Latest updates by Thai Immigration

Reviewed by ThaiLawOnline, a licensed Thai law firm practising in Thailand since 2006. Thai lawyer of record: Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., Thai Bar Licence 3149/2556.

Last updated on 17 September 2026

What changed in August and September 2026

15 September: visa-exempt entry. Eligible nationalities now receive 30 days under the revised scheme. The admission stamp controls the permitted stay; do not assume a new arrival receives the former 60 days. Check the current exemption guide and the Royal Thai Embassy’s commencement notice.

31 August: DTV supporting documents. Check the requirements of the embassy responsible for your application. The Royal Thai Embassy in London now requires proof of permanent residence in the UK, Ireland or a British Overseas Territory, together with a criminal-record clearance issued within six months. Its published examples include indefinite leave to remain and Irish long-term residence. This should not be described as a worldwide rule allowing applications only in the country of passport nationality. See London’s official DTV notice and our DTV guide.

28 August: deportation procedure. The 2026 deportation regulation was published on 27 August and took effect on 28 August 2026. Deportation is a separate decision from the criminal sentence. Clause 5 includes immigration offences, unlawful work and Foreign Business Act offences; its separate five-year category concerns an offence’s statutory imprisonment threshold, not a requirement for every foreign defendant to receive a five-year sentence. Prison authorities must give at least 15 days’ notice before the relevant release. Suspended sentences and fine-only outcomes are also referred for consideration. Referral does not itself mean an automatic deportation order.

Follow the key Thai Immigration updates and changes for 2025 and 2026.

September 2026, the 30-day visa exemption becomes law

• The Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and take effect on 15 September 2026. Visa-exempt entry becomes 30 days (tourism only) for a final list of 60 countries and territories, replacing the 60-day exemption for 93 countries in force since July 2024. Mauritius and Seychelles get 15 days, and Visa on Arrival is reduced to Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. Visa-exempt land border entries are capped at two per calendar year, except for nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore. Travelers admitted before 15 September 2026 keep their 60-day stamp. Full details in our article on the new visa rules in Thailand.

2025, Latest updates by Thai Immigration

Permanent Residency (PR) Application

• The permanent residency application window was indeed postponed, with no intake in 2024. The next application period opened from March 5 to May 15, 2025, and demand and scrutiny were heightened in that round. Official announcements about the PR window reopening were made in early 2025. The process is expected to take several months.

Expanded E-Visa (Visas must be now apply thought the e-portal) and ETA Systems

• Starting January 1, 2025, the Thai e-Visa system will be available worldwide. People from any country with a Thai embassy or consulate can apply online. This eliminates the need for in-person visits and accelerates processing. The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system will be fully in place by mid-2025. Most visa-exempt travelers will need pre-approval. This rule does not apply to travelers from Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. It is currently delayed.

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa Changes

• The LTR visa program was updated in 2025. It now allows more “high-potential” foreigners to apply. This includes digital nomads, retirees, and skilled professionals. The government fee for the 10-year LTR visa is 50,000 THB. The process is simpler. It includes benefits like fast-track at the airport, annual reporting, and easier work permit rules. (sources: https://www.hlbthai.com/thailand-long-term-resident-ltr-visa/)

Thailand Privilege Bronze Membership

• Bronze membership: still on sale. The Thailand Privilege programme added a Bronze tier in 2024, its entry level, at a fee of THB 650,000 for a 5-year membership. Reports that it would be withdrawn after 30 June 2025 were not borne out. The operator has listed Bronze at that fee and validity on every dated copy of its own membership page we have checked between December 2024 and September 2026, including a copy from 8 July 2025, eight days after that deadline, and the tier is on sale today. Our Thailand Privilege Visa guide sets out every tier, fee and validity period.

These changes reflect Thailand’s efforts to modernize immigration, manage tourism, and attract skilled long-term residents. Applicants and travelers should check official updates regularly to ensure compliance with the latest rules.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system started on May 1, 2025. It replaces the old paper TM6 arrival card. Foreign nationals used to fill out this card when they entered the country. This digital system is mandatory for all non-Thai nationals. They must complete their arrival information online at tdac.immigration.go.th. This should be done within three days before their scheduled arrival in Thailand. The TDAC system is part of Thailand’s digital transformation for immigration. It aims to make border processing easier, help travelers, and improve the screening of criminals. This is done by connecting with the Immigration Bureau’s biometric database. For more information about the TDAC, check our article here.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) System

This as announced on August 23, 2024 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). It was to accelerate and implement a new system and travel requirement for visitors to Thailand. Thailand’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system was set to launch in December 2024. However, it has been delayed. Full implementation is now expected by June 2025. The ETA will be required for all visa-exempt travelers from the eligible nationalities entering Thailand. This applies to those arriving by air, land, or sea. However, travelers from Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia do not need it. Once the system is running, travelers must get electronic authorization before each trip to Thailand. This system is part of the Thai e-Visa platform. It allows single-entry for up to 60 days per visit. Travelers can also request one 30-day extension. It is not yet applied in July 2025 and more information here about the ETA in Thailand.

Bangkok Bank Policy Changes

Bangkok Bank will stop letting foreign tourists open new bank accounts with tourist visas starting January 2025. This change is part of new rules to fight financial fraud and money laundering. The policy applies to holders of the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). It also covers credit card and mobile banking applications. Foreigners need specific types of visas to stay in Thailand. They can have long-term non-immigrant visas or retirement visas. They can also be married to Thai citizens or own property in Thailand. Starting around May 25, 2025, the bank began freezing accounts and blocking bank cards. This mainly affected Russian nationals who did not meet the new eligibility rules. (Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3036585/bangkok-bank-tightens-account-rules-for-some-foreigners)

Border Run Restrictions and Entry Denials

Immigration authorities have tightened enforcement against frequent “border runs.” Travelers who try to enter without a visa more than twice in a year may be denied entry on their third attempt. This can happen during land border runs, according to Thaiger.com. Most eligible nationalities can stay visa-free for 30 days for entries from 15 September 2026 (60 days before that date, under the scheme that ends on 14 September 2026). However, some nearby countries, like Cambodia, have shorter stays because of reciprocity rules. Reports show that tourists are facing more checks and denials when trying to extend their stay in Thailand by making frequent border runs. Immigration officials are now more careful about tourists using visa exemptions. Frequent travelers who often enter on tourist visas may face questioning. They could also be denied entry. Recent reports from immigration advice groups show that even first-time border runners face more scrutiny. Some are being denied entry completely. This is especially true for those who have extended their 60-day tourist stays and tried to return after short exits.

July 2025, Clashes with Cambodia

Since late July 2025, tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have escalated into armed clashes near disputed border areas. This has caused some important border crossings to close temporarily. There are also delays in immigration processing. Additionally, there is a larger military presence on both sides. Thai authorities have stopped visa-on-arrival at some land checkpoints. Travelers are advised to use international airports instead. The conflict is also impacting trade across borders and the movement of migrant workers. Some Thai border towns have stricter ID checks and curfews. Further disruptions may continue if the situation remains unresolved.

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