Formalities
Thailand Visa: Which Visa to Apply for Based on the Length of Your Stay
Most travelers do not need to take any steps. For others, the right visa depends on just three things: the duration of the stay, age, and the purpose of the visit.
Verified on from France Diplomatie, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and its Consular Department. This page is updated whenever the rules change.
For a short tourist visit, you do not need a visa. French citizens can currently enter the country without a visa for 60 days. A reduction to 30 days has been announced, but it had not yet taken effect as of August 4, 2026, the date of the last update to the official French information sheet.
Beyond that, or for any reason other than tourism, you'll need a visa, and the type you need depends on three things: how long you'll be staying, your age, and the purpose of your visit. This page will guide you. Each visa has its own detailed page.
All the amounts listed below were taken from official Thai government websites in August 2026, and none were taken from a third-party site. Conditions change several times a year: please check the source before applying; the links are at the bottom of the page.
Which visa is right for your situation?
| Your Situation | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Vacations lasting less than 60 days | Nothing—the exemption is enough |
| Longer tourist stay | tourist visa, or extension while in the country |
| Over 50 years old, one-year installation | O-A visa |
| Over 50 years, a long-lasting installation | O-X visa, valid for up to ten years |
| Remote work, sports training camp, Muay Thai | DTV visa |
| Working for a Thai employer | B Nonimmigrant Visa and Work Permit |
Visa Exemption: The Case of the Vast Majority
No action is required before departure; the stamp is applied upon arrival. There are two requirements: a valid passportand the TDAC digital arrival card, which has been mandatory since May 1, 2025, and must be completed online within three days prior to arrival.
Details, including the current change in validity period, can be found on the "Do I Need a Visa forThailand?" page ( coming soon), and step-by-step instructions for the TDAC process are available on the "TDAC Thailand" page.
Long-term visas for people over 50
There are two options, and they are completely different.The O-A visa is valid for one year and requires 800,000 baht in savings or a monthly income of 65,000 baht. The O-X visa is valid for five years and can be renewed once, for a total of ten years, but requires 3 million baht to be held in Thailand.
The counterintuitive point—and it changes the equation—is that the required health insurance varies depending on the visa type, and it’s much more expensive for a one-year visa than for a ten-year one. The complete comparison, including costs and restrictions, is on the Thailand Retirement Visa page.
The DTV visa, for work-related stays
Designed for remote work and work-related stays,the Destination Thailand Visa allows for 180 days per entry, renewable once while in the country, with multiple entries valid for five years. It requires 500,000 baht in funds and costs 10,000 baht.
And it explicitly lists Muay Thai training camps among the eligibility criteria, alongside remote work, cooking classes, sports training, and medical care. This is the most direct route to a long-term training stay: see theupcoming DTV visaand Muay Thai training camps.
What Insurance Has to Do with a Visa
For the O-A and O-X visas, health insurance is a requirement for obtaining the visa, not a recommendation. This is therefore not a minor issue: without a valid policy, the application will be denied. Details on the required coverage can be found on theretirement visa page, and details on the exclusions you should be aware of can be found on the Thailand travel insurance page.
Should you go through an agency?
It is never mandatory. Applications are submitted to the embassy or through Thailand’s official online portal, a link to which is provided in the sources. An agency can save you time on a complex application, but many charge several hundred euros for a process that you can complete on your own.
A helpful tip: Always compare the quoted price to the official fees—5,000 baht for an O-A, 10,000 for an O-X or a DTV. The difference is the service fee, and you can decide whether it's worth it.
In summary
No action is required for stays of less than 60 days, except for the TDAC, which is free and mandatory. For longer stays, the visa type depends on your length of stay, age, and purpose: O-A for one year after age 50, O-X for ten years with 3 million baht on hold, and DTV for remote work and sports training, including Muay Thai. Health insurance is a requirement for obtaining retirement visas—it’s not optional. And you’re not required to use an agency: compare their prices to the official fees before paying.
Do you need a visa to visit Thailand?
Not for a short tourist stay. French citizens currently enjoy a 60-day exemption. A reduction to 30 days has been announced but had not yet taken effect as of August 4, 2026, the date of the latest update to the official French fact sheet.
What are the different types of visas for Thailand?
In addition to the exemption, the main options are the tourist visa for extending a stay, the one-year O-A visa and the ten-year O-X visa for those over 50, and the five-year DTV visa for remote work, sports training programs, and activity-based stays.
How much does a visa for Thailand cost?
Official fees vary by visa type: 5,000 baht for a multiple-entry O-A visa, 10,000 baht for an O-X visa, and 10,000 baht for a DTV visa—amounts listed on official Thai government websites as of August 2026. Agencies charge additional fees for their services.
Is it possible to extend your stay in Thailand once you're there?
Yes, you must apply for an extension at a Thai immigration office. The requirements and duration depend on your entry status, and an extension is never guaranteed in advance.
Can you work in Thailand on a tourist visa?
No. Employment is strictly prohibited under tourist and retirement visas. The DTV visa, however, allows remote work for an employer or clients based outside Thailand.
Do you need to go through an agency to get a Thai visa?
It is never mandatory. Applications are submitted to the embassy or through the official online portal. An agency can save you time on a complex application, but it charges a fee for a service that you can handle on your own.