Looking ahead to the second half of 2025, Thailand has updated its travel regulations. This includes the introduction of a new digital entry form that all foreigners must complete to enter the country. These updates are intended to increase border security and expedite the entry process, but they also change the steps travelers must follow to meet entry requirements.

In this article, we explain what you need to do before your trip to be able to enter the country legally and avoid problems with entry during your trip to Thailand.

Obtaining the correct Thai visa

All non-Thai citizens require a visa or entry permit to enter Thailand. Thailand offers various entry options, from visa-free entry to applying for a visa. The best option depends on your nationality, the purpose of your trip, and the planned length of your stay.

Thailand: Visa Exemption Program and Visa on Arrival

Depending on your nationality, you may be able to enter Thailand under the visa waiver program. This program allows a visa-free stay of 60 days with the option to extend it for another 30 days at the Thai immigration authorities. However, please note that the government has recently announced plans to reduce the initial stay to 30 days starting in 2025.

If your nationality does not qualify you for visa-free entry and you are planning a shorter stay in Thailand, the Visa on Arrival (VOA) may be a better option. This program issues a visa upon arrival at selected border crossings, including airports and border crossings, allowing a stay of up to 15 days in the country.

Thailand Tourist Visa

If you are not eligible for any of the above options and still plan to travel to Thailand for tourism, the Thai tourist visa grants you a short stay of 60 days, with the possibility of extending this for another 30 days at the Thai immigration office. The Thai tourist visa is available in two versions:

  • Single-entry tourist visa: This visa entitles you to only one entry into Thailand. If you leave Thailand before the expiry date, your visa will be cancelled unless you apply for a re-entry permit before your departure. Without this permit, you will need to apply for a new visa to return to Thailand.
  • Multiple-entry tourist visa: This visa allows multiple entries into the country within a six-month period, with each entry granting a renewable stay of 60 days. The requirements for this visa are more difficult to meet, and it is issued significantly less often than the single-entry visa.

    • Visa for Thailand (DTV)

    For longer stays than a Thai tourist visa allows, and with fewer entry formalities, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a popular option for multiple entries. It was designed to allow digital nomads, freelancers, remote workers, and participants in Thai cultural events to stay for up to five years. Each entry entitles the holder to a stay of 180 days, which can be extended for another 180 days at the Thai immigration office.

    The DTV is a relatively inexpensive visa option for long-term stays and frequent visits to Thailand, as it eliminates the need for frequent visa or re-entry permit applications.

    Thailand Privilege Visa

    The Thailand Privilege Visa is designed for those seeking a hassle-free, long-term residence permit with added benefits for a luxurious lifestyle in Thailand. Valid for 5 to 20 years, the Thailand Privilege Visa is available in five membership tiers and includes a multiple-entry visa as well as numerous VIP perks.

    With the Thailand Privilege Visa, you'll experience Thailand at its best: from expedited immigration and access to luxurious airport lounges to discounts at leading restaurants and shops. You'll also receive a points system that offers numerous free perks and benefits, including complimentary spa treatments, boat and vehicle rentals, and hotel stays.

    With a Privilege Visa you not only experience the highlights of Thailand, but also secure your entry into Thailand for many years without having to apply for another visa.

    Proof of vaccination

    Thailand has lifted all vaccination requirements for entry, including COVID-19 vaccination, except for travelers from countries with a high risk of yellow fever. If you have been in one of the countries listed below in the two weeks prior to your arrival in Thailand, you must provide proof of yellow fever vaccination:

  • Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo and Uganda
  • South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela

    • The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

    On May 1, 2025, Thailand replaced its previous paper form TM6 with an online version, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). All travelers must now complete and submit this digital form before arrival, regardless of their visa type or mode of entry (land, sea, air).

    Thailand is committed to preventing criminal elements from entering the country, improving the safety of travelers and citizens alike, and simplifying entry procedures. Therefore, the TDAC (Tourist Data Acquisition System) was introduced to electronically capture and store travel information.

    Before you are allowed to cross the Thai border, you must register online with the TDAC and provide your personal details such as name, passport information, flight number, and accommodation address in Thailand. This is possible up to three days before your arrival.

    It is important to note that if you do not complete the TDAC registration before your arrival in Thailand, you may experience delays at immigration control or be refused entry.

    Professional assistance with entry into Thailand

    If you are planning a trip to Thailand in 2025 and are unsure about the new entry requirements and procedures, contact Siam Legal International.

    We are a full-service law firm and visa consultancy with over 20 years of experience assisting clients from around the world with quick and straightforward entry into Thailand. We have the necessary knowledge and expertise to explain Thai travel regulations to you and support you in complying with them.

    Whether you are planning a short visit or a longer stay, we will also help you apply for the Thai visa that best suits your needs, so you can focus entirely on your stay in Thailand without having to worry about problems with the immigration authorities.

    For professional advice on Thai entry requirements and procedures, or assistance with your Thai visa application, do not hesitate to contact Siam Legal and arrange a consultation appointment!