Thailand’s Visa-Free Stay Is Now 30 Days: US, UK and EU Rules (2026)

Kayiwa · October 11, 2026 · 5 min read

If you booked Thailand around a 60-day stay, check your dates. On 15 September 2026 Thailand replaced its 60-day visa exemption with a 30-day one. Americans, Brits and Europeans can still visit without arranging a visa in advance, but only for 30 days, and only for tourism.

This page covers what changed, whether it applies to your passport, what you can still do about a longer stay, and the short checklist to run through before you fly. Most guides online were written before the change and still say 60 days, which is why this is catching people out.

What changed on 15 September 2026

The 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries and territories ended on 15 September 2026.
It was replaced by a 30-day exemption for 60 countries and territories. Thailand’s Ministry of Interior published the rules in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026.
The new exemption covers tourism only. The old scheme also covered short-term business and similar activities, and the new one does not.
Visa on arrival has been cut back to a handful of nationalities, so check your own passport rather than assuming.
Travelers who entered Thailand by 14 September 2026 keep the full period they were given on arrival, including a 60-day stay.

Does it apply to me?

The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia among the countries with the 30-day exemption, and all 27 EU member states appear on the same list. That covers most readers coming from the Americas and Europe.

If you hold another passport, or you are not sure, look up your own country on the official Thai embassy or consulate website. The lists are long and they change.

Can I still stay longer than 30 days?

Probably, but it is not automatic.

Extension. Law-firm summaries of the new rules say people using the 30-day exemption are expected to remain eligible for a one-time extension of up to 30 days at a local immigration office, at the officer’s discretion. You apply in person, so plan a morning for it.
The fee. You will see 1,900 baht quoted everywhere. Every source I found for that number was written before the change, so treat it as unconfirmed and ask at the office.
A visa in advance. If you already know you want more than 30 days, the cleaner route is to apply for a tourist visa before you travel, through a Thai embassy or consulate or the official e-Visa system. Check the length and the fee for your passport.

Land borders and the two-entry limit

The Tourism Authority says travelers using the exemption at land checkpoints may generally enter no more than twice in a calendar year. Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt from that limit.

This matters if you plan to hop in and out of Thailand by land, for example into Laos or Cambodia and back. Each re-entry by land can count towards the limit, so map out how many times you will cross. If you are heading to Laos, the Laos guide covers the route and the visa.

Before you fly: the checklist

Check your dates. Count 30 days from the day you arrive, not from the day you plan to leave Bangkok.
Submit the arrival card. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card replaced the paper TM6 form. Fill it in online at tdac.immigration.go.th within three days before you arrive, and keep the QR confirmation. It is free. Third-party sites that charge a fee are not the official one.
Passport validity. Thailand generally expects at least six months left on your passport when you arrive.
Onward travel and funds. Immigration can ask to see a flight out of Thailand and proof you can support yourself. The figure usually quoted is 10,000 baht per person. It is not always checked, but you should be able to show it.
Insurance. Buy travel insurance that covers medical care. It is cheap compared with a hospital bill.

What a 30-day stay costs

A month is still a good length for a first trip. The Thailand guide has a full cost table for thirty days, mid-range and moving every four to five days, and it comes to about $1,070 in total. That is the same thirty days the new rule allows. If you want to see what a single day costs in dollars, euros and pounds, start with the food: most street dishes are a dollar or two.

Not sure where to eat first? Taste Match scores all eleven country guides against your answers, and My trip keeps a list of the places and dishes you save.

Why so many guides still say 60 days

The 60-day rule only began in mid-2024, and plenty of articles, forum threads and video descriptions were written during that time. They have not all been updated. If a page does not mention 15 September 2026, assume it is out of date. I have updated the Thailand guide to the new rule.

Frequently asked questions

Do Americans need a visa for Thailand in 2026?

For tourism up to 30 days, US citizens do not need a visa in advance. Since 15 September 2026 the visa-free stay is 30 days, not 60. You still need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card and a passport with enough validity.

Is the 60-day visa-free stay gone?

Yes, for new arrivals. The 60-day exemption ended on 15 September 2026. People who entered by 14 September keep the period they were given when they arrived.

Do UK and EU citizens get 30 days too?

Yes. The United Kingdom and all 27 EU member states are on the 30-day list published by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Can I extend my 30 days?

Sources written after the change say a one-time extension of up to 30 days is expected, at the immigration officer’s discretion. Confirm the fee and the paperwork at the local immigration office.

Do I still need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

Yes. It replaced the paper arrival card, it is free, and you submit it online within three days before you arrive.

How many times can I enter Thailand on the exemption?

At land checkpoints, entries under the exemption are generally limited to two per calendar year, with exceptions for Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore. Flying in is not described as limited in the same way, but check before you plan repeated entries.

Sources

Information checked on 10 October 2026. Entry rules, fees and extension procedures change, so confirm the latest details with the Thai embassy or consulate for your country before you travel.