BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand will halve the visa-free stay for tourists from 60 countries and territories from 60 days to 30 days, with the new rules officially taking effect on September 15, 2026, following publication of the Interior Ministry’s announcement in the Royal Gazette on August 31. The change ends the special 60-day visa-exemption arrangement that had been in place since July 2024 and restores the standard visa-free period that applied prior to that measure.

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From September 15, holders of passports or travel documents from the listed nations may enter Thailand for tourism for up to 30 days without a visa. Travelers arriving before the new rules take effect, up to and including September 14, will still receive the current 60-day stamp, and those already in the country will retain the period of stay already granted. A one-time extension of up to an additional 30 days remains available, subject to immigration approval.

The new 30-day visa-free scheme covers 60 countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, most European Union nations, Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Taiwan. The exemption is now explicitly limited to tourism, with previous wording allowing short-term work or business removed. Officials stated the revision was made to reflect current circumstances, balancing national security and economic considerations while streamlining screening for quality tourists.

Under the new framework, visa-exempt entries through land-border immigration checkpoints are generally limited to twice per calendar year, though this restriction does not apply to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore. Meanwhile, Mauritius and Seychelles will have a separate 15-day visa-free tourism exemption. Visa on Arrival will be available only to nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.

Thailand Halves Visa-free Stay To 30 Days

Existing bilateral visa-exemption treaties remain in effect, providing 14 days for Cambodia and Myanmar, 30 days for China, Hong Kong, Laos, Russia, Vietnam, and others, and 90 days for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and South Korea. Foreign nationals not covered by the new exemption lists or a bilateral agreement will need to obtain a visa through Thailand’s e-Visa system.

-Thailand News (TN)