Southeast Asia remains one of the most accessible regions on Earth for international travelers, and understanding southeast asia visa requirements before you go can save you money, stress, and the occasional awkward conversation with an immigration officer. This guide covers every ASEAN nation plus Timor-Leste, updated for 2026.
Whether you're island-hopping through Indonesia, exploring Vietnam's highlands, or settling into a long stay in Thailand, knowing the rules ahead of time means you can focus on the important stuff — like finding the perfect hotel. When you're comparing stays across multiple countries, tools like SEA Hotel's price comparison can help you plan a multi-country itinerary without overspending.
Quick-Reference Visa Summary Table
| Country | US Passport | UK Passport | EU (Schengen) | Australian | E-Visa Available? | |---------|------------|------------|----------------|------------|-------------------| | Thailand | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | Yes (60-day) | | Vietnam | 45 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 45 days visa-free* | 30 days visa-free | Yes | | Indonesia | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | Yes (e-VOA) | | Malaysia | 90 days visa-free | 90 days visa-free | 90 days visa-free | 90 days visa-free | No (not needed) | | Singapore | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | No (not needed) | | Philippines | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | No (not needed) | | Cambodia | Visa on arrival | Visa on arrival | Visa on arrival | Visa on arrival | Yes | | Laos | Visa on arrival | Visa on arrival | Visa on arrival | Visa on arrival | Yes | | Myanmar | Visa required | Visa required | Visa required | Visa required | Yes | | Brunei | 90 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | 30 days visa-free | No (not needed) | | Timor-Leste | Visa on arrival | Visa on arrival | Visa on arrival | Visa on arrival | No |
*Some EU nationalities vary — always verify your specific passport.
Thailand
Thailand is the most visited country in Southeast Asia, welcoming over 30 million tourists annually, and its visa policies reflect that hospitality.
Visa-Free Entry Most Western passport holders receive a **30-day visa-free stamp** on arrival. This applies to arrivals by air and by land. You'll need a passport valid for at least 6 months and proof of onward travel (though this is inconsistently checked).
Extensions and Longer Stays The 30-day stamp can be extended once for an additional 30 days at any immigration office for 1,900 THB (roughly $55). For longer stays, the **60-day Tourist Visa** is available as an e-visa through the Thai e-Visa system, costing $40. The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), introduced in 2024, allows stays of up to 180 days for remote workers and is renewable once.
Common Pitfalls - **Overstays** are taken seriously: 500 THB per day fine, potential detention, and future entry bans for extended overstays. - **Land border entries** were previously limited, but current rules allow multiple visa-free entries by land. Still, frequent back-to-back entries may draw scrutiny. - Immigration officers may ask to see proof of **accommodation** and **sufficient funds** (20,000 THB per person or equivalent). Having a hotel booking confirmation helps.
Vietnam
Vietnam has dramatically simplified its visa regime in recent years, making it far more accessible than even five years ago.
Visa-Free Entry US passport holders get **45 days visa-free** (single entry). UK and Australian passport holders receive **30 days**. Most EU Schengen nationals get **45 days**. This is a significant improvement from the pre-2023 rules, when Americans needed a visa for any length of stay.
E-Visa The Vietnam e-visa costs $25, is valid for **90 days** (single entry, 90-day stay), and can be applied for online. Processing takes about 3 business days. This is the best option if you want a longer stay or plan to leave and re-enter.
Common Pitfalls - The visa-free entry is **single entry only**. If you leave Vietnam and come back, you'll need an e-visa or a new visa-free stamp (with a gap between entries sometimes required). - Apply for your e-visa through the **official government portal** only. Third-party sites charge inflated fees. - Ensure your passport has at least **6 months validity** from your entry date.
Indonesia
Indonesia, home to Bali and thousands of other islands, uses a tiered visa system that's straightforward once you understand it.
Visa-Free and Visa on Arrival Indonesia offers **30-day visa-free entry** at major airports and seaports for many nationalities. However, the visa-free entry **cannot be extended**. The smarter choice for most travelers is the **Visa on Arrival (VOA)**, which costs 500,000 IDR (~$30) and can be extended once for another 30 days.
e-VOA Indonesia's e-VOA system lets you apply and pay online before arrival, skipping the visa-on-arrival queue. It costs the same 500,000 IDR but saves significant time at busy airports like Ngurah Rai (Bali).
Common Pitfalls - **Always choose VOA over visa-free** unless you're absolutely certain you won't want to extend. The price difference is small, and the flexibility is worth it. - Extensions must be applied for at a local immigration office **before** your current visa expires. Start the process at least a week early. - The **B211 visa** (social/cultural) allows 60-day stays and is popular with digital nomads. It requires a sponsor but agencies can arrange this.
Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the most generous countries in the region for visa-free travel.
Visa-Free Entry Citizens of the US, UK, EU, and Australia receive **90 days visa-free**. That's three months — enough for a serious exploration of the country from the street food stalls of Penang to the rainforests of Borneo.
Digital Arrival Card Malaysia requires all visitors to complete the **Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)** online within 3 days before arrival. It's free but mandatory. No card, no entry.
Common Pitfalls - The MDAC requirement is strictly enforced. Complete it at [imigresen-online.imi.gov.my](https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my). - Malaysia requires **proof of sufficient funds** (approximately $100/day) and may ask to see it, particularly at land borders. - If traveling between Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo (Sabah/Sarawak), you'll pass through immigration even though it's a domestic flight. Sarawak maintains its own immigration controls.
Singapore
The smallest country in Southeast Asia punches well above its weight, and entry couldn't be simpler.
Visa-Free Entry US, UK, EU, and Australian citizens get **30 days visa-free**. Extensions of up to 90 days total are possible through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
SG Arrival Card Like Malaysia, Singapore requires an electronic **SG Arrival Card** completed within 3 days before arrival. It's free and submitted online.
Common Pitfalls - Singapore has famously strict customs laws. Do not bring **chewing gum, vapes, or controlled substances** — penalties are severe. - While the visa-free entry is generous, Singapore is expensive. Budget travelers often use it as a transit hub rather than an extended base. Comparing hotel prices across different neighborhoods can help you find value — SEA Hotel's comparison tools are useful for finding competitive rates in a pricey city.
Philippines
The Philippines archipelago of 7,641 islands welcomes tourists warmly.
Visa-Free Entry Most Western passport holders receive **30 days visa-free**. This can be extended in-country at Bureau of Immigration offices for up to **36 months** total through successive extensions.
Extension Process Extensions are done at BI offices in major cities. The first extension (to 59 days) costs approximately 3,030 PHP (~$55). Subsequent monthly extensions are cheaper. You'll also need an **ACR I-Card** (Alien Certificate of Registration) after 59 days, costing about 3,000 PHP.
Common Pitfalls - You must show a **return or onward ticket** at check-in and immigration. Airlines are strict about this. - The extension system is bureaucratic but reliable. Bring passport photos and patience. - Some remote immigration offices have limited hours. Plan around this if you're on smaller islands.
Cambodia
Cambodia is famously easy to enter, with visa on arrival being the norm.
Visa on Arrival and E-Visa Tourist visas cost **$30** on arrival (bring a passport photo and USD cash) and are valid for **30 days**. The e-visa costs **$36** ($30 visa + $6 processing) and is available online, which can speed things up at arrival.
Extensions A single 30-day extension is available at the immigration office in Phnom Penh for $45.
Common Pitfalls - At land borders, immigration officers sometimes request **"processing fees"** beyond the official $30. This is essentially a bribe. Having exact change in USD and politely insisting on the official price usually works. The e-visa avoids this issue entirely. - The e-visa is only valid at certain ports of entry (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, plus some land borders). Check the list before applying if entering overland.
Laos
Laos moves at its own pace, and its visa system is straightforward.
Visa on Arrival Available at international airports and most land borders. Costs **$30-42** depending on nationality (US citizens pay $42). Bring a passport photo and USD cash. Valid for **30 days**.
E-Visa Laos launched an e-visa system that costs $50 (visa + processing). It's more expensive than VOA but convenient if you want to skip queues.
Common Pitfalls - **Overtime fees** of $1-2 may be charged at land borders during lunch hours or weekends. This is semi-official. - ATMs are scarce outside Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Bring enough USD cash for the visa. - Extensions (30 days) are available at the immigration office in Vientiane for $2/day.
Myanmar
Myanmar's tourism situation remains complex and different from the rest of the region.
E-Visa Required Most nationalities need an **e-visa**, which costs $50 and takes about 3 business days to process. It's valid for **28 days** and can be used at Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw airports, plus some land borders.
Current Situation Due to ongoing political instability since the 2021 coup, many governments advise against travel to Myanmar or recommend exercising a high degree of caution. Several areas are off-limits to tourists. Check your government's travel advisory before planning a trip.
Common Pitfalls - **Travel insurance** that covers political instability is essential. - Internet restrictions and surveillance are in place. Consider a VPN. - Internal travel between some regions requires permits.
Brunei
The small, wealthy sultanate on Borneo is often overlooked but easy to visit.
Visa-Free Entry US citizens get **90 days**. UK, EU, and Australian citizens get **30 days**. No visa required.
Common Pitfalls - Brunei is a **dry country** — alcohol is banned. You can bring in limited quantities for personal consumption (non-Muslims only): 2 bottles of liquor and 12 cans of beer per entry. - There's not a huge tourist infrastructure. Most visitors come for the mosque, the rainforest, or as a side trip from Malaysian Borneo.
Timor-Leste
Southeast Asia's youngest nation is slowly building its tourism industry.
Visa on Arrival Available at Dili airport and the Batugade land border for **$30**. Valid for **30 days**. Bring USD cash.
Common Pitfalls - Tourist infrastructure is still developing. ATMs exist in Dili but can be unreliable elsewhere. - Roads outside the capital are rough. Plan extra travel time. - Despite its challenges, Timor-Leste offers some of the best diving in the region and genuinely unspoiled landscapes.
General Tips for Southeast Asia Visas in 2026
Passport Validity Almost every country in the region requires at least **6 months passport validity** from your date of entry. If your passport expires within 8 months, renew it before your trip.
Proof of Onward Travel Many countries require proof of onward travel (a flight out of the country). Airlines enforce this at check-in even when immigration doesn't always check. A simple solution: book a cheap onward flight or use a service that provides temporary bookings.
Multiple Countries, One Trip If you're visiting several countries, plan your visa timeline carefully. The visa-free allowances are generous enough for a typical 2-4 week multi-country trip. For longer trips, sequence your countries strategically — start with the shorter visa-free entries and save the 90-day countries (Malaysia, Brunei for US citizens) for the end.
Travel Insurance While not a visa requirement in most ASEAN countries, comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Medical costs in Singapore and Thailand's private hospitals are high. A good policy costs $5-10/day and can save you thousands.
Digital Nomad Considerations If you plan to work remotely, several countries now offer specific long-stay visas: Thailand's DTV, Indonesia's B211, and Malaysia's DE Rantau. These typically require proof of income and sometimes health insurance.
The region's accessibility is one of its greatest draws. With a bit of planning, you can cross borders seamlessly and focus on what matters most — experiencing some of the most diverse cultures, landscapes, and cuisines on the planet.
