Thailand Visa for Saudi Citizens
Saudi Arabia passport holders · Updated 2026-07-05
No — Saudi citizens do not need a visa for short trips to Thailand. You currently get 60 days visa-free on arrival, extendable once by 30 days at a local immigration office (1,900 THB). A change approved by the Thai cabinet on 19 May 2026 will cut this to 30 days once it is published in the Royal Gazette — it has not taken effect yet. For stays beyond that, you need an actual visa — the options below.
Saudi citizens enter Thailand without a visa and receive 60 days on arrival, a benefit that followed the full restoration of diplomatic ties and the launch of direct flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Bangkok. Saudi Arabia is, however, on the list of 54 countries whose exemption is set to drop to 30 days under the framework approved by the Thai cabinet in May 2026.
Thailand has quickly become a favorite for Saudi families booking extended summer trips and for travelers using Bangkok’s hospitals for medical care. Both use cases can run past 30 days, so it pays to know the extension mechanics and the longer-stay visas before the new cap takes effect.
Entry rules for Saudi citizens at a glance
| Entry rule | Visa-free entry |
|---|---|
| Visa-free stay | 60 days |
| Extension | +30 days at immigration (1,900 THB) |
| Max without a visa | 90 days |
| Approved change | 30 days visa-free (pending Royal Gazette publication) |
| 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 Saudi 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 |
Your 60 days now, and the approved cut to 30
The cabinet decision of 19 May 2026 trims the 60-day exemption to 30 days for Saudi Arabia and 53 other countries, but it is not yet in force. Implementation waits on publication in the Royal Gazette plus 15 days. Until that milestone passes, Saudi arrivals continue to receive the full 60-day stamp.
A single 30-day extension is available for 1,900 THB at any immigration office, including in resort areas like Phuket and Pattaya where many Saudi families base themselves. Under current rules that stretches a summer trip to 90 days; after the change, the same extension yields 60. Long family holidays planned for late 2026 should account for both scenarios.
Medical trips, long stays, and the Privilege card
For treatment programs that outlast a tourist stay, the Destination Thailand Visa includes medical treatment among its soft-power categories. It offers 180 days per entry across a five-year validity, with a 500,000 THB funds requirement and a 10,000 THB fee. That structure suits patients returning for staged procedures or extended recovery.
Frequent visitors who want convenience over paperwork can consider the Thailand Privilege card, with tiers from 650,000 to 5,000,000 THB buying 5 to 20 years of membership, one-year stays per entry, and VIP airport handling. It grants no work rights, which rarely matters for its target audience. High-net-worth applicants may also qualify for the 10-year LTR visa through the Board of Investment.
Entry formalities for Saudi families
Every traveler needs a Thailand Digital Arrival Card, completed free online within 72 hours before arrival. That means one per family member, children included, not one per booking. Direct flights from the Kingdom land at Suvarnabhumi, where TDAC compliance is checked at immigration.
The proof-of-funds guideline is 20,000 THB per person, and officers can ask for it even from visa-exempt arrivals. Traveling as a large family group rarely attracts scrutiny, but keep return bookings accessible and ensure every passport carries at least six months of validity, since airlines verify this at check-in before departure.
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Frequently asked questions
Do Saudi citizens need a visa to visit Thailand?
Not for short visits. Saudi citizens get 60 days visa-free on arrival (dropping to 30 days once the approved May 2026 change takes effect). A visa is only needed for longer stays or purposes like work, retirement or study.
How long can Saudi citizens stay in Thailand without leaving?
60 days visa-free plus one 30-day extension (1,900 THB) — 90 days total without a visa. Beyond that you need a visa such as the DTV (180 days per entry) or a long-stay visa.
Is Thailand really cutting the 60-day visa-free stay to 30 days?
Yes, the Thai cabinet approved the cut on 19 May 2026 as part of a wider immigration overhaul. The change takes effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette, which has not happened yet. Until then, the current rules below still apply. We update this page as soon as the status changes.
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.
Does every member of a Saudi family need a separate TDAC, including children?
Yes. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is issued per traveler, not per family or booking, and it has been mandatory for all arrivals since February 2026. It is free and completed online within 72 hours before arrival, and one adult can fill in the forms for children. Save each confirmation on your phone to present alongside the matching passport.
Can Saudi citizens receive medical treatment in Thailand on visa-free entry?
For consultations, check-ups, and procedures that fit inside your permitted stay, yes, no special visa is required. For treatment plans involving multiple visits or months of recovery, the DTV medical category is the purpose-built option: 180 days per entry, extendable by another 180, over a five-year validity. Hospitals in Bangkok routinely provide documentation supporting the application.
Is the Thailand Privilege card worthwhile for frequent Saudi visitors?
It solves a specific problem: eliminating visa logistics for people who visit often and value time. Entry tiers start at 650,000 THB for five years, scaling to 5,000,000 THB for twenty, each granting one-year stays per entry plus VIP service. If your visits are one or two holidays a year, the free exemption plus extensions covers you for far less.
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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.