Thailand Visa 2026 for Arab Travellers: GCC, Egypt and the TDAC Card

Updated 22 October 2026 · Best Versions team · اقرأ بالعربية

Last checked against official sources: 22 October 2026. Entry rules change at short notice, so we name the source of every rule. If anything here differs from the embassy website or the e-Visa system, the official source wins.

Do you need a visa for Thailand? By nationality

Exemptions per the Tourism Authority of Thailand announcement (1 September 2026). Egypt and Sudan per the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo. The table covers tourist travel on an ordinary passport.

Visa exemption for GCC and Jordanian citizens: 30 days

• From 15 September 2026, a tourist visa exemption of up to 30 days replaced the previous 60-day exemption for passport holders of 60 countries and territories, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Jordan, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
• The exemption is for tourism; it does not cover work or long stays.
• The stay can be extended for another period of up to 30 days, solely at the immigration officer's discretion, according to the Thai embassy's visa exemption page updated on 17 September 2026. Don't book your return flight around an extension that isn't guaranteed.
• If you enter overland, for example from Malaysia, under this exemption, the limit is generally twice per calendar year.
• Ten days between Bangkok and the sea fit easily within 30 days, as in our 10-day Thailand itinerary.

Egyptians: the e-Visa is mandatory

Since 8 October 2024, nationals of Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea apply for any Thai visa only through the official e-Visa system, thaievisa.go.th, without handing in their passport at the embassy. Key points from the Cairo embassy's e-Visa page:

• Timing: processing takes up to 10 working days. Apply at least four weeks before travel, and not more than 3 months before departure.
• Your name: enter your full name exactly as in your passport; mistakes lead to automatic rejection with no refund.
• Payment: by valid credit or debit card only, and fees are non-refundable whatever the outcome. Check the current amount on the embassy's fees page.
• Tourist visa documents per the tourist visa page: a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the visa's validity, an English bank statement for the last 3 months with a balance of at least EGP 35,000 at the time we checked, a round-trip flight booking, accommodation covering at least half of the stay, a 3×4 cm photo on a white background, and an employer letter and social insurance record with English translation.
• A single-entry tourist visa is valid for 3 months and allows a 60-day stay, according to the same page.
• After approval: you receive a confirmation email. Print it and show it to the airline when you fly and to immigration on arrival.

If you live in the UAE, the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi states that UAE-based foreign nationals have applied online since 1 January 2025 and in-person applications are no longer accepted. Follow the guidance of the Thai embassy in your country of residence.

The TDAC digital arrival card, step by step

Since 1 May 2025, the TDAC has been mandatory for all non-Thai arrivals by air, land or sea, whether or not they need a visa. It is free, is submitted within 3 days before arrival, and every traveller needs one, infants included; parents fill it in for their children. Transit passengers who don't pass immigration or leave the airport don't need one, according to Thai embassy guidance.

1. Open the official site yourself: type tdac.immigration.go.th into your browser and tap Arrival Card. Don't use links from ads.
2. Passport details: upload a clear photo of your passport page or type the details in English.
3. Trip details: your flight number, arrival date and the address of your hotel or accommodation in Thailand.
4. Health declaration: shown only for certain nationalities or recent travel to designated areas.
5. Companions: tap Add for each family member and repeat the details.
6. Review and submit: check everything, enter your email, accept the terms and tap Submit.
7. Save the confirmation: you get an email with a QR code. Keep it on your phone or print it and show it at immigration.

The TDAC is not a visa and doesn't replace one, as the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Dubai points out. You complete it every time you enter Thailand.

Beware of fake websites

• Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has warned about websites charging fees for the TDAC, confirming that registration is completely free and that the only official site is tdac.immigration.go.th.
• The e-Visa is submitted only through thaievisa.go.th. No agent can guarantee approval, and incorrect documents lead to refusal and can lead to an entry ban.
• If you paid a fake site, keep the link and screenshots and contact your bank straight away.

What to carry on arrival

• A valid passport, your printed visa if you need one, and your TDAC confirmation.
• Your accommodation address and onward booking. The Tourism Authority notes that evidence of onward travel may be requested "where required".
• Proof of funds: immigration may ask for cash or the equivalent; the amount depends on your entry category and doesn't apply to children under 12, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand reminder. Check the amount for your category with the embassy.
• Set up an eSIM before you fly so you can reach your email and TDAC QR code as soon as you land.

With the paperwork sorted, plan the rest of your trip with our Thailand travel guide and Thailand trip cost guide, or let the AI trip planner design a full itinerary for you.

Official sources: Visa exemption rules (Tourism Authority of Thailand) · Thailand e-Visa · TDAC digital arrival card · Royal Thai Embassy, Cairo · Ministry of Tourism and Sports warning

Frequently asked questions

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This article is general information, not legal advice. The final decision on entry rests with the immigration officer at the checkpoint, and visa rules change, so always check the official sources for your nationality before you book and travel.