Thailand Visa Exemption: 60 Days to 30 Days – New Rules from September 15, 2026
Thailand Visa Exemption: 60-Day Stay to Be Reduced to 30 Days Thailand is officially changing its visa exemption system in September 2026. The current 60-day visa exemption covering 93 countries and territories will be cancelled and replaced with country-specific entry arrangements.
The revised measures have been published in the Royal Gazette. They will take effect 15 days after publication, with the new rules scheduled to come into force on September 15, 2026.
Under the revised system, 59 countries and territories will receive up to 30 days without a visa, while Mauritius and Seychelles will receive up to 15 days. Visa on Arrival will remain available for Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.
Indian passport holders will also move from Visa on Arrival to the 30-day visa exemption category under the revised framework.
What Is the Thailand Visa Exemption Scheme?
The Thailand visa exemption allows passport holders from approved countries to enter Thailand without applying for a visa in advance, mainly for tourism and certain short-term activities.
In July 2024, Thailand expanded its general visa exemption scheme to 93 countries and territories and increased the permitted stay from 30 days to 60 days per entry.
Under the current rules, eligible travellers can receive a 60-day visa exemption on arrival, with the possibility of applying for a 30-day extension at a local immigration office.
This 60-day system will now end. Thailand is returning to a more country-specific system where different nationalities receive different entry privileges.
What Is Changing in the Thailand Visa Exemption?
The key change is that the 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries and territories will be cancelled.
Thailand will move to a system where each country or territory receives one applicable entry entitlement. The government describes this approach as “one country, one entitlement.”
The revised framework includes:
- 59 countries and territories will receive a 30-day visa exemption
- Mauritius and Seychelles will receive a 15-day visa exemption
- Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia will receive Visa on Arrival
- Separate bilateral visa exemption agreements will continue to apply where relevant
The Thai government says the changes are intended to reduce misuse of visa exemption privileges, improve security and create a clearer entry system while continuing to support tourism.
India Moves From Visa on Arrival to 30-Day Visa Exemption
One of the important changes concerns Indian passport holders.
India was previously included in Thailand’s Visa on Arrival system. Under the revised framework, Indian nationals will instead receive a 30-day visa exemption.
The Thai Government specifically announced that India would be added to the 30-day visa exemption category together with Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta and the Maldives. This means all 27 European Union member states will have the same 30-day visa exemption entitlement.
India’s previous Visa on Arrival entitlement will be removed so that Indian passport holders have one applicable entry entitlement under the revised system.
30-Day Thailand Visa Exemption
Under the revised system, 59 countries and territories will receive a visa exemption for stays of up to 30 days for tourism.
| Region | Countries and Territories |
|---|---|
| Africa | South Africa |
| Asia | Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan |
| Europe | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
| Middle East | Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates |
| North America | Canada, United States |
| Oceania | Australia, Fiji, New Zealand |
The exact entry entitlement should always be checked before travelling, as Thai immigration rules can change.
15-Day Visa Exemption
Thailand is also introducing a separate 15-day visa exemption category for tourism.
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Indian Ocean | Mauritius, Seychelles |
Nationals of these two countries will be able to enter Thailand under the 15-day visa exemption for tourism.
Thailand Visa on Arrival in 2026
Thailand is also reducing the number of nationalities eligible for Visa on Arrival.
Under the revised framework, Visa on Arrival will remain available to:
| Countries |
|---|
| Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia |
India will no longer be included in the Visa on Arrival category because Indian passport holders will instead receive the 30-day visa exemption.
Bilateral Visa Exemption Agreements
Thailand will continue to honor separate bilateral visa exemption agreements with certain countries. These agreements operate separately from the general visa exemption system.
This means that some nationalities may have different permitted stays based on a bilateral agreement rather than the general visa exemption list.
| Permitted Stay | Countries and Territories |
|---|---|
| 14 days | Cambodia, Myanmar when arriving through international airports |
| 30 days | China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, Timor-Leste, Vietnam |
| 90 days | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Republic of Korea |
Travellers covered by a bilateral agreement should check the specific agreement that applies to their passport before travelling.
When Will the New Thailand Visa Rules Start?
The revised Ministry of Interior announcements have been published in the Royal Gazette.
The measures state that the new rules will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.
The new Thailand visa exemption system will therefore take effect on September 15, 2026.
Until the new rules take effect, the existing 60-day visa exemption system remains applicable to eligible travellers.
Thailand Visa Exemption – September 2026
Current system: Eligible nationalities can currently receive up to 60 days under the existing visa exemption system.
New system: The 60-day visa exemption covering 93 countries and territories will be cancelled.
30-day exemption: 59 countries and territories will receive up to 30 days without a visa.
India: Indian passport holders will move from Visa on Arrival to the 30-day visa exemption category.
15-day exemption: Mauritius and Seychelles will receive up to 15 days.
Visa on Arrival: Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia will remain eligible for Visa on Arrival.
Effective date: September 15, 2026.
Can You Still Use the 60-Day Thailand Visa Exemption?
Yes, until the new measures take effect.
Eligible travellers entering Thailand before September 15, 2026 can still receive the existing visa exemption according to the rules in force at the time of entry.
Foreign nationals who enter Thailand before the new measures take effect can continue to stay until their existing permitted period expires.
If you plan to enter Thailand on or after September 15, 2026, you should check which new entry category applies to your passport.
Can You Extend the 30-Day Visa Exemption?
Eligible visitors may still be able to apply for an extension of stay at a Thai Immigration office. Approval is subject to the requirements and decision of Immigration.
Travellers who need to stay longer should not assume that an extension will automatically be granted. If you already know that you will stay in Thailand for an extended period, consider applying for an appropriate visa before travelling.
How to Stay Longer Than 30 Days Under the New Rules
Once the updated Thailand visa exemption rules are in force, travellers who need to stay longer can consider an extension or an appropriate visa.
- 30-Day Extension: Eligible visitors may apply for an extension at a Thai Immigration office. Approval is subject to Immigration’s requirements and decision.
- Tourist Visa: Travellers planning a longer holiday can apply for a tourist visa before travelling instead of relying only on visa exemption.
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): A long-stay option for eligible remote workers, digital nomads and other qualifying applicants.
- Retirement Visa: Foreign nationals who meet the relevant age, financial and other requirements may qualify for a retirement-related Non-Immigrant visa and extension.
- Education Visa: Foreign nationals studying in Thailand may qualify for an appropriate education-related visa.
What Does This Mean for Frequent Visitors?
The change will be particularly relevant for people who regularly use Thailand’s visa exemption scheme for longer stays.
Travellers who previously entered Thailand for 60 days and then applied for an extension will now need to plan around the new 30-day entry period.
Frequent visa-exempt entries may also receive greater scrutiny from immigration officers. Entry to Thailand is always subject to the decision of the immigration officer at the border.
If you regularly spend several months in Thailand, it may be worth considering an appropriate long-stay visa instead of relying on repeated visa-exempt entries.
Why Is Thailand Changing the Visa Exemption Rules?
The Thai government has linked the changes to concerns about misuse of visa exemption privileges and foreigners using tourist entry arrangements for activities that do not match the purpose of their entry.
The government has also cited national security, international relations, economic considerations and the principle of giving each country or territory one appropriate entry entitlement.
The revised system is intended to reduce overlapping entry privileges while continuing to support tourism and international travel.
Practical Tips for Travellers
If you are travelling to Thailand before September 15, 2026, check the permitted stay given by Immigration when you arrive.
If you are travelling on or after September 15, 2026, check your passport’s new visa exemption category before travelling.
Indian passport holders should pay particular attention to the change because India will move from Visa on Arrival to a 30-day visa exemption.
If you plan to stay longer than your permitted visa-free period, arrange the appropriate visa or extension rather than relying on the previous 60-day rules.
The revised Thailand visa exemption measures have been published in the Royal Gazette and will take effect on September 15, 2026.
Always check the latest information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Consular Affairs, Thai Immigration Bureau or the relevant Thai Embassy or Consulate before travelling.
Need Help With Visa Options in Pattaya?
If you are unsure which visa or entry option is suitable for your situation, or you want help planning your stay in Thailand, you can speak with a local visa specialist in Pattaya.
Pattaya Service Market can assist with long-stay visas, DTV, retirement visas, extensions, marriage visas, guardian visas, border runs and other immigration services.
Visit our visa services page here: Visa Services Pattaya for personalised advice and step-by-step support.
For official information and updates on the Thailand visa exemption, travellers can also refer to:
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand –
www.mfa.go.th
• Department of Consular Affairs –
consular.mfa.go.th
• Thai Government –
www.thaigov.go.th
• Royal Gazette –
ratchakitcha.soc.go.th
• Immigration Bureau –
www.immigration.go.th
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