Thailand Visa-Free Entry Cut to 30 Days

Thailand visa-free entry is being reshaped after the Royal Thai Government Gazette published notices repealing the special 60-day exemption for 93 countries and territories. The announced rules narrow visa-free travel to tourism and replace overlapping entry entitlements.

What changed

From September 15, 2026, ordinary passport holders and travelers using recognized passport-substitute travel documents from 60 countries and territories can receive up to 30 visa-free days for tourism, down from 60 days. The Royal Thai Government Gazette lists 60 places, up from the 59 announced in July 2026. Mauritius and Seychelles will receive 15 days, while Visa on Arrival eligibility falls from 31 countries and territories to Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.

The current 60-day scheme remains available for eligible entries through September 14, 2026. Travelers admitted before September 15 retain the stay period granted at entry. Bilateral visa exemption agreements and arrangements for diplomatic or official passports are not repealed.

Who is affected

The 30-day list includes Australian passport holders, Austrian passport holders, Bahraini passport holders, Belgian passport holders, Bhutanese passport holders, Bruneian passport holders, Bulgarian passport holders, Canadian passport holders, Croatian passport holders, Cypriot passport holders, Czech passport holders, Danish passport holders, Estonian passport holders, Fijian passport holders, Finnish passport holders, French passport holders, Georgian passport holders, German passport holders, Greek passport holders, Hungarian passport holders, Icelandic passport holders, Indian passport holders, Indonesian passport holders, Irish passport holders, Israeli passport holders, Italian passport holders, Japanese passport holders, Jordanian passport holders, Kuwaiti passport holders, and Kyrgyzstani passport holders.

They also include Latvian passport holders, Liechtenstein passport holders, Lithuanian passport holders, Luxembourg passport holders, Malaysian passport holders, Maldivian passport holders, Maltese passport holders, Dutch passport holders, New Zealand passport holders, Norwegian passport holders, Omani passport holders, Philippine passport holders, Polish passport holders, Portuguese passport holders, Qatari passport holders, Romanian passport holders, Saudi passport holders, Singaporean passport holders, Slovak passport holders, Slovenian passport holders, South African passport holders, Spanish passport holders, Swedish passport holders, Swiss passport holders, Taiwanese passport holders, Turkish passport holders, Ukrainian passport holders, Emirati passport holders, British passport holders, and American passport holders.

Why Thailand made the change

According to the Thailand Government Public Relations Department, the policy cites national security, misuse of visa privileges for illegal work and other non-tourism activity, economic and tourism interests, reciprocity, international relations, and a one country, one entitlement approach.

What travelers should do

Plan for a maximum initial 30-day tourism stay from September 15 and obtain the appropriate visa for longer stays or non-tourism activities. Visa-exempt land entries are generally limited to twice per calendar year, although this does not apply to Bruneian, Indonesian, Malaysian or Singaporean nationals, and does not create a two-entry limit for air arrivals.

Sources

• Notice Repealing the 60-Day Visa Exemption – Royal Thai Government Gazette
• Notice on the 30-Day Visa Exemption – Royal Thai Government Gazette
• Notice on Visa on Arrival Countries – Royal Thai Government Gazette
• Notice on the 15-Day Visa Exemption – Royal Thai Government Gazette
• Thailand Revises Visa Policy for 65 Countries – Thailand Government Public Relations Department