🔄 Updated 20 Jun 2026
Short answer: Travelers from dozens of countries (including the US, UK, EU, Australia and most of ASEAN) enter Thailand visa-free and can stay up to about 60 days under the latest policy. Others may use Visa on Arrival or need an e-Visa in advance. Everyone arriving by air should complete the digital arrival card (TDAC) online before they land.
The 3 main entry categories
How you enter depends mainly on your passport. Broadly there are three groups.
| Route | Example nationalities | Max stay | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption | US · UK · EU · Australia · most of ASEAN | ~60 days (latest policy) | Just a passport + the TDAC form |
| Visa on Arrival | Select nationalities (e.g. India, China at times) | ~15 days | Apply at the border, fee + photo |
| e-Visa required | Nationalities not in the two groups above | Depends on visa type | Apply online on the official e-Visa site before flying |
Rules change often — check the official source
The number of days and the list of visa-exempt nationalities can change yearly. Before you travel, confirm with a Thai embassy or the Thai government e-Visa website. Do not rely on old blog posts alone.
What is the digital arrival card (TDAC)?
Thailand has moved from the paper TM6 to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) — a free online form you complete before arriving by air. Fill it in a few days before you land and keep the confirmation to show at the border; it speeds up immigration.
- It is free — beware fake sites that charge a fee; use only the official Immigration Bureau website
- Have your passport number, flight number and first-night address ready
- Some land borders may still use a different form — check before you go
Staying longer & extensions
If you want to stay longer, visa-exempt visitors can usually extend by about 30 days at an immigration office (for a fee). Anyone planning a long stay, work or study should get the correct visa type from the start. Never overstay — there is a daily fine and it can affect future entries.