Thailand visa exemption program is the easiest and most commonly used route for short visits — holidays, short business trips or family visits. Over the past few years the scheme has changed substantially (more eligible countries, longer per-entry stays, and a new mandatory digital arrival process), so travelers and planners need up-to-date knowledge to avoid surprises. This article explains who qualifies, exactly how long you can stay, the documentary and procedural checks at arrival, the rules on extensions and land-border restrictions, how visa-exemption differs from Visa on Arrival and consular tourist visas, enforcement risks (overstays and working), and practical tips for a smooth entry.
What the visa-exemption actually means
A visa-exemption entry lets an eligible passport holder enter Thailand without obtaining a visa in advance for tourism or short business/urgent work purposes. Eligible travelers receive a stamp on arrival that authorizes a temporary stay; that period and the permitted activities are defined by immigration rules. Visa-exempt entries are intended for short stays — not for taking up paid employment or permanent residence — and the entry is recorded publicly on the passport stamp and in immigration systems.
(Important: the exact list of eligible countries, the per-entry permitted stay and documentary requirements have changed since 2024; check official sources before travel.)
Who is (generally) eligible — the expanded list
In mid-2024 Thailand expanded its visa-exemption roster to cover many more nationalities. The enlarged list covers most European countries, large parts of the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and many Asian and Gulf states — in total around 90+ countries are now eligible for visa-exemption entries for tourism. Because the list and bilateral arrangements can change, always verify eligibility with the Thai embassy or consulate that serves your place of residence.
How long you can stay (per entry) and extensions
Under the current arrangements eligible visitors typically receive 60 days on arrival when they use the visa-exemption scheme at an international airport (this was part of the expansion measures introduced in 2024). Immigration will often permit a further discretionary extension of up to 30 days if you apply at a local immigration office and can justify the extension (for a total practical maximum of about 90 days for that visit). The extension is not automatic — it’s granted at the immigration officer’s discretion and requires completing the local process and paying the prescribed fee.
Land-border rules and limits on repeat entries
There are special constraints when entering Thailand by land border crossing (overland checkpoints). For many nationalities the number of visa-exempt land entries is limited (for example, some missions and Land Office guidance reference a limit of twice per calendar year when using land border points). Air entries generally do not carry the same “twice-per-year” restriction. If you plan frequent border hopping or “visa runs” by land, check the exact rules that apply to your passport and intended ports of entry before traveling.
How visa-exemption differs from Visa on Arrival (VoA) and consular tourist visas
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Visa Exemption: No pre-approval required; eligible nationals receive a stamp on arrival (usually 60 days at airports); extension possible at immigration.
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Visa on Arrival (VoA): Available to a different, limited list of nationalities at designated ports; typically shorter stays and a small fee are charged on arrival.
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Consular/Sticker Tourist Visa: Apply at a Thai embassy or via e-visa before travel (single-entry or multiple-entry options). A consular tourist visa can be useful if you need a guaranteed entry (for example, because your nationality is not on the visa-exemption list or you need a longer single stay or multiple re-entries).
Which route is best depends on your nationality, travel pattern and whether you prefer to have the visa sorted before you travel. The visa-exemption is the lowest-friction option for most eligible tourists, but it is not the most flexible if you need guaranteed multi-entry rights over a long period.
New mandatory digital arrival step: TDAC
Since May 1, 2025, Thailand requires all non-Thai nationals (regardless of visa type) to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival. The TDAC replaces the paper TM6 and must be completed within the specified window prior to travel; carriers may refuse boarding if you don’t have a valid TDAC confirmation. The TDAC gathers travel and address information, and it speeds up immigration processing at the port of entry. Save your TDAC confirmation (QR code or email) on your phone and carry a printed copy if possible.
Documentation you should carry for a visa-exempt arrival
Bring clear, current evidence that immigration will expect to see:
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Passport with at least six months’ validity and sufficient blank pages.
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Return or onward ticket showing departure from Thailand within the permitted stay.
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Proof of adequate funds for your stay (bank statements or cash) — consular and immigration practice in 2024–2025 reintroduced financial-proof checks in some missions, and officers may request evidence at the border.
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TDAC confirmation (completed before travel).
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Hotel reservation or clear address where you will stay while in Thailand.
Having neat, readily produced documents shortens your time at immigration and reduces the chance of secondary inspection.
What you must not do on a visa-exempt stay
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Don’t work. Paid employment or providing services to Thai clients without the correct Non-Immigrant visa and a Thai work permit is illegal and can lead to fines, deportation and bans.
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Don’t overstay. Even a single-day overstay incurs fines and, for longer or repeated breaches, a removal order and multi-year entry bans. If you cannot leave because of flight cancellations or medical emergency, notify immigration and keep documentary proof.
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Don’t attempt to convert to a work visa inside Thailand without legal advice; in many cases you will need to exit and apply at a consulate.
Practical scenarios and tips
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If you plan to stay near the maximum time: enter with the visa-exemption stamp, then apply for a 30-day extension at an Immigration Office well before your 60 days expire. Bring bank statements and a plausible reason (health, family emergency, flight delay) if requested.
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If you’ll travel in and out frequently: consider a multiple-entry tourist visa or the Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) — visa-exemption entries consume ports of entry but may attract scrutiny if they look like de-facto residence.
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If you enter by land often: map land-border limits for your nationality and pick air entry when in doubt.
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If you plan remote work vs tourism: consult immigration counsel and don’t rely on “digital nomad” gray areas — Thailand has specific long-stay and work pathways for digital nomads that are safer and more reliable than repeated tourist entries.
Enforcement, processing delays and discretionary decisions
Immigration officers have discretion at ports of entry and at interior immigration offices. They can refuse entry if paperwork is inadequate or if they suspect abusive intent (e.g., repeated long stays without clear tourism purpose). Seek clear, contemporaneous documentary support for your travel purpose and obey extension and departure deadlines. If refused, ask for the reason in writing and consider consular assistance from your embassy.