Thailand Visa 2026: What Tourists Need to Know

Correct as of 19 September 2026. Thailand's entry rules have just changed and may change again. This article summarises what was officially confirmed at the time of publication — before you travel, check your own situation again with the relevant Thai embassy or at thaievisa.go.th.

The key change: only 30 days visa-free now

Since 15 September 2026, most nationalities that previously entered Thailand visa-free now get a visa-exempt stay of 30 days instead of the earlier 60 days. The change was published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and took effect 15 days later. It applies strictly to tourism purposes — no business or work activity is permitted under this exemption, even short-term. In total, 60 countries and territories are covered by the new rule; two further countries (Seychelles, Mauritius) now get only 15 days, and around 21 nationalities that previously enjoyed 60 days visa-free now need a visa. Visa on Arrival, previously available to around 30 nationalities, has also been narrowed since 15 September 2026 to just three: Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.

Transitional rule: if you entered Thailand on or before 14 September 2026 and were granted a 60-day stamp, that full period still stands — it is not shortened retroactively.

Who does the 30-day rule apply to?

According to multiple consistent official sources, including the Royal Thai Embassies in Helsinki and Oslo, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, as well as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, are among the 60 countries with a 30-day visa exemption. Because the details of country lists can shift with reforms like this, the only reliable source for your own nationality is the relevant Thai embassy or the official thaievisa.go.th portal. At land and sea borders, the 30-day exemption is additionally limited to a maximum of two entries per calendar year for most nationalities; the Thai Embassy in Helsinki notes an exception for nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore, who are subject to different rules.

Extending your stay locally

If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply at an Immigration Office in Thailand, before your current stay expires, for a one-time extension of up to 30 further days. The official fee is 1,900 baht. The extension is granted at the discretion of the immigration officer, so don't assume it's guaranteed.

Overstay: what happens if you stay too long

Overstaying your permitted period carries a fine of 500 baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht (reached after roughly 40 days). Longer or repeated overstays can also lead to detention, deportation and a re-entry ban. If you know you'll run over, it's worth extending in advance or reporting to Thai immigration before you try to leave.

TDAC: the mandatory arrival card

Since 1 May 2025, every foreign traveller — whether arriving by air, sea or land — must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), and that requirement continues unchanged in 2026. It's free, completed online, and must be submitted no more than 72 hours before arrival. The only official address is tdac.immigration.go.th — Thai immigration explicitly warns against fake websites charging money for this free form.

What you may be asked to show on arrival

You may be asked at random to show proof of sufficient funds on arrival, and here the sources genuinely disagree. A Tourism Authority of Thailand announcement from July 2026 quoted 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family for visa-exempt entry. Current embassy pages (Helsinki, Oslo) instead state 20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family for visa-exempt entrants, without distinguishing visa status. The London embassy's page hints the lower figure may specifically apply to Visa on Arrival applicants rather than visa-exempt tourists, but we could not confirm this with certainty from public sources. To be safe, plan for the higher amount (20,000/40,000 baht). You may also be asked for proof of onward travel, such as a booked return or connecting flight within your 30 days. Checks are carried out at random rather than for every arrival — a booked return flight and a hotel reservation are usually enough in practice, but it's worth being prepared regardless.

Tourist e-Visa for longer stays

If you know from the outset that you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for a tourist visa in advance through the official portal thaievisa.go.th or at a Thai embassy. It grants 60 days on a single entry and can be extended once, locally, by 30 days (also a 1,900 baht fee) — up to 90 days in total. Secondary sources quote different figures for the e-Visa application fee itself, so check the current amount directly on thaievisa.go.th.

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): for much longer stays

For stays well beyond an ordinary holiday, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) remains available: a 5-year multiple-entry visa allowing up to 180 days per entry. Since 31 August 2026, applications must be filed at the embassy responsible for your place of residence or citizenship, and a criminal record certificate is now required. For a standard holiday on Koh Samui, the DTV generally isn't relevant.

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Frequently asked questions

How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa since September 2026?

For most nationalities, including the UK, the USA, EU countries and Australia, the visa-exempt stay has been 30 days for tourism purposes since 15 September 2026. If you entered on or before 14 September, a 60-day stamp you already received still stands. Confirm your own nationality's status on thaievisa.go.th or with the embassy before you travel.

What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?

A free online form that every foreign traveller has had to complete since May 2025, no more than 72 hours before arrival, at tdac.immigration.go.th.

How do I extend my visa-exempt stay in Thailand?

At an Immigration Office in Thailand, before your current 30 days run out, for a fee of 1,900 baht, for up to 30 further days — approval is at the officer's discretion.

What happens if I overstay in Thailand?

You risk a fine of 500 baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht, and longer or repeated overstays can lead to detention, deportation and a re-entry ban. Extend in advance, or report to immigration yourself, if you know you'll run over.

For more on getting there, see our articles How to get to Koh Samui, Koh Samui Airport and Top 10 phone numbers for your Koh Samui trip.

Correct as of 19 September 2026. Entry rules change — always check the current requirements with the Thai embassy or at thaievisa.go.th before you travel.