The Tourism Authority of Thailand confirms that travelers with a 60-day visa exemption can extend their stay by an additional 30 days.
Since July 15, 2024, tourists and business travelers from 93 countries benefit from a 60-day visa exemption in Thailand, up from the previous 30 days.
The major question following this announcement was whether this visa-free stay could be extended in Thailand, and if so, for how many days…
A few days ago, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) provided an update on this issue and reviewed the latest visa policy changes in the country.
Visa exemption: possible extension in Thailand (60 Days + 30 Days)
In its statement, the Tourism Authority of Thailand explains that the country now grants a visa exemption to nationals of 93 countries and territories, compared to 57 countries previously.
TAT indicates that visitors benefiting from this scheme are allowed to stay for tourism purposes and short-term professional engagements for up to 60 days, which can be extended at the immigration office for another period not exceeding 30 days.
Travel experts at VisasNews note that the acceptance of the extension request and the authorized extension duration are at the sole discretion of the immigration officer.
Here is the list of countries and territories covered by this 60-day visa exemption for entry into Thailand:
- Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
As a reminder, by June 2025, visitors exempt from a visa will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (Thailand ETA) before their departure.
More nationalities eligible for visa on arrival in Thailand
While tourists from 19 countries were initially eligible for a visa on arrival in Thailand, today 31 nationalities can use this solution to enter the Land of Smiles.
According to the Thai Tourism Authority, visitors under this scheme are allowed to stay in the country for tourism purposes for a period not exceeding 15 days. The visa on arrival fee in Thailand is 2,000 baht, approximately 58 US dollars.
The 31 countries concerned are:
- Armenia, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, Mexico, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Taiwan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Venezuela.
A new visa: the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
Thailand introduces a new type of visa, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for the following three categories of travelers:
- Remote workers, digital nomads, and freelancers;
- Participants in activities such as:
- Muay Thai courses,
- Thai cooking classes,
- Sports training,
- Medical treatments,
- Seminars and music festivals;
- Spouses and dependent children of DTV visa holders.
Foreigners wishing to apply for this visa must provide proof of funds (or a guarantee) of at least 500,000 baht, approximately 14,200 US dollars, for the duration of their stay. The DTV visa fee is 10,000 baht (≈ 284 USD).
DTV holders, along with their spouses and dependent children, are entitled to a five-year stay with multiple entries for cumulative stays not exceeding 180 days, which can be extended by an additional 180 days.
A new visa category for students in Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand announces the launch of the “Non-Immigrant ED Plus” visa, extending the stay of foreign higher education students by one additional year after graduation.
These students can also find work during this extended period and, if locally employed, they can change their visa type to a “Non-Immigrant B” visa without leaving Thailand.
To apply for an extension, the traveler must submit a permission request to the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok at the following address: Government Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Tel. +66 (0) 21 41 98 89. It is also possible to visit the Immigration Office in the provinces.
Hello,
I’m uk citizen. Do I need to apply for visa in Thai embassy if I’m going to visit Thai for 58 days? Or I will get 60 days stamp on arrival in the airport?
Steve UK. I have paid £150 for multiple entry visa seems to me it was wasted money when I am told that I just go out of country and 60 day stamp when I re enter ???
I understand that if i visit Thailand, in order to get my 60 days whitout visa, I need to show a booked and confirmed return flight with a flight date within those 60 days? In that case, I would need to buy a rebookable flight ticket if I want to apply for the additional 30 days….
Hi,
in my next travel to Thailand I’m planning:
arrival at the beginning of 2025 and before expiring the 60 days of visa free, a few days trip to Laos or Vietnam and back to Thailand.
Questions:
1) Returning at Thai border I’ll get 60 days again to stay ?
2) Laos/Myanmar/Cambodia/Malaysia are this neighbors country ok to get again the 60 days free?
3) I show the second ticket, for the intermediate trip, at my first check-in before departure from my country to demonstrate my exit from Thailand within 60 days. If I cannot travel (example to Vietnam) can I ask for a visa extension, before expiring the period, at the Immigration in Thailand (30 days more)?
Sorry for the number of question but I’d like to be sure before departing. Thanks a lot.
Sandro
Does Chile no longer have visa exemption?
Dear MG,
Chilean citizens are exempt from entry visa to Thailand and can stay there for up to 90 days.
I see all these comments about “no limits on leaving & re-entering” with the visa-free option, but I would like to add that I have met several people earlier this year (before the new visa announcements) who had friends who were restricted or deported for doing these visa runs too many times.
I don’t have any official sources of this information, nor first hand experience, but it’s something I’ve heard from individuals who claimed to have close source/first hand knowledge.
This was in February 2024, so the new lightened visa policies could play a role in this, but I figured it was worth noting.
Hello. I am from Czech republic. I found out there is a 60 day visa free period for Czech citizens. Can I fly to Thailand on one-way ticket. Before those 60 days leave Thailand and go to Vietnam for 2 or 3 days and then again return to Thailand for another 60 day visa free period?
Generally, yes. I would be cautious of doing this “visa run” more than once.
You can also consider extending the original visa-free period. It costs 1900 baht and you get 30 more days.. 60+30 = 90 days total on your first entry.
Also, I would recommend staying for a week or two in the other country you visit. Occasionally, short visa runs are frowned upon. Moreover, there is plenty to see in the other countries – definitely easy for a week or two.
Hi! I am Swedish so I can enter Thailand without visa for 60 days. Lets say I enter Thailand 1st of january and then I leave after 60 days. Then I enter Thailand again lets say 1:st of july and then leave again after 60 days (31st august). Question: can I enter Thailand with a new 60 days visa free period a 3rd time BEFORE 1st of january the next year? (this would then be 3 x 60 days within a 12 months period)
Dear Ronny,
The Thai authorities currently impose no limit on the number of visa-free entries per year.
Hi,
For the new 60 day visa on arrival is there a limit for the number of entries for USA citizens? I watched a podcast with the Bangkok Post and an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said as long as you leave Thailand and go and stay in another country for at least one day you can return to Thailand and get another 60 day visa over a one year timeframe. This was broadcast in August. Is this information correct? Please advise,
Hi Ralph,
This is indeed currently the case.
There is no limit on the number of entries into Thailand under the visa-free regime, whether by air, land or sea.
how many times in a year/ 12 months can I re-nter Thailand with a 60 day plus 30 day extension?
Hello Khunwilko,
For the time being, the Thai authorities have not communicated on a possible restriction on the number of visa-free entries per year or over a 12-month period.