By Anthony Marcus for Eurasia Business News, June 25, 2026. Article n°3020

Thailand is moving back to a 30-day visa-free stay for most visitors, with an option to extend to 60 days total by applying at a Thai immigration office; a separate mandatory pre-arrival step called the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is also being implemented. The changes were approved on May 19, 2026 and take effect after publication in the Royal Gazette, with entries after that date subject to the 30-day limit. A key related measure is the broader rollout of the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and other long-term options for those needing longer stays, which remain available under specific conditions.

It is the second tightenning of visa rules, the last was announced in November 2025 to reduce the practice of “visa runs”. Thailand’s Immigration Bureau limited repeated visa-exempt entries used as visa runs, with officials saying foreigners could be denied entry after more than two such runs without a valid reason. The same measures also tightened extension rules and border screening to reduce misuse of short-stay entry for long-term living.

What’s changing now

Visa-free stays are capped at 30 days for most standard passport holders; entry counts under land borders are often limited to two visa-free entries per calendar year, depending on the specifics of the route used.

A 30-day period can be extended once by an additional 30 days at a Thai immigration office for a fee of THB 1,900, bringing the total to 60 days in-country under certain circumstances.

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TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) becomes mandatory for all travelers as an additional pre-arrival step, but it does not replace the visa-free regime; it supplements entry procedures.

Longer stays and alternatives

For longer stays beyond 60 days, travelers should consider long-term options such as retirement-type visas, the DTV, or other residency routes that align with their profile; these options have been emphasized by Thai authorities as part of the 2026 immigration updates.

The 60-day visa-free regime has been officially repealed for new entries, with 30 days now standard; existing entitlements for trips already issued are generally unaffected, but new entries follow the revised rule.

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Practical tips for Bangkok visitors

Ensure your trip dates account for the 30-day limit and plan a local extension in advance if you expect to stay longer than 30 days; carry required documents for the extension (passport, TM.30 address, photos, and fee).

Complete and comply with the TDAC pre-arrival requirement ahead of travel; treat it as a mandatory step alongside your visa or visa-exemption plan.

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If you anticipate frequent or longer stays in Thailand, explore the DTV or other long-term options early, ideally with guidance from a qualified immigration professional, to align with your circumstances.

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© Copyright 2026 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 3020