Thailand: Visa-Free Stays Drop to 30 Days from 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.
From September 15, 2026, Thailand will end its 60-day visa exemption for most nationalities covered by the previous scheme. Travellers from 60 countries and territories will instead be able to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa, subject to the conditions of the new scheme.
Thailand officially moves from 60 to 30 days
The change takes effect on September 15, 2026.
Under the previous arrangement, nationals of 93 countries and territories could enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 60 days. The new system replaces this with several categories, including a 30-day visa exemption for 60 countries and territories.
The measures were published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026, with the new rules scheduled to take effect 15 days after publication.
The key date for travellers is therefore straightforward:
| Date of entry into Thailand | Applicable rules |
|---|---|
| Until September 14, 2026 | The previous 60-day visa exemption remains applicable to eligible nationalities |
| From September 15, 2026 | The new visa exemption scheme applies |
| From September 15, 2026 | Up to 30 days without a visa for nationals of the 60 countries and territories covered by the exemption |
Travellers who entered Thailand before September 15 are not having their existing stay shortened retroactively. The new rules apply to new entries made from September 15 onwards.
Who can still enter Thailand without a visa for 30 days?
The new scheme provides a 30-day visa exemption for nationals of 60 countries and territories.
The list includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and India, as well as all 27 member states of the European Union.
For European travellers, the change is therefore significant: entering Thailand from September 15 no longer automatically provides the 60-day stay that had been available since 2024.
An important clarification about the number of countries
Thai authorities and media reports published before the new rules took effect sometimes referred to 59 countries and territories.
The final list included in the measures taking effect on September 15 contains 60 countries and territories.
For this reason, travellers should refer to the final list rather than earlier announcements.
What about stays of more than 30 days?
For a trip lasting more than 30 days, travellers should check their individual situation before departure.
Several options may be available depending on nationality, purpose of travel and intended length of stay, including different types of Thai visas.
The new visa exemption should therefore not be interpreted as a ban on tourist stays of more than 30 days. It primarily changes the conditions for entering Thailand without a visa.
For longer stays, travellers should check the requirements that specifically apply to their nationality and the type of stay they are planning.
Generally, people who want to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days have three main options:
- apply for a Thai visa before arrival through the Thai embassy or consulate responsible for their country of residence;
- enter Thailand under the 30-day visa exemption and apply for a stay extension at a Thai immigration office;
- enter Thailand under the 30-day visa exemption, leave the country and then attempt to re-enter Thailand, subject to the entry requirements applicable at the time of return.
Important: visa-exempt entries into Thailand by land or sea are generally limited to two entries per calendar year. This restriction concerns visa-exempt entries and does not mean that a 30-day stay extension is automatically limited to two applications per year.
A departure from Thailand does not by itself guarantee a new period of visa-exempt stay. A new entry remains subject to the immigration authorities assessment and the rules applicable at the time of arrival.
What about other nationalities?
September 15 does not only mark the reduction from 60 to 30 days.
The new measures also reorganise other visa-exemption and Visa on Arrival categories.
Mauritius and Seychelles: 15 days
Nationals of Mauritius and Seychelles are covered by a separate exemption allowing a stay of 15 days.
Three nationalities remain eligible for Visa on Arrival
The new scheme also reduces the Visa on Arrival list.
From September 15, it covers:
- Azerbaijan;
- Belarus;
- Serbia.
These travellers should therefore not confuse the Visa on Arrival system with the 30-day visa exemption.
Land-border entries remain subject to restrictions
The new system also maintains a restriction on visa-exempt entries through land borders.
For most nationalities benefiting from the exemption, visa-exempt entries by land or sea are generally limited to two entries per calendar year, subject to the exceptions provided by the Thai authorities.
This is particularly relevant for travellers who regularly use land borders to leave and re-enter Thailand.
The rule should not be confused with the maximum length of an individual stay: these are two separate issues.
What travellers need to remember
For most affected travellers, the change can be summarised simply.
Before September 15, 2026: the 60-day visa exemption remains applicable to nationalities covered by the previous scheme.
From September 15: nationals of the 60 countries and territories included in the new list receive a 30-day visa exemption for eligible tourist stays.
Travellers already in Thailand before the change keep the period of stay granted when they entered the country.
For anyone planning a trip now, the arrival date is therefore an important factor to consider.
Why this date matters for travellers
The change comes as Thailand prepares for the next high tourist season.
For travellers who had planned to stay for several weeks, the difference between 60 and 30 days can affect travel planning, including the length of the trip, the possibility of applying for an extension, the need for a visa, or the organisation of a wider itinerary around Southeast Asia.
The change is also relevant to travellers who have traditionally used land borders to leave and re-enter Thailand.
It is therefore more than a simple administrative adjustment: the visa-free entry conditions that have applied since 2024 change from September 15, 2026.
Key points
- The new Thai visa rules take effect on September 15, 2026.
- The previous 60-day visa exemption is replaced for the categories concerned.
- Nationals of 60 countries and territories are eligible for a 30-day visa exemption.
- Travellers who entered Thailand before September 15 keep the period of stay granted when they entered.
- Mauritius and Seychelles are covered by a separate 15-day exemption.
- From September 15, the Visa on Arrival scheme covers Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.
- Visa-exempt entries by land or sea remain subject to restrictions.
- A possible extension of stay requires an application through Thai immigration.
- Leaving Thailand does not automatically guarantee a new visa-exempt entry.
FAQ
How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa from September 15, 2026?
Nationals of the 60 countries and territories covered by the new exemption can stay for up to 30 days for an eligible tourist stay.
What happens if I entered Thailand before September 15?
The period of stay granted when you entered remains applicable. The new rules apply to entries made from September 15, 2026.
Can I stay in Thailand for more than 30 days?
A stay of more than 30 days may still be possible depending on your nationality, visa status and the applicable extension rules. An application to Thai immigration may be required.
Does the change affect European travellers?
Yes. All 27 European Union member states are included in the new list of 60 countries and territories eligible for the 30-day visa exemption.
Does Thailand still have Visa on Arrival?
Yes, but the list has been significantly reduced. From September 15, 2026, the Visa on Arrival scheme covers nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.
Sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand — Summary of the revision of Thailand’s visa exemption and Visa on Arrival schemes, effective September 15, 2026.
- Royal Gazette — Ministry of Interior announcements published on August 31, 2026.
- Thailand Public Relations Department — revised visa exemption measures.
- Immigration Bureau — information concerning applications for extension of stay.
Last updated: September 14, 2026
