Thailand's most generous visa-free policy is over.
On 19 May 2026, the Cabinet approved major visa changes to the country's policy, affecting travelers from more than 90 countries who had enjoyed extended free entry since July 2024. Under the new framework, most nationalities will be limited to 30 days, and some to just 15 days. The regulations were officially published in Thailand's Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026, and the new rules take effect on September 15, 2026.
What is actually happening?
The current 60-day visa-free stay will be reduced and replaced by:
- 30 days visa-free for 60 countries, including Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, India, and most of the EU.
- Only 15 days visa-free for Mauritius and Seychelles.
- A Visa Policy Committee will review the remaining nationalities on a case-by-case basis.
The Visa on Arrival list has been drastically reduced from 31 eligible countries down to just three: Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia. This means Thailand is officially moving away from on arrival processing and pushing travelers toward its eVisa system.
One additional change worth noting: travelers entering Thailand through land borders under the visa exemption will generally be limited to two entries per calendar year. This restriction does not apply to nationals of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and does not affect air arrivals.
Why is Thailand making this change?
Thai authorities have cited the exploitation of visa privileges for unauthorized work, criminal activity, and long-term undocumented residence for this change. The 60-day scheme, introduced to support post-pandemic tourism recovery, created loopholes that the government has decided to end. The Minister of Tourism and Sports personally confirmed the Cabinet resolution.
What changes on September 15, 2026
The new rules are now official. The regulations were published in Thailand's Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026 and will take full effect on September 15, 2026.
Travelers already in Thailand under the existing 60-day visa exemption before September 15 retain their right to stay for the full period granted on arrival, meaning their authorized stay will not be automatically reduced to 30 days.
For anyone traveling to Thailand from September 15 onward, the new rules apply in full. The 30-day visa-free allowance is the new standard for most nationalities. A one-time extension of up to 30 additional days remains available through Thai immigration authorities, giving eligible travelers a maximum stay of 60 days if needed.
For stays beyond that, the TR Tourist Visa remains the most viable option, allowing 60 days with the possibility of a 30-day extension.
Our views
This is one of Thailand's most significant visa policy changes in years, and it will catch many travelers off guard, particularly those planning extended stays or multi-destination itineraries built around the old 60-day window. The shift toward eVisa as the standard process for visiting Thailand also means more travelers will need to apply before they fly, rather than sorting things out on arrival. The rules are now finalized, so if you have a trip coming up, now is the time to make sure your documents are in order.
Planning a trip to Thailand? With ImmiAssist, apply with total peace of mind as we make sure your visa will cover your whole trip.