Thailand 2026: 60-Day Exemption, TDAC and e-Visa Depending on Your Passport

• Updated: July 2026. Sources: thaievisa.go.th (the official Thai e-Visa portal) and tdac.immigration.go.th (Thai immigration's digital arrival card).*

Entering Thailand in 2026 means three very different regimes depending on your passport — the 60-day visa exemption, the visa on arrival, or a mandatory e-Visa before departure — plus one formality shared by all travellers: the TDAC, the digital arrival card. This guide covers all three cases, the required documents, the financial proof rule and in-country extensions.

On 19 May 2026, the Thai Cabinet approved an overhaul of the exemption scheme (shorter stays for most nationalities, a "one country, one privilege" logic). But until the text is published in the Royal Gazette, it is not law: as of this guide's update, the 60-day exemption is still being applied at the border. If your trip is months away, re-check the rule shortly before departure — the change takes effect 15 days after official publication.

Since 15 July 2024, nationals of 93 countries and territories enter without a visa for stays of up to 60 days, by air or by land. The list covers Europe (France, Belgium, Switzerland…), the United States, Canada, Turkey, the Gulf states and much of Asia. On the African side, only three passports qualify: Morocco, South Africa and Mauritius.

Key points:

• entry is free; the stamp grants 60 days;
• the stay is extendable once by 30 days at an immigration office in Thailand (1,900 THB), for 90 days in total;
• the immigration officer may ask for an onward ticket and proof of funds (see below);
• the exemption covers tourism and short business visits — not work.

A separate list of about thirty nationalities can get a visa on arrival (VOA) at airports and border posts: 15 days of stay, 2,000 THB payable in cash, a photo, an onward ticket and an address in Thailand. Among African passports, only a few qualify — notably Ethiopia, Tunisia and the Seychelles. This regime is far less attractive than the exemption (15 days instead of 60, paid, queues): it only applies to nationalities that have nothing better.

Since 2025, applications are made entirely online on the official portal www.thaievisa.go.th — no more paper sticker, the visa is electronic. For the tourist visa (TR):

• Fee: USD 40 for single entry (the exact amount, shown before payment, varies slightly by country of submission and local currency); non-refundable even if refused. The multiple-entry visa (METV, 6 months) costs about USD 200;
• Validity: 3 months to enter, 60-day stay on arrival, extendable by 30 days in-country (1,900 THB);
• Documents: passport valid 6 months, recent photo, return ticket or itinerary, proof of accommodation, bank statements for the last 3 months, and online payment;
• Processing: allow 5 to 10 working days depending on the responsible embassy — apply 2 to 4 weeks before departure;
• beware of middleman sites reselling the e-Visa for USD 74-99: the only official portal is thaievisa.go.th.

Since 1 May 2025, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) has replaced the old TM6 paper form. It is mandatory for every foreigner entering Thailand — by air, land or sea — whatever their regime: exempt, VOA or e-Visa holder.

• It is completed online at tdac.immigration.go.th, within 72 hours (3 days) before arrival;
• it is completely free — any site charging for it is a scam;
• information requested: passport, flight, address in Thailand, basic health details;
• you receive a QR code by email, to show at immigration (on your phone or printed);
• the TDAC is not a visa: it replaces neither the e-Visa nor the exemption — it comes on top. Only transit passengers who do not clear immigration are exempt.

Without a TDAC, the airline may refuse check-in or your border crossing may be seriously delayed. Fill it in as soon as your flight is confirmed, within the 72-hour window.

Thailand applies a funds requirement at entry, checked randomly and at the officer's discretion — but if you are asked and cannot show anything, entry can be refused.

Accepted forms: cash (baht or equivalent foreign currency), recent bank statements, an international bank card with a balance statement. 20,000 THB is roughly USD 550 / EUR 510. Separately, the 3 months of bank statements required with the e-Visa file must show a balance consistent with your trip.

Whatever your regime (60-day exemption or 60-day tourist e-Visa), a single 30-day extension can be obtained at any immigration office (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket…): form TM7, passport, photo, 1,900 THB. Do it before your permission expires: overstay costs 500 THB per day (capped at 20,000 THB) and can trigger a 1-to-10-year entry ban beyond 90 days of overstay.

One last tip: Thai rules are moving fast in 2026 (the exemption reform is awaiting publication). Before buying tickets, check the exact regime for your nationality with our visa checker, then complete your formalities only on the official portals thaievisa.go.th and tdac.immigration.go.th.