive in Thailand, regardless of whether they hold a visa or enter visa-exempt. The exempt allowance, the e-visa categories, and the fees are all set by the authorities and can change, so we treat them as live values rather than fixed numbers. For any specific itinerary, confirm the current allowance and category with the Thai Immigration Bureau and the e-Visa portal before you commit a client to dates.
Vietnam entry overview
Vietnam offers a similar split. A set of nationalities enters under a visa-exemption arrangement for a defined number of days, while everyone else applies online through the official Vietnam e-Visa portal. The e-visa is issued electronically after the authorities review the application, so it is wise to apply well ahead of travel and to budget several working days for processing rather than assuming same-day issue. Applicants typically need a clear passport-style photo, a passport valid for the required period, a card to pay the fee, and a planned address in Vietnam. The e-visa covers a broad list of airports, land crossings, and seaports, but not every entry point, so the chosen port matters. For client trips, browse our Vietnam itineraries and confirm the current validity, entry type, fee, and accepted ports of entry on the official portal before applying.
Visa exemption versus e-visa
The first question for any traveler is which track applies to their nationality. Visa exemption means a passport holder may enter for tourism without an advance application, usually for a capped number of days that differs by country and sometimes by how the traveler arrives. An e-visa is an advance electronic permit, applied for and paid online. It is useful when a nationality is not exempt, when a longer or multiple-entry stay is needed, or when the trip purpose falls outside the exemption. The exemption lists, the day allowances, and the e-visa fees are reviewed by each government and do change, so the safest approach is to verify the traveler's exact nationality against the current official list rather than rely on a figure from a previous trip. When a client plans to combine countries, check each entry separately, including any cross-border legs.
Passport validity and proof of onward travel
Two requirements trip travelers up more often than visas themselves. The first is passport validity. Many destinations in the region ask for a passport valid for at least six months beyond the arrival date, and airlines often enforce this at check-in even where immigration might be more lenient, so a client with a passport expiring soon should renew before applying for anything. Blank pages can also be required. The second is proof of onward or return travel and, in some cases, confirmed accommodation, which border officers and airline staff may ask to see. We recommend clients carry printed and digital copies of their visa or arrival-card confirmation, return flights, and the first night of accommodation. Because these checks are applied at the airline counter as well as the border, getting them right protects the whole itinerary, not just the entry stamp.
Practical tips for trade partners
A few habits keep client trips smooth. Build a buffer between when documents are ready and when the client travels, because e-visa processing takes working days and arrival cards have a submission window close to the trip. Verify each traveler's nationality against the current official list rather than assuming a group is uniform, since mixed-nationality groups often fall under different tracks. Note the exact ports of entry your client will use, as not every crossing accepts every document. Keep a single shared checklist per booking that records passport expiry, the visa or exemption track, the arrival-card status, and the onward-travel proof. When something looks borderline, point the client to the official portal rather than guessing. Our team can help you sequence the documentation around a planned itinerary, though final responsibility for each traveler's eligibility always rests with the official authorities.