Thailand Visa Exemption: Who Enters Visa-Free Now

Nationals of 60 countries and territories can stay in Thailand up to 30 days for tourism without a visa, effective 15 September 2026. Visa-exempt travellers must hold cash of THB 20,000 per person or THB 40,000 per family. One extension of up to 30 days is possible, so 60 days is the most you can plan on.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

At the immigration booth the officer stamps your passport, and that stamp shows the last day you may stay. At Phuket International Airport the booth is Passport Control, step 2 of the arrival procedure for international passengers. This guide covers which passports qualify, what officers check, and how to extend at Phuket Immigration before the stamp runs out.

Which passports get 30 days

Nationals of 60 countries and territories can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days of tourism, effective 15 September 2026. Entries before that date keep the period of stay already granted.

The 60 countries and territories

The list counts 60 countries and territories. In alphabetical order they are:

• Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus
• Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary
• Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan
• Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway
• Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia
• South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

The exemption does not apply to people holding a Travel Document for Aliens issued by these countries. Each country or territory sits on one list only, so your passport has a single stay length.

Other stay lengths

Some passports sit on shorter or longer lists.

Visa on Arrival is a separate scheme. It costs THB 2,000, cash only and non-refundable. Holders generally cannot extend, except in special cases of illness that prevent travel.

If your passport is not on a list

Travellers may enter under the new visa schemes, under bilateral visa exemption agreements, or with an appropriate visa applied for through the Thailand e-Visa system. Russia is one example: its ordinary passport holders may stay up to 30 days.

If your passport appears nowhere above, apply for a visa before you fly. The tourist visa (TR) lets holders stay up to 60 days. The visa types guide compares it with the visas for longer stays.

What changed

The 60-day exemption scheme is revoked for all 93 countries and territories that had it. The new list takes effect on 15 September 2026.

People who entered before 15 September 2026 under the old rules may stay until their granted period of stay ends. Check the date on your stamp.

What officers check at Phuket Airport

Visa-exempt travellers must hold cash of THB 20,000 per person or THB 40,000 per family. On arrival, visa-exempt visitors must show proof of accommodation and onward travel within 30 days of arrival. Immigration officers can ask you to prove you have money for your stay; the same amount applies on a tourist visa.

A visa on arrival or transit visa needs THB 10,000 per person or THB 20,000 per family. Not everyone is checked, but carry THB 20,000 in cash or a card statement you can open at the desk.

The entry is for tourism only, for up to 30 days. Foreigners are not allowed to work unless they are granted a work permit.

The arrival card

All non-Thai nationals entering by air, land or sea complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival. It must be filed for every entry. The TDAC guide has the steps.

Priority lane and the queue

The Passport Control priority lane is for Thai, Diplomatic, Official, Air Crew, BOI, Thailand Privilege, Buddhist Monks, Senior Citizen (70+), Pregnant, Infants and Disables. Belts No. 1 to 5 at baggage claim are for international arrivals.

Entering by land

Entry through land border checkpoints is allowed no more than twice per calendar year. Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are excepted. Travellers who plan more than two visits a year, or something other than tourism, are strongly advised to apply for an appropriate visa. For remote work or activity stays, see the DTV guide.

How to extend your stay in Phuket

You can request an extension of stay of up to 30 days. Approval is at the immigration officer’s discretion, and you apply before the permitted stay ends. The permission is a single grant of no more than 30 days counted from the day the permission ends. The extension is filed at the immigration office covering the area where you live.

Where to file and the steps

For Phuket that is Phuket Immigration Office, 482 Phuket Rd., Talad Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000. The office telephone is 0 7622 1905, and the hotline is 1178.

The tourist extension works like this:

1. Fill in the application form TM.7 and attach a photo.
2. Bring your passport, the original and one copy, and the signed Acknowledgement of Penalties for a Visa Overstay.
3. Pay the fee of THB 1,900. The fee schedule marks it as not refunded.

Hours and closures

The main office opens Monday to Friday. The morning session runs 8.30 to 12.00, and the afternoon session runs 1.00 to 4.30. It is closed Saturday and Sunday and on national public holidays. The homepage lists closures, for example 23 October 2026.

Patong Beach has a service point at Patong Beach, Kathu, Phuket 83150. It is open Monday to Friday, 10.00 to 12.00 and 1.00 to 3.00. The Blue Tree point is at 4, 2 Srisoonthorn Rd., Tumbon Srisoonthorn, Thalang, Phuket.

Queue and booking

The homepage E-Service menu lists Queue Online for booking. A separate Queue Online item is for business, and its page is headed QUEUE ONLINE FOR BUSINESS VISA. The menu also has a Check Visa Application Status item for extension applications.

If 30 days is not enough

An extension adds up to 30 days at most. With the 30 days on entry, the ceiling is 60 days. The officer decides whether to grant it.

A three-month stay does not fit. The extension is a single grant, so 30 + 30 days is the most the exemption gives. A tourist visa starts at up to 60 days, and its extension is also a single grant of no more than 30 days.

For a longer stay, the visa types guide compares the other routes. The overstay fines guide covers what happens after the stamp date. If an extension is refused, the overstay guide explains what follows.

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Not confirmed: Which Phuket Immigration points take tourist extensions. Call 0 7622 1905 before you go. Whether the general Queue Online covers tourists; the business queue does not.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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