Thailand Reduces Visa-Exempt Stay Periods Starting September 2026

• Thailand will revoke its 60-day visa exemption program and introduce revised 30-day and 15-day visa exemption categories, while reducing Visa on Arrival eligibility, effective September 15, 2026. 

Thailand Introduces New Visa Exemption Rules  

Thailand has announced changes to its visa exemption framework, ending the current 60-day visa-exempt entry program and introducing revised 30-day and 15-day visa exemption categories beginning September 15, 2026.  

The changes were published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026, following a review of Thailand’s visa measures approved by the Cabinet earlier this year. 

The Thai government stated that the revisions are intended to support national security, tourism and economic objectives, to promote reciprocity, to reduce overlapping immigration benefits and to increase utilization of the country’s e-Visa system.  

30-Day Visa Exemption

Under the new rules, nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Japan, Singapore and most European Union member states, will be eligible for visa-free stays of up to 30 days for tourism purposes.  

View the complete list of eligible countries and territories on the Royal Thai Embassy website. 

15-Day Visa Exemption 

Thailand will grant 15-day visa-free entry to nationals of: 

• Mauritius 
• Seychelles 

For additional details on the revised visa exemption framework, view the official government guidance and country lists.  

Visa on Arrival (VOA) 

Nationals of the following countries will be eligible for Visa on Arrival: 

• Azerbaijan 
• Belarus 
• Serbia 

For additional details on the revised visa exemption framework, view the official government guidance and country lists.

Land Border Entry Restrictions 

Travelers using the 30-day visa exemption and entering through land-border checkpoints will generally be limited to two entries per calendar year. Exceptions apply to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Singapore, as well as any additional nationalities designated by the Ministry of Interior. 

Transition Provisions 

Foreign nationals who are already in Thailand under the current visa exemption framework, or who enter Thailand before September 15, 2026, may remain in the country until the expiration of the stay period granted upon entry, as indicated by the immigration stamp in their passport.  

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