Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival Schemes

Visa exemption scheme

Effective from 15 September 2026, British and Irish passport holders, as well as foreign travellers from many other countries listed below, can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days under the Visa Exemption Scheme for tourism purposes only.

Travel document holders issued by the British and Irish Governments are required to apply for a Thai visa before entering Thailand.

Please note that eligible passport holders are allowed to enter Thailand under the Visa Exemption Scheme only twice within a calendar year. If travellers intend to visit Thailand more than twice per year or for purposes other than tourism, they are strongly advised to apply for an appropriate type of visa.

Requirements and procedures: Upon arrival, foreign visitors must present the necessary documents to immigration officers, including proof of accommodation and proof of onward travel scheduled within 30 days of the arrival date. Immigration officers may request additional documents at their discretion, such as proof of sufficient funds of 20,000 THB per person, or may conduct an interview.

Once entry is permitted, travellers will be granted an immigration stamp in their passports. The immigration stamp will specify the last date on which travellers are permitted to stay in Thailand. Please check the date specified on the stamp before leaving the immigration checkpoint.

If travellers wish to stay longer than the permitted duration, they may request an extension of stay for up to 30 days. Please visit the website of the Immigration Bureau of Thailand to check the requirements and procedures.

Visa on arrival

Passport holders from eligible countries can apply for a visa on arrival at designated immigration checkpoints for tourism purposes only. A visa on arrival will be granted for a period of stay not exceeding 15 days.

Requirements and procedures: Visa applicants must prepare the following documents to apply for a visa on arrival:

• An application form (available at designated ports of entry);
• A non-refundable fee of 2,000 THB (cash only);
• A recent passport-sized photograph taken within the past 6 months;
• A passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least 2 blank pages when entering and leaving Thailand;
• Fully paid onward travel tickets scheduled within 15 days of the date of entry; and
• Proof of sufficient funds for travelling expenses of 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family.

Please be informed that visitors who enter Thailand with a visa on arrival cannot apply for an extension of stay, except in cases of illness that prevent them from travelling. In such cases, an application for an extension of stay may be submitted to the Immigration Bureau of Thailand. The requirements for a visa on arrival are subject to the discretion of Thai immigration officers.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

Despite the eligibility for the visa exemption and visa on arrival, foreign travellers must submit the TDAC within 3 days before arriving in Thailand. The TDAC must also be submitted for every entry into Thailand. For further information on the TDAC, please visit the website on the TDAC.

Please note that the TDAC is free of charge, but it is not a visa and cannot be used in lieu of a visa. All existing visa requirements and the visa exemption scheme remain unchanged while this form is in effect. All travellers must complete the TDAC regardless of visa type, including those who enter Thailand under the Visa Exemption Scheme and Visa on Arrival.