Visas & Entry

Thailand visa-free stays just changed, and what it means for American travellers

Since 15 September, Americans get 30 days visa-free instead of 60, and every visitor must file a free digital arrival card in the three days before…

By Bishnu Adhikari · Sep 22, 2026

Since 15 September, a US passport gets 30 days in Thailand without a visa, down from 60. The change applies to 60 countries, the United States among them, and replaced the 60-day exemption, which ended the same day. It was approved by the Cabinet on 14 July…

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What changed on 15 September

The length of the stay halved, and the land border became a limited resource. The Ministry of Interior replaced one generous category with a tighter set. The same announcements gave Seychelles and Mauritius a 15-day exemption and added Azerbaijan, Belarus and…

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Why Thailand did it

The government cited security as well as tourism. The Interior Ministry said the list was revised to reflect current circumstances, weighing "national security and economic considerations as well as the promotion of tourism". The twice-a-year cap on land…

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The form you need before you fly

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is compulsory for every non-Thai visitor, and it is free on the official site. The Immigration Bureau requires all foreign nationals to complete it online before entry, and to submit it within the three days before they…

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What it means for a typical American trip

A two- or three-week holiday is unaffected; a slow-travel winter is not. If you are flying in for a fortnight of Bangkok, the islands and Chiang Mai, you arrive, get 30 days and leave well inside them. The people this catches are the ones who planned a…

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How long can Americans stay in Thailand without a visa?

30 days, since 15 September 2026. It was 60 days before that date.

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Do I need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

Yes. Every non-Thai national must complete it online before entry, within the three days before arrival. It is free on the Immigration Bureau's official site and it is not a visa.

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Can I still do a visa run from Thailand?

Only in a limited way. Entries by land under the visa exemption are capped at twice per calendar year, with exceptions for some neighbouring countries' nationals. Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand, 1 September 2026; Royal Gazette, 31 August 2026, as…

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