Thailand: Visas, entry formalities and procedures

Visa regulations in Thailand change regularly, and it can sometimes be difficult to navigate the complexities of visa exemptions, extensions, online forms, and new procedures. This page provides an overview, as clearly as possible, of the... Entry requirements for Thailand for a tourist stay, but also on main long-stay visas (retirement, DTV, studies, family…).

The information below is updated at the end of 2025. It is primarily intended for French-speaking travelers planning a tourist stay or a long stay in Thailand, without going into very specific or complex professional cases.

Important

Le TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) is compulsory for foreign travelers. It must be completed before your arrival in Thailand, online, with your personal and travel information.

Without a completed ADHD assessment, you expose yourself to... significant delays to the controls or even to a boarding denied if the company strictly follows the guidelines.
Don't count on a "tolerance" or a "testing phase": consider it as a mandatory formality, just like your passport.

In summary: complete the TDAC before you leave, print or save the confirmation, and keep it handy at boarding and arrival.

1. Do I need a visa to travel to Thailand?

For a purely tourist trip, the question usually boils down to:

Is your nationality eligible for visa exemption?
How long do you wish to stay there?

If you are French, Belgian, Swiss, Luxembourgish, Canadian (among others), you are among the nationalities that benefit from a 60 day visa exemptionUpon arrival, immigration simply affixes a stamp with an expiry date of stay (Maximum 60 days, including the day of arrival). You do not have a visa affixed to your passport, but you are legally authorized to remain in Thailand for that period of time.

This exemption is intended for short tourist staysIt does not allow you to work, study, or reside in Thailand long-term. If you fall under another category (retirement, remote work, studies, family, etc.), you will need a specific visa, which we will discuss further below.

For nationalities that are not eligible In addition to this exemption, other options exist (standard tourist visa, visa on arrival, etc.). In these cases, prior application will be required at the embassy or via the e-visa platform.

General conditions of entry

Passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry (or even longer, depending on the airline).
Thailand exit ticket often required by the company if your dates exceed 60 days.
Possibility that you may be asked to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your stay, especially for a visa application in advance.
The rules may vary slightly from embassy to embassy, hence the importance of checking the website of the consulate you depend on.

2. TDAC: the new digital arrival card (mandatory)

The blue TM6 form to be filled out on the plane or at the airport is a thing of the past. It has been replaced by the TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card), a 100% digital arrival form.

2.1 Who should complete the TDAC?

All non-Thai foreign travelers who enter Thailand, by air, by land or by sea.
With a few exceptions: people in simple transit without going through immigration, or certain border crossings with local Border Passes.

2.2 When and how to complete the TDAC?

The TDAC is filling up online, via the official website of the Thai authorities.
It is recommended to do so within 72 hours prior to your arrival (and at the latest a few hours before boarding).
You will be asked for: your passport information, your travel dates, your first place of accommodation in Thailand and some health/safety questions.
At this stage, No fees are charged. for the TDAC.

In practical terms, the TDAC replaces the TM6: your input information is now already known upon arrivalThis allows immigration to cross-reference data with other systems (control of repeated stays, security, public health, etc.).

Important

In theory, the TDAC is compulsoryIn practice, the setup may be more or less flexible at the beginning, but it is strongly recommended to fill it out. before leavingIn the long run, not having completed the TDAC could lead to delays on arrival, or even a refusal to board if checks become widespread.

3. Stays of less than 60 days: the simplest case

If you are among the eligible nationalities and that your stay does not exceed 60 daysThis is the simplest case:

You fill in the TDAC before leaving.
You arrive with a valid passport and, ideally, a exit ticket from Thailand within 60 days.
Upon arrival, immigration will affix a 60-day visa exemption stamp.

In practice, many travelers on round-the-world trips or backpacking through Asia first return to Thailand and then continue on, for example, to Laos, Cambodia, or Vietnam by land. In this case, it's more difficult to obtain a "standard" onward ticket, but rather a simple one. low-cost bus or flight ticket flying to a neighbouring country is usually enough to reassure a somewhat zealous airline.

4. Extending your stay: the 30-day extension

If 60 days is not enough for you, you can, in many cases, request an 30-day extension on site, to reach a total of 90 consecutive days dans le pays.

4.1 Where and how to do the extension?

The extension is requested from a immigration officeThey can be found in most major cities and tourist areas (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya, etc.).

In summary :

BUILD YOUR VIRTUAL TOUR TM7 duly completed.
ID photo (4×6 cm format, often available on site).
Passport + photocopy of the main page and the entry stamp.
Application fees 1,900 THB, in cash.

There is now a system ofe-ExtensionThis allows you to submit your application online (via an official platform) and then only go to the office to have your application stamped. This does not eliminate the need to go through immigration, but it does reduce the time spent there.

Expansion schedule

You can request the extension in the 7 days before the end of your visa exemption.
The new duration is simply added to the initial date: you do not “lose” the remaining days by coming a little early.
In practice, it is not advisable to wait until the last day: an unforeseen event (closure, crowds, missing documents) could cause you difficulties.

4.2 New limits on extensions

In the current context of stricter controls, Thai authorities reiterate that a extension remains a favor and that it's no longer really possible to "chain" several extensions to remain for many months on a simple tourist visa. So expect a stricter interpretation of the rules, especially if you already have a history of repeated stays or successive extensions.

For a traveler who comes once, or even occasionally, a 30-day extension However, a standard exemption remains a common and accepted case.

5. Visa runs and multiple stays: what will change in 2025

For a long time, many travelers used the visa runs : leaving the country and returning immediately to trigger a new visa exemption. This remains possible for purely touristic and occasional use (for example, a loop in Southeast Asia). However, the authorities have very clearly decided to tighten the screw for repeated entries without a clear pattern.

Warning: stricter measures announced for November 2025

Thai authorities announced a strengthening of controls on successive entries with visa exemption.
Beyond two entries with visa exemption without a valid reason, refusal of entry is now possible.
Travelers with a History of repeated visa runs or very long stays under the guise of tourism are particularly targeted.
refusal of extensionIn cases of suspected abuse, even cancellations of extensions already granted may occur.
The stated objective is to combat illegal activities (cybercrime, undeclared work, money laundering, etc.) that take advantage of tourist schemes.

If you come to Thailand in true touristEven if you travel regularly but don't engage in frequent visa runs, these measures shouldn't affect you. However, if you were planning to "live in Thailand" by taking advantage of numerous exemptions and border crossings, it's clearly time to consider a different approach. adapted visa.

5.1 Limits on land entries

Regardless of this recent tightening, there was already a rule limiting to two entries per year by land for people benefiting from visa exemption. The new guidelines are moving towards a even stricter assessment repeated entries, regardless of the mode of arrival (air or land).

5.2 “Classic” Multi-Stay Packages

For a traveler who comes to Thailand for the first time, then leaves for neighboring Asia and returns a few weeks later to catch their flight from Bangkok or explore another region, there is, in principle, no problemImmigration officials insist that “genuine” tourists are not the target of these measures, as long as the rationale for travel remains consistent and reasonable.

Examples of concrete situations (to help you understand better)

1) I'm doing a world tour and arriving in Thailand for 45 days

You are entering with the 60-day exemption.
No visa required.
Remember to have a exit ticket (even a bus or a low-cost flight to Laos / Vietnam / Malaysia).

2) I want to spend approximately 75 to 85 days in Thailand

Arrival = 60-day exemption.
Next, make a 30-day extension in an immigration office.
Total possible = 90 days.

3) I visit the north, then go to Laos, then return to Thailand to catch my return flight

First stay = 60-day exemption.
Departure for Laos = the exemption is cancelled.
Return = new exemption (if your nationality is eligible).
Very common case = no problem if the trip is coherent.

4) I would like to “live” in Thailand by doing visa runs.

Since November 2025, it's strongly discouraged.
Successive entries can lead to immediate refusal at the border.
You need to choose one adapted long-stay visa (retirement, DTV, ED, O, etc.).

5) I want to work remotely from Thailand for several months

Exemption or extension = illegal if you work for a Thai employer.
A 60-day exemption for international teleworking is tolerated but not designed for a long stay.
To stay long-term, think more about the DTV (if your situation meets the criteria).

6) I'm going to Asia for a year (sabbatical year)

60-day exemption + 30-day extension = OK for 3 months.
Returning later = OK if punctual.
Avoid them Multiple closely spaced entrances, because of the tightening of the rules.

7) I'm coming to Thailand for a few months "without a plan"

Up to 90 days = exemption + extension.
Beyond that = plan for a suitable visa (retirement, DTV, studies, family… depending on your profile).

6. Special cases: non-exempt nationalities and stays exceeding 90 days

If your nationality is not eligible to the 60-day visa exemption, or if you know you will need to more than 90 consecutive days In Thailand, you will need to turn to one or more specific visas.

For non-exempt nationalities, the most common options are:

le tourist visa requested in advance (e-visa or via the embassy) for a specific stay;
le visa on arrival for certain nationalities, with specific conditions (duration often shorter than the exemption).

As soon as you move beyond the "short tourist stay" model, it is generally more relevant to look at the visa category suited to your project: retirement, teleworking / DTV, studies, family, work, etc.

7. The main long-stay visas in Thailand

The list of possible visas is long. Rather than providing an indigestible catalogue, here is an overview of the most common casesto help you identify which type of visa you should apply for. For each application, you will then need to consult the specific requirements on the website of the embassy you depend on, as the details (documents, financial proof) may vary.

7.1 Retirement Visa (Non-Immigrant O/OA)

Intended for people of 50 years and older who wish to live in Thailand without working. The main categories are:

Non-Immigrant O (Retirement) : often issued for 90 days initially, then extendable locally for a one-year renewable stay, under certain conditions.
Non-Immigrant OA (Long Stay) : one-year retirement visa, sometimes issued directly at the embassy, with stricter requirements (particularly regarding health insurance).

The main common features:

have at least 50 years ;
justify a minimum resource level (for example: ~800,000 THB in an account or a mix of income/savings, depending on the type of visa);
provide various supporting documents (bank statements, criminal record extracts, medical certificates as appropriate);
for the OA, a health insurance with a minimum coverage amount is required.

There are also other schemes related to retirement or long-term stays (such as certain 10-year "long stay" visas) that require higher financial resources. These are aimed at a fairly specific audience.

7.2 DTV Visa (Destination Thailand Visa)

Le Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a recent device, designed specifically for the remote workers, freelancers, teleworkers and certain categories of long-term visitors. In theory, it allows for a longer stay in Thailand, with a visa duration of up to 5 years and extended stays per entry.

Key takeaways:

visa multi-entry valid for several years;
stays 180 days per entry, with the possibility of extension in certain cases;
financial and professional conditions to be met (income, compatible activity, etc.);
not designed to replace a classic work visa: it does not allow you to freely carry out any activity in the territory without additional formalities.

This visa is still being refined and is closely monitored by the authorities due to observed abuses (some networks are using it for illegal activities). Here too, it's essential to carefully review the exact requirements on the official website or consult a reputable professional before proceeding.

7.3 Education Visa (ED)

Le ED visa is aimed at people who come to Thailand to study (for example, learning Thai at a recognized school, pursuing university studies, etc.).

In theory, it allows you to stay for extended periods by regularly renewing your status. In practice, it is increasingly regulated: the authorities are cracking down on "fake schools" or purely administrative applications without any actual coursework. It is therefore important to go through the proper channels. reputable institutions, otherwise the visa may be refused or not renewed.

7.4 Visa O (family, spouse, etc.)

Le Non-Immigrant Visa O covers several family situations: spouse of a Thai national, family reunification, certain situations of dependency, etc.

It generally allows for a longer stay than a simple tourist permit, with the possibility of renewal. Here again, the evidence to provide (marriage, family ties, financial means) are examined strictly.

7.5 Visa B (work)

Le Non-Immigrant Visa B is the “classic” visa for working legally in Thailand. It must be prepared with your employerwhich provides some of the necessary documents. It is coupled with Work Permit, the work permit, without which the professional activity remains illegal.

If your plan is to come and work in Thailand, it is this type of visa (or more recent variants of long-stay visas for investors, executives, etc.) that you should be interested in, never a simple visa exemption or visa runs.

7.6 Re-entry permit

For long-stay visas (retirement, work, family, etc.), leaving the country may cancel your status if nothing has been planned. That's where the re-entry permit (return authorization).

It makes it possible Leave Thailand without losing your visa long stay.
The question is either at the immigration office, or sometimes directly in certain international airports.
It can be issued for a simple entry or for multiple entries, with variable fees.

If you have a retirement, work or other long-stay visa and are planning to travel back and forth, remember to check this point before leaving the country.

8. Obtaining your visa easily: should you use a specialist agency?

Between online platforms, forms to fill out, document scans, and ever-changing rules, many travelers prefer delegate the tasks to an agency experienced in handling Thai visa applications.

In practical terms, a good agency will:

check your situation and direct you towards the appropriate visa (when a visa is required);
help you to gather and check the parts requested;
follow the online procedure on the official platforms;
This will save you unnecessary back-and-forth trips in case of an incomplete or incorrectly formatted file.

If you don't want to delve into the intricacies of visas, this is a convenient solution, provided you choose a reliable intermediary, which works well with official services.

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