The 30-day visa-exempt provision was officially published in the Royal Thai Gazette on August 31, 2026, and takes effect September 15, 2026. Arrivals before that date still get 60 days. Rules vary by nationality and entry point. Always verify the current regulations at the Royal Thai Embassy or Immigration office before traveling. We're updating this to the best of our knowledge; see the full rules page for the complete disclaimer. Last verified: September 15, 2026.
Understanding Thailand's Free Entry Options
Thailand offers two primary ways to enter without a pre-arranged visa: Visa Exempt (free) and Visa On Arrival (paid). Both are straightforward but suited for different nationalities and circumstances.
Visa Exempt: 60 Days Until September 15, Then 30
Visa Exempt is Thailand's entry program for nationals of qualifying countries (Australia, US, UK, Canada, EU nations, and others). It's completely free and requires no advance application. Arrivals before September 15, 2026 get 60 days.
2026 Confirmed Change (Effective September 15, 2026)
The 60-day visa exemption scheme has ended. Visa Exempt is now 30 days for the 60 eligible countries (down from 93), and 15 days for Seychelles and Mauritius. This will affect how you plan your trip; check chiangmaiambassador.com/visa-exempt-status-2026-returning-to-30-days for the full details and disclaimer.
Visa On Arrival (VOA): 60 Days for 2,000 THB, Now 3 Countries
VOA is available to nationals of a specific, designated list of countries, not everyone, and not the same list as Visa Exempt. You can apply before arrival at a Thai embassy or consulate, or on the day you arrive at designated airports and borders. Cost: 2,000 THB. Duration: 60 days. Confirmed, effective September 15, 2026: the VOA-eligible list shrinks to just 3 countries, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Visa Exempt | Visa On Arrival (VOA) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | 2,000 THB (approximately USD 60) |
| Duration | 60 days before Sept 15, 2026; 30 days (15 for Seychelles/Mauritius) from that date | 60 days |
| Eligible Nationalities | Approximately 90 countries | Select list of eligible countries (separate from Visa Exempt list) |
| Pre-Application Required | No | Optional (can apply on arrival) |
| Processing Time | Instant at immigration | 15-30 minutes on arrival |
| Extension Available | Yes, 30 days for 1,900 THB | Yes, 30 days for 1,900 THB |
| Entry Points | All airports and borders | Only designated airports/borders |
Which Countries Qualify for Visa Exempt?
Visa Exempt countries include: Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and most EU nations. If your country isn't on the list, you must use Visa On Arrival.
Visa Exempt: How It Works
Requirements
- Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
- Return ticket or proof of onward travel (recommended)
- Proof of sufficient funds (approximately 20,000 THB per person)
- Completed TM.6 form (provided on arrival)
Process
- Arrive at Thai airport or land border
- Fill out TM.6 form (available at immigration)
- Present passport and form to immigration officer
- Receive stamp immediately (60 days before September 15, 2026; 30 days, 15 for Seychelles and Mauritius, from that date)
- Done. No fees, instant processing.
Visa On Arrival (VOA): How It Works
Method 1: Pre-Arrival at Embassy
- Apply at Thai embassy or consulate in your home country
- Bring passport, completed form, photo, return ticket
- Pay 2,000 THB visa fee
- Processing: 2-5 business days
- Receive visa stamp in passport
Method 2: On Arrival
- Apply at designated airport or border on arrival day
- Bring passport, completed TM.8 form, 1 passport photo (4x6cm), return ticket
- Pay 2,000 THB visa fee
- Processing: 15-30 minutes (usually slower due to queues)
Extension: Both Can Be Extended
Both Visa Exempt (60 days before September 15, 2026, then 30) and VOA (60 days) can be extended by 30 additional days at any Thai Immigration office.
- Cost: 1,900 THB
- Timing: Apply within 5 days before expiration
- Documents: Passport, TM.47 extension form, passport photo
- Processing: 1 day (usually same-day)
After Extension
- Visa Exempt + Extension: 90 days total (60 + 30) before September 15, 2026; 60 days total (30 + 30) from that date
- VOA + Extension: 90 days total (60 + 30)
When to Use Each
Use Visa Exempt if
- You're from an eligible country (Australia, UK, US, Canada, EU, etc)
- You're staying under 30 days from September 15, 2026 (or under 60 days if arriving before that date), no extension needed
- You want to save money and avoid paperwork: it's free, and instant on arrival
Use VOA if
- Your country is on the VOA-eligible list but not the Visa Exempt list (they're different lists)
- You need the longer 60-day stay and your nationality is one of the 3 still eligible for VOA (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia)
- You want more security and pre-arranged approval before arrival
Use Tourist Visa if
- You're staying longer than 90 days (both exempt + extension and VOA + extension max at 60-90 days)
- You want flexibility for multiple entries within 180 days
Use ED/DTV/Marriage/Retirement Visa if
- You're staying 6+ months long-term
- Border runs aren't sustainable
- You want a real long-stay visa
Key Takeaways
- Visa Exempt: 60 days free before September 15, 2026; confirmed to drop to 30 days (15 for Seychelles/Mauritius) from that date, for the 60 eligible countries. Instant on arrival.
- VOA: 60 days for 2,000 THB. Confirmed, effective September 15, 2026: eligible list shrinks to 3 countries (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia). Can apply on arrival or pre-apply.
- Both extendable: 30 more days for 1,900 THB at Immigration.
- Exempt + Extension: 60 days total, 1,900 THB cost.
- VOA + Extension: 90 days total, 3,900 THB cost (2,000 + 1,900).
- Staying longer than 90 days? Use Tourist visa, ED, DTV, Marriage, or Retirement visa instead.
Ready to apply? Full step-by-step guide, document checklist, and current processing times at CMLocals: Visa Exempt Guide.
Guru Tip
If you are arriving at Suvarnabhumi or Chiang Mai Airport from a country eligible for both Visa on Arrival and Visa Exempt, use Visa Exempt. The VOA queue at major Thai airports during peak travel periods can take 2 to 3 hours. Visa Exempt holders use the faster immigration lanes, and before September 15, 2026 both options give you the same 60 days, so there's no length-of-stay tradeoff to weigh: skip the queue and the fee. From September 15, 2026, VOA's list shrinks to 3 countries anyway, so this mainly matters for Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia passport holders weighing the extra 30 days against the queue.
What is the difference between visa exempt and visa on arrival in Thailand?
Visa Exempt is automatic entry permission for nationals of qualifying countries requiring no prior application or fee. It grants 60 days before September 15, 2026, dropping to 30 days (15 for Seychelles and Mauritius) from that confirmed date. Visa on Arrival (VOA) requires a fee (approximately 2,000 THB), a form, and photo submission at arrival, with a separate queue, and shrinks to 3 eligible countries from September 15, 2026. Both allow tourism only, no work.
Which countries qualify for visa-exempt entry to Thailand?
60 countries including Australia, USA, UK, most EU nations, Canada, New Zealand, and many others, now receiving 30 days visa-exempt entry (down from 93 countries at 60 days). The 2-entries-per-calendar-year cap applies to land border checkpoint entries only, not air or sea (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei excepted from the land cap), per the official TAT Newsroom announcement.
Can I extend a visa-exempt stay inside Thailand?
Yes, once. A 30-day extension is available at immigration offices for 1,900 THB. In Chiang Mai, this is the Airport Road immigration office. You apply before your original permitted stay expires. This gives visa-exempt arrivals up to 60 or 90 days total depending on their initial grant.
How many times can I enter Thailand visa-exempt in a year?
Before 15 September 2026, there's no cap: land border entries are unlimited. From 15 September 2026, a confirmed rule limits visa-exempt arrivals to 2 land border entries per calendar year, with Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei staying unlimited. How many air entries are allowed after that isn't yet clear from official sources; check with immigration or your embassy. If you spend significant time in Thailand each year, a Tourist Visa or long-stay visa avoids this scrutiny.
Is visa on arrival available at Chiang Mai Airport?
Yes. Chiang Mai International Airport has a Visa on Arrival counter. The queue is typically shorter than at Suvarnabhumi but can still be slow during peak arrivals. Have your form filled out, a passport photo, 2,000 THB in cash for the fee, and evidence of onward travel ready before you reach the counter.
