Thailand's 2026 Entry Rules: The 30-Day Visa Change, the TDAC, and the 300-Baht Fee

Thailand's entry rules changed meaningfully in 2026, and a lot of advice online is now out of date — still quoting the old 60-day visa-free stay or warning about a tourist fee that is not actually being charged. This is a clear, current rundown of what you need to know before you fly: the visa change, the mandatory digital arrival card, and the much-discussed entry fee. None of it is complicated, but getting the details right saves time and avoids scams.

The Big Change: 30 Days Visa-Free, Not 60

The headline update is the visa-free stay. For much of 2024 and 2025, citizens of around 90 countries enjoyed a generous 60-day visa exemption on arrival. As of late May 2026, that has been cut. The Thai Cabinet approved the reduction on 19 May 2026, and travelers from roughly 90 countries — including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and most of the European Union — now receive 30 days visa-free rather than 60.

For a standard one-, two-, or three-week holiday, this changes nothing — you are well within the limit. It only matters if you were planning a longer, slow stay. In that case, you have options (below). The 30-day exemption is granted on arrival for eligible nationalities; you do not apply for it in advance.

If You Want to Stay Longer Than 30 Days

Two routes cover most travelers. You can apply for a 60-day Tourist Visa (TR) in advance through the official Thai e-visa portal — the cost is roughly $30–40 depending on your country — which gives you 60 days from entry. That can usually be extended by a further 30 days at a local immigration office inside Thailand for a 1,900-baht fee, giving up to 90 days in total. Alternatively, the 30-day visa exemption itself can often be extended once by 30 days at an immigration office, also for 1,900 baht. If a long, unhurried trip is the goal — the kind our slow travel guide to Thailand is built around — sort the Tourist Visa before you fly.

The TDAC: Mandatory, Free, and a Scam Magnet

Separate from any visa, every traveler arriving by air (and at major land borders) must now complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). This is an online form, submitted within roughly 72 hours before arrival, replacing the old paper arrival card.

Two things matter most about it. First, it is mandatory — you should complete it before you travel. Second, it is completely free and filed only on the official Thai government immigration portal. The TDAC has become a magnet for lookalike third-party websites that charge a "processing fee" for a service the government provides at no cost. If a site asks you to pay for the TDAC, it is not official. Use only the government portal, and ignore any sponsored search results promising to do it for you.

The 300-Baht Tourist Fee: Approved, but Not Yet Charged

You may have read that Thailand charges a 300-baht tourist entry fee. As of mid-2026, it is not being collected. The fee has been approved in principle and discussed for several years, but no active start date or collection mechanism has been rolled out, and it has repeatedly been postponed.

When it does eventually launch, it is expected to be a one-off charge of 300 baht (about $9) for arrivals by air, most likely bundled into airfare rather than collected at the airport. Until that happens, you owe nothing — and, as with the TDAC, you should ignore any third-party site trying to charge it in advance. We will update this article when a firm date is announced.

A Quick Pre-Departure Checklist

1. Check your nationality's visa-free allowance — for most Western travelers it is now 30 days. Confirm yours on the official Thai government or embassy site.
2. Planning more than 30 days? Apply for a 60-day Tourist Visa on the official e-visa portal before you fly, or plan to extend once in-country for 1,900 baht.
3. Complete the TDAC within about 72 hours of departure, using only the official government portal. It is free.
4. Ignore the 300-baht fee for now — it is not being collected, and anyone charging it is not official.
5. Have proof of onward travel and accommodation ready, as immigration can ask for both on a visa-free entry.

Get these five right and entry to Thailand is smooth and inexpensive. For the bigger picture on costs and planning, see our Thailand budget guide, and to turn the logistics into an itinerary, our plan-your-journey page and certified local agencies can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa in 2026?

For most nationalities — including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and most of the EU — the visa-free stay is now 30 days, reduced from 60 in late May 2026. It is granted on arrival. For longer stays, apply for a 60-day Tourist Visa in advance or extend once in-country.

Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) mandatory?

Yes. All travelers arriving by air and at major land borders must complete the TDAC online, within about 72 hours before arrival. It is free and should only be filed on the official Thai government portal — beware of third-party sites charging a fee.

Is the 300-baht tourist fee being charged?

Not as of mid-2026. The fee has been approved in principle but has no active collection date or mechanism and has been repeatedly postponed. When it launches, it is expected to be a one-off 300 baht for air arrivals, likely added to airfare.

How do I extend my stay in Thailand?

You can extend a 30-day visa exemption or a 60-day Tourist Visa once, by 30 days, at a local immigration office for a 1,900-baht fee. For longer trips, applying for the 60-day Tourist Visa before you travel gives you the most flexibility.

Do I need proof of onward travel for Thailand?

Immigration officers can ask travelers entering visa-free for proof of onward or return travel and confirmed accommodation. It is not always checked, but it is wise to have both ready to avoid problems at the border.