Thailand Visa Exemption Updates

Bangkok, September 2026, The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced an updated entry framework taking effect on 15 September 2026. This policy replaces the temporary 60-day visa exemption scheme with updated 30-day and 15-day visa exemption categories, alongside revised Visa on Arrival (VoA) eligibility.

For travelers and tour operators partnering with Aurora Travel & DMC, here is the comprehensive breakdown of the updated regulations, entry conditions, and eVisa requirements.

• Core Change: The previous 60-day visa waiver ends and is replaced by structured 30-day and 15-day exemption lists.
• Land Border Limitation: Foreign nationals using the 30-day or 15-day exemption via land borders can enter Thailand a maximum of 2 times per calendar year (citizens of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore are exempt from this limit).
• Bilateral Treaties: Existing bilateral agreements offering 14, 30, or 90 days stay remain fully active without changes.

Eligible Countries for Visa Exemption

• 30-Day Visa Exemption

Citizens from the following countries and territories can enter Thailand for tourism purposes without a visa for up to 30 days:

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

Asia & Middle East: Bahrain, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates.

Americas: Canada, United States of America.

Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand.

Africa: South Africa.

• 15-Day Visa Exemption

Seychelles, Mauritius.

Importain Notes for Latin American Travellers
With bilateral agreement between Thailand and countries below, holders of passports from the following Latin American countries will not require a tourist visa to enter Thailand:
90-day visa exemption: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru

The following Latin American nationalities will be required to obtain an E-visa before travelling:
Visa required: Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela

None of the Latin American countries listed above are eligible for a Visa on Arrival.

How to Apply for Thailand E-Visa
A single-entry E-Visa (TR) allows a stay of up to 60 days from the date of entry and is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance.

Thailand e-Visa requirements:

• Passport with no less than six months' validity and at least 2 blank passport pages
• Portrait photo taken within the last six months
• Document indicating current location (e.g: receipt(s)/proof(s) of payment of airline tickets or accommodation) 
• Travel booking confirmation
• Proof of accommodation in Thailand covering the period of stay
• Financial evidence: an amount of not less than 20,000 THB (e.g., bank statements for the last three months, sponsorship letter)

Visa fee:
Tourist Visa (TR): approximately USD 45 for a single-entry visa. A Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) costs approximately USD 200 and you may be charged more for bank fee. The exact fee may vary depending on the Thai Embassy or Consulate processing the application. Visa fees are non-refundable.

Processing time:
It normally takes 5–10 business days once a complete application and all required documents have been received. 

Thailand E-Visa Application Process
1. Thailand E-Visa applications can be submitted through the official Thailand E-Visa website
2. Create an account on the website
3. Complete the online application form with your passport, personal and travel information
4. Upload the required supporting documents
Please prepare all supporting documents in JPG, JPEG, or PDF format before starting the application. Each uploaded file should be clear and legible and should not exceed 3 MB.
5. Pay the visa fee online. Visa fees are non-refundable.
6. Wait for the application to be processed. The Thai Embassy or Consulate may request additional documents or information if required.
7. Receive the e-Visa confirmation by email once the application has been approved. The confirmation can be printed and presented to the airline and Thai immigration officials when travelling to Thailand.