Thailand is set to implement significant changes to its visa-free entry scheme, effective September 15, 2026. The standard visa-free stay for many nationalities will be reduced from a temporary 60 days to a permanent 30 days.
The new regulations, officially published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, include four Ministry of Interior decrees. These changes mark the end of the temporary 60-day visa exemption, which has been in place since July 2024. Travellers benefiting from the current 60-day exemption can still use it until September 14, 2026.
Good News for Indian Tourists: 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
For Indian passport holders, the updated rules offer a welcome improvement compared to earlier proposals. India has been officially added to Thailand’s new 30-day visa exemption list.
This means Indian tourists will no longer need to apply for a Visa on Arrival (VoA) from September 15, 2026. The previous 15-day Visa on Arrival option for Indians will be replaced by a more convenient visa-free entry for up to 30 days.
Should Indian travellers wish to extend their stay, a one-time extension of up to 30 additional days can be requested, subject to approval by Thai immigration authorities.
Thailand’s New 30-Day Visa-Free List Expands to 60 Countries
From September 15, 2026, citizens and passport holders from the following 60 countries and territories will be eligible for a 30-day tourist visa exemption:
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- 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
- 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
This final list includes 60 countries and territories, a slight increase from earlier government communications that mentioned 59.
New Limit on Land Border Entries for Visa-Exempt Travellers
A significant change for frequent travellers involves a re-imposed restriction on overland entries. Visa-exempt tourists will generally be allowed to enter Thailand through a land border checkpoint no more than twice per calendar year.
This land border restriction does not apply to nationals of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Furthermore, Thailand’s Interior Minister has the discretion to exempt additional nationalities in the future.
It’s important to note that this two-entry-per-year restriction does not apply to international arrivals by air. For example, Indian travellers flying into Bangkok or Phuket will not be subject to this land-border limitation on their air arrivals.
Mauritius and Seychelles Granted 15-Day Visa Exemption
In a separate category, Thailand is introducing a 15-day visa exemption specifically for nationals of:
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
Notably, the Maldives, initially proposed for this shorter exemption, has been moved to the more advantageous 30-day visa-free list.
Thailand Dramatically Reduces Visa-on-Arrival Programme
Thailand’s Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) programme is being significantly scaled back. From September 15, 2026, VoA will only be available to citizens of:
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Serbia
India has been removed from the VoA list due to its inclusion in the new 30-day visa exemption. This change streamlines entry for Indian travellers, allowing them to enter visa-free rather than undergoing the VoA process at the airport.
Existing Bilateral Visa Agreements Remain Unchanged
The new policy does not affect Thailand’s separate bilateral visa exemption agreements, which will continue as before. These arrangements include:
- 14 days: Cambodia and Myanmar (Myanmar limited to international airport arrivals)
- 30 days: China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam
- 90 days: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Korea, and Peru
These specific bilateral agreements operate independently of the four regulations published on August 31.
Certain Travellers Will Now Require a Thai Visa
The most significant impact will be on nationalities that currently benefit from the temporary 60-day exemption but are not featured on the new 30-day, 15-day, or Visa on Arrival lists.
Unless another bilateral or specific visa-free arrangement applies, these travellers will now be required to obtain a Thai visa once the new rules come into effect. Thailand’s global e-Visa system, introduced in 2025, facilitates online visa applications to the relevant Thai diplomatic mission.
Summary of Thailand’s Short-Stay Entry System from September 15, 2026
Thailand’s short-stay entry system will be structured as follows:
- 30-day visa exemption: Available to 60 countries and territories.
- 15-day visa exemption: Applicable to Mauritius and Seychelles.
- Visa on Arrival: Restricted to Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.
- Bilateral visa exemptions: Continue separately for eligible nationalities.
Travellers entering Thailand under the current 60-day scheme before September 15, 2026, will retain their granted stay period, as authorized by Thai immigration at the point of entry.
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