Thailand has three entry categories that apply to different nationalities:
Visa Exemption: Your passport nationality receives automatic entry without applying for any visa in advance. You receive a stamp on arrival for a specific duration.
Visa on Arrival (VOA): You apply for a visa at the airport on arrival. You queue at the Visa on Arrival counter and pay a fee. You do not apply in advance but you do need specific documents.
Tourist Visa (TR) or e-Visa: You apply before travel through the Thai e-Visa portal or a Thai embassy. Required for nationalities not covered by exemption or VOA.
Thailand extended its visa exemption period from 30 days to 60 days in 2024 for nationals of 93 countries. The extended 60-day exemption covers:
What you receive on arrival: A 60-day tourist entry stamp. No fee. No advance application.
What you need at the immigration counter:
Extension: The 60-day exemption period is extendable by 30 additional days at any Immigration office in Thailand. Extension fee: THB 1,900. Apply before your stamp expires.
Nationals of 19 countries not covered by the 60-day exemption qualify for a Visa on Arrival at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
Countries qualifying for VOA include: India, China (also recently moved to exemption), Andorra, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Taiwan.
VOA requirements at the airport counter:
The VOA queue at Suvarnabhumi during peak season (December to February) extends to 45 to 90 minutes. Arrive with all documents completed and funds visible to minimise time at the counter.
Enter your passport nationality and intended length of stay to get current Thailand visa requirements for 2026, including whether you qualify for exemption, visa on arrival or need an e-visa, and what documents to prepare.
Check My Thailand Visa RequirementsGet Bangkok Entry GuideThe Thailand e-Visa system allows eligible nationalities to apply for a tourist visa online before travelling.
Apply at: thaievisa.go.th (official Thai government portal).
Processing time: 3 to 7 business days.
e-Visa types for tourism:
| Visa Type | Duration | Entries | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (TR) | 60 days | Single | USD $40 |
| Tourist Visa (TR) | 60 days | Multiple | USD $80 |
When to use the e-Visa:
Documents required for e-Visa application:
After approval: You receive an e-Visa approval letter by email. Print a copy. Present it at immigration on arrival alongside your passport. The e-Visa does not replace the passport stamp; immigration adds the entry stamp upon presentation.
Thailand introduced a THB 300 tourism levy for international arrivals in 2025. This applies to arrivals by air.
Payment: Automatically included in your airline ticket price from airlines that have collected it through the ticket-selling process. Some airlines include it; others pass it as a separate charge.
Arrivals who may need to pay separately: Check with your airline before departure whether the THB 300 levy is included in your ticket. If not, payment is collected on arrival.
Exemptions: Thai nationals, transit passengers, passengers in diplomatic positions and Thai work permit holders are exempt.
Thailand eliminated the paper TM6 arrival card in 2022 for most nationalities. Instead, immigration uses passport scan data and airline passenger information.
Current requirement: For most nationalities under exemption, no paper form is required. Proceed directly to the e-gate or staffed immigration counter with your passport.
Exceptions: Some nationalities and all Visa on Arrival applicants complete paper forms. Forms are available at the immigration counters or on the aircraft.
E-gate access at Suvarnabhumi: Thai nationals, residents and holders of biometric passports from 30+ countries (including UK, USA, EU, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea) use e-gates for faster processing. E-gate lanes process a passenger in 15 to 30 seconds versus 2 to 5 minutes at staffed counters.