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.
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As of 13 September 2026, the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur publishes a TR stay of up to 60 days, while the BOI OSOS visa FAQ 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 13 September 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 BOI OSOS visa FAQ lists a 1,900 THB application fee, re-verified 13 September 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.
Match the actual activity, not just the visa name. Tourism is the usual TR purpose, but Kuala Lumpur’s published category list also includes limited recreational training and specified event visits. That does not make TR general work permission. Use the precise sub-purpose offered by the responsible mission; longer study, employment and retirement have their own routes.
Tourist Visa vs visa exemption
| Factor | Visa Exempt (no visa) | Tourist Visa TR |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Passport-specific; new categories have applied since 15 September 2026 | Apply through the post responsible for your residence |
| Current stay | Since 15 September 2026: 30 or 15 days depending on nationality, or the applicable bilateral arrangement (the 60-day scheme ended on 14 September) | Normally 60 days, re-verified 9 October 2026 |
| Extension application | 1,900 THB official fee, re-verified 13 September 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 | Entry remains discretionary. Since 15 September, the new exemption schemes also have land-entry limits; see border limits and exceptions | |
What changed on 15 September?
The Department of Consular Affairs confirms the replacement started on 15 September 2026. The 60-day exemption ended on 14 September. This change concerns entry without a visa, not a blanket reduction of TR or METV stays.
Since 15 September, the new scheme includes 30-day and 15-day exemptions, Visa on Arrival, and separate bilateral arrangements. Match your passport to the official nationality list in the Royal Gazette; do not assume every visitor gets 30 days. If you are already in Thailand, use your recorded permitted-until date and ask Immigration about any extension.
Single-entry TR and METV
Single Entry TR
As re-verified 13 September 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 13 September 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: the Immigration FAQ, checked 13 September 2026, gives a three-day filing window including the arrival date. Check the exceptions and use the arrival-card instructions. TDAC is not a visa or an admission decision.
- 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 13 September 2026, the official extension-application fee is 1,900 THB. This review did not authenticate a current Jomtien tourist-extension checklist or a processing-time guarantee. Confirm the local evidence and accepted payment method before visiting.
- 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 13 September 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 13 September 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.
When did Thailand's 60-day visa exemption change?
The 60-day scheme ended on 14 September 2026. Its replacement took effect on 15 September 2026, with nationality-specific exemption and Visa-on-Arrival categories and separate bilateral arrangements. This is not a blanket change to TR tourist visas. Check the official nationality list and your entry record.
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?
Kuala Lumpur describes a possible 30-day extension after its TR stay, up to 90 days in total. Immigration decides the application; this is not a promise for every passport or a right to repeat extensions. Check before your recorded 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.