Thailand Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival: Current Rule and Pending Change

Current rule and pending change — source review 7 August 2026

The MFA’s current published scheme grants up to 60 days to 93 listed countries and territories from 15 July 2024. Cabinet approved a replacement scheme in May 2026, but the Department of Consular Affairs states that it will take effect only after implementing Ministry of Interior notices are published in the Royal Gazette and 15 days have elapsed. A verified commencement date has not yet been established. Check the current MFA nationality list immediately before travel.

Status: announced—not yet effective. General information only; no qualified Thai legal or immigration-professional review has been performed.

Current published baseline

Until verified commencement of replacement rules, use the MFA’s current nationality list and the published 93-country, up-to-60-day scheme. Eligibility depends on the passport held and the purpose of travel. Do not infer eligibility or duration from a broad region, an airline summary, social media, or a proposed country list.

Visa on Arrival is a separate entry route with its own current nationality list, stay period, documents and fee. Check the same official Consular Affairs page immediately before travel.

Announced revision is not active

Thailand’s Cabinet approved a substantial revision of the visa-exemption and Visa on Arrival schemes on 19 May 2026. Consular Affairs says the revision takes effect 15 days after three implementing Ministry of Interior notices are published in the Royal Gazette.

The controlling notices and a verified commencement date were not located during the 7 August 2026 source review. Proposed country lists must not be used for travel decisions. Cabinet approval alone did not establish an immediate effective date.

Before travel:

  1. Check the current Consular Affairs nationality list.
  2. Check whether implementing Gazette notices have appeared and whether 15 days have elapsed.
  3. Apply for an appropriate visa when the intended stay or activity is not covered by the current entry permission.
  4. Do not assume frequent tourist entries are guaranteed; Immigration officers decide admission at the border.

TDAC required before entry

TDAC has been mandatory since 1 May 2025 for non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea. Submit a new TDAC for each entry through the free official Immigration Bureau portal at tdac.immigration.go.th within the three days before arrival, including the arrival date. The current official FAQ exempts passengers who transit or transfer without passing through immigration and crew entering in the course of their duties. Children are included. TDAC is not a visa or a guarantee of admission.

TDAC applies independently of visa-exemption, Visa on Arrival or visa status. See the complete TDAC guide.

Official sources

Sources checked: 7 August 2026. The revision’s legal commencement, final country lists and transition treatment remain unresolved until the implementing notices are obtained and checked.