Thailand Visa for South Korean Citizens
South Korea passport holders · Updated 2026-07-05
No — South Korean citizens do not need a visa for short trips to Thailand. Under a bilateral agreement you get 90 days visa-free on arrival, extendable once by 30 days (1,900 THB). This agreement is separate from the exemption scheme Thailand revised in May 2026, so those changes do not affect you. For longer stays, you need an actual visa — the options below.
South Korean citizens hold one of the best Thai entry deals anywhere: a bilateral agreement grants 90 days visa-free, three times the standard allowance, and because it rests on a treaty rather than Thailand’s unilateral list, the May 2026 overhaul does not affect it. With Korean Air, Asiana, Thai Airways, and a fleet of low-cost carriers saturating the Seoul to Bangkok corridor, Koreans exploit that generosity in force.
Entry rules for South Korean citizens at a glance
| Entry rule | Visa-free entry (bilateral agreement) |
|---|---|
| Visa-free stay | 90 days |
| Extension | +30 days at immigration (1,900 THB) |
| Max without a visa | 120 days |
| Passport validity | 6+ months on arrival |
| Arrival card | TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) — required for all arrivals since Feb 2026 |
| Last verified | 2026-07-05 |
Thailand visa options for South Korean citizens
| Visa | Best for | Stay | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (SETV / METV) | Trips of 2-9 months | 60 days per entry (+30 ext.) | Funds: 20,000 THB (SETV) / 200,000 THB bank (METV) |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | Remote workers & digital nomads | 180 days per entry, 5-year visa | 500,000 THB funds + remote income proof |
| Retirement Visa | Age 50+ settling in Thailand | Up to 1 year, renewable | 800,000 THB bank or 65,000 THB/month income |
| Marriage Visa (Non-O) | Spouses of Thai nationals | 90 days → 1-year extensions | 400,000 THB bank or 40,000 THB/month income |
| Education Visa (ED) | Students & language learners | 90 days + extensions while enrolled | Enrollment at an approved Thai school |
| Non-Immigrant B (Work) | Employees of Thai companies | 90 days → 1-year extensions | Thai job offer + work permit |
| Long-Term Resident (LTR) | High earners, wealthy pensioners | 10 years, annual reporting only | USD 80,000/yr income (category-dependent) |
| Thailand Privilege (Elite) | Convenience seekers with budget | 1 year per entry, 5-20 year membership | 650,000-5,000,000 THB membership fee |
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Frequently asked questions
Do South Korean citizens need a visa to visit Thailand?
Not for short visits. South Korean citizens get 90 days visa-free on arrival. A visa is only needed for longer stays or purposes like work, retirement or study.
How long can South Korean citizens stay in Thailand without leaving?
90 days visa-free plus one 30-day extension (1,900 THB) — 120 days total without a visa. Beyond that you need a visa such as the DTV (180 days per entry) or a long-stay visa.
What is special about the rules for South Korean citizens?
South Korea holds a bilateral visa-exemption agreement with Thailand (90 days), separate from the scheme revised in May 2026.
What is the TDAC and do I need it?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card replaced the paper TM6 form in February 2026. Every traveller must complete it online (tdac.immigration.go.th) within 3 days before arrival — it is free and takes a few minutes. Airlines increasingly check it at the gate.
Can South Koreans extend beyond the 90 visa-free days?
Yes, the standard 30-day extension at a Thai immigration office applies, costing 1,900 THB and pushing a single stay toward four months. Beyond that, treaty entries cannot be chained indefinitely; immigration watches for serial 90-day residents. Koreans wanting genuine long-term presence move to the DTV, retirement, or LTR tracks instead.
Does 90 days in Thailand affect a Korean’s tax position?
A single 90-day stay does not, since Thai tax residency starts at 180 days in a calendar year. But the generous treaty makes stacking two long visits within one year easy, and that combination can cross the line, making remitted foreign income taxable in Thailand. Koreans splitting the year should count cumulative days.
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Last verified 2026-07-05. Immigration rules change — we update these pages as official announcements land, and our Thailand visa news tracks changes daily. This page is general information, not legal advice.