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Thailand's entry policy distinguishes between several categories of travellers. Identifying yours before submitting an application will save you time and money.

Tourist visa exemption (30 days)

Since 15 September 2026, passport holders from 60 countries and territories — including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and all 27 EU member states — may enter Thailand visa-free for tourism for stays of up to 30 days per visit. An onward or return ticket within 30 days may still be requested, and land-border entries under this regime are generally limited to 2 per calendar year, except for specific exemptions including Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Singapore.

The temporary 60-day scheme introduced on 15 July 2024 for 93 nationalities ended for new entries from 15 September 2026, after publication in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. Travellers who entered on or before 14 September 2026 keep the length of stay stamped on arrival.

The current framework also includes 2 nationalities with a 15-day exemption (Mauritius and Seychelles), 3 nationalities eligible for visa on arrival (Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia), and separate bilateral arrangements granting 14, 30 or 90 days depending on the passport. Some nationalities that previously enjoyed the 60-day exemption, such as China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Vietnam and Kazakhstan, are no longer on the general 60-country list and must check whether a bilateral arrangement still applies or obtain an e-Visa. For business trips, meetings or other non-tourist travel, the 30-day exemption is not the right basis: it is limited to tourism only.

Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Since 15 September 2026, Thailand's visa on arrival is available to three nationalities only: Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. It allows a stay of 15 days and must be obtained with the relevant formalities and fee at the border; it should not be confused with visa-free entry.

Long-Term Resident visa (LTR)

Launched in 2022 and supervised by the Board of Investment (BOI), the LTR visa targets four profiles: wealthy global citizens, affluent retirees, professionals working in Thailand for international groups, and highly skilled experts in priority sectors. This visa offers 10-year validity, renewable. Among its benefits: elimination of the quarterly 90-day reporting requirement (replaced by an annual declaration), Fast Track access at airports and a reduced income tax rate of 17% for experts. Candidates must meet strict financial or skills criteria and submit their application via the official BOI portal.

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) — digital nomads

Introduced in mid-2024, the DTV has quickly established itself as the reference option for digital nomads, freelancers and participants in Thai 'Soft Power' activities (Muay Thai, cooking classes, medical care, cultural events). This 5-year multiple-entry visa allows stays of up to 180 days per entry, with the possibility of a single extension of 180 additional days through local immigration — nearly a full year without leaving the country. The financial criterion is a bank balance of 500,000 THB (approximately 13,000 €), which must now have been held for at least 3 months: consulates require bank statements covering 3 to 6 months and reject last-minute deposits. The funds must be evidenced again when applying for an in-country extension. Since 2026, Thai language courses are no longer accepted as a qualifying 'Soft Power' activity. The main applicant must be at least 20 years old; spouses and children under 20 are also eligible. The DTV allows legal work for entities outside Thailand without a standard work permit, but prohibits working for a company registered in Thailand, freelancing for Thai clients and applying for a Thai work permit. Since 1 January 2025, all Thai missions process the DTV exclusively through the e-Visa portal. The application fee is approximately 10,000 THB (approximately 261 €) and the 180-day extension costs 1,900 THB at the immigration office.

Please note: The granting of a visa is solely at the discretion of the Thai authorities. Holding an e-Visa does not guarantee entry into the country: the final decision rests with the immigration officer at the port of entry. The lengths of stay stated on the visa may be reduced at the border crossing. Furthermore, the embassy reserves the right to refuse an application from travellers who have spent more than 90 days in Thailand in the 6 months preceding the application.