Visa and Entry for Thailand

Thailand's visa rules changed significantly in 2025 and are still evolving. Most Western visitors currently get 60 days visa-free on arrival, but always check with your home country's Thai embassy before travelling.

Important: Thailand's visa-exemption rules changed materially in late 2025 and again in May 2026, when the Thai cabinet resolved to scrap the 60-day visa-free scheme and replace it with a 30-day exemption for around 54 countries (the new rules take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette). The situation is moving quickly. Always verify current rules with the Royal Thai Embassy in your home country before booking travel. There are no special visa rules for Koh Lanta specifically. Whatever applies to Thailand applies here. The relevant local authority is Krabi Immigration Office, which handles extensions and address reporting for visitors based on Koh Lanta.

Visa Exemption

Most Western passports (UK, US, EU, Australian, Canadian, Japanese, South Korean, and 90+ other nationalities) qualify for visa exemption on arrival. - Current length: For most of 2024 and 2025 the exemption was 60 days for qualifying nationalities. In May 2026 the cabinet approved a return to 30 days for the visa-exemption scheme. Confirm current rules and effective date before travel.

Applies at airports, land borders, and sea entry points (including Saladan Pier)
No advance application needed for visa exemption; you receive a stamp on arrival

Arrivals level at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok

Extension at Immigration

If you arrive on a 30-day stamp, you can typically extend once at a local immigration office:

Cost: 1,900 THB
Adds: up to 30 additional days (the exact extension granted can vary; verify current policy)
Krabi Immigration Office: open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Getting to Krabi requires the car ferry or a ferry/minibus from Saladan, roughly a half-day trip

Visa Runs

As of late 2025, Thailand Immigration has become stricter about visitors trying to live in Thailand indefinitely on back-to-back visa exemption stamps. - Immigration officers can refuse entry after 2 visa exemption entries without a clear justification for returning

Exemption extensions are limited to 2 per calendar year
If you plan to stay long-term, a proper visa is the correct approach

Nearest land border crossing used for visa runs historically: Hat Yai/Sadao (Malaysian border), roughly 4-5 hours from Koh Lanta. The Koh Lipe to Langkawi (Malaysia) ferry is another option in high season.

Longer Stay Options

Tourist Visa (TR): 60 days, applied for at a Thai embassy before arrival, with one 30-day extension possible. Total: up to 90 days.
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): introduced in 2024-2025, aimed at remote workers and digital nomads. Check eligibility with the Royal Thai Embassy. Note: TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) is a separate online entry form, not a visa.
Retirement visa, business visa, education visa: available for qualifying individuals.

Overstay

Fine: 500 THB per day of overstay
Significant overstays can result in a ban from re-entering Thailand
Overstay fines are enforced at airports and border crossings without exception

90-Day Report

If you are on a long-stay visa, you must report your address to immigration every 90 days. This is done at Krabi Immigration Office or by post. Your accommodation is also technically required to file a TM30 report with immigration when you check in.