Destination Thailand Visa

Thailand rebuilt its Visa-exemption scheme around the DTV in two steps. On 16 July 2026 the Cabinet sorted exempt countries into three tiers: 30 days for a large group that now includes all 27 EU member states, a 15-day tier for two Indian Ocean states, and Visa on arrival for three others. The cabinet left the DTV untouched.

The shorter stays took effect on 15 September, giving citizens of 60 countries 30 days and capping most overland entries under the exemption at two a year. Border runs no longer stretch a short stay into a long one, so more long-stayers need the DTV. Its gate has tightened too: London applicants now also need settled status in the UK or Ireland and a criminal-record certificate issued within the past six months.

The Cabinet decision of 19 May 2026, which halved Visa-free stays for nationals of 93 countries from 60 days to 30, named the DTV as the route for anyone wanting longer. The 500,000-baht savings test, roughly €13,000, became the price of a long stay. Arrivals had dropped 3.4% in the first three months, and officials voiced concern about nominee businesses run by foreigners.

The cut did not bite at once. On 23 June it still awaited three Interior Ministry announcements in the Royal Gazette, and would take effect only 15 days after publication. The DTV's terms did not depend on that timing, which made it the one fixed point for remote workers planning stays through the change.