Quick answer: Since 15 September 2026, 60 countries and territories, including the EU, UK, USA, Australia, Canada and Japan, get 30 days visa-free for tourism. Everyone also completes the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. Other nationalities need a tourist e-visa (up to 60 days per entry), and an extension of stay costs 1,900 baht for up to 30 days.
Thailand’s visa rules changed on 15 September 2026, and understanding the Thailand visa requirements for your passport now takes three separate steps: whether you can enter visa-free, whether you need an e-visa, and the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, which everyone completes. These are different procedures and are easy to mix up. Here is a rundown of the visa exemption, the e-visa, extensions and the digital nomad option as they stand now.
Thailand Visa Requirements: What Changed on 15 September
Thailand replaced its previous visa-exemption scheme with a shorter one. The old arrangement gave select nationalities up to 60 days visa-free. In its place, 60 countries and territories, including the EU, UK, USA, Australia, Canada and Japan, get 30 days visa-free for tourism. Mauritius and Seychelles get 15 days, and Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia get visa on arrival. Entering on the exemption through a land border is limited to two entries per calendar year, and some nationalities no longer have visa-free access and need to arrange a visa before traveling. Some bilateral agreements give longer stays, so check the rules for your passport. Travelers who entered before 15 September keep their original permitted stay; the new rules apply to entries from that date. See our coverage of the rule change for how it was first announced.
Thailand Visa Options at a Glance
| Option | Length of stay | Cost | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption (30 days) | 30 days | Free | Eligible countries and territories, tourism only |
| Visa exemption (15 days) | 15 days | Free | Mauritius, Seychelles |
| Tourist e-visa | Up to 60 days per entry | Varies, check the official e-visa site | Travelers who need a visa, applied for online in advance |
| Visa on arrival | Short stay | Check the current fee | Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia |
| Extension of stay | Up to 30 days, once | 1,900 baht | Anyone already in Thailand on a tourist visa or exemption |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | Up to 180 days per stay, extendable | Set by each embassy | Remote workers, long courses, medical visits |
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): Not a Visa
Whichever category applies to you, every foreign visitor must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entry. It replaced the old paper TM.6 arrival form. Registration is free, done online on the official site of Thai Immigration (tdac.immigration.go.th), and must be completed within three days before arrival, including the day of arrival. The TDAC does not give you permission to enter and does not replace a visa or the exemption. Several unofficial sites charge a fee for what is a free government service, so confirm you are on the official domain before entering passport details.
Thailand Visa Requirements for E-Visa Applicants
Thailand visa requirements for travelers outside the exemption list come down to the e-visa. If your nationality is not covered by the visa exemption, the tourist e-visa is the standard route, allowing a stay of up to 60 days per entry and applied for online in advance through the official e-visa platform (thaievisa.go.th). Requirements typically include a passport valid for at least six months, a recent photo, proof of onward travel and accommodation, and possibly evidence of sufficient funds, but the exact list, fees and processing times vary by embassy. Apply several weeks before your trip, because some embassies advise allowing around 21 working days. The e-visa is separate from the TDAC, which you still complete before arrival.
Extending Your Stay Under the Thailand Visa Requirements
If you are already in Thailand on a tourist visa or the exemption and want more time, a single extension of up to 30 days is available at a Thai Immigration office, with offices in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui, among others. The fee is 1,900 baht, usually paid in cash, and you typically need the TM.7 form, a passport photo, proof of accommodation and your passport. Processing is often done within hours, but offices differ. The extension can be used once per entry, so once it ends you need to leave or switch to a different visa category.
Overstay Penalties
Overstaying carries a fine of 500 baht per day, capped at 20,000 baht. Longer overstays can bring a ban on re-entering Thailand, with longer overstays leading to longer bans, and being caught rather than leaving voluntarily is treated more harshly. Track your exact permitted-stay date, and extend or leave rather than assuming a short overstay is minor.
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for Longer Stays
For remote workers, freelancers and people on extended courses such as Muay Thai training or cooking schools, or on medical treatment, the Destination Thailand Visa offers a multi-year, multiple-entry structure where each stay can last up to 180 days, with one extension available. Documentation and financial requirements are set by each embassy, so check with the embassy that handles your application. The DTV is built for people earning from outside Thailand, not for working for Thai employers, and a long stay in a year can have tax implications, so speak to a tax advisor if that applies to you.
Thailand Visa Requirements: Which Option Is Right for You?
Under the Thailand visa requirements, a standard two-to-four-week holiday from an eligible country, the free 30-day visa exemption covers most trips, and you only need the TDAC. If your passport is not eligible, or your trip runs longer than 30 days, the e-visa is the next step. If you are already in the country and want a little more time, the one-time extension bridges the gap. If you plan to work remotely from Thailand for months, the DTV is built for that.
Planning Your Trip Around Your Visa
Once you know how many days you have, map your itinerary to fit comfortably inside that window. A 30-day stay covers a well-paced trip through two or three regions, for example Bangkok, then north to Chiang Mai, then south to the islands. Our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Thailand helps you pick the season, and our events calendar for November helps with festival timing. Rules change, so confirm the latest Thailand visa requirements for your passport with the Thai embassy or the official government sites before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Thailand visa requirements for tourists?
It depends on your passport. Travelers from about 60 eligible countries and territories can enter visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, others apply for a tourist e-visa in advance, and everyone must also complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
How many days can I stay in Thailand without a visa?
Up to 30 days for eligible nationalities (15 days for Mauritius and Seychelles) for entries from 15 September 2026, down from the previous 60-day exemption. Entries before that date keep their original permitted stay.
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
The TDAC is a free online arrival registration that replaced the paper TM6 form. Foreign visitors must complete it within three days before arrival, including the day of arrival, on the official government site. It is not a visa.
Is the TDAC the same as a Thailand e-visa?
No. The TDAC is an arrival registration for everyone, including visa-exempt travelers. The e-visa is a permit to enter that only travelers who need a visa apply for. They are separate procedures.
How long can I stay on a Thailand tourist e-visa?
A tourist e-visa allows a stay of up to 60 days per entry, and it can generally be extended once at an immigration office. Fees and processing times vary, so check the official e-visa site or your nearest Thai embassy.
Can I extend my stay in Thailand?
Yes. A single extension of up to 30 days is available at a Thai Immigration office for 1,900 baht, and it can only be used once per entry.
What happens if I overstay in Thailand?
A fine of 500 baht per day applies, capped at 20,000 baht. Longer overstays can bring a re-entry ban, so extend or leave before your permitted stay ends.
