Do You Need a Visa to Travel to Thailand?

Do you need a visa for Thailand?

For a tourist trip, the answer depends first on your passport. Under Thailand’s current rules, holders of ordinary passports from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand are generally eligible to enter without a visa for tourism for a stay of up to 30 days, provided they meet the applicable entry conditions.

This is visa exemption, not a visa. It does not mean that every traveller can enter for every purpose or length of stay. If you plan to stay longer, travel for a purpose outside the relevant exemption, or use a passport that is not covered by the scheme, a Thai visa may be required before travel.

Thailand’s former 60-day visa-exemption regime is no longer the current rule for the passports listed above. Since 15 September 2026, the relevant tourist visa-exemption period is generally up to 30 days.

Common passport examples for a tourist visit

• UK, US, Canadian, Australian, Irish and New Zealand passports: for an eligible tourism visit, a visa is generally not required for a stay of up to 30 days under Thailand’s visa-exemption scheme.
• Other passports: depending on the passport used, a traveller may qualify for Visa on Arrival, another visa-exemption arrangement or may need to obtain a visa before travel. Check the current rule for the passport you will actually use.
• Seychellois and Mauritian passports: a separate tourist visa-exemption arrangement may allow a stay of up to 15 days.
• Other passports: do not assume that the 30-day exemption applies. Thailand’s rules can differ by passport, bilateral arrangements and the purpose of travel, so check the entry regime for the document you will actually use.

Visa exemption, Visa on Arrival or visa before travel?

• Visa exemption: eligible travellers enter without applying for a visa in advance. For the six passport examples above, the current tourism allowance is generally up to 30 days.
• Visa on Arrival: this is an entry regime available only to nationals of a limited list of countries. It is not a general alternative for travellers whose passports are not visa-exempt.
• Visa obtained before travel: this may be necessary when your passport is not eligible for visa exemption or Visa on Arrival, or when the length or purpose of your trip does not fit the relevant entry arrangement. Thailand’s official eVisa system may be used for visa applications where available and appropriate.

Examples: identifying the likely route for your trip

• US passport, 12-day holiday in Bangkok and Chiang Mai: this trip will generally fall under the 30-day tourist visa-exemption scheme, rather than requiring a tourist visa, if the other entry conditions are met.
• Australian passport, 30-day beach holiday: visa exemption may generally apply for tourism, but the traveller should ensure that their travel plans and documents support a stay within the permitted period.
• Canadian passport, planned stay beyond 30 days: do not assume visa exemption covers the whole trip. Check whether an extension or a visa route is appropriate before departure.
• UK passport, travel for work, long-term study or another non-tourist purpose: the tourist visa-exemption arrangement may not be the right route. A different visa category may be needed.

Main entry requirements to prepare

Having the right visa status is only one part of entry. Border authorities can assess whether you meet the conditions for admission when you arrive. For visa-exempt tourism travel, prepare travel documents that support your trip.

• Passport: use the passport whose eligibility you checked. A passport with at least six months’ validity is commonly required or expected for the relevant entry route.
• Onward travel: travellers entering under visa exemption may be asked for evidence that they will leave Thailand within the permitted period.
• Accommodation and trip details: keep evidence of where you will stay and the practical details of your journey available.
• Proof of funds: immigration officers may request evidence that you have sufficient funds for the visit.
• Appropriate purpose: tourism exemption does not automatically cover every purpose of travel. Work, extended study and long-term residence can require a different visa route.

Admission remains a decision for Thai immigration authorities at the border, including for a traveller who holds a visa or qualifies for visa exemption.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card: separate from your visa status

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an online arrival form that replaces the former paper arrival card. It is not a visa and does not replace a visa when one is required.

Non-Thai nationals entering Thailand are generally required to submit the TDAC before entry, including travellers entering visa-free, with a Visa on Arrival or with a visa obtained in advance. It should be submitted within the three days before arrival. A traveller transiting without passing through Thai immigration does not generally need a TDAC.

For instructions focused on the form itself, see our guide to complete the Thailand TDAC. Your visa requirement and your TDAC requirement must be checked separately.

When a visa check is especially important

• Your passport is not one of the examples above: the applicable rule may be visa exemption, Visa on Arrival, a bilateral arrangement or a visa requirement.
• Your stay may exceed the visa-exempt period: check the route that fits the full length of your trip before travelling.
• Your purpose is not tourism: a work assignment, long course of study, residence plan or other specific activity can require a different visa.
• You hold more than one nationality or travel document: the answer can depend on your nationality, status and the document used for travel.
• You are transiting or entering by land or sea: your immigration plans and whether you pass through the border can affect the formalities to complete.

Check the formalities for your own trip

These examples cover common situations, but they cannot determine the rule for every passport, itinerary or purpose of travel. Check the formalities that may apply to the passport you will use, your intended stay and your route with Go2entry before departure.