Thailand revises visa access for 65 countries and territories

Thailand will replace its existing 60-day visa-exemption scheme with new 30-day and 15-day entry categories from September 15, 2026, while limiting Visa on Arrival access to three nationalities.

Four Interior Ministry notifications setting out the revised arrangements were published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026.

Under the new framework, passport holders from 60 countries and territories will be eligible for visa-free entry for up to 30 days.

Nationals of Mauritius and Seychelles will receive 15-day visa exemptions, while Visa on Arrival will be available to nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.

The overhaul follows a review intended to prevent the misuse of visa privileges while maintaining travel convenience and applying the principle of one country, one entry entitlement.

Thailand began reviewing the 60-day scheme earlier this year amid concerns over security, illegal employment, nominee businesses and transnational crime.

Countries eligible for 30-day visa-free entry

Ordinary passport holders from the following 60 countries and territories will be eligible for visa-free stays of up to 30 days:

• Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia and Cyprus.
• Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece and Hungary.
• Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan.
• Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway.
• Oman, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia and Slovenia.
• South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• India, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta and the Maldives are included in the 30-day visa-exemption category.

Countries eligible for 15-day visa-free entry

Nationals of the following countries will be eligible for visa-free entry for up to 15 days:

• Mauritius.
• Seychelles.

Countries eligible for Visa on Arrival

Nationals of the following countries may apply for Visa on Arrival at designated immigration checkpoints:

• Azerbaijan.
• Belarus.
• Serbia.

Existing permission to remain valid

The current 60-day visa-exemption scheme will remain in force until September 14, 2026.

Travellers who enter Thailand before the revised arrangements begin may remain for the full period granted by immigration officials.

The new stay limits will apply to eligible travellers entering the country from September 15 onwards.

Separate bilateral visa-exemption agreements will remain in effect, with permitted stays varying according to the agreement between Thailand and each country or territory.

Travellers should check the entry conditions applying to their nationality before departure, particularly if they plan to remain in Thailand beyond the visa-exempt period.