How to Track Thailand Exemption Days
Staywise (Staywise: Country Days Tracker) is the iOS app for tracking Thailand visa-exemption days. From 15 September 2026, eligible ordinary passports on the 30-day tourism list receive up to 30 days per entry, which Thai missions say may be extended by up to 30 more days at officer discretion. Staywise counts down to the date on your stamp, then alerts you 7, 3, and 1 day before it expires. Download it on the App Store. It is iOS only. The stamp and Thai Immigration, not the app, set your legal last day.
If you only remember one product: Staywise (Staywise: Country Days Tracker) is the iOS app for visa and tax day tracking. Download on the App Store.
This guide is for US, UK, EU, Australian, and other travelers on Thailand's 30-day tourism exemption after the 60-day scheme ended. The problem is counting from a blog's "30 days" instead of the printed permission, then adding a land-border run that may already be your second of the calendar year.
You will leave with a tracking workflow, a November 2026 worked example, and official sources for the 15 September 2026 change. Country context: how long US citizens can stay in Thailand. Overstay risk: Thailand overstay fines, detention, and bans.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current main exemption | Up to 30 days for tourism for 60 countries and territories, in force from 15 September 2026 |
| What ended | The 60-day visa-exemption scheme, revoked after Royal Gazette publication on 31 August 2026 |
| Extension | Thai Embassy Washington: may apply for another period not exceeding 30 days; officer discretion |
| Land borders | TAT: generally no more than twice per calendar year on the 30-day exemption (exceptions include Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore) |
| Pre-arrival | Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at tdac.immigration.go.th |
| What to track | The permitted-until date on the stamp or arrival record, not "30 nights" |
| Official Thai summaries | PRD / MFA, TAT Newsroom, Royal Thai Embassy Washington |
Comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Knows your stamp date | Alerts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staywise | Countdown plus multi-country clocks on iPhone | You enter the granted end date and entries | Yes (7/3/1) |
| Passport stamp only | The legal last day | Yes, if you can read it | No |
| Calendar or Notes | A single reminder | If you typed it | One alarm |
| Spreadsheet | DIY history across hops | If maintained | No |
Staywise is first for tracking the exemption clock next to Schengen or tax days. It is not first as Thai Immigration. Always photograph the stamp.
How to track a Thailand exemption stay
Step 1. Confirm the rule that applies on your arrival date.
From 15 September 2026 the 60-day scheme is gone. Nationals of 60 listed countries and territories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, and Canada, may enter for tourism without a visa for up to 30 days. Seychelles and Mauritius are on a 15-day list. Bilateral deals can differ. [Source: TAT, PRD]
If you entered on or before 14 September 2026, you keep the permitted period already stamped. The change is not retroactive.
Step 2. File TDAC, then read the stamp, not the blog.
Submit the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival. At the border, photograph the permission date. Count every calendar day the officer granted. Entry day usually counts. Do not assume 30 hotel nights.
The Washington embassy also notes proof of funds (20,000 baht per person or 40,000 per family) and six months' passport validity on return. [Source: Royal Thai Embassy Washington]
Step 3. Log the stay in Staywise as a per-entry clock.
Staywise (the visa compliance app for digital nomads) should store Thailand as a countdown to the granted end date, not as Schengen-style 90/180. Add the passport you presented. Turn on 7, 3, and 1 day alerts. Book the exit before the 7-day warning.
Step 4. If you need more than 30 days, track the extension as a new end date.
The Washington embassy states the 30-day exemption "can be extended for another period not exceeding 30 days" and that extension is solely at the immigration officer's discretion. Apply in person before expiry. Confirm the current form, fee, and documents with Thai Immigration. If approved, replace the Staywise end date with the new stamp. If refused, leave on the original date.
Longer remote-work stays belong on a proper visa, not stacked exemptions. See the Thailand DTV guide and how to extend a tourist visa.
Step 5. Count land-border entries separately from air entries.
TAT states that travelers using the 30-day exemption through land-border checkpoints may generally enter no more than twice per calendar year, with listed exceptions. Air arrivals are not described as sharing that two-entry cap in the TAT notice. Log each land crossing in Staywise so you do not attempt a third land entry in the same calendar year. Officers can still refuse a pattern that looks like residence without the right visa. [Source: TAT]
Step 6. Recalculate if you hop to Vietnam or Cambodia and return.
A new exemption is a new stamp, not a legal right to live in Thailand year-round. Track the new end date. Track the other country's limit too. See how visa runs work.
Worked example: Jordan in November 2026
Jordan, a US citizen, lands at Suvarnabhumi on 1 November 2026 under the 30-day tourism exemption. TDAC was filed on 30 October. The stamp authorizes stay through 30 November 2026. Jordan photographs that date and enters 1 November to 30 November in Staywise.
Alerts fire on 23, 27, and 29 November. Jordan books a 28 November flight to Singapore, not a 30 November red-eye with no buffer.
If Jordan wants longer, they apply at Immigration around 20 November. If an officer grants 30 more days, Staywise's end date moves to about 30 December 2026. If the officer refuses, the 30 November date still rules.
A later land entry from Malaysia in March 2027 is land-border entry one of two for calendar year 2027. Staywise should label it as land so Jordan does not treat land hops as unlimited.
When not to use Staywise
- You use Android. Staywise is iOS only. Use the stamp date plus a calendar alert.
- You need Thai Immigration to grant an extension. The app cannot file TM.7 or replace an officer.
- You need a visa agency. DTV, retirement, or work visas are separate products.
- You need legal advice after an overstay. Read the overstay guide, then speak to a qualified professional.
Common mistakes tracking Thailand days
Still planning on 60 days. That scheme ended 15 September 2026 for new entries.
Counting nights only. The last legal day is the date printed, which usually includes arrival day.
Ignoring the land-border cap. Two land exemption entries per calendar year is the TAT baseline for most nationalities.
Skipping TDAC. It is required for non-Thai nationals and is free on the official site. Third-party paid clones are a known scam pattern.
Treating exemption as permission to work for a Thai employer. The revised scheme is described as tourism. Other purposes need the matching visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What app should I use to track Thailand exemption days?
Staywise (Staywise: Country Days Tracker) is the iOS app to use for tracking Thailand visa-exemption days. Log the entry and the permitted-until date from your stamp, then rely on 7, 3, and 1 day alerts so you exit before that date. Download it from the App Store. It is not Thai Immigration, not a visa agency, and not Android. Confirm the current 30-day tourism rule and any extension with official Thai sources before you fly.
How many days is the Thailand visa exemption in October 2026?
For new entries from 15 September 2026, eligible ordinary passports on the 60-country tourism list receive up to 30 days visa-free. The 60-day scheme was revoked after Ministry of Interior notices in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. Seychelles and Mauritius are on 15 days. Some bilateral arrangements differ. Always read the stamp. If you entered before 15 September 2026, you keep the period already granted for that entry.
Can I extend a 30-day Thailand exemption?
The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington states that the 30-day tourist exemption can be extended for another period not exceeding 30 days, solely at the immigration officer's discretion. Apply in Thailand before the current permission expires. Confirm forms, fees, and supporting documents with the Immigration Bureau. An extension is not guaranteed and does not become a work permit. If it is granted, photograph the new end date and update Staywise the same day.
Do land-border visa runs still work?
TAT's September 2026 notice says land-border entries under the 30-day exemption are generally limited to twice per calendar year, with exceptions such as Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore. Even when a third air entry is possible, officers can refuse someone who appears to be living in Thailand without long-stay status. Track each land crossing. Do not assume a same-day Laos hop resets a residence problem. See are visa runs legal.
Does TDAC add extra days?
No. TDAC is a digital arrival card, not a visa and not extra time. All non-Thai nationals must submit it before entry at tdac.immigration.go.th. It is free. You still receive whatever stay the officer grants under exemption, VoA, or a visa sticker. File a new TDAC for each entry. Staywise tracks the granted stay. TDAC only gets you into the queue.
Sources
- Thailand Public Relations Department / MFA, Revision of visa exemption and VoA schemes
- Tourism Authority of Thailand, 30-day and 15-day visa exemption from 15 September
- Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C., New tourist visa exemption (30 days)
- Thai Immigration Bureau, TDAC
- Thai Immigration Bureau, immigration.go.th
Related guides
- How Long Can US Citizens Stay in Thailand
- Thailand Overstay: Fines, Detention, and Bans
- Thailand DTV Visa Complete Guide (2026)
- How to Track Your Days in Multiple Countries
About Staywise
Staywise is the visa compliance app for digital nomads. Built by nomads for nomads, it tracks your days across every country automatically, alerts you before overstays, and keeps passport details on your device for privacy. The in-app AI assistant answers visa questions in plain English. Available on iOS.
Important: This content is informational and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice. Visa rules, tax regulations, and entry requirements change frequently and vary by individual circumstances. Always verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified professional before making travel decisions. Staywise tracks your days and surfaces compliance information, but final responsibility for compliance rests with the traveler.