Thailand Ends 60-Day Visa-Free Stay: New 30-Day Rules Start September 15, 2026
Written by the editors of theo-courant.com, your reference guide to Thailand and South-East Asia - based in Bangkok, at the heart of Thai culture.
Thailand is officially ending its special 60-day visa exemption for foreign visitors. Published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026, the new rules will take effect on September 15, reducing visa-free tourist stays to 30 days for nationals of 60 countries and territories.
Thailand officially ends the 60-day visa exemption
Thailand has formally abolished the special visa exemption introduced in 2024, which allowed nationals of 93 countries and territories to enter Thailand without a visa and remain for up to 60 days.
The change is no longer a government proposal or an expected reform. It has now been formally published in the Royal Gazette, making the new rules official.
The Ministry of Interior announcements were published on August 31, 2026. Each measure provides for entry into force 15 days after publication.
The new system will therefore apply from September 15, 2026.
Until September 14, the existing 60-day exemption remains in force for eligible travelers.
A new 30-day visa exemption for 60 countries and territories
Under the new rules, nationals of 60 countries and territories will be able to enter Thailand without a visa for tourism and stay for up to 30 days.
The final Royal Gazette list contains 60 entries, despite earlier government communications referring to 59 countries and territories.
The new 30-day list is:
| Australia | Austria | Bahrain | Belgium | Bhutan | Brunei Darussalam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | Canada | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark |
| Estonia | Fiji | Finland | France | Georgia | Germany |
| Greece | Hungary | Iceland | India | Indonesia | Ireland |
| Israel | Italy | Japan | Jordan | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan |
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malaysia | Maldives |
| Malta | Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | Oman | Philippines |
| Poland | Portugal | Qatar | Romania | Saudi Arabia | Singapore |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | South Africa | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland |
| Taiwan | Türkiye | Ukraine | United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | United States |
Editorial note: The Royal Gazette text is the authoritative source for the final list. The published list contains 60 entries.
What changes for travelers?
| Entry regime | Until September 14, 2026 | From September 15, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Special visa exemption | Up to 60 days | Abolished |
| Main tourist visa exemption | Up to 60 days for eligible nationalities | Up to 30 days |
| Countries and territories in the new main exemption | 93 under the previous scheme | 60 |
| Mauritius and Seychelles | Covered by the previous system | Up to 15 days |
| Visa on Arrival | Available to a wider group | Three nationalities |
| New rules take effect | — | September 15, 2026 |
The change therefore affects both the length of visa-free stays and the number of countries included in the main exemption scheme.
Mauritius and Seychelles receive a 15-day exemption
A separate Royal Gazette announcement establishes a shorter visa exemption for two countries.
From September 15, 2026, nationals of:
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
will be able to enter Thailand without a visa for tourism for up to 15 days.
This is a separate category from the 30-day exemption.
Thailand reduces Visa on Arrival to three nationalities
The Visa on Arrival system is also being revised.
From September 15, 2026, Visa on Arrival will be available to nationals of only three countries:
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Serbia
The previous Visa on Arrival arrangement is therefore being replaced by a much narrower list.
Land-border entries are subject to a two-entry limit
The new 30-day visa exemption also introduces a specific rule for travelers entering Thailand through land-border checkpoints.
Visa-exempt entries through land borders are generally limited to two entries per calendar year.
The regulation provides exceptions for nationals of:
- Brunei Darussalam
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Singapore
This provision concerns visa-exempt entries through land borders and should not be interpreted as a general two-entry limit applying to every arrival in Thailand.
What happens to travelers already in Thailand?
The change does not retroactively cancel a period of stay that was legally granted under the previous rules.
Travelers who enter Thailand before the new regulations take effect will retain the period of stay granted to them under the rules applicable at the time of entry.
This makes September 15, 2026 the key date for travelers planning a new arrival.
Is Thailand abolishing tourist visas?
No.
The reform concerns the visa exemption system and the Visa on Arrival system. It does not abolish Thailand’s tourist visa categories.
The distinction is important:
- A visa exemption allows eligible travelers to enter without obtaining a visa in advance.
- A tourist visa is a separate immigration document obtained through the relevant visa process.
- Visa on Arrival is another separate entry mechanism.
The end of the 60-day visa exemption therefore does not mean that Thailand is ending the possibility of tourist stays longer than 30 days.
Why is Thailand changing its visa exemption system?
The Ministry of Interior’s decision states that the previous arrangements should be revised to make them more appropriate to current circumstances.
The official text refers to considerations including national security, the economy and the promotion of tourism.
The reform also removes the previous special 60-day arrangement and establishes a more clearly defined structure for visa-free tourism, shorter exemptions and Visa on Arrival.
The official documents establish the new rules and their effective date. They do not, however, provide evidence that the reform will increase or reduce future tourist arrivals.
When do Thailand’s new visa rules take effect?
The four Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026.
They provide that the measures enter into force after 15 days from publication.
The new rules therefore take effect on:
September 15, 2026.
For travelers, the practical distinction is straightforward:
Arrival by September 14 → existing rules apply.
Arrival from September 15 → new rules apply.
Thailand visa exemption 2026: what travelers should remember
- Thailand is ending its special 60-day visa exemption.
- The new rules take effect on September 15, 2026.
- 60 countries and territories are included in the new 30-day visa exemption.
- Mauritius and Seychelles receive a 15-day visa exemption.
- Visa on Arrival will be available to Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.
- Visa-exempt land-border entries are generally limited to two per calendar year, with specific exceptions.
- Travelers already in Thailand keep the period of stay granted under the rules applicable when they entered.
- The reform does not abolish Thailand’s tourist visa system.
FAQ – Thailand’s new visa exemption rules
Is Thailand ending its 60-day visa-free stay?
Yes. Thailand is abolishing the special 60-day visa exemption that had applied to nationals of 93 countries and territories.
When does Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption end?
The new rules take effect on September 15, 2026. The existing system remains applicable through September 14.
How long can eligible travelers stay in Thailand without a visa from September 15?
Nationals of the 60 countries and territories included in the new list will be able to stay for up to 30 days for tourism without obtaining a visa in advance.
How many countries are included in Thailand’s new 30-day visa exemption?
The final Royal Gazette announcement lists 60 countries and territories.
Does Thailand still offer visa-free entry for Mauritius and Seychelles?
Yes. Nationals of Mauritius and Seychelles will be eligible for a separate 15-day visa exemption from September 15, 2026.
Which nationalities are eligible for Visa on Arrival?
The new Visa on Arrival list contains three nationalities: Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.
Does the two-entry limit apply to all visa-free travelers?
No. The two-entry-per-calendar-year rule applies specifically to visa-exempt entries through land-border checkpoints. The regulation provides exceptions for nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Are tourist visas being abolished?
No. Thailand is changing its visa exemption and Visa on Arrival systems. Tourist visas remain a separate entry option.
What happens if I enter Thailand before September 15?
Travelers entering Thailand before the new rules take effect retain the period of stay granted under the rules applicable at the time of their entry.
Can travelers still stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days?
The new rule concerns the initial visa-exempt tourist stay. Travelers planning a longer stay should use the appropriate visa or follow the applicable extension procedures rather than assuming that the 60-day visa exemption remains available.
Official sources
This article is based primarily on the Royal Gazette, Thailand’s official publication for government regulations.
Royal Gazette No. 128702 — Abolition of the previous 60-day visa exemption:
Royal Gazette – Document 128702Royal Gazette No. 128703 — New 30-day visa exemption for 60 countries and territories:
Royal Gazette – Document 128703Royal Gazette No. 128704 — New Visa on Arrival list:
Royal Gazette – Document 128704Royal Gazette No. 128705 — 15-day visa exemption for Mauritius and Seychelles:
Royal Gazette – Document 128705
Last updated: September 1, 2026
