Thailand cuts visa-free stay to 30 days for 60 countries

Thailand is halving its standard visa-free stay to 30 days and reducing the list of eligible nationalities to 60 countries and territories, under four Ministry of Interior announcements published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026 which will take effect 15 days after their published date, coming into effect on September 15, 2026.

The announcements include a clause repealing the special 60-day visa exemption introduced on July 15, 2024, which covered 93 countries and territories and allowed entry for tourism, short-term work and business contact. The new 30-day exemption applies to tourism only, meaning short-term business and work visitors from affected markets will require a visa from September 15, 2026.

The Cabinet approved the revised framework on July 14, 2026, and the announcement was signed by Anutin Charnvirakul in his capacities as prime minister and minister of interior.

An official statement from the Thai government’s public relations department said the update reflected concern for national security, promotion of tourism and economic interests along with reciprocity and the reduction of overlapping visa exemption privileges – which “could create confusion for foreign visitors” – as well as convenience currently being provided by the e-Visa system.

India will fall under the new 30-day tourist exemption, having been added after the travel industry pushed back over its absence from the original 54-country list the Cabinet approved in May.

A new restriction limits visa-exempt travellers entering through land border checkpoints to two entries per calendar year. Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt from the cap, as are other nationalities the minister may designate.

In the announcements, Thailand has also cut the visa-on-arrival list down to only three countries, covering Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia, while Seychelles and Mauritius move to a 15-day exemption. Previously, 31 countries had been placed on the visa-on-arrival list in 2024.

Separate bilateral visa exemption agreements are unaffected, including 30-day arrangements with China, Russia and Vietnam.

The current 60-day scheme remains valid for entries through September 14, 2026.

Travellers entering Thailand from markets that do not appear on any of the new lists will need to obtain a Thai visa to enter from September 15, 2026.

Travellers should check the entry conditions that apply to their nationality before travelling.