Thailand Visa & Entry Requirements (2026 Update): What Changed on September 15
Thailand changed its entry rules for US, Canadian, and Australian travelers on September 15, 2026: the visa-free stay dropped from 60 days to 30 days, and a new online Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) became mandatory before you land. Entry rules for Thailand have changed more than once in recent years, so confirm the details below before booking or traveling. Here is exactly what changed and what you need to have ready.
What Changed on September 15, 2026?
Thailand narrowed its visa-exemption program for roughly 60 countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, cutting the tourist stay from 60 days down to 30 days and tightening a few related rules. , and policy could change again, so confirm current rules before you travel. The table below summarizes the main differences.
| Rule | Before Sept 15, 2026 | After Sept 15, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free stay (US, CA, AU) | 60 days | 30 days, with one extension of up to 30 more days available at Thai immigration (confirm the current extension fee before you travel). |
| Land border entries per year | Not specifically limited | Up to 2 entries per calendar year via land borders on the visa exemption (confirm current exceptions before you travel). |
| Arrival paperwork | Paper TM.6 arrival card on the plane or at the border | Mandatory online Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), submitted within 72 hours before arrival |
| Scope of the exemption | Covered tourism and some short-term business activity | Narrowed to tourism purposes only |
TTC Verdict: File your TDAC at the official tdac.immigration.go.th site only, in the 72 hours before you fly, and keep the confirmation email on your phone. Several copycat sites charge a fake processing fee for a form that is free directly from Thai immigration.
Suvarnabhumi Airport: Vyacheslav Argenberg / CC BY 4.0 · Suvarnabhumi Airport Terminal C: Supanut Arunoprayote / CC BY 4.0
How Do You File the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)?
The TDAC replaced the old paper arrival card and takes most travelers three to five minutes to complete. — confirm the current process before you travel, since Thai immigration systems have changed before.
- Go directly to tdac.immigration.go.th — this is the only official site, and the form itself is free.
- Complete it within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival time in Thailand, not earlier.
- Enter your passport details, flight number, arrival date, and your full accommodation address in Thailand, including sub-district and postal code.
- Save the confirmation email or screenshot it — immigration officers may ask to see it on arrival.
What Else Do Immigration Officers Check?
Beyond the TDAC, a few other checklist items are worth confirming before you fly. Confirm each of these against current Thai immigration guidance close to your travel date.
| Item | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Passport validity | At least 6 months of validity remaining from your arrival date, plus a blank page |
| Proof of onward travel | A confirmed return or onward ticket may be requested at the border |
| Proof of funds | Immigration can ask for evidence of roughly 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family for visa-exempt entry (confirm current amounts before you travel). |
| Accommodation notification (TM30) | Your hotel or Airbnb host is required to file this within 24 hours of your check-in — this is on them, not you, but it is worth knowing it exists |
| Restricted items | Vapes, undeclared excess alcohol or tobacco, and drugs are prohibited and enforced strictly at Thai customs (confirm current limits before you travel). |
Since September 15, 2026, travelers from the US, Canada, and Australia can stay visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, down from the previous 60-day allowance. A single extension of up to 30 additional days is available through Thai immigration. Confirm the current extension fee and process before you travel.
The TDAC is a mandatory online arrival form that replaced the old paper arrival card. It is free at the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th, and must be completed within 72 hours before you land. Sites charging a “processing fee” for the TDAC are not official.
Not for a standard tourist stay of 30 days or less as of the September 2026 rule change. Longer stays, work, or study still require an appropriate Thai visa applied for in advance.
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