Thailand Entry Requirements 2025: Latest Visa, Immigration & Travel Rules Explained

Planning to visit or stay in Thailand in 2025? Many travelers feel confused by changing rules and mixed information online. This guide explains Thailand entry requirements clearly so you know exactly what to prepare before arriving.

What Are the Thailand Entry Requirements?

All foreign nationals entering Thailand, including tourists, digital nomads, and expats, must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours (three days) before arrival. Your passport must also be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.

Visitors from 93 countries are eligible for visa exemption. This allows a stay of up to 60 days without applying for a visa. Travelers can extend this by an additional 30 days at an immigration office, making the total stay up to 90 days.

Who is eligible for these Requirements?

Tourists from visa-exempt countries staying up to 60 days (extendable by 30 days).
Digital nomads and freelancers seeking long-term flexibility under the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
Citizens of other countries who may require a Visa on Arrival (VOA) or other visas depending on nationality and travel plans.

How to Apply or Use These Requirements

Check your nationality to confirm if you qualify for visa exemption, need a VOA, or another visa type.
Prepare documents: valid passport (6 months minimum), recent photograph, TM-30 form if required.
Complete TDAC within three days before traveling through the official online system.
For long-term or multiple-entry stays, apply for the DTV by preparing bank statements, remote work or freelancing proof, passport, and photos.
At immigration, present all documents: passport, TDAC confirmation, onward ticket, accommodation details, and proof of funds if requested.

Important Rules to Know

Complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before arrival to avoid delays at immigration.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date.
Proof of funds may be requested, especially for longer visas or the DTV.
Travelers under the visa exemption must follow the extension process properly.
The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) does not allow local employment unless a separate work permit is obtained.

Visa Exemption: The Easiest Way to Visit Thailand

For most travelers, the Thailand visa exemption is the simplest option. Citizens of 93 countries can enter Thailand visa-free for 60 days.

You might see rumors claiming this exemption has been reduced to 30 days — that’s false. As of 2025, there are no official plans to shorten the 60-day visa exemption.

Better yet, you can extend your stay once in Thailand. By applying at an immigration office, you’ll get an extra 30 days — allowing you to stay up to 90 days on a single entry. Bring your passport, passport photos, and copies of your passport.

Tip: You may also need a TM-30 residence form. Hotels usually file this for you, but if not, spend one night in a hotel to get the TM-30 slip.

New in 2025: The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

One of the biggest updates is the launch of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Since May 1st, all travelers must complete this online within 72 hours before arrival, replacing the old TM-6 paper form.

The process is simple:

Visit the official government site
Enter passport details, flight, accommodation, and health declaration
Receive a QR code by email

Save the QR code on your phone or print it. Most of the time, immigration officers won’t even ask to see it since your details link directly to your passport. If you forget, kiosks at the airport let you complete it with staff assistance.

Warning: Avoid fake websites that charge money for the TDAC. It is always free and only available through the official government system.

What to Expect at Immigration

Thailand’s immigration process is quick and familiar. At the desk, you will:

Hand over your passport and boarding pass
Remove hats or glasses for a photo
Provide fingerprints

Your TDAC appears automatically when the officer scans your passport. If there is an issue, they may ask for the QR code.

Technically, officers may also request:

Proof of onward or return travel
Accommodation details
Proof of funds

These Thailand entry requirements exist but are rarely enforced for short-term visitors. Most tourists are cleared in minutes.

Note: Immigration has become stricter with travelers using repeated visa exemptions. If you exceed 180 days per year on exemptions, expect extra checks or even refusal. Always carry a simple travel plan and avoid mentioning work, volunteering, or study without the correct visa.

Other Visa Options for Tourists

If the visa exemption does not apply to you, here are alternatives:

Visa on Arrival (VOA):

Valid for 15 days
Costs 2,000 baht (cash only)
Requires passport photo, onward ticket, accommodation, and sometimes proof of funds for VOA.

Multiple Entry Tourist Visa:

Costs 5,000 baht
Valid for 6 months
Each entry allows 60 days, extendable by 30
Entering on the last day of visa validity still gives a full 60-day stay, stretching your time to nearly 8 months

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

Thailand now offers the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for digital nomads, freelancers, and younger expats. It provides:

Multiple entries for 5 years
Low cost of 10,000 baht
Requirement: Proof of funds with at least 500,000 baht (~$15,000) in your home country bank statements

The main challenge is banking access, since the DTV is treated as a tourist visa. To solve this, Thailand is testing a crypto-to-baht digital wallet system for easier payments.

Are Visa Rules Getting Stricter?

Reports of “crackdowns” often sound alarming, but the focus is on organized crime, not regular travelers.

Authorities canceled more than 10,000 fraudulent education visas and closed over 3 million illegal bank accounts. Only a few foreigners were affected.

For genuine travelers, Thailand entry requirements are stable and welcoming. The introduction of the DTV proves the government supports long-term stays for remote workers and visitors.

Benefits of the Updated Thailand Entry Requirements

Digital TDAC replaces paper forms, making the process faster and more efficient.
Longer stays and multiple entries possible through the DTV, offering flexibility for digital nomads and expats.
Clearer rules reduce border confusion over visa types and eligibility.
More predictable planning for travel, remote work, and long-term stays.

Tips for a Smooth Entry

Complete the TDAC well in advance instead of waiting until the last moment.
Carry both digital and printed copies of important documents.
Avoid overstaying by following visa and extension timelines.
For the DTV, prepare certified translations of bank statements if required.
Keep proof of onward travel and accommodation ready in case officers request it.

FAQs About Thailand Entry Requirements

Travelers need a valid passport, proof of onward travel, accommodation details, and sometimes proof of funds. Most visitors use the 60-day visa exemption with a 30-day extension.

Citizens of 93 countries can enter visa-free. Others can apply for a Visa on Arrival, tourist visa, or the new Destination Thailand Visa.

With visa exemption, you can stay 60 days plus a 30-day extension, totaling 90 days. Multiple entry visas and the DTV allow longer stays.

Conclusion

Thailand entry requirements in 2025 remain clear and traveler-friendly. Tourists enjoy a 60-day visa exemption, extendable to 90 days, while long-term visitors benefit from options like the multiple entry tourist visa and Destination Thailand Visa. With the new TDAC system and streamlined rules, Thailand continues to balance security with accessibility.