Thailand: Reduction in Visa-Exempt Stay Duration Forthcoming

Thailand’s Ministry of Interior has announced revisions of the country’s visa exemption and visa-on-arrival schemes. Effective September 15, 2026, the existing 60-day visa exemption for nationals of 93 countries and territories will be revoked and replaced with shorter visa-exempt periods for a reduced number of nationalities. Foreign nationals who enter Thailand under the existing 60-day visa exemption before September 15, 2026 may remain for the full period granted upon entry. The revised rules will apply only to travelers entering Thailand on or after that date. 

Under the revised rules:  

• • Nationals of the following 60 countries and territories will be eligible for visa-exempt entry for tourism purposes for up to 30 days: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, 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, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. 
  • Nationals of Mauritius and Seychelles will be eligible for visa-exempt stays of up to 15 days.  
  • Nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia will become eligible to obtain a visa-on-arrival at an authorized immigration checkpoint. 

The activities permitted under the visa exemption scheme will remain unchanged. Travelers may continue to undertake non-work activities, such as attending an exhibition as a visitor or participating in an internal meet-and-greet with colleagues. Activities considered work will continue to require appropriate work authorization, such as an Urgent Work Permit. Visa-on-arrival holders cannot obtain an Urgent Work Permit and will therefore be limited to non-work activities. 

Visa-exempt entries through land-border checkpoints will generally be limited to two per calendar year, subject to nationality-specific exceptions. Entries by air will not be subject to a specified annual limit; however, admission will remain at the discretion of immigration officers. Travelers who make frequent visa-exempt visits may be questioned about the purpose and frequency of their travel and should be prepared to provide supporting information. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.