BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand maintained visa-free entry for many visitors but tightened rules on long stays, digital registration and repeat border crossings.
Visa-free entry extended, but for how long?
Citizens from Germany, Austria and Switzerland were allowed to enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days. The stamp was issued directly at the airport. This arrangement had been in place since July 2024 and was explicitly confirmed by the Thai cabinet on 10 February 2026, for the time being.
Behind the scenes, officials intensively discussed cutting the visa-free period to 30 days. No formal decision had yet been announced. Travellers planning to stay more than four weeks were advised to keep this debate in mind when booking flights.
TDAC replaces paper forms at the border
Since 1 May 2025, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) replaced the former paper form TM6. The form had to be completed online free of charge within 72 hours before arrival. Those who forgot to do so risked delays at immigration control.
The TDAC portal was available via the official Thai Immigration website. After submission, travellers received a QR code that had to be shown on arrival. Keeping the code on a mobile phone helped speed up processing at the counter.
Staying longer: paid extensions at Immigration Offices
Visitors who wished to stay longer than 60 days could apply for an extension at an Immigration Office. Required documents included a passport, completed TM.7 form, passport photo and 1,900 baht in cash, roughly 51 euros. Applications had to be submitted in person; no online option existed.
Per calendar year, a maximum of two extensions were allowed for visa-free entry. The first extension added 30 days, the second only seven. After that, authorities expected travellers to switch to a regular long-stay visa, although for typical holidaymakers one extension usually sufficed.
Classic visa runs phased out by tighter checks
Travellers who once crossed a border briefly to obtain a fresh entry stamp were warned not to rely on this practice in 2026. Since November 2025, Immigration Officers had been allowed to refuse entry if a travel pattern suggested a de facto long-term stay as a tourist.
Land crossings used to extend stays were now treated as a red flag. Passports filled with stamps from Myanmar, Laos or Malaysia could trigger detailed questioning. For holidaymakers flying to Thailand once or twice a year, little changed in practice.
Tourist visa TR: official 60-day stay with more certainty
Travellers seeking greater security were encouraged to apply in advance for a tourist visa (TR). It also allowed a 60-day stay, was issued by authorities and was therefore less exposed to discretionary decisions at the border. A 30-day extension for 1,900 baht at an Immigration Office was possible.
A valid TR also removed a frequent obstacle at check-in. Many airlines demanded a return flight within the permitted 60 days for visa-free travellers. With the TR, carriers typically accepted later return dates without argument.
How to apply online through the eVisa portal
The tourist visa could be requested via the official Thai eVisa portal at thaievisa.go.th. Since January 2025, the system had been available at all 94 Thai embassies worldwide. Applicants needed a passport photo, a passport valid for at least six more months, a bank statement showing at least 20,000 baht and a booking confirmation for accommodation.
Processing usually took only a few working days, and the fee ranged from 30 to 50 euros depending on the embassy. The visa had to be used for the first entry within three months of issuance. The entire procedure was paperless and could be completed from home.
Destination Thailand Visa targets long-stay visitors
The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) had been available since July 2024 and targeted freelancers, remote workers and visitors coming to Thailand for Muay Thai training, cooking courses, medical treatment or cultural activities. It was valid for five years, allowed multiple entries and permitted stays of up to 180 days per visit.
Once granted, each entry could be extended once by another 180 days for 1,900 baht at an Immigration Office. This made it possible to stay nearly a full year in Thailand legally before a mandatory exit. For long-term stays, it was presented as one of the most flexible options on the market.
DTV conditions: age, money and proof of remote work
Applicants for a DTV had to be at least 20 years old and hold a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity. Crucially, they needed to show funds of 500,000 baht on their account for at least three months, roughly 13,500 euros. Short-term transfers to inflate balances were not sufficient, as banks and embassies checked account histories.
Remote workers had to provide additional employment documentation, including a contract with a foreign client, bank statements and a portfolio. The fee was about 10,000 baht, or roughly 270 euros. Applications were submitted exclusively online via thaievisa.go.th from outside Thailand, with typical processing times of three to five working days.
Choosing between visa-free, TR and DTV
For a standard holiday of up to 60 days, visa-free entry remained the easiest option, involving no application and no fee. The TR visa was positioned for those seeking more predictability or stays of up to 90 days. The DTV addressed travellers who returned frequently or worked independently from any location.
The DTV required a one-time payment of around 270 euros and remained valid for five years. Those planning two or more longer trips per year could recoup that cost quickly. Visitors taking only one two- or three-week holiday per year were generally better served by visa-free entry.
Driving rules: international licences recognised
Tourists with a valid international driving permit were allowed to drive cars or motorcycles in Thailand. The permit had to be carried together with the national driving licence from the home country. It was recognised in Thailand under the Geneva Convention framework.
However, a Thai driving licence could not be obtained with a tourist visa or visa-free entry. A long-term visa was required for that. Those planning to live in Thailand longer term were advised to clarify the requirements with the competent Land Transport Office.
Banking barriers for tourists and DTV holders
Since 2024, major Thai banks had tightened internal regulations. Anyone holding only a tourist visa, visa-free entry or a DTV was unable to open an account at any of the major institutions. For banking purposes, the DTV was treated as a tourist entry category.
Opening a local bank account generally required a Non-Immigrant visa, such as the retirement visa Non-O. Tourists were advised to use international cards with low foreign transaction fees. Comprehensive health insurance was recommended before departure rather than after an emergency.
Illegal work: from fines to entry bans
Foreigners working in Thailand without a work permit, whether as freelancers, teachers or online traders, committed a criminal offence under Thai law. It did not matter if the income was paid to a foreign bank account. Even posting commercial content from Thailand could pose legal risks.
The penalties ranged from fines to immediate deportation and entry bans. Those caught working illegally could be placed in immigration detention. The DTV, by contrast, explicitly allowed remote work for foreign clients without a Thai work permit.
Wrong visa purpose under closer scrutiny
Tourist visas and visa-free entries were designed for holidays and short visits, not for permanent residence or employment. Immigration Officers examined travel patterns, passport stamps and cumulative stays. Travellers effectively living in Thailand but repeatedly entering as tourists risked being turned away at the border.
Those who visited Thailand regularly and stayed for longer periods were urged to choose the appropriate visa early. Options included visa-free entry, the TR visa, the DTV and various Non-Immigrant visas. With the correct status, entry procedures remained straightforward, while the wrong visa status often became apparent during immigration checks.
Regulations subject to rapid change
All information reflected the situation as of March 2026 and was intended as factual guidance. Thai immigration law could change at short notice. For binding advice, travellers were directed to the relevant Thai embassy or a law office in Thailand specialising in immigration matters.