Thailand Visa Comparison Chart: Every Type Side by Side

Plenty of travelers burn entire afternoons trying to figure out which Thailand visa they need. They read one blog post that says "just show up." They read another that says they need a tourist visa. Then they find a Reddit comment about the DTV and suddenly they are down a rabbit hole about digital nomad visas when all they wanted was two weeks on a beach.

Here is the truth: Thailand has roughly a dozen visa categories, and most travelers only need to know about three of them. But if you are planning anything beyond a quick holiday -- remote work, studying Muay Thai, retiring, or just bouncing around Southeast Asia for six months -- the differences between these visas matter a lot. Wrong visa means wasted money, wasted time at embassies, or worse, getting denied entry at the airport.

This page is your reference. One master comparison table, then a breakdown of every visa type with pros, cons, and the mistakes people actually make. Bookmark it and come back to it when you plan a long trip to Thailand.

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The Master Comparison Table

This is the single most useful thing on this page. Every Thailand visa type, side by side.

Important note: Embassy fees differ by country and are paid in local currency, so check your embassy. Costs above are visa fees only. School tuition, work permit fees, insurance, and agent fees are extra. Extension fees (1,900 THB at immigration) apply on top of the original visa cost.

How long you can stay

Days on one entry, with the extension

• Initial stay
• One extension

• Visa exemptionExtension at the officer's discretion
  30 + 30 days
• Tourist visa (SETV)
  60 + 30 days
  60
• METV, each entryValid 6 months
  60 days
  60
• DTV, each entryValid 5 years
  180 + 180 days
  180+180

060120180240300360

days

Use our Visa Checker Tool to see exactly which options are available for your passport.

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Every Visa Type: Who It Is For, Honest Pros and Cons

1. Visa Exemption (30 Days from 15 September 2026)

The visa exemption is not technically a visa. It is automatic permission to enter Thailand without one. Since 15 September 2026, citizens of 60 countries and territories get a 30-day visa-free stay for tourism (15 days for Seychelles and Mauritius). This replaced the earlier 60-day scheme for 93 countries. Check the current list on the official Thai sites or in our Visa Checker Tool, because not every nationality that had 60 days is on it.

You can apply to extend by up to 30 more days at an immigration office inside Thailand for 1,900 THB (TM.7), which is at the officer's discretion. Land entries are generally limited to two per calendar year, and Cambodia land borders have been closed since June 2025. Immigration officers decide admission case by case.

The one thing most people get wrong: Thinking the visa exemption and the tourist visa are the same thing. They are not. The exemption is free and automatic. The tourist visa requires an embassy application. If your passport is on the exemption list and your trip fits the 30-day stay (plus a possible extension), you do not need to visit an embassy at all.

For the full breakdown of eligibility, limits, and what happens when immigration starts questioning your entries, read our complete visa exemption guide. For 2026-specific rule changes, see what changed this year.

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2. Visa on Arrival

The Visa on Arrival exists for passport holders from countries that do not qualify for the visa exemption but are approved for VOA entry. You fill out a form at the airport, pay the fee, show proof of accommodation, onward travel and funds (TAT lists 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family for VOA entrants), and you get stamped in for the period the officer grants, so confirm the length before you fly. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists the VOA fee as 2,000 THB.

After the September 2026 changes, TAT lists Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia as VOA nationalities. It is not useful for most Western passport holders, who qualify for the free exemption.

The one thing most people get wrong: Assuming the VOA line will be fast. Queues at busy airports can be long in peak season. If your nationality qualifies, applying for a tourist visa at a Thai embassy before you fly is often a better use of your time.

For the complete VOA process and what to have ready, see our Visa on Arrival guide.

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3. Tourist Visa / SETV (60 Days + 30-Day Extension)

The Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) gives you 60 days, and you apply for it at a Thai embassy or consulate before you travel. The fee is set by each embassy and paid in local currency. You can extend it once at an immigration office for 30 additional days (1,900 THB), giving a maximum stay of 90 days. TAT lists proof of funds of 20,000 THB per person (40,000 THB per family) for tourist visa holders.

Proof of funds

How much money to be ready to show

• Tourist visaPer person
  20,000 THB
• Tourist visaPer family
  40,000 THB
• Visa on arrival, certain exempt entriesPer person
  10,000 THB
• Visa on arrival, certain exempt entriesPer family
  20,000 THB

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THB

Why apply when a free exemption exists? Since 15 September 2026 the exemption is only 30 days, so a tourist visa is now the simple way to get 60 days up front. It is also how you get in if your passport is not on the exemption list. And a pre-approved visa can reduce questions if you have been entering Thailand frequently.

The one thing most people get wrong: Applying for a tourist visa when they do not need one. If your trip fits within the 30-day exemption and your passport is on the list, the exemption is free. Save your money and your time.

For extension details and the TM.7 form walkthrough, read our visa extension guide.

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4. METV -- Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (6 Months, 60 Days per Entry)

The METV is a 6-month visa that lets you enter Thailand multiple times, with each stay up to 60 days. Ask an immigration office whether a stay can be extended. The fee is set by each embassy: TAT has listed 5,000 THB, and the Los Angeles consulate charges US$200. It is designed for people doing the Southeast Asia circuit -- a month in Thailand, a week in Cambodia, back to Thailand, off to Laos, back to Thailand again.

Pros: You never need to visit an embassy mid-trip. Each re-entry resets your stay period, so total time in Thailand can be well over 60 days within the validity.

Cons: Embassies ask for bank statements and extra paperwork. The Los Angeles consulate, for example, asks for three months of statements showing at least US$2,000 each month, and requires applicants who are not US citizens to show residence or student/employment status. Rules differ by embassy, so check yours. Frequent re-entries can also draw questions from immigration.

The one thing most people get wrong: Thinking the METV gives you 6 continuous months in Thailand. It does not. Each entry is capped at 60 days. The 6 months is the visa validity window during which you can make entries. You still need to leave and re-enter to reset the clock.

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5. DTV -- Destination Thailand Visa (5 Years, 180 Days per Stay)

The DTV is a 5-year, multiple-entry visa that gives you 180 days per entry, extendable once by another 180 days. That is up to 360 days of continuous stay on a single entry. The application fee is 10,000 THB (paid in the embassy's local currency), and the 180-day extension at immigration costs 1,900 THB. You can leave and re-enter Thailand during the 5-year validity, with each entry resetting the 180-day clock.

The DTV covers three categories: Workcation (remote workers and freelancers earning from foreign sources), Thai Soft Power (Muay Thai training, cooking courses, medical treatment, and similar activities) and Dependants (family of a holder). The minimum age for a main applicant is 20.

This visa has fundamentally changed the long-stay landscape in Thailand. Before the DTV, digital nomads were stacking visa exemptions with border runs or enrolling in dubious language schools for ED visas. Now there is a legitimate, affordable option that explicitly permits remote work for foreign employers.

The one thing most people get wrong: Thinking the DTV lets you work for Thai companies. It does not. You cannot get a Thai work permit with a DTV. Your income must come from outside Thailand. The DTV is for people who work remotely, not for people seeking employment in Thailand.

Financial requirement: You need to show 500,000 THB in savings, typically with bank statements covering several months. You also need proof of remote work or of your soft-power activity, and document lists vary by embassy.

Money to show

What the long-stay visas ask for

• Marriage visaOr 40,000 THB a month income
  400,000 THB
• DTVIn savings
  500,000 THB
• Retirement (Non-O), age 50+Or 65,000 THB a month income
  800,000 THB
• O-X, 10 years14 nationalities, age 50+
  3,000,000 THB

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THB

For the full application process, required documents, and whether it makes sense for your situation, read our complete DTV guide.

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6. ED Visa -- Education Visa (Up to 1 Year)

The Education Visa lets you stay in Thailand for up to a year while studying at an accredited institution. The most common uses are Thai language courses, Muay Thai training at Ministry of Education-licensed schools, and university degree programs. Initial entry gives you 90 days, and the extension to up to one year is requested at immigration with a letter from the school (1,900 THB per extension is the commonly cited fee). You also need to report your address every 90 days.

The visa fee is set by each embassy, but the real cost is tuition. Course prices vary widely by school and gym, so get a written quote.

Pros: Affordable way to stay long-term. You get to learn something useful. Legitimate schools handle most of the paperwork for you.

Cons: Immigration can ask for school letters and attendance records, and officers may question patterns of back-to-back courses that look like education used as a cover for living in Thailand. The school must be properly licensed.

The one thing most people get wrong: Not realizing you cannot work on an ED visa. At all. Not remotely, not freelancing, not under the table. If you want to train Muay Thai and work remotely, the DTV is the correct visa -- it explicitly covers both.

For a deep dive on how the DTV compares to the ED visa for Muay Thai, see our Muay Thai training guide.

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7. Non-Immigrant B -- Work Visa

The Non-Immigrant B is what you need if you are going to work for a Thai company. The visa itself is just the entry document -- it gets you into Thailand for 90 days. Once inside, your employer applies for a work permit on your behalf, and then you extend the visa to one year.

The visa fee is set by each embassy and the work permit is a separate fee. But the real barrier is not cost -- it is that your employer needs to sponsor you. Commonly cited requirements include at least 2 million THB of paid-up registered capital per foreign employee and four Thai employees per work permit (BOI-promoted companies are generally exempt), and the employer handles the mountain of paperwork (business registration, tax filings, employment contracts, your degree certificates).

Pros: The only visa that lets you legally earn money from Thai sources. Provides long-term stability with annual renewals. Opens the door to permanent residency after multiple years.

Cons: You are tied to your employer. If you quit or get fired, your work permit is cancelled and your visa extension becomes void. Ask immigration how long you have to find a new employer or leave.

The one thing most people get wrong: Thinking they can just get a Non-B visa and then figure out employment later. You cannot. You need a job offer and employer sponsorship before you apply. The embassy will ask for your employment letter and the company's registration documents.

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8. Non-Immigrant O -- Retirement and Marriage Visas

The Non-Immigrant O is a category that covers several situations: retirement (age 50+), marriage to a Thai national, supporting Thai children, and volunteering. The retirement version is by far the most common.

Retirement visa (Non-O, O-A, or O-X): You must be 50 years or older. The basic Non-O gives you 90 days, extendable to one year at immigration. The O-A (Long Stay) gives you a full year from the start. The O-X gives up to 10 years but is limited to citizens of 14 listed countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and several EU states), requires you to be 50 or older, and requires 3 million THB in a Thai bank (or 1.8 million THB plus qualifying annual income). For the standard retirement extension, Thai government guidance requires 800,000 THB in a Thai bank for at least two months before applying, or a monthly income of 65,000 THB, and after approval the balance may not fall below 400,000 THB. Fees are set by each embassy.

Marriage visa: You must be legally married to a Thai national. Commonly cited requirements are 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account or 40,000 THB monthly income, but check with immigration because rules and seasoning periods vary.

Pros: Straightforward path to long-term residence for retirees. Annual renewals are relatively painless once you are in the system. No need to leave the country.

Cons: The financial requirements are real. Immigration will check your Thai bank balance, and the money needs to have been sitting there for at least two months. Health insurance is required for the O-X and O-A routes (at least 40,000 THB outpatient and 400,000 THB inpatient). You cannot work on any Non-O variant.

The one thing most people get wrong: Assuming they can use a Non-O retirement visa before age 50. The age requirement is strict -- no exceptions. If you are under 50 and want long-term residence, look at the DTV, ED visa, or Thailand Elite instead.

For long-term planning across all non-tourist visa types, read our long-term stay guide.

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9. Thailand Elite / Privilege Visa (5-20 Years)

The Thailand Elite visa (now called Thailand Privilege) is the luxury option. Pay a large upfront membership fee and get a long-term visa with VIP airport services and a government concierge. No income proof and no employer sponsorship. Just money. Each entry gives a one-year stay, and the program files your 90-day reports for you.

The five tiers:

Thailand Privilege

Five tiers, one-off fee

• Bronze5 years
  650,000 THB
• Gold5 years
  900,000 THB
• Platinum10 years
  1,500,000 THB
• Diamond15 years
  2,500,000 THB
• Reserve20 years, invitation only
  5,000,000 THB

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THB

Pros: Zero hassle. The program handles your 90-day reports. VIP airport fast-track. Multiple entries. No annual renewals.

Cons: Wildly expensive for what is essentially a tourist visa. Does not count toward permanent residency. Does not give you work permission. Sources disagree on how long the Bronze tier stays on sale, so confirm availability with the official operator.

The one thing most people get wrong: Thinking the Elite visa makes financial sense for short stays. If you are spending only a few months per year in Thailand, even the cheapest Bronze membership works out to far more per day than a DTV. The Elite only makes sense if you plan to be in Thailand consistently for years and value the convenience above all else.

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10. Volunteer Visa (Non-Immigrant O)

The Volunteer Visa is a variant of the Non-Immigrant O issued to people doing unpaid work with registered NGOs, charities, and social welfare organizations in Thailand. It gives you 90 days initially, extendable to one year with approval from the Ministry of Labour.

Here is the part that surprises people: Thai law considers volunteer work as "work," which means you legally need both the visa and a work permit, even though you are not being paid. The sponsoring organization handles the work permit application.

Pros: Lets you stay long-term while doing meaningful work. Relatively cheap (the visa fee is set by each embassy).

Cons: You need a legitimate sponsoring organization. Freelance volunteering or self-organized community work does not qualify. Processing requires coordination between the embassy, the Ministry of Labour, and the organization, which can take weeks.

The one thing most people get wrong: Thinking they can volunteer on a tourist visa. Technically, Thai immigration considers any "work" -- paid or unpaid -- as requiring a Non-O visa and work permit. In practice, short-term volunteer stints at established programs often happen on tourist visas without issue, but the legal requirement exists and violations can bring fines or deportation.

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11. Transit Visa (Rarely Used)

The Transit Visa exists for travelers passing through Thailand en route to another country. Fees and stay length are set by the embassy. In practice, few people need it because the visa exemption covers most short stays. The Transit Visa is only relevant if your passport is not eligible for visa exemption and you are not staying long enough to justify a Tourist Visa.

The one thing most people get wrong: Applying for a Transit Visa when they could just use the visa exemption. If your passport qualifies for visa-free entry, skip the Transit Visa entirely.

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Which Visa Do I Need? The Decision Tree

Stop reading forum posts. Find your situation below.

Which visa?

Start from how long you are staying

What does your trip look like?

• Under 30 days, passport on the exemption list

  Visa exemption

  Free and automatic. Ask for up to 30 more days at immigration if needed.

• 2-3 months on one trip

  Tourist visa (SETV)

  60 days, plus 30 with an extension. Apply at an embassy first.

• Remote worker, 3-6 months

  DTV

  180 days per entry. Foreign employers and clients only.

• Working for a Thai company

  Non-Immigrant B

  Your employer sponsors you and applies for the work permit.

Staying Under 30 Days?

Use the Visa Exemption. If your passport is on the 30-day exemption list, you do not need to apply for anything. Just show up. If you need a few extra weeks, you can ask to extend by up to 30 days at immigration (1,900 THB).

Read: Visa exemption rules and eligible countries

Staying 2-3 Months?

Visa Exemption + extension gets you to at most 60 days. A Tourist Visa (SETV) gives you 60 days on entry, plus a possible 30-day extension for 90 in total.

If you want to do this trip multiple times in a year, look at the METV (6-month validity, multiple entries, fee set by embassy).

Read: Visa extension process and TM.7 form | Border run options if you need to reset

Digital Nomad Staying 3-6 Months?

Get the DTV. This is exactly what it was designed for. 180 days per entry, remote work is legal, and the 10,000 THB fee is far cheaper than stacking tourist visa extensions and border runs. If you need longer than 180 days, you can extend once for another 180 days (1,900 THB).

Read: Complete DTV application guide

Want to Live Here 1+ Year?

Your options depend on your situation and budget:

• DTV -- Best value for remote workers. 5-year validity, 360 days per entry with extension. Leave and re-enter to reset the clock.
• ED Visa -- If you genuinely want to study Thai language or train Muay Thai. One year with regular extensions. No remote work allowed.
• Thailand Elite -- If you have the money and want zero hassle. Starts at 650,000 THB for 5 years (check Bronze availability).

Read: Long-term stay options compared

Working for a Thai Company?

Non-Immigrant B + Work Permit. There is no shortcut here. Your employer must sponsor you, apply for your work permit, and handle the paperwork. The DTV does not cover employment by Thai companies. Neither does the Elite visa.

Retired and Over 50?

Non-Immigrant O (Retirement). Thai government guidance lists 800,000 THB in a Thai bank or 65,000 THB monthly income. Start with the basic Non-O (90 days) and extend to one year inside Thailand, or apply for a long-stay category from your home country.

Married to a Thai National?

Non-Immigrant O (Marriage). Commonly cited financial requirement is 400,000 THB in a Thai bank or 40,000 THB monthly income; confirm with immigration. Annual renewals inside Thailand.

Under 50, Not Working Remotely, No Thai Employer, Just Want to Stay Long-Term?

This is the hardest situation. Your realistic options are:

1. ED Visa -- Enroll in a legitimate course (language, Muay Thai, cooking, university)
2. DTV -- If you can frame your activities under "soft power" (Muay Thai training, cultural activities)
3. Thailand Elite -- If you can afford the 650,000 THB entry price

Read: What to do if immigration rejects your entry

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Common Mistakes That Cost People Time and Money

Mistake 1: Applying for a Visa You Do Not Need

If you hold a passport from an exempt country and your trip fits the 30-day stay, you do not need a tourist visa. You do not need to visit an embassy or pay a visa agent. The exemption is automatic and free.

Mistake 2: Not Checking Visa Exemption Eligibility First

Before researching any visa, check whether your country is on the 30-day visa exemption list. Many travelers from eligible countries waste hours researching tourist visas and VOA when they could just fly in for free. Use our Visa Checker Tool to confirm your eligibility in seconds.

Mistake 3: Overpaying Visa Agents

Visa agents in tourist areas charge a premium for "visa extension service." The official extension fee at immigration is 1,900 THB, and the form (TM.7) is one you can fill out yourself. For tourist visa extensions, you do not need an agent. For more complex visas (Non-B, Non-O), an agent or lawyer can genuinely help, but compare prices first.

Read: How the TM.7 extension process actually works

Mistake 4: Ignoring the Land Entry Limits

Land entries are generally limited to two per calendar year on the exemption. Cambodia land borders have been closed since June 2025, so plan flights or other crossings. Border runs are no longer a way to stack long stays.

Read: Border run planning and options

Mistake 5: Overstaying "Just a Few Days"

Overstaying costs 500 THB per day, capped at 20,000 THB, paid before you are allowed to leave. If you surrender to the authorities, overstaying more than 90 days brings a 1-year ban, more than 1 year a 3-year ban, more than 3 years a 5-year ban, and more than 5 years a 10-year ban. If you are arrested and prosecuted, the bans are longer: 5 years for under a year of overstay and 10 years beyond that.

Overstay

How long an overstay can keep you out

• You surrender
• You are arrested

• Over 90 daysSurrender before leaving
  1-year ban
• Over 1 yearSurrender before leaving
  3-year ban
• Over 3 yearsSurrender before leaving
  5-year ban
• Over 5 yearsSurrender before leaving
  10-year ban
• Under 1 yearArrested and prosecuted
  5-year ban
• Over 1 yearArrested and prosecuted
  10-year ban

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years banned

Read: Overstay fines, bans, and what to do if you have overstayed

Mistake 6: Choosing the Wrong Visa for Remote Work

If you are a digital nomad, the DTV is the correct visa. Not the tourist visa (technically illegal to work on it), not the ED visa (no work allowed), and not the Non-B (requires Thai employer). The DTV is the only visa that explicitly permits remote work for foreign employers. Yes, thousands of people work remotely on tourist visas without consequences. But if you want to be legal and sleep well at night, the DTV costs 10,000 THB and solves the problem cleanly.

Mistake 7: Trying to Stack Back-to-Back Visa Exemptions Indefinitely

Stacking visa-free entries indefinitely no longer works. Immigration officers decide admission case by case, and a passport showing a pattern of enter-leave-enter-leave may be questioned or denied entry. The solution is to get the right visa for your actual stay length.

Read: What the new 2026 visa rules mean for travelers

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Cost Comparison: What You Actually Pay for Each Stay Length

Because the visa fee alone does not tell the full story. Here is what each option costs for common trip lengths.

30-Day Trip

Best option: Visa Exemption (if eligible). Free is free.

60 to 90-Day Trip

Best option: For up to 60 days, exemption plus extension is cheapest. For 90 days, a tourist visa plus extension.

180-Day Stay

Best option: DTV if you qualify. Legal, simple, one application.

Visa fees you pay in Thailand or to the embassy

What each route costs, and how long it covers

• Visa exemptionCovers 30 days
  Free
• Exemption plus extensionCovers up to 60 days
  1,900 THB
• DTVCovers 180 days per entry; paid in the embassy's local currency
  10,000 THB
• DTV plus extensionCovers up to 360 days
  11,900 THB

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THB

1-Year Stay

Best option for remote workers: DTV. Best option for retirees: Non-O.

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Quick Reference: Where to Apply

Remember: All foreign travelers entering Thailand must complete the TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) online before arrival, regardless of visa type. This is separate from your visa. Submit it within 3 days before arrival at tdac.immigration.go.th. It is free.

Before you fly

Three checks, in order

1. 1

   Is your passport on the 30-day exemption list?

   If yes, you may not need to apply for anything.

2. 2

   If not, apply for the right visa

   Online at thaievisa.go.th or at an embassy, before you travel.

3. 3

   Submit the TDAC

   Free, within 3 days before arrival, at tdac.immigration.go.th.

Read: Complete entry requirements and TDAC process

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The Bottom Line

For most backpackers on a trip of a month or less, the visa exemption is all you need. Free, automatic, with a possible 30-day extension. Do not overthink it.

For digital nomads and remote workers planning to stay longer than 60 days, the DTV is usually the cleanest option. 10,000 THB for 180 days of legal remote work is hard to beat.

For everyone else -- retirees, workers, students, volunteers -- the right visa depends on your specific situation, and the decision tree above should point you in the right direction.

The worst thing you can do is pick the wrong visa, realize it halfway through your trip, and scramble to fix it while your current permission is expiring. Spend a few minutes with this chart now, and save yourself hours of stress later.

Have questions about a specific visa type? Our detailed guides break down each one step by step:

• Backpacker visa guide (which one do you actually need?)
• Visa exemption rules and eligible countries
• DTV digital nomad visa application guide
• Visa extension process and TM.7 form
• Border run planning and options
• Visa on Arrival: complete process
• 2026 visa rule changes
• Overstay fines, bans, and consequences
• Long-term stay options compared
• What to do if immigration rejects you

Or use our Visa Checker Tool to see your options based on your passport and trip length.