Visa policy of Thailand

Last updated

Thai stamps of visa on arrival (up), entry (right), exit (middle) and overstay (left) on a Russian passport Thailand Immigration Stamps.png
Thai stamps of visa on arrival (up), entry (right), exit (middle) and overstay (left) on a Russian passport

Visitors to Thailand must obtain an e-Visa unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens who may obtain a visa on arrival.

Visa policy map

Visa policy of Thailand
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Thailand
Visa not required (90 days)
Visa not required (60 days)
Visa not required (30 days)
Visa not required (14 days)
Visa on arrival (15 days)
eVisa (60 days)
Visa required in advance Visa policy of Thailand.svg
Visa policy of Thailand
  Thailand
  Visa not required (90 days)
  Visa not required (60 days)
  Visa not required (30 days)
  Visa not required (14 days)
  Visa on arrival (15 days)
  eVisa (60 days)
  Visa required in advance

History

A Thai entry stamp on a Chinese passport, indicates the visitor may stay no more than 30 days in this entry Thai entry stamp on Chinese passport.jpg
A Thai entry stamp on a Chinese passport, indicates the visitor may stay no more than 30 days in this entry

In May 2014, there was a brief crackdown on visa runs during 2014 Thai coup d'état, meaning that if foreigners wish to re-enter Thailand after their visa-free or visa on arrival period has expired they have to obtain a visa in advance, or remain outside Thailand at least for one night. [1]

In August 2014, Thailand Prime Minister ordered the Immigration Police to be more flexible as the strict application of the law was affecting schools and the tourist industry. [2]

On 31 October 2018 it was announced that within 30 days (by the end of November 2018), overstay visas will no longer be allowed, and there will be no remaining overstayers in the kingdom by that date. [3]

Beginning 1 May 2025, all foreigners entering Thailand will be required to apply for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), an electronic travel authorization. [4]

As of June 2025, Thailand has reduced permitted stays of Cambodian nationals from 60 days to 7 days, as a reciprocity measure of 2025 Cambodian–Thai border crisis. [5]

In November 2025, Thailand again imposed stricter immigration rules in a bid to crack down on foreign criminals engaged in cybercrime. [6] Foreign nationals exceeding the maximum limit of two visa-free entries per year without a valid reason will be denied entry into Thailand. However, the new rules were poorly publicised according to the Thai tourism industry, which called on the Thai authorities to clarify the updated rules and ensure that the information reaches tourists planning to enter Thailand without a visa. [7] In January 2026, it was clarified that there is no such rule that restricts foreign nationals to enter Thailand visa-free only twice per year. [8]

On 15 December 2025, Thailand implemented enhanced security measures at major Thai airports targeting two "high-risk groups", [9] [10] namely Cambodian nationals and suspected "mercenaries from Eastern Europe and Northern Asia" entering Thailand without a visa. [11] [12]

Visa exemption

Ordinary passports

Citizens of the following countries and territories may enter Thailand for business and tourist purposes without a visa for stays up to the duration listed. [13]

90 days

60 daysA

30 days
14 days
7 days

A - May apply to extend their stay for an additional 30 days.
B(xx*) - Thailand has bilateral visa exemption agreements with countries with this mark for stays of xx days. In addition, the stay of countries with * sign are limited to a cumulative maximum stay of 90 days within any 180 days according to bilateral agreements.
# - For ASEAN nationals, Thailand has bilateral visa exemption agreements with Laos, Timor-Leste and Vietnam for stays of 30 days, as well as Cambodia and Myanmar for stays of 14 days.
1 - For Chinese citizens with People's Republic of China passports, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports or Macao Special Administrative Region passports only.
2 - For air arrivals only.
3 - Nationals are subject to enhanced screening measures upon arrival in Thailand, and may be denied entry. [11] [14] [15]
4 - Length of stay reduced due to the 2025 Cambodian–Thai border crisis. [16]
T - Visa exemption for tourism purposes only; visa exemption for business purposes has been suspended. [17]

Electronic Travel Authorization

According to government plans as of April 2024, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system is expected to launch in a pilot phase by December 2024, with full deployment anticipated by June 2025. The ETA will be required for all visa-exempt travelers entering Thailand, regardless of their mode of entry (air, sea, or land). Applications will be submitted through the existing electronic visa portal and each entry into Thailand will require a separate ETA application, which is planned to be free of charge. It will enable holders to use automated gates at immigration checkpoints by scanning a QR code provided with their authorization. The ETA will not required by certain categories of travelers including holders of diplomatic passports, official passports, UN Laissez-Passer, and Border Pass users. [18]

APEC Business Travel Card

Holders of passports issued by the following countries who possess an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) containing "THA" on the back of the card may enter Thailand without a visa for business trips for up to 90 days. [19]

ABTCs are issued to citizens of: [20]

Non-ordinary passports

Thailand
Diplomatic and service passports
Diplomatic passports Visa policy of Thailand for holders of diplomatic and service category passports.png
  Thailand
  Diplomatic and service passports
  Diplomatic passports

Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports issued by the following countries and territories are allowed to visit Thailand without a visa for a maximum period of up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted): [21]

D - Diplomatic passports only.
1 - 30 days

Visa exemption agreements were signed with Lithuania in June 2024 and Kyrgyzstan in September 2024 and they are yet to be ratified. [22]

Visa-free transit

Passengers transiting through Suvarnabhumi Airport for less than 12 hours do not require a visa, unless they are travelling on Angkor Air, Beijing Capital Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Eastar Jet, Golden Myanmar Airlines, IndiGo, Intira Airlines, Jeju Air, Jet Asia Airways, Jetstar Asia Airways, Jetstar Pacific, Jin Air, Juneyao Airlines, Lao Central Airlines, Tigerair Mandala, Norwegian Air, Orient Thai Airlines, Regent Airways, Shandong Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, South East Asian Airlines, SpiceJet, Spring Airlines, T'way Airlines, Thai Smile, Tigerair or VietJet Air. [19]

Those transiting through Don Mueang International Airport for less than 12 hours do not require a visa only when travelling on Thai AirAsia or Thai AirAsia X. [19]

As of December 2025, passengers transiting through major Thai airports heading to Cambodia may be subject to enhanced checks by Thai immigration. [17]

Citizens of Pakistan are required to obtain a visa when transiting through Thailand at all times. [23]

Visa on arrival / Electronic Visa (e-Visa)

Sample of Thai e-Visa Thai eVisa.jpg
Sample of Thai e-Visa

Besides traditional visa on arrival policy, from 21 November 2018 Thailand started issuing tourist visas valid for 15 days in a simplified procedure to visitors from the countries whose citizens are eligible for visa on arrival. [24] It costs 2,000 THB.

The e-Visa application also became available from February 2019 in some of the consulates of Thailand abroad. [25] [26] [27] [21] [28]

Thailand fully adopts e-Visa from 1 January 2025, making the visa application process simpler, faster and more accessible for foreign travelers. [29] [30]

External image
Searchtool.svg Map of entry points with Visa on Arrival facility
Visa typeeVisaeVOAVOA
MultipleSingleSingleSingle
Duration of stay60 days15 days
Validity6 Months3 Months30 daysN/A
Visa-feeDepend on applicant's nationality and place of residence (cheaper than VOA)Standard: 2,560 THB

Express: 4,560 THB

Standard: 2,000 THB

Express: 2,200 THB

Processing time3-10 working daysStandard: 24-72 hours

Express: less than 24 hours

May take up to several hours (depends on how busy the visa office is at the moment)
Proof of funds60,000 THB (upload proof online)20,000 THB (upload proof online)Following items may be checked at port of entry:
  • 10,000 THB cash per person, or
  • 20,000 THB cash per family, or
  • Equivalent foreign currency
ExtendableYesNo
Application submission thaievisa.go.th thailandevoa.vfsevisa.com Archived 2023-11-20 at the Wayback Machine Visa office at the port of entry

Eligible citizens

Visa on arrival

1 - Although these countries are visa-exempt in general, their citizens may still have to apply for a visa if they are not allowed to enter without visa due to personal reasons (e.g. immigration violation records or holding inappropriate travel documents).

Eligible ports of entry

There are 48 immigration checkpoints providing visa on arrival, including: [31]

International Airport

# - Airport which accepts e-visa on arrival

Land and harbor checkpoint

Mandatory yellow fever vaccination

Mandatory yellow fever vaccination for travelers to Thailand (2017), per Ministry of Public Health Announcement B.E. 2560. Navy color shows the required vaccination areas. Mandatory yellow fever vaccination for Thailand, 2017.png
Mandatory yellow fever vaccination for travelers to Thailand (2017), per Ministry of Public Health Announcement B.E. 2560. Navy color shows the required vaccination areas.

Citizens of the following countries or citizens arriving from the following countries require an International Certificate of Vaccination in order to enter Thailand, unless they produce evidence that they do not reside in the following areas. [32] [33]

Failure to fulfill this requirement could result in refusal of entry into Thailand. [34]

Visa types

General visa types

Thai visa on a Chinese passport issued in 2021 Thai Visa on a Chinese Passport.jpg
Thai visa on a Chinese passport issued in 2021

Non-Immigrant visa types

Visitor statistics

Most visitors arriving in Thailand on short term basis were from the following countries of nationality:

Country11/20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012
Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia 4,178,6854,952,0784,626,4221,948,5495,511619,6234,265,5744,020,5263,494,4883,494,8903,418,8552,613,4183,041,0972,554,397
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 4,101,7456,733,1623,521,095273,56713,0431,251,49810,997,33810,535,2419,806,2608,757,6467,936,7954,636,2984,637,3352,786,860
Flag of India.svg India 2,221,0912,129,1491,628,542997,9136,544263,6591,996,8421,598,3461,415,1971,194,5081,069,422932,6031,050,8891,013,308
Flag of Russia.svg Russia 1,632,6241,745,3271,482,611435,00830,759590,1511,483,3371,472,7891,346,3381,090,083884,1361,606,4301,746,5651,316,564
Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 1,404,6661,868,9451,660,042538,76612,077262,0171,890,9731,796,4261,709,2651,464,2001,373,0451,122,5661,295,3421,163,619
Flag of Japan.svg Japan 985,6121,050,904805,768290,1469,461322,6771,806,4381,656,1011,544,4421,439,5101,381,7021,267,8861,536,4251,373,716
Flag of the United States.svg United States 953,0011,030,733930,206453,67837,880212,6691,165,9501,122,2701,056,423975,643867,505763,520823,486768,638
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 944,883965,862817,220444,43238,663223,087992,574986,854994,7551,004,345947,568907,877905,024873,053
Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taiwan 901,3741,089,910724,59494,8341,675117,511790,039687,748573,077522,273552,699394,149502,176394,225
Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore 852,6461,009,6401,027,424614,6275,931126,7711,059,4841,069,8671,032,647967,550938,385844,133955,468831,215
Flag of Germany.svg Germany 844,997873,364729,163365,03045,874231,782852,481886,523850,139837,885761,819715,24073 7,658682,419
Flag of Laos.svg Laos 805,5541,124,202919,401502,124733380,2071,854,7921,664,6301,682,0871,388,0201,220,5221,053,983976,639975,999
Flag of France.svg France 727,578720,806545,003268,58723,461237,317745,346749,556740,190738,878681,114635,073611,582576,106
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 724,825775,010687,745336,6889,577123,827767,291801,203817,218796,370807,450831,854900,460930,241
Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia 718,223876,610762,118235,6322,57799,530710,494644,709576,110534,797469,125497,592594,251447,820
Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines 638,710598,124461,251178,0214,07872,762506,430432,237381,252339,150310,968304,813321,571289,566
Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam 614,855984,2481,033,688468,3931,794132,1271,048,1811,028,150935,179830,220751,162559,415725,057618,670
Flag of Myanmar.svg Myanmar 611,616546,629394,134193,7787,25655,279378,232368,188365,606341,626259,678206,794172,383129,385
Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong 577,426876,076802,368162,2401,657124,5181,045,3611,015,749821,064751,264669,617483,131588,335473,666
Flag of Israel.svg Israel 369,887281,803217,084146,29314,03829,444195,856188,788173,673161,579141,031138,778134,874129,551
Flag of Italy.svg Italy 263,857267,474191,98385,2545,32260,602272,374279,905264,524265,597246,094219,875207,192200,703
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 254,727261,467229,539116,3548,53952,402241,608236,265222,409235,762221,619211,524218,765208,122
Flag of Cambodia.svg Cambodia 251,007553,060583,708379,6654,914165,027910,696948,824840,871674,975537,950550,339481,595423,642
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada 231,665251,336214,26490,6086,44058,499273,214276,094258,494244,869227,601211,059229,897219,354
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia 200,387228,032178,11396,3894674,22730,00628,33733,53124,83419,16812,86021,45217,084
Flag of Spain.svg Spain 198,788207,710153,45887,4003,51425,904188,997181,880179,584168,900150,995116,983123,084113,141
Flag of Poland.svg Poland 196,786180,722121,70049,469
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 177,496212,523178,25997,37817,094111,994287,341311,949323,736332,895321,690324,865341,398364,681
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 166,748184,046156,33781,18011,42952,361192,130207,471209,528209,057206,480201,271199,923191,147
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates 155,905169,927138,93465,8574,0617,492130,158128,270137,218130,941124,719117,907123,926113,547
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Kazakhstan 144,670195,089172,48959,468
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark 130,106138,278115,22464,2498,48066,848162,456169,373161,920165,581159,435160,977163,186167,499
Flag of Bangladesh.svg Bangladesh 127,913142,268140,65781,1061,95521,838136,677129,574121,765100,263107,39488,13482,41872,657
Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 113,47092,11669,10827,128
Flag of Oman.svg Oman 113,433103,31786,48835,204
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium 108,920108,04685,51248,6845,38626,394114,669114,270112,266111,013106,09099,729101,10994,896
Flag of Norway.svg Norway 101,633109,73183,95246,5215,76339,778127,992128,841127,850131,039135,382145,207154,049148,796
Flag of Austria.svg Austria 98,054107,07488,70642,6835,48636,381111,428116,656104,784100,37397,869100,968106,27894,667
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand 90,59996,73385,89735,9001,15115,709112,680116,726117,962111,595112,411108,081118,395113,871
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Sri Lanka 88,29260,37233,89312,7345768,155
Total29,603,88135,545,71428,150,01611,153,026427,8696,725,19339,916,25138,178,19435,591,97832,529,58829,923,18524,809,68326,546,72522,353,903

Work permit

To legally work in Thailand, a foreigner must apply for a work permit. Work permit is a legal document that states a foreigner's position, current occupation, or job description and the Thai company he is working with. It also serves as a license to perform a job or an occupation allowed for foreigners inside Thailand.

A foreigner is eligible to apply for a work permit as long as he has a non-immigrant visa or a resident visa, has an available employer who will provide documents for work permit, and the occupation he will perform is not prohibited to foreigners. [35]

One Stop Service Centre for Visas and Work Permits

The One Stop Service Centre for Visas and Work Permits was established on 1 July 1997 by authority of the Regulations of the Office of Prime Minister promulgated on 30 June 1997.

The objective of this centre is to simplify visa extension and permit issuance procedures to create a good investment environment. It aims to facilitate applications of visa extension and work permits (e.g., stay permission, re-entry permit, work permit).

The Center is located on Chamchuree Square Building, Floor 18, Phatumwan, Bangkok. [36]

Foreigners who are eligible to apply for visa extension and work permits

See also

References

  1. "Phuket: Strict new immigration regulations mean crackdown on visa runs".
  2. "Phuket: Coup leader calls for Immigration to relax 'out-in' visa clampdown".
  3. "No more overstayers, no more corruption at Immigration – Hakparn".
  4. "Tourism Hot Spot Thailand Launches Digital Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors". Reuters .
  5. "Foreign Ministry affirms measures to cut electricity, internet to Cambodia remain". Nation Thailand. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  6. Reporters, Post (14 November 2025). "Thai immigration steps up visa run scrutiny". Bangkok Post. Bangkok Post . Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  7. Kasemsuk, Narumon (11 December 2025). "Calls to publicise updated entry rules". Bangkok Post. Bangkok Post . Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  8. "Thailand debunks rumors of two-time-only visa-free entry rule for foreigners". Pattaya Mail .
  9. Souvannasane, Thongsavanh (16 December 2025). "Thailand Tightens Airport Security Amid Cambodia Border Tensions". Laotian Times. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  10. Siradakul, Chattarin (15 December 2025). "Thailand tightens screening for visa-free arrivals". Thaiger. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  11. 1 2 English, Khaosod (15 December 2025). "Thailand Denies Entry to 185 Amid Cambodia Border Tensions" . Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  12. Ngamkham, Wassayos (15 December 2025). "Thai airports tighten passenger screening, watch for foreign mercenaries". Bangkok Post. Bangkok Post . Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  13. ""มาตรการและแนวทางการตรวจลงตราเพื่อส่งเสริมการท่องเที่ยวและกระตุ้นเศรษฐกิจของประเทศไทย"" [Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand]. กรมการกงสุล กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ (in Thai).
  14. "Immigration Bureau tightens screening amid mercenary concerns". nationthailand. Nation Thailand. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  15. "Thai Immigration tightens screening on visa-free arrivals amid security concerns, urges tourists' understanding". Pattaya Mail. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  16. Mail, Pattaya (10 June 2025). "Thailand retaliates by cutting Cambodian visa-free stay to 7 days amid border tensions". Pattaya Mail.
  17. 1 2 "Passengers travelling to Cambodia via Thailand complain of tighter restrictions at Bangkok airports". The Star. The Star. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  18. "Thailand "accelerating" on ETA introduction". August 27, 2024.
  19. 1 2 3 "Visa and passport". Timatic . International Air Transport Association through Emirates . Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  20. "ABTC Economy Entry Information" (PDF).
  21. 1 2 "Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand" (PDF).
  22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2024-07-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. "Thailand makes transit visa mandatory for Pakistani passengers".
  24. "Visa on Arrival".[ permanent dead link ]
  25. "Thailand offers online visa applications from February".
  26. "E-visas available from February 2019. China first country". 3 December 2018.
  27. "China First to Benefit From Thai E-Visas Next Year". Archived from the original on 2018-12-04.
  28. "Launch of Online Stickerless E-Visa Application Platform &Termination of Visa Application in Person and by Post". สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงเอเธนส์. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  29. VisasNews (2024-12-20). "Thailand extends e-Visa worldwide". VisasNews. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  30. "THAI E-VISA OFFICIAL WEBSITE".
  31. Royal Thai Embassy, Singapore. "VISA ON ARRIVAL" . Retrieved 2015-02-27.
  32. "พื้นที่เขตติดโรคไข้เหลือง" (PDF).
  33. "ประกาศกระทรวงสาธารณสุข เรื่อง ท้องที่หรือเมืองท่านอกราชอาณาจักรที่เป็นเขตติดโรคไข้เหลือง พ.ศ. 2560" (PDF).
  34. "Thailand Visa Information : List of countries which require International Health Certificate for Yellow Fever Vaccination". Archived from the original on 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2016-12-12.
  35. "Thai Visas for Americans". US Embassy and Consulate. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  36. "Thailand Visa Information : Non-Immigrant Visa "B" (for Business and Work) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand". mfa.go.th. Retrieved 2018-09-08.