Top News

Thailand’s most popular, 60-day visa-free entry option for travellers from 93 countries is finally going away. On Tuesday, the Thai Cabinet approved plans in principle to end the current 60-day visa-free stay for travellers from India, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and most European countries.

The decision was confirmed after the Cabinet meeting held on May 19, 2026, by Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister, Surasak Phancharoenworakul.

For many travellers, this likely means Thailand will return to the older 30-day visa-free entry system that existed before July 2024.

Why Thailand Is Removing the 60-Day Visa-Free Stay

Thailand introduced the 60-day visa exemption in July 2024 to revive tourism and attract more international visitors after the pandemic slowdown. The move made Thailand one of the easiest destinations in Asia for long holiday stays.

The policy worked well for tourism numbers, especially among remote workers, long-stay tourists, and repeat visitors. But over time, concerns started growing inside Thailand.

Authorities and local communities reportedly raised issues about people misusing the visa-free system for purposes beyond tourism. Questions were also raised about long stays with limited monitoring and travellers informally working while entering as tourists.

That appears to have pushed the government toward tightening the rules again.

Most Travellers May Soon Get Only 30 Days Again

Before the expanded scheme began in 2024, travellers from many visa-exempt countries could normally stay in Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa.

Thailand now plans to restore those earlier rules for many nationalities. However, the government has made it clear that the new policy will not be identical for everyone.

Instead of applying one fixed rule globally, Thailand plans to review visa-free access country by country. Factors such as tourism trends, security concerns, economic relations, and traveller profiles may influence the final stay period allowed for each nationality.

That means some passport holders may receive 30 days, while others could be limited to 15 days or different conditions depending on bilateral agreements and immigration policies.

When Will Thailand’s New Visa Rules Start?

The new rules are not in effect yet. Thai authorities still need to issue formal announcements and update official immigration regulations before the changes can take effect.

According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the reform details will be published through three official announcements from the Ministry of Interior. The updated visa-free stay periods will become effective 15 days after publication in Thailand’s Royal Gazette.

Until then, the current 60-day visa-free entry system remains officially listed for eligible nationalities.

Travellers entering Thailand before the new rules take effect will still be allowed to stay for the duration granted at arrival, even if the policy changes later.

Countries Affected by Thailand’s Visa-Free Rule Changes

The upcoming changes apply to travellers from 93 countries and territories currently covered under Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption scheme. Some major countries affected include:

• India
• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Australia
• France
• Germany
• Japan
• Singapore
• South Korea
• China
• United Arab Emirates
• Switzerland
• Brazil
• Russia
• New Zealand

The full list also includes most EU member states and several countries across Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Oceania.

What Travellers Should Do Now

If you are planning a Thailand trip in the coming weeks or months, it is worth keeping a close eye on official updates.

The biggest thing to watch is the final implementation date and the exact visa-free stay period that will apply to your nationality.

Travellers planning longer stays may also need to look at other options, such as:

For now, nothing changes immediately at the border. But Thailand’s easy 60-day visa-free era now appears to be nearing its end.