The Thai Cabinet approved the removal of the 60-day visa exemption on May 19, 2026 - the scheme introduced in July 2024 that allowed nationals from to enter Thailand visa-free for 60 days. This affects the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe.
Under the revised framework, the majority of previously eligible nationalities will revert to a 30-day visa-free stay - the rule that applied before the 2024 extension. A small number of countries will be reduced further to 15 days. Visa on arrival eligibility is also being cut significantly, from 31 countries down to just 4.
What this means for most visitors: Anyone planning a stay of more than 30 days on a visa exemption will need to either apply for a Tourist Visa (TR) through the e-Visa portal before travel, or consider the DTV if planning a longer stay. The DTV is unaffected by these changes.
Still 60 days total if you extend: Even under the new 30-day rule, you can still extend once at any Immigration office for a further 30 days (1,900 THB). So the maximum stay on one entry remains 60 days - it just requires the extra step of going to Immigration rather than being granted automatically on arrival.
Land border cap: As part of the same reform, land border entries remain capped at two per calendar year.
What to do now: If you are planning travel to Thailand later in 2026 and were relying on the 60-day exemption, monitor the Royal Gazette publication date. For stays beyond 30 days, the DTV is the cleanest route - see the visa guide for details.
What began as a proposal in March 2026 was formally approved by the Thai Cabinet on May 19, 2026. The 60-day visa exemption introduced in July 2024 is being scrapped - most previously eligible nationalities will revert to a 30-day visa-free stay.
See the full update above for the complete breakdown of what changes, who is affected, and when the new rules take effect.
From June 20, 2026, Thailand's airport departure fee increases from 730 THB to 1,120 THB per person - an increase of 390 THB (roughly £9). This applies to tickets issued on or after that date, and affects departures from Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, and Chiang Rai airports.
The fee is included in airline ticket prices, so you will not pay cash at the airport - it will simply be priced into any flights booked after the date. Domestic flights are not affected.
Thailand has announced plans to introduce a 300 THB entry fee for all foreign visitors arriving by air, land, or sea. The fee was initially expected from February 2026 but has been delayed - no confirmed implementation date has been announced as of March 2026.
The fee, referred to officially as "Kha Yeap Pan Din" (stepping on Thai soil), is intended to fund tourism infrastructure. It is expected to be collected via airlines at check-in or at border entry points.
The Thai government formally began a review of the 60-day visa exemption in February 2026, after identifying cases where foreign nationals were using the exemption to engage in unauthorised work in Thailand. Authorities raised concerns about national security and regulatory integrity.
Currently, nationals from 93 countries including the UK, US, EU, Canada, and Australia can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days. This exemption remains in place - the review is about tightening enforcement, not eliminating the scheme.
The Destination Thailand Visa launched in July 2024 and remains the most legally sound option for digital nomads and remote workers planning to spend significant time in Thailand. Given the current climate of increased immigration scrutiny, it is worth taking seriously.
What it offers: 180 days per entry, extendable once for another 180 days, valid for 5 years from issue. Multiple entries permitted throughout the validity period.
What it costs: Application fee of approximately 10,000 THB (around £220), paid at a Thai embassy or consulate. Cannot be applied for while already in Thailand.
What you need: Proof of remote income (bank statements showing 500,000 THB over 3 months, or equivalent payslips), health insurance policy, and evidence of remote work activity such as a portfolio or employer letter.
See the full visa guide for the complete DTV application process.
Since May 1, 2025, all foreign nationals arriving in Thailand are required to complete a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entry. This replaces the old paper TM6 arrival card that was previously filled in on the plane.
How to complete it: Via the official TDAC website or app before you fly. You receive a QR code to present at immigration. Can be completed up to 72 hours before arrival.
See the pre-arrival guide for the full TDAC walkthrough.
Thailand completed its transition to an electronic visa system across all entry categories in 2025. Visa stickers in passports are no longer issued - all visa data is stored in the Thai Immigration Bureau's electronic database.
Tourist visas, DTV applications, non-immigrant visas, and all other categories are now processed through Thailand's official e-Visa portal. Processing times are generally 3-5 business days.
What this means in practice: When you apply for any Thai visa, you will receive a digital approval letter rather than a physical sticker. Present this at the immigration counter on arrival. Make sure you have it accessible offline in case of poor airport WiFi.
From January 1, 2024, Thailand changed how it taxes foreign-sourced income brought into the country. Previously, income earned in one calendar year was not taxable if brought into Thailand in a different year - a widely used approach among long-term expats. That loophole no longer exists.
The current rule: If you are a Thai tax resident (180+ days in Thailand in a calendar year) and you bring foreign-earned income into Thailand in the same year it was earned, it is subject to Thai income tax.
UK residents: The UK-Thailand double taxation treaty generally prevents being taxed twice on the same income, but you need to understand which country has primary taxing rights based on your residency status.
If you stay under 180 days: You are not a Thai tax resident and have no Thai income tax obligation on foreign-sourced income.
See the remote work guide for a fuller breakdown of the tax situation.
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