Tourist Visa TR. Current rules and consulate variation.
The Tourist Visa is applied for before travel through the official e-Visa system or a Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate. Fees, documents and processing times vary by post.
As of 23 August 2026, the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur publishes a TR stay of up to 60 days, while the official Immigration tourism-extension handbook lists a 1,900 THB application fee. Apply through the official Thai e-Visa portal or the responsible Royal Thai Embassy; consular fees, evidence and processing times vary by post.
What the Tourist Visa actually is
As of 23 August 2026, the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur page updated 17 July 2026 publishes a stay of up to 60 days for its single-entry TR route. An extension is a separate application decided by Immigration; the official Immigration tourism-extension handbook lists a 1,900 THB application fee, re-verified 23 August 2026.
Single-entry TR and Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa options are published by consular posts. Do not rely on a universal “double entry” product, fee, processing time or financial threshold: use the exact schedule of the post handling the application.
Tourist Visa is for actual tourism. Not remote work (DTV is for that), not retirement (Non-O/O-A/O-X/LTR), not studies (ED), not business. Be honest about your stay reasons.
Tourist Visa vs Visa Exempt
| Factor | Visa Exempt (no visa) | Tourist Visa TR |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Passport-specific; 93 nationalities in the measure effective 15 July 2024 | Apply through the post responsible for your residence |
| Current stay | Up to 60 days for eligible passports, re-verified 29 August 2026 | Normally 60 days, re-verified 23 August 2026 |
| Extension application | 1,900 THB official fee, re-verified 25 July 2026; grant and duration discretionary | Same official application fee and caveat |
| Multiple entry | No entitlement to a future entry; every arrival is assessed again | METV where the responsible consulate offers and approves it |
| Fee | No visa-application fee | Varies by embassy/consulate and local currency |
| Repeated-entry screening | The 18 November 2025 notice targets repeated visa-exempt in-out patterns at airports and land checkpoints; it is not a universal two-entry quota, and a visa does not guarantee admission | |
The unspoken truth
As of 29 August 2026, the up-to-60-day exemption remains current for eligible passports. Cabinet approved a revised 30-day and 15-day allocation, but no implementing Royal Gazette notice was located by that date; the replacement would take effect 15 days after publication. The Consular Affairs nationality page still linked the 60-day list. A Tourist Visa may be relevant where the passport is not exempt or a consular pre-application is required, but it never pre-approves border admission.
Single-entry TR and METV
Single Entry TR
As re-verified 23 August 2026, the Kuala Lumpur Tourist Visa page updated 17 July 2026 publishes a 3-month visa validity, a stay of up to 60 days and advice to apply at least 15 working days before travel; its official fee schedule updated 15 July 2026 lists MYR 160. Those figures are Kuala Lumpur-specific, not a worldwide fee or processing promise.
METV — Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
The central MFA product notice, rechecked 29 August 2026, describes a 6-month visa validity and a stay of up to 60 days per visit. Visa validity is the window in which the visa can be used; it is not a single 6-month permission to remain in Thailand.
The responsible mission controls its filing evidence and local fee. For example, Los Angeles publishes residence, flight and 3-month bank-statement evidence, while Kuala Lumpur's fee schedule publishes its own local-currency fee. Do not transfer one mission's balance, document list, fee or processing estimate to another jurisdiction. Every arrival remains an Immigration decision.
What border officers may ask to see
A visa or exemption makes a traveller eligible to present for entry; it does not guarantee admission. A Thai government entry reminder dated 7 July 2026 says Immigration may request evidence of sufficient funds and that the amount depends on the entry category. It also keeps valid travel documents, accommodation details and onward-travel evidence in the preparation list.
- Passport and route: carry the passport used for the application and the issued e-Visa confirmation where applicable; confirm that the passport is eligible for the exemption being claimed.
- TDAC: submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card through the official Immigration system within its current submission window. TDAC is an arrival form, not a visa.
- Funds: the July 2026 reminder publishes 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family for Tourist Visa and Non-Immigrant entry. It notes 10,000/20,000 THB for Visa on Arrival and certain exempt cases, but also warns that some official exemption guidance states 20,000/40,000 THB. Because those exemption sources are not aligned, verify the current amount for the passport and entry route rather than relying on one universal figure.
- Onward and accommodation evidence: keep the actual itinerary and first-stay address accessible when the route or officer requires them.
Children under 12 are excluded from the proof-of-funds requirement in that government reminder. The entry officer still decides admission from the current law, documents and travel pattern.
How to apply eVisa step-by-step
- Go to thaievisa.go.th — the official Thai eVisa portal. Be careful of fake sites that charge extra.
- Create an account with passport details.
- Select the Tourist Visa option offered by the post responsible for your application.
- Upload the exact documents listed by that post. Financial-history periods and balances vary.
- Pay the post's published local-currency fee.
- Use the processing estimate shown by that post and leave time for additional-document requests.
- Carry the issued e-Visa confirmation in the form the post instructs.
- Check the permitted-stay date stamped on arrival before leaving the counter.
Extending in Pattaya
Pattaya Immigration — Soi 5, Jomtien
As of 25 July 2026, the official extension-application fee is 1,900 THB. Jomtien does not publish a guaranteed processing time or one universal tourist document list, so confirm locally.
- Passport + photocopy of bio page + entry stamp page
- TM7 application form (free at office)
- The photograph size and number Jomtien currently requires
- Onward-travel and address evidence if requested
- TM30 receipt where required for the address record
- The official 1,900 THB application fee, re-verified 25 July 2026, in the payment method Jomtien accepts
Use the official-address and hours guide; queue predictions are not official.
What you can NOT do on Tourist Visa
Published boundaries
- Tourist status is not employment permission. As of 25 July 2026, official mission schedules publish tourism, DTV workcation, employment and voluntary-work routes as separate categories. The correct category depends on the actual activity and the authorities' assessment.
- No guaranteed repeat admission. The 18 November 2025 notice screens repeated visa-exempt in-out travel at airports and land checkpoints. It does not promise two admissions or create a universal METV entry cap.
- No assumption that every business activity fits TR. A Royal Thai Embassy may direct a stated business purpose to another category; use the current checklist of the post handling the application.
- No fixed “safe cycle” count. Immigration has not published a guaranteed point before which admission is assured.
FAQ
Moving to Pattaya? Open the Pattaya planning desk.
Is Thailand's current visa exemption still up to 60 days?
Yes for eligible nationalities, as of 29 August 2026. Cabinet approved a revised 30-day and 15-day allocation, but no implementing Royal Gazette notice was located by that date. The replacement would take effect 15 days after publication, and the Consular Affairs page still linked the 60-day nationality list.
Does METV bypass visa-run screening?
No. It may authorise multiple journeys during its validity, but Immigration still decides admission on each arrival and may examine the travel pattern.
How many extensions will Immigration grant?
The published tourist route normally allows one extension application, but the officer decides the permitted period and any exceptional application on its facts. Confirm the current position before the existing permitted-stay date.
What's the financial requirement?
It varies by the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate handling the application. Use that post's current checklist; do not rely on a universal balance or statement period.
Can I apply in Thailand to change visa type?
Immigration publishes TM86/TM87 evidence sets by intended category; there is no single universal conversion checklist. For example, the Immigration Bureau’s official sheets for retirement Non-O and Non-ED apply different evidence to different purposes. An application is not a guaranteed conversion. Verify the intended category, remaining-stay rule and current local procedure with the responsible office.
Which published categories cover longer-stay purposes?
Thailand publishes purpose-specific categories including DTV for qualifying workcation or listed activities, Non-O retirement, Non-O family routes, Non-ED, LTR and Thailand Privilege. Each has separate eligibility, evidence, fee and approval rules.