The biggest change of 2026 took effect on 15 September: visa-free stays fell from 60 to 30 days for 60 countries and territories, visa on arrival shrank to three nationalities, and visa-exempt land entries stay limited to two a year. On 31 August the DTV rules tightened with a police certificate and proof of residence. A tourist entry fee is proposed but not in force.
2026 brought several changes at once. Most of the reporting comes from the press and law firms, because the original notices are in Thai. Each change below has a date, the people it affects and a link to read more. We mark what is confirmed, what is reported and what is only planned.
Figures in this guide were checked at the time of writing and can change. Always confirm with the official source or in your free pre-check.
What changed, newest first
Dates are the day a rule took effect, not the day it was announced.
| Date | What changed | Who it affects | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 2026 | The 60-day visa exemption ends. A 30-day, tourism-only exemption applies to 60 countries and territories. Seychelles and Mauritius get 15 days. | Visitors from the listed countries | 30-day exemption |
| 15 Sep 2026 | Visa-exempt entries by land are generally limited to two per calendar year, and the limit applies to both the 30-day and the 15-day exemption. Reports say a similar limit existed before. Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt from it. | Border runners and frequent land travellers | Visa runs |
| 15 Sep 2026 | Visa on arrival shrinks from 31 countries to 3: Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. About 21 nationalities now need a visa in advance. | Visitors who relied on visa on arrival | e-Visa and visa on arrival |
| 31 Aug 2026 | DTV applications need a document proving permanent residence instead of a current location, and a criminal record certificate. Reports add that the application goes to the mission for your nationality or residence. Earlier applications follow the old rules. | DTV applicants | DTV guide |
| 28 Aug 2026 | A new deportation regulation takes effect. Deportation can follow offences such as overstay, illegal work or forged documents after a sentence. This is reported, so check the text. | Anyone who breaks immigration or work rules | Overstay |
| 6 Jul 2026 | The Tourism Authority of Thailand reminds travellers of the proof-of-funds rule. It says this is not a new measure. | All visitors | The 20,000 baht rule |
| 13 Oct 2025 | The e-Work Permit platform starts for employers and foreign workers. Manual filing was kept as a fallback, reported to run until 28 October 2026 unless it is extended again. Confirm with the Department of Employment. | B visa holders and their employers | Work permit |
| 1 May 2025 | The Thailand Digital Arrival Card replaces the paper arrival form for all foreign visitors. | Every foreign traveller | TDAC |
What about the SMART visa?
The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur lists only two SMART tracks: S for start-up founders and O for their family. Reports say the investor, talent and executive tracks moved to the LTR visa, but we could not confirm the date. The BOI approves SMART cases first. See the SMART guide and the LTR page.
What is planned but not in force?
| Item | Status | What to do now |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist entry fee | Not in force. An earlier plan of 300 baht for air arrivals was never started. Reports now describe a flat 450 baht proposal for air, land and sea arrivals, with a public hearing and Cabinet approval still pending and no collection expected before early 2027. | Nothing. Do not pay anyone who asks for it. |
Other ideas, such as an electronic travel authorisation or changes to the Immigration Act, are discussed in the press, but we found no reliable source that sets a date. We add them here only when an official notice exists.
What did not change?
We found no sourced change in 2025 or 2026 to these points. That does not mean nothing changed. It means we found nothing.
- The retirement financial test: 800,000 THB, or 65,000 THB income per month, or a combination. See the financial proof.
- The commonly quoted marriage financial test: 400,000 THB or 40,000 THB per month.
- The re-entry permit. See single vs multiple.
- TM30 reporting by the host. See TM30 explained.
Which changes may affect you?
| If you are | Check first |
|---|---|
| A tourist planning a month or less | The 30-day exemption and the arrival card |
| Someone who does border runs | The two-entry limit by land, and a tourist visa or the DTV instead |
| A remote worker | The DTV document changes of 31 August 2026 |
| From a country that lost visa-free entry | The e-Visa portal, and the time your embassy needs |
| A retiree or spouse on a yearly extension | Your next 90-day report and extension dates, nothing new in the rules |
| An employee on a B visa | The e-Work Permit platform and your employer |
For the comparison of all routes see Thailand visa types compared.
How current is this page?
The date at the top shows when we last went through the sources: the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thai embassies and the e-Visa portal. When a rule changes, we update the page and the date. Where sources disagree, we say so. If you rely on an entry date or a deadline, confirm it with the official source or with us first.
We check your case first and handle the paperwork, so you avoid wasted trips and fees.
Frequently asked questions
What changed for Thailand visas in 2026?
On 15 September 2026 the visa exemption fell from 60 to 30 days for 60 countries and territories, visa on arrival shrank to three nationalities, and visa-exempt land entries stay limited to two a year. On 31 August the DTV needed a police certificate and proof of residence.
Is there a tourist entry fee for Thailand now?
No. An earlier 300 baht plan was never started. Reports describe a new flat 450 baht proposal that still needs a public hearing and Cabinet approval, with no collection expected before early 2027. Do not pay anyone for it.
Do I still get 60 days visa-free in Thailand?
No, not for new entries since 15 September 2026. Travellers who entered earlier keep the stay stamped at entry.
Did the DTV rules change?
Yes. Since 31 August 2026 applicants need a document proving permanent residence and a criminal record certificate, and reports add that they apply at the mission for their nationality or residence.
Did retirement visa rules change in 2026?
We found no sourced change to the financial test of 800,000 THB or 65,000 THB per month. Offices still differ on the details.
Where can I read the official rules?
On the pages of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the e-Visa portal and your nearest Thai embassy, and in the Royal Gazette. We link our sources at the bottom of this page.
Can I still get a visa on arrival?
Only if you hold a passport from Azerbaijan, Belarus or Serbia. Everyone else uses the visa exemption or applies for a visa in advance.
Official sources
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: visa exemption rules from 15 September 2026
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
- Thailand e-Visa portal (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Thai Immigration Bureau: Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
- Royal Thai Embassy Moscow: adjustment to supporting documents for the DTV
- Royal Thai Embassy Kuala Lumpur: SMART visa
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: reminder of the proof-of-funds rule (6 July 2026)
Last reviewed on . Thai immigration rules and fees change. We confirm the current requirements for your case in your free pre-check.