Thailand visa 2026: requirements, duration, application

Thailand visa 2026: requirements, duration, application

French citizens (and most EU nationals) benefit from a visa exemption for tourist stays of less than 60 days in Thailand. For the vast majority of travelers, no prior procedure is necessary. Here are the precise requirements, required documents and special cases for 2026.

Tourist stay without visa (≤ 60 days)

This is the situation of the overwhelming majority of French travelers. You arrive in Thailand, present your passport to immigration, and they stamp a 60-day permit. It’s completely free.

Conditions to meet

• 📘 Passport: valid at least 6 months after your return date. 2 blank pages minimum.
• ✈️ Return ticket: round-trip or onward. Verified at boarding by some airlines.
• 🏨 Accommodation: precise address of the first hotel or host. Printed reservation recommended.
• 💰 Funds: 10,000 ฿ (≈€260) per person or 20,000 ฿ per family. Rare but possible check.

These conditions are defined by the Royal Thai Government : Immigration Bureau. Check the latest updates on immigration.go.th or with the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris.

Documents to present on arrival

Here is the exact list of documents you must have on you (or easily accessible) on arrival at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK).

1. Valid biometric passport : must expire at least 6 months after the planned return date.
2. Boarding pass and arrival card (TM6) : the TM6 is now digital since April 2025. Present your info to the agent.
3. Onward ticket (return or third country) : printed or accessible on smartphone. Essential for boarding from France.
4. Accommodation reservation (at least the first night) : Booking, Airbnb, or hotel voucher. Complete address + phone number.
5. Financial proof (in case of check) : cash or bank statement showing the equivalent of 10,000 ฿ per person.

Visa for stays longer than 60 days

If you plan a 60-90 day tourist stay, or longer for other reasons, you’ll need a real visa, to be requested before departure.

Tourist Visa (TR)

For 60-90 days of tourism (extendable once on site for 30 additional days).

• Duration: 60 + 30 days
• Price: €40
• Lead time: 5-10 working days
• Where: E-Visa or embassy

DTV : Destination Thailand Visa

Launched in July 2024 for remote workers, freelancers and workationers. Valid 5 years, renewable 180-day stays.

• Duration: 5 years
• Price: €250
• Proof: 500,000 ฿ (~€13,000) in savings
• Profile: digital nomads

Education Visa (ED)

To take Thai courses, meditation, martial arts or studies at a recognized school.

• Duration: 3-12 months
• Price: €80
• Proof: school acceptance letter

Retirement Visa (O-A / O-X)

For those 50+ wishing to settle in Thailand in retirement.

• Duration: 1 year renewable (O-A) · 10 years (O-X)
• Price: €200 (O-A)
• Proof: 800,000 ฿ (~€21,000) in bank
• Minimum age: 50

How to apply for a Thailand visa

Two options to apply from France: the official E-Visa service (recommended) or the embassy.

🌐 E-Visa (recommended)

Official online service thaievisa.go.th. Available for TR, ED, METV, DTV.

• 100% online
• 5-7 working days delay
• Card payment
• PDF receipt to print

🏛️ Embassy in Paris

8 rue Greuze, 75116 Paris. Consular service open 9am-12pm by appointment.

• Book 2-4 weeks in advance
• 5-10 working days delay
• Cash payment only
• On-site collection

⚠️ Beware: many private sites present themselves as official and charge €80-200. The official price is €40 for a TR. Only use thaievisa.go.th or the embassy.

On-site visa extension

You can extend your stay by 30 additional days (exemption or Tourist visa) at any immigration office in Thailand.

Extension procedure

1. Go to an immigration office (Bangkok: Chaeng Wattana; also Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi)
2. Fill in the TM7 form (available on site or downloadable)
3. Provide: passport, 1 recent color photo, copy of entry stamp and ID page copy
4. Pay 1,900 ฿ (~€50) in cash
5. Pick up the passport the same day (sometimes next day in Bangkok)

💡 Tip: avoid the Chaeng Wattana office (Bangkok) which is overcrowded. Prefer the small offices of Hua Hin, Krabi or Phuket : often emptied in 1 hour.

Special cases

Traveling with a minor

A minor must have their own passport. If traveling with only one parent, the other must provide an exit authorization. For an unaccompanied child, authorization from both parents with copies of their ID.

Dual nationality

If you have two passports, present the one that gives you the best conditions. For Thailand, that’s the French (or EU) passport for the 60-day exemption. Use the same passport for outbound and return.

Transit (without leaving the airport)

No visa required if you stay in the international transit zone with your checked baggage until your next flight.

Visa Run (exit then return)

Former practice to extend a stay by briefly exiting to Cambodia or Malaysia. Now strictly regulated: you can only benefit from 2 land exemptions per year.

Entry refusal on arrival

Rare but possible cases: damaged passport, overstay history, missing return ticket, insufficient funds. In case of refusal, you’ll be sent back to the boarding country at your expense.

Address declaration (TM30)

A little-known but important obligation: your host (hotel or owner) must declare your arrival to immigration within 24 hours.

To remember:

• 99% of hotels and Airbnbs handle this automatically.
• If you stay with an unauthorized private host, they must declare online on extranet.immigration.go.th.
• In case of check (visa extension, country exit), the declaration may be requested.
• Possible fine for omission: 800-2,000 ฿ for the host.

Other practical info Thailand

• Vaccines : WHO recommendations
• Currency (฿ Baht) : exchange & cards
• Time difference : +5h / +6h
• Transport : flights, trains, buses
• eSIM : connected on arrival
• Safety : risks & advice

Page written from Bangkok by Marie L., Southeast Asia specialist. 12 years of experience, 28 documented stays in Thailand including 5 long stays under ED and DTV visas. Member of the Association of Tourism Journalists. Updated: May 15, 2026. Verified by 2 experts.