60 Days Is Dead.

September 15, 2026

What Changed

1The 60-day exemption is gone.It’s been replaced by a 30-day exemption for 60 countries and territories, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the USA.

2Land borders are capped.On the 30-day exemption you can generally enter by land no more than twice per calendar year. Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt from that limit.

3A few nationalities moved.Seychelles and Mauritius get 15 days. Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia now get visa on arrival.

4Bilateral deals still apply.Countries with separate agreements keep their own 90, 30 or 14-day periods.

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand, September 2026.

Need more than 30 days?

Your Options

Extend Once at Immigration

The simple add-on

+30 days, onceAbout ฿1,900 cash~60 days total per entry

You can extend the 30-day exemption once, for another 30 days, at a Thai immigration office. The fee is around ฿1,900, paid in cash. That’s roughly 60 days in total per entry.

Best forA long holiday.

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

Built for remote workers

5 years · multiple entry180 days per entry฿500,000 savings฿10,000 fee

The 5-year, multiple-entry visa built for remote workers and “soft power” travelers (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Stay: up to 180 days per entry, extendable once for up to 180 more.
Who qualifies: remote employees and freelancers working for clients outside Thailand, or people doing approved activities such as Muay Thai training, Thai cooking courses or medical treatment.
Money: proof of ฿500,000 in savings, plus a ฿10,000 visa fee.
Rules: apply online through the Thai e-Visa system or at a Thai embassy. You can’t work for a Thai employer.

Best forDigital nomads and anyone wintering in Phuket.

Watch outStay 180 days or more in a calendar year and you become a Thai tax resident.

Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR)

The premium route

10 years (5 + 5)Run by the Board of Investment

Wealthy Global Citizen: USD 1M in global assets and USD 500K invested in Thailand.
Wealthy Pensioner: based on passive income.
Work-from-Thailand Professional: USD 80K a year from a qualifying overseas employer.
Highly Skilled Professional: work in targeted industries, with a flat 17% income tax on employment earnings.
Perks: annual address reporting instead of the usual 90-day report, and airport fast-track at select checkpoints.

Best forInvestors, wealthy retirees and senior remote executives.

Retirement Visa (Non-O)

For 50 and over

Age 50+฿800,000 savingsor ฿65,000 / month pension

For ages 50 and over, with ฿800,000 in savings or a ฿65,000 monthly pension.

Best forRetirees who don’t need the LTR’s premium perks.

Don’t forgetThe TDAC

Every foreign arrival must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before boarding. That applies whatever visa you hold.

Extending in Phuket

Phuket Immigration, Blue Tree

BringYour passport, a passport photo, the TM.7 form and cash for the fee.

Insider tipGo early. Hours are short.

Where Blue Tree, PhuketHours Mon–Fri 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m., closed weekends (per Google Maps)Google Maps ↗

Quick match

Which Visa Fits You?

Two-week holidayThe 30-day exemption covers you

Six to eight weeks30 days, plus one 30-day extension

Working remotely all seasonDTV

Retiring in PhuketRetirement visa (Non-O), or LTR if you qualify

Investing or buying propertyLTR Wealthy Global Citizen

Questions, answered

How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa in 2026?+

Since September 15, 2026, 30 days for most Western nationalities, down from 60 (TAT).

Can I extend the 30-day visa exemption?+

Yes, once, for 30 more days at an immigration office, for around ฿1,900.

What’s the best visa for living in Phuket long-term?+

It depends on you: DTV for remote workers, the Retirement visa for over-50s, LTR for investors and high earners.

Do I need the TDAC?+

Yes. Every foreign arrival must complete it online before boarding.

The New Math