BANGKOK, September 1, 2026 — Thailand is preparing to introduce new visa-exemption rules after the Ministry of Interior published revised regulations in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026. The new measures will take effect on September 15, 2026.
The key change is the end of the previous scheme that allowed passport holders from 93 countries and territories to enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 60 days.
Under the new system, visa privileges will be reorganized by nationality, with the main group of 60 countries and territories eligible for visa-free entry for tourism for up to 30 days.
60-day visa-free stay ends September 15
The new announcement was published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, with the revised rules taking effect on September 15, 2026.
Thailand’s Department of Consular Affairs has also confirmed the September 15 implementation date.
From that date, travelers entering Thailand will need to check the specific entry privilege applicable to their nationality. The previous 60-day visa-free entitlement will no longer automatically apply to new arrivals.
US, UK, Japan, India and major European markets get 30 days
The 60-country-and-territory group eligible for a 30-day visa exemption includes several of Thailand’s major tourism markets, including:
the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan, along with other countries and territories listed in the official announcement.
Mauritius and Seychelles get 15 days; three countries move to VOA
Thailand is also restructuring entry privileges for several other nationalities.
Citizens of Mauritius and Seychelles will be eligible for visa-free tourism stays of up to 15 days.
Meanwhile, travelers from Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia will be moved to the Visa on Arrival (VOA) system under the revised rules.
Land-border visa-free entries limited to twice a year
Another significant change applies to travelers using the 30-day visa exemption to enter Thailand through designated land-border immigration checkpoints.
Under the new rules, such visa-free land entries will generally be limited to two times per calendar year.
The restriction does not apply in the same way to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore, as well as any other countries that may later be designated by the Minister of Interior.
Travelers already in Thailand keep their existing permission
Foreign nationals who enter Thailand before September 15, 2026 and have already been granted permission to stay under the previous system will be allowed to remain for the period originally authorized.
In other words, travelers who were granted a 60-day stay before the new rules take effect will not have their existing permission retroactively reduced to 30 days.
Government says changes aim to curb misuse
The policy change stems from a Cabinet decision on July 14, 2026, when the government approved a review of Thailand’s visa-exemption framework.
The government said the previous 60-day scheme carried risks of being used for purposes other than those intended, while raising concerns related to crime and national security.
The revised framework therefore moves toward a “one country, one privilege” approach, while seeking to balance tourism, economic interests and security.
Thailand is also strengthening the use of traveler-data systems, including the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), to improve screening and immigration oversight.
Vihok News
Sources:
Royal Gazette — Ministry of Interior visa-exemption announcement
Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
Royal Thai Government — Cabinet decision, July 14, 2026
Government Public Relations Department
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