Thailand's most generous visa-free policy will soon be over.
On 19 May 2026, the Cabinet approved major visa changes to the country's policy, affecting travelers from more than 90 countries who had enjoyed extended free entry since July 2024. Under the new framework, most nationalities will be limited to 30 days, and some to just 15 days.
What is actually happening?
The current 60-day visa-free stay will be reduced and replaced by:
- 30 days visa-free for 54 countries, including Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and most of the EU.
- Only 15 days visa-free for Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
- A Visa Policy Committee will review the remaining nationalities on a case-by-case basis.
On the other hand, the Visa on Arrival (VoA) list has been drastically reduced from 31 eligible countries down to just four: Azerbaijan, Belarus, India, and Serbia. This means Thailand is officially moving away from on arrival processing and pushing travelers toward its eVisa system.
Why is Thailand making this change?
Thai authorities have cited the exploitation of visa privileges for unauthorized work, criminal activity, and long-term undocumented residence for this change. The 60-day scheme, introduced to support post-pandemic tourism recovery, created loopholes that the government has decided to end. The Minister of Tourism and Sports personally confirmed the Cabinet resolution.
Don't panic, nothing has changed yet
Current entry rules remain fully in force. Travelers already in Thailand under the existing visa exemption retain their right to stay for the full period granted on arrival. No changes will apply until the Ministry of Interior publishes the relevant announcements in the Royal Gazette, the official public journal and newspaper of record of Thailand.
That said, anyone planning an extended trip to Thailand later in 2026 should account for a 30-day visa free allowance rather than 60. For longer stays, the TR Tourist Visa remains the most viable option, allowing 60 days with the possibility of a 30-day extension.
Our views
This is one of Thailand's most significant visa policy changes in years, and it will catch many travelers off guard, particularly those planning extended stays or multi-destination itineraries built around the old 60-day window. The shift toward eVisa as the standard process for visiting Thailand also means more travelers will need to apply before they fly, rather than sorting things out on arrival. With the final rules still being formalized, now is the right time to understand your options.
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