Pre-arrival card
Official portal
https://www.mfa.go.th/Specifics
- Visa-free 60 days for U.S., Canadian, EU, UK, Australian, Japanese (extended from 30 in 2024).
- Drug penalties severe; cannabis decriminalised but cross-border export prohibited.
By passport nationality
Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on Thailand’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.
- US passportVisa-freeUp to 60 days
- Visa-free 60 days (extended from 30 in 2024).
- UK passportVisa-freeUp to 60 days
- Visa-free 60 days for UK passport-holders.
- EU passportVisa-freeUp to 60 days
- Visa-free 60 days for EU passport-holders.
- CA passportVisa-freeUp to 60 days
- Visa-free 60 days.
- AU passportVisa-freeUp to 60 days
- Visa-free 60 days.
- IN passportVisa-freeUp to 60 days
- Visa-free 60 days for Indian passport-holders since 2024.
- BR passportVisa-freeUp to 60 days
- Visa-free 60 days for Brazilian passport-holders.
- JP passportVisa-freeUp to 60 days
- Visa-free 60 days.
- CN passportVisa-freeUp to 60 days
- Visa-free 60 days for Chinese passport-holders since 2024 (mutual).
Practical guidance
For most short-stay tourists
The headline rule for Thailand is 30-60 days visa-free for most western nationalities. US passport-holders specifically get visa-free for up to 60 days. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.
Pre-arrival documentation
Thailand requires Thailand Pass (suspended) before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in Thailand.
When to apply
For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. Thailand’s official portal is www.mfa.go.th; only apply through that portal or through your nearest Thailand embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.
Common rejection reasons
Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming Thailand explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.
Related for Thailand
More on Thailand
Thailand is broadly safe for tourists but the pattern is unlike any of the other top-tier travel destinations. Violent crime is rare; what kills foreigners is motorbikes, water, drink-spiking, and a handful of well-documented scam ecosystems. The southernmost three provinces carry an active separatist insurgency and are the only do-not-travel zones in the country. This guide unpacks each, plus the lèse-majesté law, the medical-tourism infrastructure, the visa quirks for long stays, and the season-by-season weather story that shapes everything else.
Frequently asked about Thailand
Do I need a visa to travel to Thailand?
The headline rule is: 30-60 days visa-free for most Western nationalities. Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on Thailand's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.
How long can I stay in Thailand on a tourist visa?
30-60 days visa-free for most Western nationalities. Thailand Pass (suspended) is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.
Can I extend my visa once I'm in Thailand?
Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. Thailand's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.