Always verify with official sources
This guide is a curated summary for Thailand, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules, fees and advisory levels change without notice. Always confirm with the official immigration authority, tax authority or your embassy before you travel, move money, or apply.
Thailand Visas & Entry Requirements
Thailand runs one of Southeast Asia's most open entry regimes: visa-exempt tourism for roughly 90+ nationalities, an online e-Visa system for those who need a visa in advance, and newer long-stay routes such as the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for remote workers. One major rule is in transition in 2026 — the length of the visa-free stay — so the exact day count for your nationality must be checked against the official portal before you travel.
Last reviewed Jul 28, 2026
Visa types
Visa exemption (tourism)
- Who it is for
- Passport holders of the ~90+ visa-exempt nationalities entering for tourism.
- Allowed stay
- Up to 60 days per entry under the current scheme. A Cabinet-approved change (announced May 2026) reduces the standard visa-free stay to about 30 days once published in the Royal Gazette — treat the day count as 30–60 days and confirm the current figure for your nationality before travel.
- Extensions
- Typically one extension of up to 30 days at a Thai immigration office (fee around ฿1,900), granted at the officer's discretion.
- How to apply
- No advance visa needed. Complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before arrival; officers may ask for onward travel and proof of funds.
- Fees
- No visa fee. The TDAC is free — official channels never charge for it.
Tourist Visa (TR — single or multiple entry)
- Who it is for
- Travellers whose nationality is not visa-exempt, or who want a pre-approved or longer tourist stay.
- Allowed stay
- 60 days per entry.
- Extensions
- Usually one 30-day extension in-country at an immigration office (around ฿1,900).
- How to apply
- Apply in advance through the official Thai e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th) or a Thai embassy/consulate.
- Fees
- Roughly ฿1,000–5,000 (about USD 30–80), varying by embassy and single- vs multiple-entry.
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
- Who it is for
- Remote workers, freelancers and digital nomads, plus participants in approved 'soft power' activities (e.g. Muay Thai, Thai cooking, medical treatment).
- Allowed stay
- Up to 180 days per entry, on a multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years.
- Extensions
- One extension of up to 180 days per entry inside Thailand (extension fee commonly around ฿10,000).
- How to apply
- Apply from outside Thailand via the e-Visa system. Evidence typically includes proof of remote work/eligibility and savings of around ฿500,000.
- Fees
- Government issuance fee about ฿10,000; total outlay commonly ฿12,000–25,000 depending on the embassy and documentation help.
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
- Who it is for
- A short list of nationalities that are neither visa-exempt nor required to obtain a visa in advance.
- Allowed stay
- 15 days, non-extendable.
- Extensions
- Not extendable.
- How to apply
- Obtained at designated ports of entry; a fee is payable on arrival and proof of funds/onward travel may be requested.
- Fees
- Around ฿2,000 (verify the current fee before travel).
Key entry rules
Digital arrival card (TDAC) is mandatory
All non-Thai arrivals must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online, no more than 72 hours before arrival.
The TDAC replaced the paper TM6 card. Complete it only on the official portal, tdac.immigration.go.th — it is always free.
Passport validity
At least 6 months' validity beyond your arrival date, with a blank page.
Proof of onward travel and funds
Officers may ask for an onward/return ticket, accommodation, and funds of roughly ฿10,000 per person (฿20,000 per family).
Checks are discretionary and not applied to everyone, but travellers should be able to show them.
Overstay penalties
Overstaying is fined at about ฿500 per day, capped at ฿20,000, and longer overstays can trigger multi-year re-entry bans.
Track your permitted-to date on the entry stamp; extensions are not automatic.
180-day tax-residency line
Spending 180 days or more in Thailand in a calendar year makes you a Thai tax resident, which can bring foreign income remitted into Thailand into scope.
Relevant to long-stay and DTV visitors — see the Doing Business guide for detail.
Cannabis and drug law
Cannabis rules have shifted repeatedly since decriminalisation in 2022 and are being re-tightened toward a medical-use framework — verify the current status before you travel.
Penalties for other drugs remain severe. Never carry anything across a border.
Lèse-majesté (Section 112)
Criticism of the monarchy is a serious criminal offence. Treat the subject with care in speech and online.
Official sources
- Thailand e-Visa Official Portal — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand
- Thai Immigration Bureau — Royal Thai Police
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) — Thai Immigration Bureau
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Consular Affairs — Royal Thai Government
- U.S. Embassy Thailand — Entry & Exit Requirements — U.S. Department of State
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Thailand as a tourist?
How long can tourists stay in Thailand in 2026?
What is the TDAC and do I have to fill it in?
Can I work remotely from Thailand legally?
What happens if I overstay my visa in Thailand?
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