Before visiting Phuket, it is essential to investigate your Visa situation to determine if you are from a Visa-free country, eligible for a Visa on Arrival or must apply in advance for a Tourist Visa.
Much-anticipated changes to Thailand tourist visas came into effect from 15 July 2024! Read more below to see if you’re now eligible for a longer stay in Phuket & Thailand.
Table of Contents
Thailand Visa-Free Countries
Many nationalities presently require no documentation other than a passport with a six-month validity period when they arrive in Phuket (or any port in Thailand). But be aware that the rules for how long you can stay Visa-free in Thailand are constantly changing.
The latest iteration came into effect on 15 July 2024 and increased the number of visa-free countries to 93.
Current List of Visa-Free Countries for Entering Phuket (Thailand)
- Albania
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Columbia
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Panama
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tonga
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Turkiye
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vietnam
(Listing as of July 2024 taken from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Argentina, Chile & Myanmar have separate bilateral agreements.
Please note that this list may be subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check with the Thai embassy or consulate in your country for the latest information.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card – Changes in 2025
It is important for us to mention here also the Thailand Digital Arrival Card ‘TDAC’ – formerly known as the TM6 Form that needed filling in by hand for foreign arrivals.
Whilst they suspended the use of the TM6 paper form in 2022 for air arrivals (and now land and sea), authorities have stated that all foreign arrivals from 1 May 2025 will need this e-card filled in BEFORE travel.
It’s important to note that this digital travel card is separate from visa requirements and will apply to ALL foreign arrivals, regardless of Visa type.
A new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) form is different again; if introduced as proposed, it would apply only to those travelling from Visa-Free countries, and you would need to apply for this before travelling (24 to 72 hours beforehand) and completing a TDAC.
Whilst we originally saw June 2025 touted as the introduction date for the ETA, news on this has gone quiet.
We understand there will also be a ฿300 ‘Tourist Tax’ introduced this year; how you pay this and with what documentation is not yet known.
The finer details of the TDAC and ETA are less than clear; we are flagging them at this stage so you can add them to your documentation list to check before your travel date – along with your tickets, hotel and tour bookings and insurance (see all our essential Phuket travel steps over here!)
Extending Your Stay in Phuket
If your stay is over 60 days, it can be extended once at a Thai Immigration office. If you are from a visa-exempt country, this will now give you 90 days (60 days + 30 days).
- Phuket Immigration is located at 482 Phuket Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000.
- The office is open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and closed on Public Holidays
You can extend this further by leaving the country and restarting the process (NB, we are still clarifying rules after the most recent change).
- Note that land “border runs” are limited to 2 per year.
- Whilst theoretically, there’s no limit on how often you can re-enter by air, Thailand immigration officers are within their right to refuse entry if they feel a formal visa should have been obtained in advance.
Visa on Arrival Countries For Phuket (Thailand)
Certain nationalities do not need to pre-apply for their visa to Thailand. These “Visa on Arrival” (VOA) countries can pay ฿2000 cash upon arrival in Phuket:
- Armenia
- Belarus
- Bhutan*
- Bolivia
- Bulgaria*
- China*
- Costa Rica
- Cyprus*
- El Salvador
- Ethiopia
- Fiji*
- Georgia*
- India*
- Kazakhstan*
- Kyrgyzstan
- Malta*
- Mexico*
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea*
- Paraguay
- Romania*
- Russia*
- Saudi Arabia*
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Taiwan*
- Tunisia
- Uzbekistan*
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
The VOA entitles visitors to a 15-day stay. It can be extended once by seven days at Thailand immigration. No land border runs are permitted.
*Denotes a country eligible for 60 days (we’ve seen some organisations list these countries on the visa exempt list, too, but we understand these citizens still need to pay the VOA fee, then get 60 days in line with Visa Exempt)
Thai Tourist Visa
Those not falling into the above categories must apply to their nearest Thai consulate for a Tourist Visa. You can opt for a single-entry or a multiple-entry tourist visa in Thailand – please apply through the official site!
- The single-entry visa remains valid for three months from the date that it is issued.
- A multiple-entry visa allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days and remains valid for six months. This visa is only suitable for those who wish to travel to Thailand for tourism purposes.
Documents Required With Your Thai Visa Application
- Passport or travel document with an expiry date of no less than 6 months
- Visa application form (filled out)
- 4 x 6cm photograph of the applicant
- Round-trip air ticket or e-ticket (paid in full)
- Proof of financial means (20,000 baht per person/40,000 baht per family)
- Proof of hotel or private accommodation booking
Visa requirements may change, so checking with your country’s Thai embassy or consulate for the latest information is best. The entire Visa application process can be done online without a consular visit but must be applied for outside of Thailand.
New Destination Thailand Visa
Designed for digital nomads, freelance workers, and those participating in courses and activities such as Muay Thai training or medical tourism, the new DTV is valid for five years with multiple entries. It costs 10,000 THB and allows for stays of up to 180 days at a time.
Note that this visa category has several prerequisites, including proving you have at least 500,000 THB equivalent in your bank account and proof of eligibility—i.e., enrollment in an activity, evidence from the medical centre, or a professional portfolio showcasing your remote work.
Long-Term Residents Visa
This is a different category again for those looking to live semi-permanently and applies to wealthy individuals with evidence of assets, retirees, specific categories of professionals, remote workers for established companies and family members.
Learn more about LTR Visas here.

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