Visa rules change frequently — always verify before you book.
This guide was last reviewed in June 2026. Entry requirements, fees, and stay lengths can change at short notice. Confirm the current rules with the official government sources linked below before booking flights or travelling.
- Visa needed?
- No visa for short tourism (visa exemption scheme) for most Western nationalities
- Maximum stay
- 60 days under the exemption as of June 2026 — but a cut to 30 days was approved on 19 May 2026 and may take effect soon; verify
- Cost
- Free (visa exemption); the mandatory TDAC arrival card is also free
- Validity
- Per entry; extendable once by 30 days at a Thai immigration office (about 1,900 THB)
- Processing time
- Granted on arrival; the TDAC must be completed online before you land
Thailand is one of the easiest major destinations to enter for tourism. Citizens of around 93 countries and territories — including the US, UK, all EU nations, Canada, and Australia — can enter under the visa exemption scheme without applying for a visa in advance.
Two things are in flux in 2026: the length of the visa-free stay, which the Thai Cabinet has voted to cut, and a mandatory digital arrival card. This guide explains how entry works today and the changes to watch. The details below reflect official Thai information as of June 2026; because the rules are actively changing, confirm them on the official sources linked at the end before you travel.
Thailand Entry at a Glance
A quick summary for a tourist visit, as of June 2026. The stay length is under active change — confirm the current rule for your nationality before booking.
| Detail | What to know (as of June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Visa-exempt nationals | Around 93 countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and more) — no advance visa for tourism |
| Stay length | Still 60 days now; a cut to 30 days was approved 19 May 2026 but is not yet in force |
| TDAC arrival card | Mandatory and free for all arrivals — complete online within 72 hours before arrival |
| Extension | One 30-day extension at an immigration office, about 1,900 THB |
| Visa on arrival | A separate scheme for around 31 other nationalities (about 15 days, around 2,000 THB) |
| Arrival/tourism fee | None charged at present; a proposed 300 THB fee remains postponed |
| Longer stays | Tourist Visa (e-Visa) or the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for long or remote-work stays |
The Visa Exemption Scheme (and the 2026 Change)
Under Thailand's visa exemption scheme, eligible nationalities can enter for tourism without a pre-arranged visa. The scheme was expanded to a 60-day stay on 15 July 2024 to boost tourism, and as of June 2026 that 60-day exemption is still in effect.
However, on 19 May 2026 the Thai Cabinet approved reverting most of those nationalities to a 30-day visa-free stay (a smaller group may be reduced to 15 days, pending review), citing concerns about overstays and illegal working. The change is not yet law: it takes effect only once published in the Royal Gazette, and no effective date had been announced as of June 2026. Because this is actively changing, confirm the exact stay length your passport currently qualifies for on the official Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs or e-Visa website before you travel.
Note that visa-exempt entry by land border is more restricted — commonly limited to twice per calendar year — and repeat entries are watched closely.
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
The old paper TM.6 arrival card has been replaced by the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). All foreign visitors must now register online before arrival — it is free, but mandatory, and separate from your visa or visa-exempt status.
Complete the TDAC within 72 hours before you arrive, using only the official government portal (tdac.immigration.go.th), and keep your confirmation. Unofficial sites may charge a fee for what is a free service.
Entry Requirements
No arrival or tourism fee is charged at present — a proposed 300 THB tourist fee has been repeatedly postponed. Immigration officers have enforced the conditions above more strictly through 2026, so be ready to show them on arrival, especially at land borders.
- A passport valid for at least six months, undamaged and with free pages
- Proof of onward or return travel (an exit ticket within your permitted stay)
- Proof of funds — commonly cited as around 20,000 THB per person (40,000 THB per family); checks are random
- Proof of accommodation for at least part of your stay
- A completed TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) confirmation
Travel insurance is often required
Many visas and entry systems require proof of travel medical insurance — and even where it is not mandatory, it protects you against medical bills, cancellations, and lost baggage. Compare cover that meets visa requirements.
Compare travel insurance →Extending Your Stay & Visas for Longer Trips
A visa-exempt entry can be extended once at a Thai immigration office for an additional 30 days, for a fee of around 1,900 THB — so a current 60-day entry can reach about 90 days. Extensions are granted at the officer's discretion.
For longer or more flexible stays, apply before travel through the Thai e-Visa system: the Tourist Visa (single or multiple entry) gives more time, and the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is aimed at remote workers and long-stay visitors. Frequent back-to-back visa-exempt entries attract scrutiny, so if you have entered visa-free several times recently, apply for a proper visa instead.
Visa on Arrival (a Separate Scheme)
Separately, citizens of around 31 countries that are not covered by the exemption (not the US, UK, EU, or Australia) can obtain a Visa on Arrival for a short stay — typically about 15 days, for a fee of around 2,000 THB. Western nationalities use the visa exemption scheme described above, not the Visa on Arrival.
Official Sources
Always confirm the latest requirements directly with the official government website before travelling:
Frequently Asked Questions
No — for short tourism, US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme without a pre-arranged visa. As of June 2026 the visa-free stay is still 60 days, but on 19 May 2026 the Thai Cabinet approved cutting it to 30 days for most nationalities; that change is not yet in force, so verify the current rule before travelling.