Thailand visa and entry rules 2026
What changed on 15 September 2026, how to extend, and the arrival card everyone must fill in.
How long can you stay?
From 15 September 2026, most passport holders get 30 days on arrival with no visa, according to the summary published by ISSA Compass. The old 60-day exemption applied until 14 September 2026.
You can extend once, by 30 more days, at an immigration office before your stamp expires. That gives roughly 60 days in total per entry.
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Visa-free stay (US, UK, CA, AU, EU) | 30 days |
| One extension at immigration | +30 days, about ฿1,900 |
| Overstay fine | ฿500/day, max ฿20,000 |
Extending your stay
Go to an immigration office before your permitted stay ends. Bring your passport, copies of the photo page and your latest entry stamp, two passport photos (35×45 mm) and the fee of about ฿1,900 in cash. Check the Immigration Bureau website for the office that handles your area. In Bangkok, ISSA Compass names the office at IT Square, Laksi, and the main tourist areas such as Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui have their own offices.
After one extension you have to leave Thailand or apply for a longer-stay visa such as the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for remote workers.
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Since 1 May 2025, every foreign visitor must fill in the TDAC online before arrival. It replaced the old paper arrival card. It is free on the official immigration website, takes about ten minutes, and can be completed within the three days before you land. Save the confirmation on your phone.
The ฿300 tourist entry fee
You will see a ฿300 tourism fee mentioned in a lot of guides. As of mid-2026 it was still not being charged. The government plans to add it to airline tickets, but there is no confirmed start date, according to Thai Budget Planner (updated July 2026). You do not need to pay anything at the airport.
What immigration may ask for
- A passport valid for at least six months.
- Proof of onward travel within your permitted stay, such as a flight or bus ticket out.
- Your accommodation address for the TDAC.
- Proof of funds is rarely checked but can be requested.
A cheap, refundable onward flight is the simplest way to show onward travel if you have not decided your next stop.
Partner links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Questions people ask
How many days can Americans stay in Thailand without a visa?
From 15 September 2026, US citizens get 30 days visa-free on arrival, extendable once by 30 days at an immigration office for about ฿1,900.
Do I need to fill in the TDAC?
Yes. Since 1 May 2025 all foreign arrivals must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online, within three days before arrival.
Is the 300 baht tourist fee being charged?
Not as of mid-2026. It is planned to be included in airfares, but no start date had been confirmed.
What happens if I overstay in Thailand?
The fine is ฿500 a day, up to ฿20,000, and long overstays can lead to a ban. Extend before your stamp expires.
Can I still get 60 days in Thailand?
Yes, but only as 30 days on arrival plus a 30-day extension at immigration, or with a visa applied for in advance.