Whether or not you need a visa for Thailand will depend on a number of factors. This includes your nationality and your length of stay in Thailand. Most of the information here is aimed at tourists. If you aren’t visiting as a tourist or are planning to stay long-term in Thailand, there are different visas available depending on your circumstances.
Thailand introduced new visa rules in July 2024. This was part of a stimulus package aimed at attracting more overseas visitors and boosting tourism. As part of the changes, the Visa Exemption period was extended to 60 days (up from 30 days). A new type of visa, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), has also been introduced. The DTV is aimed at various groups including freelancers and digital nomads.
There is no one-size fits all policy when it comes to immigration and visa issues in Thailand. Visa regulations are also subject to change. Please check with the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country for the latest information.
Passport
From the date you arrive in Thailand, your passport must have at least 6 months’ validity remaining. If your passport is damaged (beyond normal wear and tear) or has pages missing, it could cause problems when checking-in for your flight or at the immigration counter when you arrive in Thailand.
To prevent any potential problems at immigration, dual nationals must leave Thailand on the same passport they used to enter the country.
Changes to the visa rules (from 15 July 2024)
The main changes are:
- Visa exemption is extended to cover visitors from 93 countries (up from 57)
- Visa exemption period extended to 60 days (up from 30 days)
- Visa on arrival (VOA) is extended to cover visitors from 31 countries (up from 19).
- Introduction of a new visa category: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
- DTV is aimed at digital nomads, freelancers, and those engaged in a range of activities including Muay Thai, cooking, medical treatment, seminars, and arts and music events.
- DTV will allow a stay of up to 180 days extendable once for a further 180 days (subject to conditions and proof of finances. See below)
- Online e-visa service to be extended so that visitors from more countries can apply online in their home country. The e-visa will be available from 94 Thai embassies and consulates (up from 47)
- There are no longer any restrictions on the number of times a tourist can enter Thailand by land on Visa Exemption (it was previously restricted to twice in a calendar year).
Visa Exemption
If you are eligible to enter Thailand under the ‘Visa Exemption’ rule, you do not need to apply in advance for a visa. On arrival in Thailand you will be given a ‘permission to stay’ stamp allowing you to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days.
Passport holders from 93 countries who are travelling for tourism or short-term business arrangements can enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme. Visa exemption is often wrongly referred to on social media and travel websites as visa on arrival. However, visa on arrival is an entirely different category (see below). The full list of countries eligible for visa exemption is shown in the graphic below and includes:
Australia | Canada | France | Germany | Ireland | Malaysia | Netherlands | New Zealand | Singapore | UAE | United Kingdom | United States of America
There are no longer any restrictions on the number of times a tourist can enter Thailand by land on Visa Exemption (it was previously restricted to twice in a calendar year).
If your country is not one of the countries/territories eligible for Visa Exemption, check to see if you can enter Thailand under the Visa on Arrival scheme (see below).
Also note that some countries (including Malaysia and Singapore) have different bilateral agreements in place with Thailand. If in doubt, check with the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country or on the official Thai E-Visa website here:
https://thaievisa.go.th/
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
In July 2024, the number of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival increased from 19 to 31. However, the length of permitted stay remains at 15 days.
Tourist Visa
Travellers can can apply online for a Tourist Visa which allows for a stay of up to 60 days. This can be extended by 30 days when you are in Thailand allowing you a stay up to 90 days in total before you need to leave Thailand. The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) allows for more than one entry to Thailand.
Apply at least four weeks in advance of your travel date. Applications should be made online at the Thai E-Visa official website:
https://thaievisa.go.th/
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
An eye-catching change to the new rules introduced in July 2024 is the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). This will allow eligible travellers to stay in Thailand for an extended period to work remotely or engage in a range of activities such as Muay Thai training.
The main points for the new Destination Thailand Visa are:
- Available to a range of people including digital nomads and freelancers
- Activities covered include: Arts and music events | Medical treatment | Muay Thai | Sports training | Seminars
- Destination Thailand Visa fee is 10,000 baht
- Allowed to stay for up to 180 days
- Proof of finances required (equivalent to 500,000 baht) for the duration of stay
- DTV can include spouses and children (under 20 years old) of DTV holders
Long-stay visas and ‘retirement visas’
Changes for non-immigrant visas are to be phased in from September 2024. This will include:
- Restructuring and reducing the number of non-immigrant visa categories down to 7 (from17)
- Conditions for the ‘retirement visa’ to be eased: required coverage for health insurance will be lowered to 400,000 baht for inpatients and 40,000 baht for outpatients.
- Overseas students studying for bachelor’s degrees (or higher) with a Non-Immigrant (ED) visa are able to extend their stay for up to one year after graduation to allow time for job hunting, travelling and other activities.
Online e-visa applications
There are currently 47 Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates which can issue online e-visas. By the end of December 2024 this is to be extended from 47 to 94.
Other requirements
Proof of onward travel
If you’re flying to Thailand as a tourist, it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the Thai entry regulations. This includes having in place any required proof of onward travel. Your airline may or may not ask to see this. Different carriers have different policies, but the bottom line is that airlines could be liable for extra costs if a passenger is refused entry to Thailand for not having the correct paperwork.
Visa Exemption
If you are travelling under the Visa Exemption arrangement, you are meant to have either a return ticket or confirmed onward travel out of Thailand within 60 or 90 days. If you don’t have either of these, you could have problems when you check in for your flight to Thailand.
One-way tickets
Please also be aware that even if you are in possession of a valid Tourist Visa, some flight operators may still be reluctant to allow you to board if you only have a one-way ticket and no proof of onward travel. In this instance, it has nothing to do with the rules and regulations of the Thai authorities; it is down to the flight operator’s own policy. If you intend to travel on a one-way ticket to Thailand always check with your carrier what their policy is.
Proof of funds
When you enter Thailand, you may be required to provide proof of adequate finances for the duration of your stay (cash or travellers’ cheques equivalent to 20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family). Under the old visa rules (before July 2024) this was rarely requested by immigration officers. In the unlikely event you are stopped and don’t have the money with you, officers can assess the situation on a case-by-case basis so it’s in your own interests to remain calm and be respectful.
How to extend your stay
If you wish to extend your stay in Thailand, you can apply at any immigration office in the country. You can find these at locations across Thailand including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hua Hin, Ko Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Phuket and many more destinations.
- Visa Exemption: can be extended once to give you an extra 30 days.
- Tourist Visa: can be extended once to give you an extra 30 days.
- The extension is added to the expiration date of your original stamp, so you don’t lose any days.
- Immigration offices are closed on weekends and Thai public holidays.
Different immigration offices have their own way of doing things, but the main things you need with you when applying for an extension of stay are:
- Passport
- 1,900 Baht in cash
- 1 completed application form (get this at the immigration office)
- 1 passport photo
- 1 photocopy of the main page of your passport
- 1 photocopy of the page showing current visa stamp and/or arrival stamp
- 1 photocopy of the TM6 Departure Card (the TM6 cards were temporarily suspended for arrivals by air in June 2022 so you may not have one)
- Name and address of your hotel/accommodation
- Your telephone number or number of where you are staying
If you forget anything, most immigration offices have somewhere nearby where you can pay for photocopies and photos. But getting it all ready in advance makes things easier.
Although not all tourists take heed of the advice, Thai immigration offices request that you dress politely. You don’t have to wear your Sunday best
Overstaying your visa
Don’t stay beyond the period of your visa or permission to stay stamp. Fines for doing so are 500 Baht per day up to a maximum of 20,000 Baht.
While it may be tempting to “just pay the fine at the airport” if it’s “only a few days” overstay, it can cause you problems if you want to come back to Thailand and have an overstay stamp in your passport. The best advice is to not overstay your visa.
Under Thai law you can be held in detention, fined and deported at your own expense if you are caught overstaying your visa. You can also be banned from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years.
Visa regulations in Thailand are subject to change. The information here is for guidance. Check the Thai E-Visa website and the advice issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country for the latest information.
