Thailand introduces new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules from 15 September

Bangkok, 1 September 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) advises foreign visitors that new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption categories, together with updated Visa on Arrival eligibility, will take effect on 15 September 2026. The new framework will replace Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption measure, which will end on the same date. The related Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026.

From 15 September 2026, travellers previously covered by the 60-day visa exemption will instead be subject to the applicable 30-day visa exemption, 15-day visa exemption, Visa on Arrival, or other relevant entry arrangements, depending on nationality.

Under the new framework, holders of passports or travel documents from 60 countries and territories will be eligible for visa exemption for tourism, with a permitted stay of up to 30 days. The Royal Gazette lists:

1. Australia
2. Austria
3. Bahrain
4. Belgium
5. Bulgaria
6. Bhutan
7. Brunei Darussalam
8. Canada
9. Croatia
10. Cyprus
11. Czech Republic
12. Denmark
13. Estonia
14. Fiji
15. Finland
16. France
17. Georgia
18. Germany
19. Greece
20. Hungary
21. Iceland
22. Indonesia
23. India
24. Ireland
25. Israel
26. Italy
27. Japan
28. Jordan
29. Kuwait
30. Kyrgyzstan
31. Latvia
32. Liechtenstein
33. Lithuania
34. Luxembourg
35. Malta
36. Malaysia
37. Maldives
38. Netherlands
39. New Zealand
40. Norway
41. Oman
42. Philippines
43. Poland
44. Portugal
45. Qatar
46. Romania
47. Saudi Arabia
48. Singapore
49. Slovakia
50. Slovenia
51. South Africa
52. Spain
53. Sweden
54. Switzerland
55. Taiwan
56. Türkiye
57. Ukraine
58. United Arab Emirates
59. United Kingdom
60. United States of America

For entry through land-border immigration checkpoints, travellers using the 30-day visa exemption may generally enter Thailand under this exemption no more than twice per calendar year. This limit does not apply to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Singapore, or to other nationalities as may be designated by the Minister.

A 15-day visa exemption will apply to holders of passports or travel documents from Seychelles and Mauritius. Travellers entering through land-border immigration checkpoints under this exemption may generally do so no more than twice per calendar year, except for nationalities designated by the Minister.

Visa on Arrival will apply to holders of passports or travel documents from Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.

Separate bilateral and related entry arrangements will continue to apply where relevant, providing visa exemption periods of 90, 30 or 14 days, depending on the applicable agreement or arrangement. Travellers should check the entry conditions that apply to their nationality before travelling.

Previous updates: This update was first published on 21 May 2026, following Cabinet approval to revise the 60-day visa exemption measure, and updated on 16 July 2026, following Cabinet approval of further details of the country-specific visa exemption and Visa on Arrival framework.