Thailand Returns to 30-Day Visa-Free Stays for 60 Countries

Starting September 15, 2026, the Thai government restored the 30-day visa exemption for 60 countries and territories. This change affects visitors arriving for short stays, and it clarifies which nationalities receive 30 days, who gets shorter stays, and which travellers must use the visa on arrival option.

Who qualifies for the 30-day visa exemption

If you hold a passport from one of the countries below, you qualify for a 30-day visa exemption on arrival by air or by sea, unless another rule applies at a land border. The list contains 60 countries and territories.

• Australia
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Bhutan
• Brunei
• Canada
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Fiji
• Finland
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• India
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States

What Happens If You Want to Stay Longer?

The 30-day exemption does not necessarily mean visitors must leave Thailand after exactly 30 days in every circumstance. Travelers who need a longer stay should check whether they qualify for an extension or another appropriate Thai visa.

For longer stays, travelers should consider options such as the relevant Thai e-Visa or other immigration arrangements depending on their purpose of stay.

The important point is that travelers should not assume that the previous 60-day visa-free period still applies after 15 September 2026. Read our Thailand Immigration Hacks & New Rules for 2026 for guidance on common visa options and application steps.

What About People Entering Before September 15?

The new rules take effect on 15 September 2026.

Travelers who enter Thailand before the new measures take effect can remain for the period already granted to them at the time of entry. 

So, the change does not simply reset the permitted stay of someone who legally entered under the previous rules.

New Rules for Land and Sea Border Entries

Another important change concerns travelers using land or sea border checkpoints.

Under the tourist visa-exemption scheme, entry through land/sea borders will generally be permitted no more than twice per calendar year. There are exceptions for nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Singapore, who can make more than two such entries per calendar year under the applicable rules. 

This is particularly relevant for travelers who regularly cross Thailand's borders or previously relied on repeated border entries.

Other Nationalities Have Different Rules

The new system isn't simply “30 days for everyone.”

Thailand is dividing travelers into different categories.

15-Day Visa Exemption

Citizens of:

• Mauritius
• Seychelles

will receive a 15-day visa exemption for tourism. 

Visa on Arrival

Visa on Arrival will apply to citizens of:

• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Serbia

The listed Visa on Arrival fee is THB 2,000, subject to the applicable requirements. 

Bilateral Agreements

Some countries continue to have separate bilateral arrangements with Thailand. Depending on the agreement, citizens of certain countries can receive 14-, 30-, or 90-day visa-free stays. 

For example, the official information lists Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru under 90-day bilateral arrangements, while Cambodia and Myanmar have separate 14-day arrangements under specified conditions. 

Why Is Thailand Changing the Rules?

The Thai government has said the revision is intended to:

• strengthen national security and screening;
• reduce misuse of visa-exemption privileges;
• simplify overlapping entry categories;
• align visa arrangements with economic and tourism interests;
• consider reciprocity and international relations; and
• make greater use of Thailand's e-Visa system. 

The government previously approved the revision in May 2026, with the final measures subsequently published in the Royal Gazette. 

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

The visa exemption change is separate from Thailand's Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) requirement.

Foreign nationals entering Thailand are required to complete the TDAC online before arrival. The official embassy guidance says travelers should submit the information within three days before their arrival date. 

So even if you do not need a visa, you still need to pay attention to the country's entry-registration requirements.

What Does This Mean for Tourists?

For the average holidaymaker, the change may have little practical impact.

If someone normally visits Thailand for 7, 14 or 21 days, the new policy doesn't change the basic visa-free process.

The biggest impact will be on travelers planning longer stays, including:

• long-term tourists;
• people spending several months in Thailand;
• frequent border crossers;
• travelers combining Thailand with extended regional trips;
• people who previously used the 60-day exemption as part of a longer stay.

Simple Example

Before 15 September 2026:

Eligible traveler → Enter Thailand → Up to 60 days visa-free

From 15 September 2026:

Eligible traveler → Enter Thailand → Up to 30 days visa-free

For stays beyond the permitted period, travelers need to follow the appropriate extension or visa process rather than simply assuming the old 60-day exemption still applies.

Common entry scenarios

• Business or short meeting, under 30 days and from an eligible country, enter under the 30-day visa exemption and present the documents listed above.
• Short island stop or transit, enter under the 30-day visa exemption if your nationality appears on the list.
• Travel from nearby Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, or Singapore via a land border, confirm the local checkpoint rules before you cross, since land-border rules may differ from airport rules.

Tips to avoid problems at immigration

• Keep printed copies of your return ticket and hotel bookings. Immigration often prefers paper over screenshots in some cases.
• Carry enough cash or a bank statement to show funds for your stay, and ticketed travel for onward movement.
• Have a physical address for your first night in Thailand. Provide a full address and contact number if an officer asks.
• Use official border crossings and arrive during normal processing hours, if you plan to enter at a land border. Some small checkpoints limit the number of foreign arrivals per day.

Overstays and penalties

Thai immigration enforces overstay rules. If you overstay, visit the nearest immigration office to sort the matter, and cooperate with officers to resolve the situation. Authorities may impose fines and entry bans for serious cases. Avoid overstays by tracking your stamp or visa expiry date in your passport.

Planning your trip around Thai holidays and travel conditions

Thai holidays increase demand for flights and accommodation. Book transport and rooms early if your trip overlaps festival dates. Consult our Thai Holidays in 2026: The Best Festivals for Travelers to match your travel dates with events. For safety and practical travel updates while planning, see Thailand Boosts Tourism Safety: What Travelers Need to Know.

Final checklist before you fly

• Valid passport, with at least six months remaining.
• Return or onward ticket.
• Proof of accommodation for the first nights.
• Proof of funds and any supporting documents for business travel, if applicable.
• Printed copies of bookings and contact information.

Key takeaways

• Starting September 15, 2026, the Thai government restored a 30-day visa exemption for 60 countries and territories, listed above.
• Seychelles and Mauritius receive a 15-day exemption, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia require visa on arrival.
• Land-border exception for Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore applies at authorised checkpoints and may follow different rules.
• Carry passport, return ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of funds to smooth immigration checks.
• If you plan a longer stay, apply for a visa before arrival or visit an immigration office in Thailand to request an extension.
• Check specific border crossing rules and airline requirements before travel to avoid surprises at check-in or arrival.