Staytill

How long can I stay in Thailand?

Destination · Asia-PacificChecked Updated

If you last visited Thailand before this autumn, your numbers are out of date. The visa-free stay is half what it was, and one extension now only brings you back to the sixty days the old rule gave on arrival.

Thailand

As a visitor
30days visa-free

Since 15 September 2026, tourists from the 60 countries and territories on Thailand's visa-exemption list, the US among them, can stay up to 30 days without a visa.123

Before
It replaces the 60-day exemption that had covered 93 countries and territories, which the Thai Cabinet revoked on 19 May 2026.4
Arrival card
Since 1 May 2025, every foreign national entering Thailand by air, land or sea completes a digital arrival card online before arrival.5

One extension, and what it buys

The extension is now the difference between a short trip and a season. The stay can be extended for another period of up to 30 days, at the discretion of the immigration officer.6

Worked example

A Bangkok winter on the new rule

  1. You land in Bangkok on 1 February 2027 on the visa exemption: up to 30 days.1
  2. With one extension granted, the exemption stretches to at most 60 days, what the old rule gave on arrival.64How we count: 30 days on arrival plus one extension of up to 30 days.
  3. Leave four days late with no extension and the fine comes to 2,000 baht.7How we count: 4 days at 500 baht a day.

Questions people ask

Does the 30-day rule apply to British visitors?

British visitors entering under the exemption since 15 September 2026 can stay up to 30 days, for tourism only.8

What is the overstay fine in Thailand?

Overstaying costs a fine of 500 baht a day, up to 20,000 baht.7

How many days in Thailand make me a tax resident?

Staying in Thailand for 180 days or more in a tax year makes you a Thai tax resident.910

Your own count

A shorter allowance leaves less room for a guess. The arrival date and the extension date are the two to keep.

Staytill, the iPhone app that counts your days in Thailand and how many you have left Thailand tax residency: the 180-day rule Thailand halves its visa-free stay for tourists

Sources

1 law and 9 official pages, each with its exact words
  1. Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC, visa exemption · Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words New Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (30 Days) Effective Date 15 September 2026
  2. Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC, eligible countries · Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words Nationals of the following 60 countries and territories are entitled to visa exemption for the purpose of tourism
  3. Thai Foreign Ministry, list of visa-exempt countries · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Department of Consular Affairs · read 26 Oct 2026 · Being rechecked
    Exact words List of countries and territories whose nationals are entitled to Thailand's visa exemption scheme for the purpose of tourism for a period not exceeding 30 days
  4. Thai Foreign Ministry, press briefing of 19 May 2026 · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand · read 26 Oct 2026 · Being rechecked
    Exact words Today (19 May 2026), the Cabinet approved the revision of Thailand's visa exemption and VoA schemes. (2) revoking the 60-day visa exemption scheme for all 93 countries/ territories
  5. GOV.UK travel advice, Thailand · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (GOV.UK) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words From 1 May 2025, all foreign nationals entering Thailand, whether by air, land or sea must complete a digital arrival card online before arrival.
  6. Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC, extension · Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words can be extended for another period not exceeding 30 days
  7. GOV.UK travel advice, Thailand · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (GOV.UK) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words If you overstay the period of your visa, you will get a fine of 500 Thai baht a day up to a maximum of 20,000 baht.
  8. GOV.UK travel advice, Thailand · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (GOV.UK) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words From 15 September 2026, if you enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme, you can stay for up to 30 days for tourism only.
  9. Revenue Code, Section 41 · The Revenue Department of Thailand (rd.go.th) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words Any person staying in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating 180 days or more in any tax year shall be deemed a resident of Thailand.
  10. Revenue Department, Foreign Tax Credit manual · The Revenue Department of Thailand (rd.go.th) · read 26 Oct 2026
    Exact words This determination is based on whether the individual resides in Thailand for a single period or multiple periods totaling at least 180 days in the relevant tax year (calendar year).
Checked against Revenue Code, Section 41 on 26 Oct 2026 Updated 26 Oct 2026 Being rechecked

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