Thailand Visa Exemption Ends for 21 Nationalities

Thailand visa exemption policy will narrow from a 93-country, 60-day scheme to 30-day entry for 60 countries and territories. According to the Thailand Department of Consular Affairs, Visa on Arrival eligibility will fall from 31 countries and territories to three.

What changed

The announced measures take effect September 15, 2026. Ordinary passport holders from the 21 listed nationalities will no longer receive the 60-day exemption introduced in July 2024 and must hold a visa for tourist visits. The previous exemption remains applicable to entries before that date, while travelers already in Thailand may stay until the expiry date on their immigration stamp. Other visa categories are unchanged. The finalized framework also provides 15-day exemptions to two countries and bilateral arrangements. It supersedes a May 19, 2026 Cabinet plan that listed 54 jurisdictions for 30-day entry, three for 15-day entry, and four for Visa on Arrival.

Who is affected

The change applies only to ordinary passports. It covers Albanian passport holders, Andorran passport holders, Colombian passport holders, Cuban passport holders, Dominican passport holders, Dominican Republic passport holders, Ecuadorian passport holders, Guatemalan passport holders, Jamaican passport holders, Kosovar passport holders, Mexican passport holders, Monegasque passport holders, Moroccan passport holders, Panamanian passport holders, Papua New Guinean passport holders, Sammarinese passport holders, Sri Lankan passport holders, Tongan passport holders, Trinbagonian passport holders, Uruguayan passport holders, and Uzbekistani passport holders.

Why Thailand made the change

According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the review weighed national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity, and the need to remove overlapping exemptions that confused travelers. Thailand also cited the availability of its eVisa system.

What travelers should do

Affected travelers arriving on or after September 15, 2026 should obtain the appropriate visa before departure. Applications can be submitted through Thailand’s eVisa system while outside Thailand. Applicants must upload required documents, pay the fee set by the responsible Thai embassy or consulate, and print the approval confirmation for the airline and immigration authorities. A tourist visa permits stays of up to 60 days per entry. Single-entry tourist visas are generally valid for three months from issuance, while multiple-entry visas are generally valid for six months.

Apply now

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Sources

1. 1Thailand Visa Exemption and VoA Summary 2026Thailand Department of Consular Affairs · image.mfa.go.th
2. 2Weekly Press Briefing Summary, September 3, 2026Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs · mfa.go.th
3. 3Official Thailand e-Visa WebsiteThailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs · thaievisa.go.th
4. 4Tourist VisaThailand Department of Consular Affairs · consular.mfa.go.th
5. 5Thailand Removes 21 Countries From Visa-Free Entry ListYEN.com.gh · yen.com.gh