Southeast Asia is one of the world's most welcoming regions for travellers, with a patchwork of visa-free allowances, visa-on-arrival schemes and straightforward e-visa systems that make multi-country itineraries genuinely accessible. The rules vary significantly by country and by your passport, so this guide covers the core facts for the region's most-visited destinations — Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia — along with an overview of the broader ASEAN framework.
Entry rules change. Visa policies in Southeast Asia have evolved significantly in recent years and can change with relatively little notice. The details below represent general arrangements as of mid-2026, but always check the current rules through the official embassy or consulate of each country you plan to visit, or your own government's travel advice portal, before booking.
Thailand
Thailand has been steadily expanding the number of countries whose citizens can enter visa-free for short stays, typically for 30 days (some nationalities receive longer stays under specific bilateral arrangements). Citizens of the UK, EU countries, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea are among those who have received visa-free access for stays of up to 30 days at a time under Thailand's rolling exemption policy.
Arrivals at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK), Phuket (HKT), Chiang Mai (CNX), and other international airports and major land borders are typically processed under these arrangements.
If you need to stay longer than your visa-free allowance, Thailand offers a Tourist Visa (TR), which can be obtained from a Thai embassy or consulate abroad and typically allows 60-day stays with one possible extension. There is also a Thailand e-Visa system for certain nationalities. Thailand has periodically revisited its rules on "visa runs" (brief exits to a neighbouring country to restart the clock), and enforcement at land borders has been tightened in recent years.
On entry, you will typically need: a valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining), a return or onward ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds (rarely checked in practice but technically required). Dress appropriately if visiting temples near border crossings, as some checkpoints have standards of dress that apply in the immigration hall.
Vietnam
Vietnam operates a mix of visa-free access for certain nationalities, a well-regarded e-Visa system, and a visa-on-arrival system (the last of these requires pre-approval). The e-Visa (available at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn) is the recommended route for most visitors: it is straightforward, covers single and multiple entries, allows stays of up to 90 days for current e-Visa holders from many countries, and costs a modest fee. It is valid at all international airports and the main land and sea entry points.
Visa-free access arrangements for Vietnam include a growing list of countries — many European nationalities, UK, and some ASEAN neighbours — but the stay limits and eligibility are passport-specific. Vietnam has also periodically extended visa-free arrangements for strategic tourism markets. Check the current list carefully through official Vietnamese immigration sources or your government's advice, as this list has changed several times in recent years.
For cruises calling at Vietnamese ports and certain package tours, separate arrangements may apply — check with your operator.
Indonesia
Indonesia introduced a fee-based Visa on Arrival (VoA) system that applies to a large number of nationalities and covers stays of 30 days, extendable once for a further 30 days. This VoA can now also be obtained online in advance as a B211A e-Visa on Arrival, which allows you to skip the arrival queue at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport and other major entry points — recommended for peak season arrivals.
Citizens of several ASEAN countries enter Indonesia visa-free. Some nationalities may require a full tourist visa obtained in advance; others may be eligible for visa-free entry without a fee. The main international entry points include Bali (DPS), Jakarta (CGK), Surabaya (SUB), Lombok (LOP) and several others.
The 30+30 day VoA arrangement is generous for most holiday trips. Those planning longer stays for specific purposes — education, work, or extended stays — will need to apply for the appropriate visa category through an Indonesian consulate.
ASEAN multi-country travel
The ten ASEAN member states — Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Brunei — each have their own distinct visa policies for third-country nationals. There is no unified ASEAN visa equivalent to the Schengen Area; each border you cross requires a separate assessment of your eligibility.
Key points for multi-country itineraries:
- Malaysia and Singapore offer visa-free access to a very wide range of nationalities, often for 30 to 90 days without any formalities beyond passport control.
- Cambodia offers an e-Visa system and visa on arrival that are accessible to most visitor nationalities.
- Laos similarly offers visa on arrival or e-Visa for most Western nationalities, for 30-day stays.
- Myanmar has separate and currently more restrictive entry arrangements; check current conditions carefully, as the political situation has affected travel access and safety in parts of the country.
- Philippines: most nationalities enter without a visa for stays of 30 days, with extensions possible through the Bureau of Immigration.
For travellers planning an extended multi-country trip through ASEAN, a good strategy is to research the specific rules for each country in sequence well ahead of your trip. The rules for your specific passport may differ from general regional guidance. See also our guide to whether you need a visa for a first check on your situation.
Land border crossings in Southeast Asia
Many ASEAN borders are crossable by land, and a significant number of overlanding itineraries take advantage of this — travelling overland between Thailand and Malaysia, Thailand and Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, and so on. Not all nationalities have the same land-border visa permissions as air entry. In some cases, visa-free access or visa-on-arrival is available only at specific international checkpoints, not at smaller border crossings. Check the specific crossing you plan to use, not just the country-level rule.
Land border conditions and opening hours also vary considerably, and some crossings have seasonal or administrative closures. If your route is time-sensitive, build in flexibility around land borders.
Practical tips for entry
- Keep your passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from the region — most ASEAN countries require this.
- Carry proof of an onward or return ticket; immigration officers at airports and land borders may ask for this.
- Have the address of your first accommodation for your immigration card — a hotel booking confirmation is ideal.
- Currency requirements: some border crossings, particularly land crossings for visa on arrival, require payment in specific currencies (US dollars or local currency). Check in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Thailand if I'm British?
British passport holders have generally been able to enter Thailand visa-free for stays of up to 30 days under Thailand's rolling exemption policy, with extensions possible in-country. Confirm the current allowance through the Royal Thai Embassy or your government's travel advice before you travel, as the terms have changed in recent years.
What is the best way to get a Vietnam visa?
For most nationalities, the Vietnam e-Visa is the recommended option: it is obtained online before departure, allows stays of up to 90 days for eligible travellers, and is accepted at all major entry points. It is simpler and less stressful than arranging a visa on arrival approval letter.
Can I extend my stay in Indonesia beyond 30 days?
Yes. The standard Visa on Arrival for Indonesia allows a 30-day stay and can be extended once for an additional 30 days through a local immigration office, giving you up to 60 days total. Further extensions require a different visa category.
Is there a single visa for all ASEAN countries?
No. There is no unified ASEAN visa. Each of the ten member states has its own entry requirements, and you need to check the rules for each country separately based on your passport.
Sources and further reading:
- Thailand entry requirements: Royal Thai Embassy and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Vietnam e-Visa: official portal at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.
- Indonesia e-Visa on Arrival: molina.imigrasi.go.id.
- Always confirm current requirements with the relevant embassy or your own government's travel advice before travelling.