What the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme means for your trip
The Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (Thailand) is a temporary extension of how long short-stay visitors may remain in the country. Effective from 1 October, 2022, until 31 March, 2023, for tourists from countries/territories entitled for a visa exemption and visa on arrival to Thailand.
The cabinet approved extending the period of stay to 45 days (from 30 days) for tourists from countries/territories entitled for visa exemption, and to 30 days (from 15 days) for those eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA). This will be in effect from 1 October, 2022, until 31 March, 2023.
Who the visa exemption scheme affects
The scheme applies to two groups of travellers:
- Visa exemption travellers — nationals of countries or territories that may enter Thailand without applying for a visa in advance. Their permitted stay rises to 45 days.
- Visa on Arrival (VOA) travellers — nationals of countries or territories eligible to obtain a visa at the point of entry. Their permitted stay rises to 30 days.
Whether your nationality falls into either group is decided by Thai immigration authorities, not by us. Check the official list for your passport before you travel, as entitlements can change.
What has not changed
This is an extension of the length of stay only. It does not alter entry requirements, the documents you may be asked to show at the border, or the conditions attached to a tourist entry. Travellers arriving on other visa types are unaffected.
Practical impact when planning your travel
A longer permitted stay gives you more room to plan a multi-stop itinerary rather than rushing between places. With 45 days instead of 30, it becomes realistic to combine the mainland with island time, or to add an overland leg you would otherwise have skipped.
A few things worth keeping in mind:
- Count your days from your arrival stamp, not from your booking date.
- Book onward and return travel that comfortably fits inside your permitted stay.
- Ticket conditions — including change and cancellation rules — are set by each operator and shown at checkout, so review them before you confirm.
Planning routes around a longer stay
Once your dates are settled, you can build the trip itself. Search by departure and arrival point to compare available ferry, bus, minivan and private transfer routes, or browse destinations in Thailand to see what connects to where. Live prices, journey times, operators and departure times are shown in the search results for your chosen date.
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