Thailand 30 Day vs 60 Day Visa Exemption: What Applies Now

Thailand doubled its standard visa-free stay from 30 days to 60 in July 2024, and reversed it two years later. The Royal Gazette notification of 31 August 2026 cancelled the 60-day scheme: since 15 September 2026 the standard visa-free stay is 30 days for 60 countries and territories. This page explains which stay you get, what happens if you entered before the change, and how to turn 30 days into 60.

30 VS 60 DAYS

Thailand doubled the standard visa-free stay from 30 to 60 days on 15 July 2024 for citizens of 93 countries, and reversed it 26 months later. The Royal Gazette notification of 31 August 2026 repeals that scheme with effect from 15 September 2026: the default is 30 days again, and the eligible list is cut to 60 countries and territories.

The 30-day exemption applies to 60 countries and territories including the United States, the United Kingdom, all EU member states, Australia, Canada, Japan and India. South Korea is not on the list but keeps 90 days under its bilateral treaty with Thailand.

The 30-day exemption applies to passport holders from 60 countries and territories — a cut of 33 from the 93-country list that ran until 14 September 2026. The countries removed include China, Russia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico; most of them keep a bilateral treaty stay instead, and a few now need a visa.

You can extend a 30-day visa-free stay by 30 additional days at any Thai Immigration Bureau office for 1,900 THB — giving you up to 60 days in total without a visa, down from the 90 that was possible until 14 September 2026. Here is how:

Land border entries are limited to 2 per calendar year, working is prohibited, and you must carry 20,000 THB in cash as proof of funds. Here are all the rules immigration officers enforce strictly from 15 September 2026:

• Air vs. land entry: the 30-day exemption applies to both air and land crossings. Land entries are limited to 2 per calendar year for visa-exempt travellers, except for citizens of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore, who are exempt from the cap. Air entries have no annual limit.
• Tourism only: from 15 September 2026 the exemption covers tourism, and the earlier wording that also allowed short business meetings was dropped. Working, including remotely for a foreign employer, requires the appropriate visa and a work permit.
• Passport validity: your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from your date of entry. Airlines may deny boarding if it expires sooner.
• Proof of onward travel: you must have a confirmed flight or transport booking leaving Thailand within your permitted stay — 30 days for most exempt nationalities. Immigration officers can and do ask for this.
• Proof of funds: you may be asked to show 20,000 THB ($600 USD) in cash per person. Enforced randomly, more often for solo travellers on one-way tickets.
• TDAC is mandatory: whatever your visa status, you must file a Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival. It is separate from the visa exemption.
• Extension is discretionary: the 30-day extension is not guaranteed. Officers can refuse it, though this is very rare for tourists with clean records.

The TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) is a separate requirement from the visa exemption. Every foreign traveler must file a TDAC before arriving in Thailand, regardless of whether they are visa-exempt, hold a visa, or use visa on arrival.

The TDAC collects your passport data, flight information, and Thai accommodation address. It replaced the old paper TM.6 form. Filing takes about 5 minutes and produces a QR code that you present at immigration alongside your passport.