Do You Need a Visa for Thailand?
It depends on your passport. Thailand’s entry rules changed on 15 September 2026. Travelers from 60 countries and territories can now enter visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days, down from 60 before. Most other passport holders need a visa before they travel, though a few countries have separate arrangements, such as bilateral agreements or a short 15-day exemption, so check your own passport.
Because the rules changed recently, older blog posts and videos may be wrong. Confirm your own situation on the official Thai e-Visa website or with the Royal Thai Embassy in your country before you book flights.
Visa-Free Entry: What It Covers
- Purpose: tourism only. Working, studying and long-term stays need a different visa.
- Length: up to 30 days from the day you enter.
- Extension: a 30-day extension is possible at a local immigration office. The usual fee is 1,900 baht, but check the current amount when you apply. If you enter by land under the visa exemption, you are limited to two entries per calendar year.
- Entry checks: officers can ask to see an onward or return ticket, proof of accommodation and proof that you can pay for your stay.
Visa by Nationality: A Quick Guide
These examples reflect the rules in force from 15 September 2026, as reported from the Royal Gazette notices. The lists can change, so check your own passport on the official Thai e-Visa website or with the Royal Thai Embassy before you book.
- US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India and all EU countries: visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism. They are part of a list of 60 countries and territories.
- Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and South Korea: up to 90 days under bilateral agreements. China, Russia, Vietnam and some other partners get 30 days.
- Mauritius and Seychelles: 15 days visa-free. Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia: visa on arrival for 15 days, with a fee of about 2,000 baht.
- Passports not on these lists: you need a tourist visa before you travel. As far as we can see, this includes Pakistan, but confirm it on the official list. Apply for the tourist e-Visa on thaievisa.go.th.
Thailand e-Visa: How to Apply
If your passport is not on the visa-free list, or you want a longer trip, apply online through the official site, thaievisa.go.th. The tourist visa gives 60 days and can be extended by 30 more.
- Create an account on the official e-Visa site and choose the tourist visa.
- Upload the documents it asks for. These usually include a passport scan, a recent photo, your flight booking, proof of accommodation and proof of funds.
- Pay the fee online and wait for the decision.
- Save or print the approval and carry it with your passport.
Processing times and fees can change, so read them on the official site instead of relying on a blog. Apply well before your trip, and avoid non-refundable bookings until the visa is approved. Be careful of look-alike sites that charge extra to “help” you apply. The official site ends in .go.th.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Every traveler must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card within 72 hours before landing, whether they are visa-free or on a visa. Use only the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th, and save the confirmation, because you may be asked to show it at the airport. Watch out for third-party sites that charge a fee to fill it in for you.
Documents to Carry
- A passport that is valid for the whole stay. Many airlines and officers expect at least six months of validity, so check yours.
- Your e-Visa approval, if you needed one.
- Your TDAC confirmation.
- A confirmed onward or return ticket.
- Your first hotel booking or an address in Thailand.
- Proof of funds, such as a bank card or recent statement. Officers do not always ask, but they can.
- Travel insurance details. It is not usually checked at entry, but it is wise to have.
Keep both digital copies and printed copies, in case your phone battery dies or the airport Wi-Fi is slow.
Extending Your Stay and Overstaying
To extend, visit a local immigration office before your permitted stay ends. Bring your passport, a passport photo and the fee, and ask the office for the current requirements. Do not leave it to the last day.
Overstaying is not worth the risk. It can mean a fine for every extra day, possible detention and a ban on re-entering Thailand. If you need more time, extend or apply for the right visa instead.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on old rules, such as the 60-day visa-free stay that applied before 15 September 2026.
- Forgetting the arrival card, or filling it in on an unofficial site.
- Booking non-refundable flights before your e-Visa is approved.
- Not counting days correctly. The 30 days start on the day you arrive.
- Arriving with a passport that is close to expiry.
Next Steps
Once your entry is sorted, plan the rest of your trip: the best time to visit Thailand, flights and airports and where to stay. For other countries, see our general visa guide. This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice, so confirm the details with the official source.