Thailand Visa Requirements 2026: Exemption, e-Visa and TDAC

Since 15 September 2026, most visitors who can enter Thailand without a visa are allowed up to 30 days, not the 60 days that applied before. Nationals of 60 countries and territories qualify for that 30-day exemption, a handful of others get 15 days or a visa on arrival, and everyone else needs a tourist visa from the Thailand e-Visa portal. Every foreign visitor, visa or not, must also complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before arriving.

What changed in September 2026

Thailand's earlier 60-day visa exemption has been replaced. The Ministry of Interior's announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and took effect on 15 September 2026. The new system puts visitors into one of three groups by nationality: a 30-day exemption, a 15-day exemption, or a visa on arrival. Some nationalities that could previously enter visa-free now need a visa.

If you entered Thailand on or before 14 September 2026 with a 60-day exemption stamp, you can stay until the date on that stamp. Any entry since then falls under the new rules.

Many older articles still describe the 60-day stay. As of October 2026, the 30-day rule is in force.

Who needs what

What you need depends on the passport you travel on.

30-day visa exemption: passport holders from 60 countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, Türkiye, Ukraine, Israel, and most EU countries plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
15-day visa exemption: passport holders from Seychelles and Mauritius.
Visa on arrival: passport holders from Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia, at designated immigration checkpoints.
Bilateral agreements: some nationalities are covered by separate treaties that give exemptions of 90, 30 or 14 days, depending on the agreement.
Everyone else: apply for a visa, normally a tourist visa, through the official e-Visa portal before travelling.

Check the full official list against your passport before you book. Some countries on the old 60-day list were dropped.

The options compared

The visa exemption suits short holidays. You pay nothing in advance and get up to 30 days from your date of entry. If you arrive overland, you can generally use the exemption no more than twice per calendar year. Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are not subject to that land-border limit.

The visa on arrival is only for the three nationalities listed above. It is issued at designated checkpoints and is meant for short tourist stays. Confirm the current length of stay and fee with a Royal Thai Embassy before you rely on it.

The tourist visa (TR) is for travellers who don't qualify for an exemption or who want a longer stay. Thai embassies list a stay of up to 60 days per entry. The single-entry version is generally valid for three months from issue, and some missions also offer a multiple-entry version valid for six months. You apply online and receive an electronic visa before you travel.

The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is aimed at remote workers, freelancers and people taking long courses or activities in Thailand, such as Muay Thai training or Thai cooking. It is valid for five years, with stays of up to 180 days per entry. Applicants must show at least 500,000 baht in funds and proof of the remote work or activity.

Extending your stay

Visitors on a visa exemption or tourist visa can usually apply once to extend their stay. You do this in person at a local immigration office inside Thailand, not at an embassy abroad. The extension is at the immigration officer's discretion, and a fee is charged. Check the current length of extension and fee with the Thai Immigration Bureau before you plan around it.

Document checklist

Immigration officers at the border make the final decision on entry. Have these ready whether you are visa-exempt or hold a visa.

A passport valid for at least six months from your date of arrival, with blank pages for stamps.
Your TDAC confirmation email or QR code.
Proof of onward or return travel within your permitted stay.
Proof of funds: cash in baht or another currency, or documents showing payment of an equivalent amount.
Your hotel booking or the address where you will stay.
A printed copy of your e-Visa, if you needed one.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate, if you are travelling from or through a country on Thailand's list.

For a tourist visa application, embassies typically also ask for:

A recent photograph meeting the e-Visa specifications.
Proof that you live in the country where you are applying.
Flight bookings and recent bank statements.
Invitation or family documents if you are sponsored.

Proof of funds and onward tickets

In July 2026 the Tourism Authority of Thailand reminded visitors that immigration officers may ask to see proof of funds on arrival. The amounts come from a long-standing Ministry of Interior announcement. They are 20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family for tourist visa holders, and 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family for visa on arrival and certain visa-exempt cases. Children under 12 are not included.

Not every traveller is checked, but be ready to show these funds and proof of onward travel if asked.

Fees

As of October 2026, these are the main costs, but confirm them on the official sources before you pay.

Visa exemption: no fee.
TDAC: free on the official immigration website. Third-party sites that charge are not the government service.
Tourist visa: fees are set by each embassy or consulate in local currency and vary by mission and entry type. They are non-refundable and may change without notice.
DTV: fees are also set in local currency by each mission. One Thai embassy in Europe lists 350 euros, and others charge different amounts.
Visa on arrival and stay extensions: fees are charged in baht. Confirm the current amounts with the Immigration Bureau or a Thai embassy.

How to apply for a Thailand e-Visa

Thai embassies and consulates now accept tourist visa and DTV applications through the official e-Visa portal, thaievisa.go.th, rather than on paper. The steps are broadly the same everywhere.

Create an account on the official e-Visa portal and choose the Thai mission responsible for the country where you are currently living.
Select the visa type, such as a single-entry or multiple-entry tourist visa, or the DTV.
Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport.
Upload your photo and supporting documents.
Check everything carefully before submitting, because submitted applications cannot be edited.
Pay the non-refundable fee using the payment methods shown for your mission.
Respond quickly if the embassy asks for more documents or an interview.
Download the approved e-Visa from your account or the confirmation email, and print it for the airline and immigration.

Some missions require you to stay in the country where you applied until the visa is approved.

Timing

Processing times vary by mission, nationality and how complete your application is. Thai embassies typically quote from about ten working days to three weeks, and some warn that certain cases take four to six weeks. Applying about a month before travel is a sensible baseline. Some missions advise at least 21 working days.

The TDAC is much quicker. You can submit it online from three days before your arrival date. It has been compulsory since 1 May 2025 for all non-Thai nationals arriving by air, land or sea. Keep the email confirmation to show at immigration.

Common problems at entry and refusals

Most refusals and delays at Thai immigration come down to a few avoidable issues.

Relying on the old 60-day rule and booking a return flight more than 30 days after arrival without a visa or a plan to extend.
Arriving without the TDAC, or using an unofficial website that charges a fee or collects your data.
Being unable to show funds or onward travel when asked.
A passport with less than six months' validity or no free pages.
Repeated visa-exempt entries, which may lead officers to question whether you are really a tourist.
Errors or missing documents in the e-Visa application.
Overstaying, which leads to fines and can affect future entry.

Frequently asked questions

How many days can I stay in Thailand without a visa?

For nationals of the 60 eligible countries and territories, including the UK, US, Australia, Canada, India and most of Europe, the visa exemption now gives up to 30 days. Seychelles and Mauritius passport holders get 15 days. Some nationalities have different periods under bilateral agreements.

Is the 60-day visa exemption for Thailand still available?

No. It ended on 15 September 2026. Travellers who entered on or before 14 September 2026 with a 60-day stamp can stay until the date shown on it. For a stay of up to 60 days, apply for a tourist visa through the e-Visa portal.

Do I need to fill in the TDAC if I don't need a visa?

Yes. All non-Thai nationals must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, whether or not they need a visa. It is free, can be submitted up to three days before arrival, and is not a visa.

Can I extend a 30-day visa exemption in Thailand?

Usually you can apply once at a local immigration office in Thailand, and a fee applies. Approval is at the officer's discretion, so check the current extension terms with the Immigration Bureau before relying on it.

How long does a Thailand e-Visa take to process?

It depends on the embassy or consulate handling your application. Many quote around ten working days to three weeks, and some cases take longer. Apply about a month before you travel.

Is the DTV visa a good option for a long holiday?

Not usually. It is designed for remote workers and people doing long activities such as Muay Thai training, and needs at least 500,000 baht in funds.

Thailand's entry rules depend on your nationality, the passport you travel on, where you apply from and your reasons for visiting, and they have changed recently. Before booking, check the latest position on the official sources listed with this guide, including the Thai e-Visa portal, the Immigration Bureau and your nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate.