Thailand Entry Rules: New Visa Requirements for Land and Air Arrivals

If you are planning a trip to Thailand, the headline change is this: from 15 September 2026, travellers entering under the visa exemption scheme can stay for up to 30 days for tourism only. Visa-exempt entry no longer covers business travel, and land-border entries are normally limited to 2 per calendar year. Everyone entering Thailand, by air, land or sea, must also complete a digital arrival card online before arrival.

Who this affects

The rules apply to foreign nationals entering Thailand, whether you arrive by air or overland. The UK government's guidance is written for people travelling on a full British citizen passport, and the US Embassy guidance is written for US citizens, but the entry rules themselves are set and enforced by the Thai authorities. If you are unsure how the requirements apply to you, contact the Thai Embassy in your country.

Two groups need to pay particular attention. First, anyone travelling for work, including attending a conference or a meeting: visa-exempt entry does not cover business travel, so you should get the appropriate visa before you travel. Second, frequent visitors who make repeated short trips. Immigration officials may ask for evidence of onward travel, accommodation or sufficient funds, and may refuse entry if they believe you are not a genuine visitor.

What to do step by step

1. Check your passport first. It must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Thailand, and at least 1 blank page. Renew it before you book if needed. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport reported lost or stolen.
2. Decide whether you need a visa. If you are entering under the visa exemption scheme for tourism, you can stay up to 30 days. If you plan to work, study, retire or live in Thailand, you must get the appropriate visa before you travel. If you are travelling for business purposes, obtain the appropriate visa before you travel.
3. Complete the digital arrival card. All foreign nationals entering Thailand, whether by air, land or sea, must complete a digital arrival card online before arrival. You can register within 3 days before you arrive.
4. Prepare your evidence. You may be asked to show proof that you have enough money for your stay, at least 10,000 Thai baht per person or 20,000 Thai baht per family, and evidence of onward or return travel. British nationals have been refused entry for failing to provide this evidence.
5. Check your route if arriving overland. Visa-exempt entry for tourism through land-border immigration checkpoints is normally limited to 2 entries per calendar year. This restriction does not generally apply to arrivals by air.
6. Check health and customs rules. You must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. It is illegal to take more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand, and it is illegal to carry cannabis out of Thailand.

Costs and timing

There is no fee listed for the digital arrival card or for visa-exempt entry itself. If you need to extend a stay, the US Embassy guidance states that a visa exemption for tourism can be extended for another period not exceeding 30 days, at a fee of 1,900 baht, at the discretion of the immigration officer. Applications for extension cannot be made on Saturdays, Sundays and Thai holidays.

If you overstay, the fine is 500 Thai baht a day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. Overstaying carries real risks: you could be fined, detained, deported or banned from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years, and conditions in detention centres can be harsh.

Timing matters in another way. If you entered Thailand before 15 September 2026, you will usually be allowed to stay for the period granted when you arrived. If you want to stay longer than that, you must get the appropriate visa before you travel or, if eligible, apply for an extension through the Thai immigration authorities.

Exceptions and special cases

• Dual nationals: if you are a dual national, it is best to leave Thailand on the same passport you used to enter, to avoid problems at immigration.
• Longer stays: US citizens who wish to remain in Thailand for longer than 90 days during any six-month period will be required to obtain a valid Thai visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate authorised to issue visas.
• Retirement visas: available to foreigners aged 50 or over, valid for one year, with employment of any kind strictly prohibited. Financial requirements apply.
• Work visas: all foreigners interested in working in Thailand must obtain a Thai work permit and a Thai work visa, usually filed by a company or organisation in Thailand on the applicant's behalf.
• Diplomatic or official passports: the US Mission to Thailand requires US citizens using diplomatic or official passports to obtain a visa before arrival if performing official travel or work on behalf of Mission Thailand.

Health screening and border risks

As a public health measure, Thailand has introduced health screening for travellers arriving from affected regions, and travellers are subject to a mandatory quarantine or self-isolation period of at least 21 days. The World Health Organization has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This is general guidance only: ask a doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic about your own situation, ideally weeks before travelling.

What is not yet confirmed

Some details can change at short notice. Thailand's entry and exit information is subject to change without notice, according to the US Embassy. The UK guidance notes that the authorities in Thailand set and enforce entry rules, and that its information is based on the UK government's understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel. The 30-day visa exemption from 15 September 2026 is based on the UK government's understanding and has not been confirmed by Thai authorities. For the definitive position on your own case, check the Thai Immigration Bureau and the Royal Thai Embassy or consulate responsible for your country before you travel.

Before you fly, check your passport dates, confirm whether your purpose of travel is covered by visa exemption, complete the digital arrival card, and carry evidence of onward travel and funds. For anything beyond a straightforward tourist trip, sort your visa out before you book.