Thailand's entry regulations shifted significantly in late 2026, catching many long-stay holidaymakers off guard. After trying a 60-day visa exemption, Thailand went back to a 30-day visa-free rule on 15 September 2026. Every arrival also files the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), required since May 2025.
Flying into Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai on a passport from one of the 60 qualifying countries? You can still enter without a visa. But you won't be handed a blue paper TM6 arrival slip on the airplane anymore.
Everything from pre-flight registration to onward ticket verification now runs through automated digital checks. Here's how the 30-day rule works, how to file the arrival card and how to extend.
Thailand entry requirements at a glance
Understanding the baseline rules prevents boarding delays at your home airport. As of October 2026, visitors entering under the visa exemption scheme must meet four clear conditions set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
| Requirement | Rule detail | Who must comply |
|---|---|---|
| Allowed stay | Up to 30 consecutive days from entry date | Citizens of the 60 exempt countries and territories |
| Digital arrival card (TDAC) | Online submission within 72 hours of arrival | All international foreign arrivals |
| Onward flight ticket | Confirmed flight departing within 30 days | Strictly checked by airline check-in staff |
| Proof of funds | 20,000 THB ($580) per person in cash/card | Checked randomly by immigration officers |
| Passport validity | Minimum 6 months from entry date | All international travellers |
Before purchasing flights, verify your passport's specific visa conditions on our visa checker tool or review official travel updates from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The transition from 60 days back to 30 days
During late 2024 and 2025, Thailand granted a temporary 60-day visa exemption to jumpstart post-pandemic international tourism. The policy was popular with digital nomads and slow travellers. It ended on 15 September 2026, when immigration tidied up visa types and cracked down on illegal work.
Under the current 30-day framework:
- Eligible nationalities: Passport holders from 60 countries and territories, including the UK, US, Canada and Australia, get an entry stamp for up to 30 days. Check your passport on the list before you fly.
- Entry day counts as Day 1: The date stamped into your passport is Day 1 of your stay, regardless of whether your flight touches down at 01:00 or 23:30.
- Departure deadline: You must exit the kingdom on or before the date stamped on your passport's blue entry badge.
If your trip plans require longer than 30 days from the outset, don't rely on visa runs. Instead, apply ahead for a 60-day Single-Entry Tourist Visa (TR) on the official Thai E-Visa portal, for roughly $40.
Remote workers can look at the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). You can check trip budgets across our 7-day Thailand cost guide.
How the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) works
The familiar paper TM6 arrival and departure card handed out on aircraft has been permanently replaced by the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).
Much like Singapore's SG Arrival Card and the Maldives IMUGA portal, TDAC gathers security, customs, and health data before you arrive at the border. You must complete the submission online within 72 hours before your flight lands in Thailand.
Follow these four steps to submit your TDAC:
- Visit the official portal: Go to the official government portal or download the national immigration mobile application.
- Enter travel details: Input your full name, passport number, flight number, expected arrival date, and the full address of your first night's accommodation.
- Declare personal items: Complete standard customs declarations regarding restricted goods, foreign currencies exceeding $20,000 equivalent, and tobacco allowances (strictly 200 cigarettes per adult).
- Save your confirmation: Once submitted, you'll receive a digital confirmation with an encrypted QR code. Save the PDF on your phone and take a screenshot in case airport Wi-Fi is slow upon landing at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang.
Extending your 30-day visa exemption in Thailand
Want to stay longer? You don't need to leave when your 30 days are almost up. Thai immigration allows tourists on a visa exemption to apply for a one-time 30-day extension at any local provincial immigration office.
Here is what you need for the extension:
- Application form TM.7: Available free at the immigration office counter.
- Passport copies: Photocopies of your passport bio-data page, current entry stamp, and departure slip.
- Passport photograph: One recent 4x6 cm colour photograph with a white background.
- Proof of address (TM.30): A receipt or screenshot confirming your hotel or landlord registered your stay with immigration.
- Official extension fee: 1,900 THB ($55) payable in cash only.
Visit the immigration office four to seven days before your original 30 days expire. In Bangkok, head to the Government Complex at Chaengwattana; in Chiang Mai, visit the office near the airport; in Phuket, head to Phuket Town Immigration.
The extension adds 30 days to your original expiry date, giving you a total stay of 60 days. Learn more about northern regional highlights in our Thailand first-timer guide.
Overland border runs and entry caps
In past years, long-stay visitors hopped into Laos, Cambodia or Malaysia for lunch. They came back the same afternoon with a fresh stamp. Thai immigration now strictly curtails this practice to prevent tourists from working illegally.
Under current border control rules:
- Maximum 2 land entries per year: Foreign nationals using the visa exemption scheme are restricted to a maximum of two entries per calendar year across land or sea borders (such as Mae Sai, Nong Khai, Poipet or Sadao).
- Airport arrivals remain flexible: There is no official statutory limit on air arrivals, but immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang will question anyone who spends more than 180 days in Thailand per year on repeated visa-exempt entries.
- Overstay penalties: Overstaying your permitted date incurs a fine of 500 THB ($15) per day up to a maximum of 20,000 THB ($580). Overstaying by more than 90 days results in a formal deportation and a one-year ban from entering Thailand.
Find inspiration for route planning across southern islands in our Phuket destination guide and our Bangkok travel guide. You can also budget your food and hotel costs with our travel budget tool.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay in Thailand for 60 days without a visa?
No, the standard visa-free entry stamp is currently 30 days. However, once you are inside Thailand, you can visit a local provincial immigration office and pay 1,900 THB ($55) to extend your stay by an additional 30 days, giving you 60 total days in the country.
What happens if I don't fill out the TDAC before flying?
Airlines are instructed to verify TDAC confirmation during check-in at your departure airport. If you arrive at the gate without it, you'll be asked to step aside and complete the digital form on your mobile phone before you are allowed to board. Automated e-gates at Bangkok airports scan your passport against the submitted TDAC record.
Do I need to show cash at Thai immigration?
While immigration officers rarely inspect every tourist, the law requires travellers on a visa exemption to be capable of showing 20,000 THB ($580) per person or 40,000 THB ($1,160) per family in cash or equivalent foreign currency upon request. Showing a banking app or credit card is generally accepted, but having physical cash prevents complications during secondary inspections.
Can I do a border run to get another 30 days?
You can enter Thailand via land or sea borders without a visa only twice per calendar year. Once you have used your two overland entries, border checkpoints will refuse entry unless you hold a pre-approved tourist visa issued by a Thai embassy or consulate abroad.
