In 2024, Thailand quietly made one of the biggest changes to its tourist entry policy in decades: the standard visa-free stay was doubled from 30 days to 60 days. If you are planning a trip in 2026, this is great news โ but there are important rules, limitations, and caveats that most travel blogs get wrong. This guide covers everything you need to know.
30 days visa-free
60 days visa-free
+30 days (at immigration office)
90 days total without a visa
93 nations
What Changed?
For over a decade, Thailand granted citizens of eligible countries a 30-day visa exemption on arrival. This was a free entry stamp โ no visa needed โ for tourism purposes. The 30-day limit was a pain point for many travelers who wanted longer holidays but did not want to deal with visa applications.
In mid-2024, the Thai government announced a permanent extension of the visa-free stay from 30 to 60 days. This was initially trialed as a temporary measure during COVID recovery, but the tourism revenue boost was so significant that the government made it permanent.
The change took effect on June 15, 2024, and remains in force as of March 2026. It applies to citizens of 93 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, all EU member states, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and many more.
| Feature | Before (Pre-June 2024) | After (Current Rules) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free stay | 30 days | 60 days |
| Extension available | Yes โ +30 days | Yes โ +30 days |
| Maximum stay without visa | 60 days total | 90 days total |
| Eligible countries | ~57 countries | 93 countries (expanded list) |
| Visa on Arrival stay | 15 days | 30 days (also extended) |
| VOA extension | No extension available | +15 days at immigration |
| Cost of entry | Free | Free |
| TDAC required | Yes (paper TM.6 at the time) | Yes (digital TDAC) |
Who Qualifies for 60 Days?
The 60-day visa exemption applies to passport holders from 93 countries. This is a significant expansion from the previous list of roughly 57 countries. The additions include several Eastern European, South American, and Asian nations.
Key Countries with 60-Day Visa-Free Entry
Americas: USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico
Europe: All EU/EEA countries, UK, Switzerland, Ukraine
Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan
Middle East: Israel, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia
For the full country-by-country list, see our Thailand visa requirements page.
How to Extend Your Stay
Even with 60 days, some travelers want more time. The good news: you can extend your visa-free stay by 30 additional days at any Thai Immigration Bureau office. Here is how:
Gather Your Documents
You need: your passport (original), one passport-sized photo (4x6 cm), a completed TM.7 application form (available at the office), a photocopy of your passport photo page and entry stamp, and 1,900 THB in cash (the extension fee).
Visit an Immigration Office
Go to the nearest Thai Immigration Bureau. The most popular offices are at Chaeng Watthana (Bangkok), Muang Thong Thani, Phuket Town, or Chiang Mai. Arrive early โ queues can be 2โ4 hours during peak season.
Submit Your Application
Hand over your documents and fee to the officer. They will review your passport, stamp your extension, and write the new departure date in your passport. The process takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the office.
Receive Your New Stamp
Your passport will be stamped with a new departure date โ 30 days from the date of extension (not from your original entry date). You are now legally permitted to stay for up to 90 days total from your original entry.
Important Rules & Limitations
The 60-day exemption is generous, but it comes with rules that immigration officers enforce strictly in 2026:
- Air vs. land entry: The 60-day exemption applies to both air and land border crossings. However, land border entries are limited to 2 per calendar year for visa-exempt travelers. Air entries have no annual limit.
- No work permitted: The visa exemption is strictly for tourism, transit, and short business meetings. Working (even remotely for a foreign employer) technically requires a work permit. Enforcement is increasing in 2026.
- Passport validity: Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from your date of entry. Airlines may deny boarding if your passport expires sooner.
- Proof of onward travel: You must have a confirmed flight or transport booking leaving Thailand within 60 days. 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. This is enforced randomly but more frequently for solo travelers on one-way tickets.
- TDAC is mandatory: Regardless of your visa status, you must file a Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival. This is separate from the visa exemption.
- Extension is discretionary: The 30-day extension at immigration is not guaranteed. Officers can deny it, though this is extremely rare for tourists with clean records.
Land Border Limit
If you are a visa-exempt traveler entering by land (e.g., from Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, or Myanmar), you are limited to 2 land entries per calendar year. After that, you must enter by air or apply for a visa. This rule was introduced to combat "border runners" who used visa-exempt entries to live in Thailand indefinitely. Air entries remain unlimited.
Visa on Arrival Changes
The 2024 changes also improved the Visa on Arrival (VOA) program. Citizens of 31 countries who do not qualify for the visa exemption can still enter Thailand by applying for a visa at the airport:
- Previous VOA stay: 15 days, no extension available.
- Current VOA stay: 30 days, extendable by 15 days at an immigration office.
- Cost: 2,000 THB ($60 USD), payable in cash at the airport VOA counter.
- Documents needed: Passport, return ticket, hotel booking, passport photo, proof of funds (20,000 THB cash), completed application form.
- Wait times: 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on the airport and time of day. Suvarnabhumi is fastest; Don Mueang can be slower.
What About the TDAC?
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.
Is the 60-day visa exemption permanent or temporary?
Can I stay 90 days without any visa?
What if I want to stay longer than 90 days?
Do children get the same 60 days?
I entered by land. Can I still get 60 days?
Your 60 days start with a TDAC.
Whether you are visiting for a week or the full 90 days, every traveler needs a Thailand Digital Arrival Card. File yours in 5 minutes and get your QR code instantly.
Start TDAC Application
