New entry requirements for Thailand: The TDAC. Since May 1, 2025, it has been mandatory to fill out a digital arrival card (Thailand Digital Arrival Card, TDAC) within three days of arrival in Thailand. Applying is free and only takes a few minutes on the official website. The Thai Immigration Department is also currently testing its new official mobile app, THIM (Thailand Immigration Management), which allows you to create the TDAC by scanning your passport with your smartphone. However, if you are traveling to Thailand as a tourist, I recommend continuing to use the official TDAC website until THIM becomes mandatory (expected to be October 2026).

What visa do you need for a holiday in Thailand? As in many other countries, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into Thailand. Generally, you need a visa to enter Thailand. However, if your stay is no longer than 30 days, you do not need to apply for a visa before departure: you will receive a visa-free visa for 30 days upon arrival (see the list of 60 eligible countries below, as this does not apply to all nationalities). Please note: Since September 15, 2026, the visa exemption is only valid for 30 days (previously 60 days).

Is a visa required to enter Thailand? No. As mentioned, you do not need a visa for a tourist trip with a stay of up to 30 days. All you need is a passport that is valid for at least six months after your arrival in Thailand and a TDAC form (which you can fill out at the airport kiosks upon arrival; however, I recommend applying online starting three days before your arrival; see above for the official TDAC website). That's all! (Generally speaking – see below for information on possible additional documents; however, in the vast majority of cases, nothing else is required.) Nationals of 60 eligible countries (full list below) are visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. Please note that the Thai Immigration Bureau limits visa-free entry to two entries per calendar year. Reminder of required documents for visa exemption: To enter Thailand and receive a visa exemption on arrival, the immigration officer may – although very rarely – ask you for the following in addition to your passport and TDAC card: a confirmed return ticket or proof of onward travel before the end of the approved period (30 days), hotel reservations or proof of accommodation address upon arrival, proof of sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses of 20,000 THB or the equivalent for a single traveler or 40,000 THB for a family, in cash or as a bank statement. List of countries whose citizens do not require a tourist visa for stays of up to 30 days in Thailand: South Africa, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Estonia, United States, Fiji, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vatican City.

What visa do you need for a stay of more than 30 days in Thailand? If you wish to stay in Thailand as a tourist for more than 30 days from September 15, 2026, you must apply for a tourist visa (e-visa) before your departure or arrange an extension locally. Visa applications are processed exclusively online through the official portal (www.thaievisa.go.th). You will need to create a personal account, from which you can download your e-visa after completing your application. The visa exemption granted upon arrival applies only to tourist stays. Extending your stay in Thailand: You can extend your 30-day visa exemption granted upon arrival by another 30 days (for a total of 60 days visa-free). Apply for this at an immigration office in Thailand (see the procedure for extending a tourist visa in Thailand, in French). I recommend avoiding the office in Bangkok, as it can be very crowded. Please note that while extensions are generally granted, approval is not automatic, especially if you have already applied for several consecutive extensions or entries. Also note: If you plan to stay in Thailand longer than the initial 30-day visa-free period, some airlines may require proof that you will leave the country within 30 days and refuse boarding if you cannot provide proof. The same applies if you are traveling on a 60-day tourist visa and plan to stay longer without a return ticket. Applying for a tourist visa for Thailand: Required documents for a 60-day tourist visa: Passport (original and copy), valid for at least six months from the departure date; completed application form; recent color passport photo; copy of your residence permit (for holders of a travel document); copy of your flight booking (entry to/from Thailand within 90 days). Proof of sufficient financial resources: a recent bank statement (printouts from online banking must be signed and stamped by the bank) or a bank letter; the visa fee and, if applicable, other documents, depending on your nationality and the country in which you are applying.

Overstaying your visa in Thailand is taken very seriously by the Thai authorities, so be careful! Regardless of the circumstances, you will have to pay a fine for each day you overstay and also risk imprisonment, contrary to some claims in online forums. While this is rare, it is possible, especially if you cannot pay the fine. Overstaying by more than 90 days will also result in a ban from entering Thailand. The duration of this ban depends on how long you overstayed your visa and whether you reported it to immigration or were caught. In short: avoid overstaying your visa! The fine is 500 THB per day (up to 20,000 THB), and the consequences can be much more severe. Also, be aware that hotels and guesthouses may refuse you accommodation if your visa has expired. Visa Runs in Thailand: To avoid exceeding the validity period of your visa—or simply to circumvent the hassle and associated fees of a visa extension at the Immigration Bureau—a widespread but increasingly frowned-upon and punishable practice has been the visa run. This involves leaving Thailand by crossing one of its land borders into a neighboring country and immediately re-entering to obtain a new visa-free entry (for nationals of countries that allow visa-free entry). Agencies still exist, particularly in border towns, that offer such services and handle the entire process for you—from crossing the border to returning to Thailand with a new entry stamp permitting another stay. However, I strongly advise against this practice! Firstly, because when you add up all the costs, it is usually not significantly cheaper than applying for a visa extension at the Immigration Bureau. Secondly, because the Thai authorities are cracking down on this practice more resolutely than ever. Entries about repeated visa fraud attempts on your immigration record significantly reduce your chances of a visa extension or even a visa waiver, as you will be classified as a suspected visa fraudster. Keep in mind that visa waivers and extensions are intended for genuine tourists and are not a substitute for a regular long-term visa.

The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a visa category introduced by Thailand to attract remote workers, freelancers, students in training programs, digital nomads, and individuals wishing to stay in the country for an extended period without relocating permanently. It is valid for up to five years (with a permitted stay of 180 days, renewable once a year) and offers considerable flexibility for living, working, or studying in Thailand while enjoying the local lifestyle. However, this visa is increasingly coming under scrutiny from authorities due to abuse and could eventually be abolished. DTV visa holders are classified as tourists—including digital nomads—which entails certain disadvantages, such as the inability to open a Thai bank account. While some agencies handle the application process, it can also be submitted directly online through the official website www.thaievisa.go.th.

Non-tourist visa. For more information on other visas, please see our page about non-tourist visas for Thailand.

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