Living & visas
Thailand visa exemption in 2026: 30 days, extension and the tourist visa
From 15 September 2026 Thailand cut the visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days. For a two-week holiday almost nothing changes, but a winter stay now needs planning. Here is how long you can stay, how to extend and which visa to get if you want longer.
In short
- From 15.09.2026 citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan enter visa-free for 30 days.
- The visa-free stay can be extended once at an immigration office, for up to 30 days, fee 1,900 baht.
- For more than two months: a 60-day tourist visa, the DTV or long-stay visas.
What changed
Until recently the visa-free stay in Thailand was 60 days. The government approved scrapping that rule on 19 May 2026, the decision was published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August, and the new terms apply from 15 September 2026. Anyone who entered before 15 September stays until the date stamped in their passport.
Visa-free days by country
| Citizenship | How to enter | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | Visa-free | 30 days |
| Kazakhstan | Visa-free | 30 days |
| Ukraine | Visa-free | 30 days |
| Kyrgyzstan | Visa-free | 30 days |
| Belarus | Visa on arrival, fee 2,000 ฿ | set at the border |
| Uzbekistan | Visa only, apply in advance via e-Visa | per visa |
Visa-free entry over a land border is limited to two times a year. The official rules set no such limit for arrivals by air, but frequent back-to-back entries may draw questions from the border officer.
Before you fly: TDAC
Since 1 May 2025 all foreigners must fill in the electronic Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) on the official site tdac.immigration.go.th. It is free and can be filled in no earlier than 3 days before arrival. Beware of sites that charge for it.
The 30-day extension
The visa-free stay can be extended once at an immigration office, for up to 30 days, at the officer's discretion.
- Fee: 1,900 ฿.
- Documents: form TM.7, a 4×6 cm photo, your passport and copies of the photo page and entry stamp.
- In Pattaya: the immigration office in Jomtien, Soi 5. Come early, there can be queues in high season.
So with the extension, visa-free gives you up to 60 days.
The 60-day tourist visa
If you know you will stay more than a month, it is easier to get a tourist visa (TR) straight away. It gives 60 days in the country. You apply online on the official portal thaievisa.go.th and show funds of at least 20,000 ฿. It can also be extended at an immigration office in Thailand, fee 1,900 ฿.
If you want 3 to 6 months
30 days is not enough for a winter stay. Legal ways to stay longer:
- DTV for 5 years: up to 180 days per entry plus one 180-day extension. For remote workers and people coming for courses such as Thai boxing or cooking. Details in The DTV and how to stay in Thailand for 3 to 6 months.
- Thailand Privilege for 5 to 20 years and the retirement visa for those aged 50+. Overview in Residency and visas when buying property.
How this relates to housing
The short visa-free stay matters most to people who plan to buy a condo and spend half the year in Pattaya. You can choose and buy a unit in one short trip, or fully remotely, see Buying remotely. The visas above let you live in it for longer.
You can browse condos with prices in the Pattaya new developments catalogue.
FAQ
How many days can I stay in Thailand without a visa in 2026?
From 15 September 2026, 30 days for citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. It can be extended once at an immigration office, for up to 30 days.
How much does a visa-free extension cost?
1,900 baht. You need form TM.7, a 4×6 cm photo and copies of your passport.
Do I need a TDAC?
Yes, since 1 May 2025. It is free on tdac.immigration.go.th and can be filled in no earlier than 3 days before arrival.
How can I stay in Thailand for 2 to 3 months?
Get a 60-day tourist visa via thaievisa.go.th and extend it in Thailand. For half a year, the DTV fits.
Sources
- MFA Thailand: new visa exemption rules from 15.09.2026, PDF
- TAT Newsroom: 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules from 15 September
- Immigration Bureau: extension of stay, documents and fee
- MFA Thailand: types of visa and requirements, 31.08.2026, PDF
- Thai e-Visa: official portal
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): official site
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Laws, fees and project terms change: before a deal we check the current conditions for the specific property.
