Thailand’s tourist visa: complete guide for 2025

The tourist visa remains the backbone of Thailand travel for stays between 30 and 9 months. Whether you need a simple single entry or the powerful multiple entry option, this guide covers everything about Thailand’s tourist visas in 2025.

Quick heads up: Thailand now requires all visitors to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) starting May 1, 2025. You’ll need to fill this out within 72 hours before arrival, regardless of your visa type.

Do you actually need a tourist visa?

Before paying for a tourist visa, check if you even need one:

• Most Western passport holders now get 60 days visa-free (extended from 30 days in July 2024)
• You can extend that visa exemption once for another 30 days at immigration (1,900 THB)
• That’s 90 days total without any visa application

A tourist visa makes sense if:

• You’re staying longer than 90 days
• You want multiple entries over 6 months
• You prefer having a visa before arrival (less scrutiny at immigration)
• Your nationality doesn’t qualify for visa exemption

Types of tourist visas

Single entry tourist visa (SETV)

The workhorse of Thai tourism. Simple to get, minimal requirements.

What you get:

• 60 days on arrival
• Can extend once for 30 days (total 90 days)
• Valid for 3 months from issue date
• One entry only (unless you get a re-entry permit)

Cost: 40 USD / 35 EUR / 30 GBP (varies by country)

Requirements:

• Passport with 6+ months validity
• Completed application form
• Passport photo
• Proof of onward travel within 60 days
• Bank statement showing funds (usually $700 USD equivalent)
• Hotel booking or accommodation proof

Multiple entry tourist visa (METV)

The long-stay champion. More requirements but massive flexibility.

What you get:

• 60 days per entry, unlimited entries
• Valid for 6 months from issue date
• Can stretch to almost 9 months with planning
• No need for re-entry permits

Cost: 200 USD / 175 EUR / 150 GBP (varies by country)

Requirements:

• Everything from SETV plus:
• Must apply in your home country (or country of legal residence)
• Bank statement showing $5,000-7,000 USD for past 6 months
• Employment letter or proof of self-employment
• Sometimes requires proof of previous Thailand travel

How to apply in 2025: The e-visa system

As of January 1, 2025, Thailand’s e-visa system is available worldwide. No more embassy visits for most people.

Step 1: Check eligibility
Visit thaievisa.go.th and confirm your country is covered. Most are, but some still require in-person applications.

Step 2: Create account
Register with a valid email. You’ll select the Thai embassy/consulate responsible for your country.

Step 3: Complete application
Fill out the online form. Triple-check everything – mistakes cause delays.

Step 4: Upload documents

• Passport bio page (clear scan)
• Passport photo (follow specifications exactly)
• Flight bookings
• Bank statements
• Employment letter (for METV)
• Accommodation proof

Step 5: Pay online
Credit/debit card payment through the secure portal.

Step 6: Wait

• SETV: Usually 3-7 business days
• METV: Can take 15+ business days
• Some embassies are faster than others

Step 7: Receive e-visa
Arrives by email. Print it out – you’ll need to show it at immigration.

Maximizing your tourist visa

The SETV strategy

For a 3-month stay:

1. Enter Thailand (60 days)
2. Extend at immigration before day 60 (+30 days)
3. Total: 90 days in Thailand

For a 6-month stay:

1. Enter Thailand (60 days)
2. Extend at immigration (+30 days)
3. Border run to neighboring country
4. Apply for new SETV at Thai consulate there
5. Re-enter Thailand (60 days)
6. Extend again (+30 days)
7. Total: 180 days with one border run

The METV masterclass

To squeeze almost 9 months from a 6-month visa:

1. Apply for METV close to your travel date
2. Enter Thailand just after issue date (60 days)
3. Exit and re-enter before day 60 (resets to 60 days)
4. Repeat exits/entries every 60 days
5. Make your final entry just before the visa expires
6. Extend that final entry for 30 days at immigration
7. Total: Up to 9 months

Pro tip: Your final entry must be before the “enter before” date on your visa. Time it for the day before expiry to maximize your stay.

Extensions

All tourist visas can be extended once per entry:

• Cost: 1,900 THB
• Duration: 30 days
• Where: Any immigration office
• When: Before your current stamp expires
• Required: Passport, photos, TM.7 form, cash

Never leave extensions to the last day. Immigration offices close on weekends and Thai holidays.

Re-entry permits

Only needed for single entry visas if you want to leave and return:

• Single re-entry: 1,000 THB
• Multiple re-entry: 3,800 THB
• Get it at immigration or the airport (after security, before passport control)
• Without it, your SETV is cancelled when you leave

METV holders don’t need re-entry permits – multiple entries are included.

Border runs and visa runs

Know the difference:

Border run: Quick exit and return to activate a new entry on your existing visa (METV) or get a visa exemption stamp.

Visa run: Leave Thailand to apply for a new visa at a Thai embassy/consulate abroad.

Popular visa run destinations:

• Vientiane, Laos (easy, reliable)
• Penang, Malaysia (efficient, can be strict)
• Phnom Penh, Cambodia (improving, e-visa available)
• Singapore (expensive but professional)

Common tourist visa mistakes

1. Applying too early for METV – The 6-month validity starts from issue, not first use
2. Forgetting the TDAC – New requirement from May 2025, do it 72 hours before arrival
3. Not checking your stamp – Immigration sometimes stamps 30 days instead of 60 by mistake
4. Confusing validity with stay period – Validity is when you can enter, not how long you can stay
5. Missing financial requirements – METV needs substantial funds shown consistently
6. Wrong embassy selection – Must apply through embassy covering your location

Special tourist visa (STV) – discontinued

The COVID-era Special Tourist Visa that allowed 90-day stays is no longer available as of late 2021. Don’t confuse old STV information with current SETV rules.

Tourist visa vs other options

Quick comparison for longer stays:

Tips from experience

After years of tourist visas, here’s what actually matters:

• Apply for METV in your home country – other embassies usually won’t accept you
• Bank statements matter more than you think – keep solid balances for 6 months before applying
• Onward tickets can be flexible bookings – just need to show you’re leaving
• Immigration officers notice patterns – don’t abuse tourist visas for living in Thailand
• The e-visa system is stricter than in-person applications used to be
• Keep PDF copies of everything in your phone

New for 2025

Three major changes this year:

1. Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) – Mandatory from May 1, 2025. Complete at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours of arrival
2. Global e-visa system – Now available worldwide as of January 1, 2025
3. 60-day visa exemption – Many nationalities now get 60 days free (was 30), making SETV less necessary

When to choose tourist visa over visa exemption

Get a tourist visa if:

• You’re staying over 90 days total
• You want to avoid border runs every 60 days
• You have a history of many exemption stamps (looks better to have proper visa)
• You’re from a country without visa exemption
• You prefer the security of having a visa before travel

Use visa exemption if:

• You’re staying under 90 days
• You’re testing Thailand before committing to longer stay
• You don’t mind doing one extension at immigration
• You want maximum flexibility

The bottom line

Tourist visas remain solid options for medium-term Thailand stays. The SETV is perfect for 3-month visits, while the METV can stretch to 9 months with planning. But with 60-day visa exemptions now standard and the DTV available for digital nomads, consider whether you actually need a tourist visa.

The e-visa system makes applications easier but also more standardized – no more friendly consul discretion. Apply early, meet all requirements, and keep your documents organized.

Remember: tourist visas are for tourism. If you’re working remotely, teaching, or staying long-term, look at appropriate visas like the DTV, Non-B, or Education visa. Immigration is getting stricter about visa abuse.