Thailand Visa Calculator: Check Your Stay Duration & Overstay Risk

Understanding Thailand Visa Rules

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads, backpackers, and long-term travelers in Southeast Asia. Understanding the visa rules is essential to avoid costly fines or, worse, a ban from re-entering the country.

Visa Exemption (60 Days)

Citizens of over 60 countries — including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and most EU nations — are automatically granted a 60-day visa exemption upon arrival at any Thai international airport or land border. This is the simplest way to enter Thailand and doesn't require any advance application. You simply show up with a valid passport (at least 6 months validity), a return or onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds if asked.

The 60-day exemption can be extended once for an additional 30 days at any immigration office in Thailand, giving you up to 90 days total. The extension costs 1,900 THB (approximately $55 USD) and requires a passport photo, completed TM.7 form, and photocopies of your passport pages.

Tourist Visa (60 Days)

For those who prefer to arrange their visa in advance, the Single-Entry Tourist Visa (TR) is another option. Applied for at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country or in a neighboring country, it also grants 60 days from the date of entry. Like the visa exemption, it can be extended once for 30 days at immigration, giving you up to 90 days total.

The Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) allows 6 months of validity with 60-day stamps each time you enter. This is ideal for nomads who want to base themselves in Thailand while taking trips to neighboring countries.

Overstay Penalties

Overstaying your visa in Thailand is taken seriously. The current fine is 500 THB per day, capped at 20,000 THB. If you voluntarily surrender at the airport on departure, you pay the fine and can leave. However, if caught by police at a checkpoint or during a random check, you face arrest, detention, and potential deportation with a re-entry ban.

Re-entry bans range from 1 year (less than 90 days overstay) up to 10 years (over 1 year). Overstaying for more than 5 years can result in a lifetime ban. These penalties apply regardless of nationality, so it's crucial to track your dates carefully.

Border Runs and Visa Runs

A border run involves leaving Thailand briefly — often to a neighboring country like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, or Malaysia — and re-entering to receive a new entry stamp. While this was very common in the past, Thai immigration has cracked down on the practice. Frequent back-to-back entries at land borders may result in a shortened stamp (such as 15 days instead of 60) or outright denial of entry.

If you fly out and back, immigration officers are generally more lenient. For those wanting to stay long-term, applying for a proper visa at a Thai consulate abroad (known as a "visa run") is the more reliable approach. Popular destinations for visa runs include Vientiane (Laos), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and Savannakhet (Laos).

Digital Nomad Visa (DTV)

Thailand introduced the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) in mid-2024, aimed at remote workers and digital nomads. This visa allows a 180-day stay with the option to extend for another 180 days, giving you up to one year in Thailand. It requires proof of remote employment or freelance income and does not grant a Thai work permit, meaning you can only work for foreign employers or your own overseas business.

Frequently Asked Questions