Thailand's 60-day visa-free stay now offers more time for holidays, but immigration is also tightening scrutiny on repeated short exits and re-entries.
Thailand has made short stays easier in 2025 by extending the visa-free period to 60 days, but the country is also drawing a harder line on repeated border crossings used to keep a stay going. For genuine visitors, the new rules are simple: longer holidays are more convenient, yet the immigration system is less tolerant of visa runs.
What changed for the 60-day visa-free stay
Citizens of Poland can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days, instead of 30 days. That 60-day visa-free stay can also be extended once at a local immigration office for another 30 days, at a fee of 1,900 THB. In practice, that means a visitor can remain in Thailand for as long as 90 days without leaving the country.
For standard two- to three-month holidays, this is now a very comfortable arrangement. The key point is that the relaxation is designed for tourism, not for living in Thailand indefinitely on repeated short entries.
Why visa runs are being targeted
In November 2025, immigration authorities introduced stricter limits for people who repeatedly leave and re-enter Thailand to renew their stay. Officers may refuse entry to anyone trying to enter visa-free more than twice in a calendar year without a justified reason. The policy is aimed directly at people using short, repeated trips to stay in Thailand as if they were long-term residents.
Officials are also tightening checks when they see a pattern of frequent short departures. They may refuse a stay extension if they detect this type of behaviour. Thailand is signalling that it wants to attract what it calls “high-quality tourists”, not people working or living in the country without proper permission.
What officers may ask for
Immigration staff can request proof that you will leave Thailand within the allowed period. That may include a return ticket or a ticket for onward travel. They may also ask for evidence of funds: 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family.
The 60-day visa-free stay does not remove normal entry scrutiny, so travellers should arrive prepared even if they only plan a holiday and not a long-term move.
How to avoid problems at the border
If you are a genuine tourist returning home after a holiday, the new rules should not be a concern. Still, it is wise to keep the essentials ready:
- confirmed onward or return travel from Thailand
- proof of sufficient funds if requested
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) completed online 72 hours before arrival
The TDAC has replaced the old paper forms, so it should now be part of your pre-flight checklist. Anyone planning to live in Thailand for a year or longer should look at the correct visa route instead of relying on repeated visa runs. The options mentioned include LTR, Business Visa or Smart Visa.
