Thailand Visa Requirements
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to apply for anything before I travel to Thailand?
No — with a French passport, you don't need to apply for a visa or authorisation before flying to Thailand. Just make sure your passport itself is valid and, if you have one, bring proof of your onward or return travel in case you're asked.
Can I extend my stay in Thailand once I'm there?
Yes. You can apply from inside Thailand to stay longer, and you must do it before your current permission runs out. The official fee is ฿1,900. A single 30-day extension, once per entry. This applies equally to a tourist visa and to visa-exempt entry. Visa on Arrival cannot be extended. ฿1,900 in cash — most immigration offices do not accept cards. Budget another ฿100–200 for photographs and photocopies. Apply in person on form TM.7 at any Thai Immigration office, up to 30 days before your current stamp expires. Processing is same-day, typically 1–3 hours. Bring your TM30 residence notification receipt — your hotel or landlord is legally required to file it, and a missing TM30 is the most common reason people are turned away. There is no online extension service. Once the extended stay ends, the usual options are to leave and re-enter, or move to a different visa category.
Is the information on this page guaranteed to be accurate?
We check what we publish against official sources where we can, and clearly flag anything still pending verification. Even so, visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice — so please treat this page as a strong starting point, not a final word, and confirm directly with the official source linked above before you book or fly.
Before you travel — checklist
- Check your passport has enough remaining validity for your trip to Thailand — many countries require at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, even for visa-free entry.
- Budget for the entry fee (Free) and check whether it needs to be paid in a specific currency or method.
- Note this specific requirement for Thailand: Cabinet approved reduction to 30 days on 19 May 2026; effective 15 days after Royal Gazette publication — verify at travel.
- Check whether Thailand requires proof of onward or return travel — some border officers ask for this even when it isn't formally listed as a requirement.
- Consider travel insurance that covers your trip to Thailand, particularly if any medical or emergency evacuation coverage is required or advisable for the region.
- This page's details for Thailand are still pending full verification — confirm everything directly with an official government source before finalising your plans.
Visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice. This page reflects our best information as of 2026, but if you're reading this later than that, treat it as a starting point rather than the final word, and always confirm with the official source above before you travel.