Do I Need a Visa for Thailand? 2026 Entry Rules, 30-Day Exemption and TDAC
Since 15 September 2026, most Western travellers get 30 days in Thailand without a visa, down from 60. Here is who needs a visa, how to stay longer, and the free arrival card everyone must fill in before landing.
Planning to stay several months? Compare long-stay visas.
Visa-free entry: the 30-day exemption
Citizens of about 60 countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, the EU countries, Switzerland, the United States, Canada and Australia, can enter Thailand without a visa for tourism and stay up to 30 days.
The 60-day rule has ended. Royal Gazette notices published on 31 August 2026 repealed the 60-day exemption introduced in July 2024. From 15 September 2026, visa-exempt visitors get 30 days, and arrivals by land are limited to two a year for most nationalities.
| Rule | |
|---|---|
| Length of stay | 30 days, for tourism only |
| Extension | Once, by up to 30 days, at an immigration office, 1,900 THB |
| Land border entries | Two a year for most nationalities |
| Work | Not allowed |
| Passport | Valid for at least six months is the safe rule |
A few nationalities get 15 days or need a visa on arrival, and others need a visa in advance. Check the Thai embassy website for your passport before you book.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Since 1 May 2025, every foreign visitor, children included, fills in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before arriving. It replaced the paper TM6 card.
Use the official site
Fill it in at tdac.immigration.go.th. It is free: avoid sites that charge a fee for the same form.
Submit within 3 days
Send it in the three days before you arrive, with your flight, address in Thailand and travel details.
Keep the confirmation
Save the QR code or confirmation on your phone. You need a new TDAC for every entry.
The TDAC is not a visa. It does not change how long you can stay.
How to stay longer than 30 days
Extend once on Koh Samui
Add up to 30 days at the immigration office in Maenam for 1,900 THB. How to extend
Get a tourist visa (TR)
Apply online before you fly for 60 days, then extend once by 30 days in Thailand, for up to 90 days in total.
Choose a long-stay visa
For several months or more, look at the DTV, the retirement visa or Thailand Privilege.
What immigration can ask for at the border
Officers rarely ask, but they can, especially after several visa-free stays in a row. Have these ready on your phone:
- Your TDAC confirmation
- A return or onward ticket within your permitted stay
- Your hotel or rental booking for the first nights
- Proof of funds: officially 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family, in cash or cards
Repeated visa-free entries with little time outside Thailand can lead to refusal. If you are effectively living here, switch to a proper long-stay visa.
Get your visa sorted by a licensed specialist
We work with a licensed visa agency in Bangkok with French, English and Thai-speaking specialists. Tell us where you are and what you need: a specialist checks your situation and comes back with the right visa and a fixed quote before you commit to anything.
- Thailand Privilege, DTV, retirement, marriage and extensions
- Paperwork checked before it reaches the embassy or immigration
- Help in English or French, by email or WhatsApp
- Free first assessment, no obligation
Thailand entry FAQ
Do UK citizens need a visa for Thailand?
No, not for holidays of up to 30 days. British passport holders enter visa-free for 30 days and can extend once by 30 days at an immigration office.
Do US citizens need a visa for Thailand?
No, not for stays up to 30 days. Americans get the 30-day exemption and can extend once by 30 days in Thailand, or apply for a 60-day tourist visa before travelling. See our guide for US citizens.
Is the 60-day visa-free stay still available?
No. It ended on 15 September 2026. Visa-exempt visitors now receive 30 days.
Is the TDAC free?
Yes. The official TDAC on tdac.immigration.go.th is free. Sites that charge for it are unofficial agents.
How long can I stay in Thailand in total?
On a visa exemption, 30 days plus one 30-day extension. On a tourist visa, 60 days plus one 30-day extension. Longer stays need a long-stay visa such as the DTV.
Official sources we checked
Rules change often. These are the official pages to confirm before you apply.
Related guides
InsideSamui may receive a referral fee from its visa partner if you use their services after contacting us, at no extra cost to you. This page is general information based on official Thai sources and was checked in November 2026. Visa rules change often and decisions are made by Thai embassies and immigration officers, so confirm current requirements before you apply.
Staying longer than 30 days?Free assessment by a specialist
Start