Thailand visa types: an overview of every visa

Which Thailand visa do you need? Dutch and Belgians get 30 days visa-free; for longer, options include the tourist visa, DTV, Non-O, O-A and LTR.

Last checked: 11 October 2026

In short (as of 11 October 2026)
Visa-exempt: with a Dutch or Belgian passport, since 15 September 2026 a maximum of 30 days, for tourism only, extendable once in Thailand by 30 days for 1,900 baht.
TDAC: every foreign traveller fills in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card free of charge before arrival. As of 11 October 2026 no ETA exists in the official sources, and visa on arrival (VoA) applies only to 3 other countries.
Applying for a visa: online via thaievisa.go.th (The Hague names only the Thailand Privilege visa as an exception), and only while you are outside Thailand: residents of the Netherlands apply via The Hague, residents of Belgium or Luxembourg via Brussels.
Stay per entry: transit visa up to 30 days, tourist visa 60 days, Non-Immigrant 90 days (embassy in The Hague, 1 September 2026). To stay longer, you apply in Thailand at immigration.
Long stays: DTV (5 years), Non-O for people aged 50 and over with a yearly extension, O-A (1 year), O-X (10 years, open to Dutch citizens but not to Belgians), LTR (10 years) and Thailand Privilege (5 to 20 years of membership).
Working is only allowed with a work permit, according to the embassy in The Hague; according to the BOI, SMART holders are exempt from that requirement.

This overview is for Dutch and Belgian citizens who want to know which Thai visa or residence status fits their plans. For each type it shows who it is for, how long you may stay and the main requirement. Amounts and documents come from the list of the Royal Thai Embassy in The Hague (31 August 2026) and the e-Visa portal thaievisa.go.th (opened 11 October 2026), unless stated otherwise. The general Thai rules in this guide apply to all nationalities, although some exemptions and visas depend on your passport (this is stated where it applies); the parts about embassies and documents are written for Dutch and Belgian passport holders, so if you hold another passport, check the requirements of the Thai embassy or consulate that serves you.

Thailand visa basics: two terms first

Visa validity is the period in which you can use the visa to enter Thailand ("Valid until"). Length of stay is how long you may stay per entry. The two are not the same, the embassy in The Hague writes.
The immigration officer on arrival decides the actual length of stay, which is shown in the stamp. To stay longer or change visa, you apply to the Immigration Bureau in Thailand, at the officer's discretion.
You apply for a visa from abroad: according to The Hague, the applicant must be outside Thailand during the application. The Hague only handles applications from residents of the Netherlands who are in the Netherlands; Brussels automatically rejects applications from outside Belgium or Luxembourg and from people in Thailand.
All applications are at the discretion of the embassy, which may ask for an interview or extra documents. Visa fees are not refunded.

Without a visa: visa exemption, VoA and ETA

30-day visa exemption: for 60 countries and territories, including the Netherlands, Belgium and all EU countries, since 15 September 2026 (Royal Gazette, 31 August 2026). Tourism only; by land a maximum of 2 entries per calendar year. One extension of up to 30 days at immigration. See the guide Thailand visa exemption.
Other exemptions (not for the Netherlands or Belgium): under bilateral agreements, 14 days (Cambodia, Myanmar via international airports), 30 days (including China, Laos, Vietnam) or 90 days (including Argentina, Brazil, South Korea); 15 days for the Seychelles and Mauritius (Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 15 September 2026).
Visa on Arrival (VoA): since 15 September 2026 only for Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia, for up to 15 days, fee 2,000 baht, at designated checkpoints. Dutch and Belgian citizens do not need it: they fall under the visa exemption. See the guide visa on arrival and ETA.
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), status 11 October 2026: none. The summary of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (as of 31 August 2026), the clarification from The Hague (23 September 2026) and the Brussels page (18 September 2026) mention no ETA for visa-exempt entry, and thaievisa.go.th has no application category for it.
TDAC: mandatory for everyone without Thai nationality, visa holders included, since 1 May 2025. Free of charge. See the guide TDAC.

Short-stay visas: tourist, transit, courtesy and official

Tourist visa (TR)

A stay of 60 days per entry. Single entry is valid for 3 months, multiple entry for 6 months. Requirements include a travel booking, proof of accommodation in Thailand and at least 20,000 baht. Subtypes:

TR1 tourism (single or multiple entry)
TR2 participants in trade fairs and conferences (MICE), with a letter from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau
TR3 recreational learning or training, such as diving, boxing, Thai massage or cooking, with a letter of acceptance from the organiser
TR4 family visit shorter than 60 days
TR5 medical treatment shorter than 60 days, with an appointment letter from a hospital
TR6 trial training at a football club
TR7 Philippine passports only

See the guide Thailand tourist visa.

Transit visa (TS)

A stay of up to 30 days. For a layover of more than 12 hours (TS1), for pilots, captains and crew (TS2) and for athletes taking part in a competition in Thailand (TS3). Requirements include at least 20,000 baht; 1 to 4 entries.

Courtesy visa (C)

For people invited by the Thai government (C1) or coming for other official purposes (C2), with a note verbale or letter of invitation. Single entry valid for 1 month, multiple entry for 3 months.

Diplomatic and official visa (D and F)

For diplomats and officials posted to Thailand or coming on a mission, including UN and EU missions and inspectors of the IAEA and the OPCW, with a note verbale.

IMF/WBG Annual Meetings 2026

A category on thaievisa.go.th for participants and media at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, with confirmation of registration; single entry, valid for 1 month (media without registration 3 months).

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

For remote workers for foreign employers or clients (DTV1), participants in Thai soft power activities such as Muay Thai, cooking classes or medical treatment (DTV2), and their partner and children under 20 (DTV3). Multiple entry, valid for 5 years. Requirement: 500,000 baht (bank statements covering 3 months) or a sponsor letter; since 31 August 2026 also proof of permanent residence and a criminal record certificate. The Hague and Brussels charge 350 euros. See the guide DTV (Destination Thailand Visa).

Non-Immigrant visas: work, study, family and retirement

A Non-Immigrant visa gives up to 90 days per entry; to stay longer, you apply in Thailand at immigration, at the officer's discretion. Most subtypes are single entry, valid for 3 months, and require at least 30,000 baht in financial proof, unless stated otherwise below.

Non-B: work and business

B1 work: with approval letter WP32 from the Thai Ministry of Labour, or the work permit on renewal.
B2 business visit: an invitation from a company in Thailand; 30,000 baht (single) or 120,000 baht (multiple, 1 year). Since 15 September 2026 the visa exemption applies to tourism only; according to the Dutch government, other travellers must apply for a visa.
B3 frequent business visits: multiple entry, valid for 3 years, at least 3,000,000 baht and proof of permanent residence.
B4 internship outside a study programme, B5 teacher (with a certificate of no criminal record from the country of residence), B6 sports trainers and coaches (WP32), B7 athletes via the Sports Authority of Thailand.
B-A1 and B-A2 working holiday: only for New Zealand and Australia.
TECO: multiple entry, 3 years, with a note verbale about the posting; also for family members.

According to the embassy in The Hague, you may only work with a work permit, whatever visa you hold; the Department of Employment (doe.go.th) provides information. The exception according to the BOI is the SMART visa. See the guide Thailand work visa and work permit.

Non-IB: work via the BOI

For work (IB1), business visits (IB2) or teaching (IB3) at a company or institution supported by the Board of Investment (BOI), with a letter from the BOI.

Non-L-A: migrant workers (not for the Netherlands or Belgium)

Only for Cambodian, Lao and Myanmar workers under a labour agreement (MOU), with a list of names from the Ministry of Labour. Their children under 18 get an O(L-A).

Non-ED: study

ED1 primary and secondary education, ED2 vocational and higher professional education below bachelor level
ED3 short course in Thai or English, or Muay Thai training, with a letter from an institution under the Ministry of Education or, for example, the Sports Authority of Thailand
ED4 workshop or training by a government agency or international organisation
ED5 monks, nuns and priests studying the Dharma
ED6 internship within a study programme or exchange
ED Plus bachelor's degree or higher

Requirement: financial proof for study costs and living expenses (for ED4 and ED6 living expenses only) and letters from the educational institution or organiser. See the guide Thailand education visa (ED) and the forum post Student visa Thailand (in Dutch).

Non-O: family, retirement and other grounds

O1 unpaid volunteer work at a government agency (O1-1), a registered foundation or association in Thailand (O1-2) or a foreign organisation with permission (O1-3).
O2 retirement: aged 50 or older, a monthly income of 65,000 baht or a balance of 800,000 baht; a stay of up to 90 days, then a yearly extension in Thailand. The Hague writes "pensioner aged 50 or above with state pension", the portal only 50 or older. See the guide Thailand retirement visa.
O3 former Thai nationals.
O4 medical treatment longer than 60 days, with an appointment letter from a hospital.
O5 party or witness in a Thai court case; O6 domestic staff of a diplomat.
O7 family of a foreigner in Thailand: for people staying longer than 60 days with non-Thai family, with proof of the relationship and the visa or residence permit of that family member; 30,000 baht.
O8 Thai family (partner or child): longer than 60 days with Thai family, with a marriage certificate, birth certificate or proof of adoption; a monthly income of 40,000 baht or a balance of 400,000 baht. See the guide Thailand marriage visa and the forum post Marriage visa Thailand (in Dutch).
Family of diplomats (under Non-F) and family of TECO staff (multiple entry, 3 years).

O-A: long stay from age 50

Multiple entry, valid for 1 year, for people aged 50 or older who want to stay up to 1 year. Requirements: 65,000 baht a month or a balance of 800,000 baht, proof of permanent residence, a medical certificate, a certificate of no criminal record, a Foreign Insurance Certificate and health insurance of at least 100,000 US dollars or 3,000,000 baht. The Hague requires the proof of residence, the medical certificate and the criminal record certificate to be legalised. See the guide O-A visa.

O-X: 10 years from age 50

For people aged 50 and over from 14 countries, including the Netherlands, not Belgium. Multiple entry, valid for 5 years plus an extension of 5 years. Requirement: 3,000,000 baht in a Thai bank in Thailand, or 1,800,000 baht plus an annual income of 1,200,000 baht (then topped up to 3,000,000 baht within 1 year of arrival). The money stays in the account for at least 1 year, and at least 1,500,000 baht the year after; Thai health insurance with at least 40,000 baht outpatient and 400,000 baht inpatient cover; a medical certificate and a certificate of no criminal record. A partner and children under 20 can come along. See the guide O-X visa.

Non-F: official duties

For work at the Thai government, an embassy or an international organisation in Thailand (F1), a meeting with a Thai government agency (F2), a TICA programme (F3), family members of diplomats and officials in Thailand (F4) and the US Peace Corps (F5).

Non-M: media and film

For journalists based in Thailand, with confirmation from the Department of Information (M1), and for film crews, with a letter from the Thailand Film Office (M2). Single entry 3 months or multiple entry 1 year; 30,000 or 120,000 baht.

Non-R and R-A: religious work

For missionary work or other religious activities approved by the Department of Religious Affairs: R (single entry, 3 months) or R-A (multiple entry, 1 year, also with a letter from the Immigration Bureau).

Non-RS: research and science

For researchers, with a letter from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). Single entry, valid for 3 months.

Non-EX and ACMECS

As of 11 October 2026, a separate Non-Immigrant EX (experts) is neither in the category list of thaievisa.go.th nor in the visa list of The Hague (31 August 2026). If you are coming to Thailand to work, look at Non-B, Non-IB, SMART or LTR. The ACMECS visa is still on the fee list of The Hague (35 euros, single entry, 3 months), but not as a category on the e-Visa portal.

Long-stay programmes: LTR, SMART and Thailand Privilege

LTR (Long-Term Resident)

Multiple entry, valid for 10 years; immigration first grants 5 years and then, if you still meet the requirements, another 5 years. You first apply for approval from the BOI (visa.boi.go.th); that letter is valid for 60 days. The conditions must continue to be met for the whole period. Categories according to the BOI (announcement Por. 3/2568 of 4 February 2025 and the LTR website):

Wealthy Global Citizen (W): at least 1 million US dollars in assets, of which at least 500,000 US dollars invested in Thailand (government bonds, a Thai company or property). Since 4 February 2025 there is no longer an income requirement.
Wealthy Pensioner (P): aged 50 or older, at least 80,000 US dollars of passive income a year (pension, rent, interest, dividends), or 40,000 to 80,000 US dollars plus 250,000 US dollars invested in Thailand.
Work-from-Thailand Professional (T): remote worker for a listed company or a company that has existed for at least 3 years with 50 million US dollars of revenue over 3 years; 80,000 US dollars of income (or 40,000 US dollars with a master's degree).
Highly Skilled Professional (H): a specialist with an employment contract in a sector designated by the BOI, or with proof of expertise in a field named by the BOI; 80,000 US dollars of income (or 40,000 US dollars with a master's in science or technology). People who work for a Thai government institution are exempt from the income requirement.
Family members (O): partner and children under 20, and under announcement Por. 3/2568 also parents and other legal dependants. The LTR website and the list of The Hague (31 August 2026) mention a maximum of 4 family members per LTR holder; if you have more family members, ask the BOI in advance what applies.

All categories require health insurance of at least 50,000 US dollars, or Thai social security, or a balance of 100,000 US dollars (family members 25,000 US dollars per person) that stays in place for 12 months. Visa fee: 50,000 baht when issued in Thailand (BOI) or 1,750 euros at the embassy in The Hague or Brussels. LTR holders report once a year instead of every 90 days and do not need a re-entry permit. See the guide Thailand LTR visa.

SMART visa

For specialists (T), investors (I), executives (E) and start-ups (S) in sectors designated by the BOI, and their families (O), with an approval letter from the SMART Visa Unit of the BOI. According to the BOI: a stay of up to 4 years and exemption from the work permit requirement. Validity 1 to 4 years (start-ups 6 months to 2 years); The Hague charges 350 euros per year of validity.

Thailand Privilege

Not a separate visa but a paid membership with Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., which comes with the Privilege Entry Visa (PE): multiple entry, valid for 5 years, with, according to the terms, a stay of up to 1 year per entry (extendable). Besides the PE, the e-Visa portal lists the Special Entry Visa (SE), both valid for 5 years, with a membership letter that is valid for 90 days. According to Thailand Privilege, you receive the visa after activating the membership at designated locations. For The Hague, two official sources differ: the document list of 31 August 2026 lists the PE as an e-Visa, while the e-Visa general conditions (11 February 2025) exclude the PE. Ask the embassy or Thailand Privilege in advance which route applies to you. For the application the organisation asks for a copy of a passport that is valid for at least 1 more year, a passport photo and an application form; it does not mention an income or balance requirement. Prices on 11 October 2026:

Bronze      650,000 baht    5 years
Gold        900,000 baht    5 years
Platinum  1,500,000 baht   10 years
Diamond   2,500,000 baht   15 years
Reserve   5,000,000 baht   20 years

According to the organisation, approval follows within 2 months. See the guide Thailand Privilege visa.

Permanent residence permit

Besides visas, Thailand has a permanent residence permit. The Immigration Bureau works with a yearly quota per nationality (Immigration Division 1). According to the fee list of the Immigration Bureau, the application costs 7,600 baht and the residence document afterwards 191,400 baht (investment, work or expertise) or 95,700 baht (among others for marriage to a Thai national, as the head of a family supporting a Thai child, or as the partner of someone with a residence permit). The list also mentions an Immigrant Visa and a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa (1,900 baht single entry, 3,800 baht multiple entry).

Which Thailand visa do I need?

Holiday
- Up to 30 days: no visa, but you do need a TDAC.
- 31 to 60 days: visa-exempt plus one 30-day extension at immigration, or a tourist visa in advance (60 days).
- In and out often within half a year: tourist visa with multiple entry (valid for 6 months).
Work
- Online for a foreign employer or your own clients outside Thailand: DTV (500,000 baht), or LTR Work-from-Thailand with a high income.
- For a Thai employer: Non-B with a work permit; via a BOI company, Non-IB; as a specialist possibly SMART or LTR Highly Skilled.
- Business trip or meetings: Non-B business visit (B2); frequent visits over 3 years: B3.
Aged 50 or older and living in Thailand
- First 90 days, then a yearly extension: Non-O retirement (800,000 baht or 65,000 baht a month).
- A year of multiple entry straight away, with health insurance: O-A.
- Dutch citizen with 3,000,000 baht in a Thai bank: O-X (5 plus 5 years).
- Passive income from 80,000 US dollars a year: LTR Wealthy Pensioner.
- A paid membership without an income or balance requirement: Thailand Privilege.
Family
- Married to a Thai or parent of a Thai child: Non-O O8 (40,000 baht a month or 400,000 baht).
- Partner or child of a foreigner who lives or works in Thailand: Non-O O7, or the family version of that person's visa (DTV3, LTR, SMART O).
- Short family visit under 60 days: tourist visa TR4.
Learning and studying
- Thai language, Muay Thai or a short course: ED3, or DTV2 for soft power activities.
- School, college or university: ED1, ED2 or ED Plus.
- Recreational, such as diving or cooking, shorter than 60 days: tourist visa TR3.
Medical treatment
- Shorter than 60 days: TR5. Longer: O4. Or DTV2.
Other purposes
- Unpaid volunteer work: Non-O O1.
- Journalist or film crew: Non-M. Religious work: Non-R or R-A. Research: Non-RS.
- Layover of more than 12 hours, crew or a sports competition: transit visa.
- Wealthy and planning to stay 10 years: LTR Wealthy Global Citizen, or Thailand Privilege.

Thailand visa fees at the embassies

The Hague since 15 July 2024; Brussels since 15 July 2024. Visa fees are not refunded.

                                  The Hague          Brussels
Transit (per entry)                30 euros          30 euros
Tourist visa, single entry         35 euros          40 euros
Tourist visa, multiple entry      175 euros         170 euros
Non-Immigrant, single entry        70 euros          80 euros
Non-Immigrant, multiple entry     175 euros         170 euros
Non-B multiple, 3 years           350 euros         350 euros
O-A, 1 year                       175 euros         see multiple
O-X, 5 years                      350 euros         350 euros
DTV, 5 years                      350 euros         350 euros
LTR, 10 years                   1,750 euros       1,750 euros
SMART, 1 to 4 years      350 to 1,400 euros  350 to 1,400 euros

Brussels gives the LTR fee on its LTR page (updated 16 July 2024), not in its fee list, and has no separate O-A fee.

In Thailand: extensions, reporting and re-entry

A visa is only the beginning. If you stay in Thailand, you will deal with:

Extension of stay: 1,900 baht per application at immigration. See Thailand extension of stay.
90-day report: if you stay longer than 90 days without interruption, you report your address every 90 days. See 90-day report.
TM30: the notification of where a foreigner is staying (Notification of residence of foreigner). See TM30 address notification.
Re-entry permit: 1,000 baht (single) or 3,800 baht (multiple); without a permit, your extension lapses when you leave. See re-entry permit.
Overstay: 500 baht per day, up to 20,000 baht, and possibly an entry ban. See overstay and entry ban.
Changing your visa in Thailand: at the discretion of immigration. See changing visa type in Thailand.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Thailand?

Not for a holiday of up to 30 days with a Dutch or Belgian passport (since 15 September 2026). For a longer stay, for work or for a business trip, you do. A TDAC is always required.

What visa do I need to stay in Thailand longer than 30 days?

Up to 60 days: visa-exempt plus one extension, or a tourist visa. Longer: for example the DTV (180 days per entry according to official documents from July 2024 up to and including February 2026), a Non-O based on retirement or marriage, O-A, O-X, LTR or Thailand Privilege.

Can I apply for a Thai visa while in Thailand?

Not at the embassy: you must be outside Thailand. In Thailand you can extend your stay at immigration or, at the officer's discretion, change visa type.

Is there an ETA for Thailand?

Not as of 11 October 2026. None of the official sources on visa-free travel mentions an ETA, and thaievisa.go.th has no category for it. The TDAC is mandatory.

Can Dutch and Belgian citizens get a visa on arrival in Thailand?

No, and they do not need one. Since 15 September 2026 visa on arrival applies only to Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia; Dutch and Belgian citizens travel 30 days visa-free.

What visa do I need to work in Thailand?

Usually a Non-B (or a Non-IB via a BOI company) plus a work permit. According to the embassy in The Hague, you may not work on any visa without a work permit; according to the BOI, only SMART holders are exempt.

Can Belgians get the 10-year O-X visa?

No. The list of 14 nationalities includes the Netherlands, but not Belgium.

Sources

All sources opened on 11 October 2026.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Thai visa rules can change and are sometimes applied differently from one office to another. Check the current requirements with the Thai embassy or the immigration office before you apply or travel.

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Thailand visa types: an overview of every visa (October 2026)