(Last updated: September 8, 2026)

Image source: Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular.mfa.go.th

Summary

Thailand is replacing its 60-day visa exemption with a 30-day exemption and shortening the list of countries requiring a visa on arrival. This regulation will come into effect on September 15, 2026.

  • Visa exemption: Reduced from 60 to 30 days. Number of eligible countries reduced from 93 to 60. Mauritius and the Seychelles retain a separate 15-day visa exemption.
  • Visa on arrival: Reduction from 31 eligible countries to just 3, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia, still valid for a stay of 15 days.
  • Entry restrictions via land borders: Visa-free travelers entering via land borders are permitted a maximum of two entries per calendar year. Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore are exempt from this regulation.
  • Bilateral agreements: Countries that already have bilateral agreements with Thailand are not affected and will retain their current stay limits of 14, 30 or 90 days.
  • Grandfathering: If you enter Thailand on or before September 14, 2026, you will retain the 60-day stamp in accordance with the applicable regulations.

    • The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed far-reaching changes to the visa exemption and visa on arrival regulations, following the publication of the relevant provisions in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026.

    The 30-day visa exemption

    Nationals of the following 60 countries and territories can enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 30 days:

  • You need a passport from one of the 60 listed countries or territories.
  • You need a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
  • Entry into Thailand is permitted for tourism purposes only.
  • Please provide proof of your accommodation, e.g. a hotel booking or your host's address.
  • Please provide proof of a return or onward travel ticket.
  • You must provide proof of funds: at least 10,000 THB if you are traveling alone, or 20,000 THB per family if you are traveling with relatives.

    • Not on the list? If you enter Thailand on or before September 14, 2026, you will still be entitled to the previous 60-day exemption under the old regulations, even if your country of entry has been removed from the aforementioned 30-day list.

    The 15-day visa exemption

    A separate, shorter exemption applies to the following countries:

    This exception exists independently of the aforementioned 30-day rule and applies regardless of the further changes that will come into effect in September.

    Bilateral visa exemption agreements

    Some countries have existing bilateral agreements with Thailand that stipulate their own visa-free stay duration. These agreements are not covered by the general exemption and will therefore remain unaffected by the reform in September 2026.

    If your country is listed in this table, your length of stay is determined by the bilateral agreement and not by the general 30-day or 60-day exemption.

    Visa on arrival

    Travelers who are not exempt from visa requirements may still be able to obtain a visa on arrival under certain circumstances:

    For a fee of 2,000 THB, payable in cash at the checkpoint, everyone receives a 15-day stay. This represents a significant reduction compared to the previously eligible 31 countries. If your country has been removed from the list of countries with visa-on-arrival and is not listed in any of the tables above, you must apply for a regular Thai visa before your trip.

    New restriction: Entry restrictions across land borders

    Once the new regulations come into effect on September 15, visa-free travelers entering Thailand via a land border crossing will be subject to a new limit of two entries per calendar year. This restriction applies exclusively to land border crossings; travelers arriving by air are not subject to this limit.

    The Ministry of the Interior reserves the right to exempt further nationalities from the exemption.

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    • How to enter Thailand under visa exemption

  • Complete the Digital Entry Card for Thailand (TDAC). All travelers, including visa-free visitors, must complete the TDAC online within three days of arrival. The TDAC has replaced the paper form TM6. Registration is free through the official government website. Unofficial websites that charge for this service are not affiliated with the Thai Immigration Service.
  • Prepare your documents. Bring your passport, proof of accommodation, proof of a return flight ticket, and proof of sufficient funds.
  • Present your documents to the immigration officer upon arrival.
  • You will receive your entry stamp, which indicates the date by which you must leave Thailand.

    • Extension of your stay

    If your stay in Thailand exceeds your visa-free period, you can apply for a one-time 30-day extension at a local Thai immigration office. This must be done in person; online extensions are not possible.

    To apply, you will need the extension form TM.7, your passport, a recent photograph, proof of your accommodation's TM30 registration, and the extension fee of 1,900 THB. Approval is at the discretion of the immigration officer, so submit your application well before your original stay expires.

    Exceeding the permitted length of stay

    Anyone who overstays their visa exemption or visa on arrival faces a fine of 500 THB per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 THB, which is equivalent to approximately 40 days. Overstays of more than 90 days can result in further consequences in addition to the fine: arrest and detention, as well as an entry ban, the duration of which depends on the length of the overstay. Generally, the ban starts at one year for overstays of more than 90 days and increases with longer stays.

    In this case, the matter is handled directly by the Thai immigration authorities, instead of simply receiving a fine upon departure. Therefore, it is worthwhile to rectify any overstay violations early on, well before this threshold is reached.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does each family member need a separate digital entry card for Thailand?

    Yes. Every traveler, regardless of age, must submit a separate TDAC before arrival.

    What happens if my country was on the old list of 93 countries, but not on the new list of 60 countries?

    Until and including September 14, 2026, you can still enter Thailand visa-free under the old 60-day rule. From September 15 onwards, the tables above apply: the 30-day list, the 15-day list, or a bilateral agreement. If none of these regulations apply, you must apply for a regular Thai visa before traveling.

    Can I extend a visa on arrival in the same way as a visa exemption?

    Both applying for a visa on arrival and extending visa exemption are carried out according to the same procedure at the local Thai immigration office, with the decision being at the discretion of the official.

    Is travel insurance required to enter Thailand visa-free?

    No. Thailand has lifted the insurance requirement for visa-free travelers that was in place during the COVID pandemic. However, foreign visitors are not covered by the Thai public health system, so travel insurance is still advisable to cover unexpected medical expenses.

    When a standard visa makes more sense

    If your nationality does not qualify you for a visa exemption or a visa on arrival, you will need a regular Thai tourist visa to enter the country. Frequent short stays may lead to increased checks by border officials. If you wish to stay longer than the permitted duration of a visa exemption, or if you are in Thailand for a reason other than tourism, you will need a long-stay visa.

    Speak to our immigration team. We can help you find out which entry category applies to you.