Verified policy record
Thailand Introduces New 30-Day and 15-Day Visa Exemption Rules
Thailand has created new categories for 30-day and 15-day visa exemptions. It has also updated who can get a Visa on Arrival. These changes start on 15 September 2026. This new system replaces the old 60-day visa exemption. The Ministry of Interior confirmed these changes in announcements published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. They change how long people from 60 countries and territories can stay in Thailand.
- Jurisdiction
- Thailand
- Stage
- Effective 15 Sept 2026
- Published
- 1 Sept 2026
- In force
- 15 Sept 2026
- Category
- Entry Rules
- Official source
- tatnews.org
Why it matters
This policy change significantly reduces the permitted length of stay for tourists from 60 countries who previously enjoyed a 60-day visa exemption, meaning they will now need to depart or apply for an extension sooner. The introduction of a land-border entry limit will affect the travel plans of those who frequently enter Thailand this way. Travellers from Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia will now have a Visa on Arrival option, streamlining their entry process. Visitors must now carefully check the specific entry conditions for their nationality before travelling to avoid issues upon arrival.
Official source: tatnews.org