Thailand has officially published its revised visa-exemption rules in the Royal Gazette. The broad 60-day arrangement will end and a 30-day visa exemption for passport holders from 60 countries and territories takes effect on 15 September 2026.
Official update – 31 August 2026: The four Ministry of Interior notices are now published. Eligible travellers entering before the new rules take effect retain the period granted under the rules applying on their arrival date.
Confirmed start date: 15 September 2026
The notices were published on 31 August 2026 and state that they take effect after 15 days have elapsed from publication. The revised entry rules therefore begin on 15 September 2026. Until then, the existing rules continue to govern new arrivals.
What the signed measures change
The signed Ministry of Interior package revokes the broad 60-day visa-exemption arrangement introduced in 2024. Its replacement grants a 30-day visa exemption to nationals of 60 listed countries and territories travelling to Thailand for tourism.
The new 30-day list covers Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czechia, 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, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Mauritius and Seychelles are dealt with in a separate signed measure granting 15 days visa-free. A further measure lists Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia for visa on arrival at authorised immigration checkpoints.
The two land-border entries rule returns
The new text restores a limit of two visa-exempt entries per calendar year through land-border checkpoints. This does not create a general limit of two visa-exempt entries by air. The restriction applies specifically when entering through an authorised land-border immigration checkpoint or a checkpoint adjoining a land border.
Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are expressly exempt from the two-land-entry limit under the signed wording. The text also allows further treaty-based exceptions where applicable.
When does the 30-day rule start?
The confirmed commencement date is 15 September 2026. A traveller entering before that date is assessed under the rules in force on the arrival date and may use the admitted-until date placed in the passport. Travellers entering on or after 15 September are subject to the new country-specific arrangements.
What travellers should do now
Do not shorten or rearrange a trip solely on the strength of headlines. Check the entry stamp issued on arrival and confirm the current rule shortly before travelling. Admission and the permitted period of stay remain subject to the decision of Thai immigration officers.
For context on how the proposal developed, see our earlier timeline of Thailand’s proposed change from 60 to 30 days. You can also follow our Thailand Visa News, review the main Thailand visa guides, or read how we verify updates in our editorial policy.
Before travelling, also review our complete Thailand Digital Arrival Card guide and use our visa and immigration deadline guide to plan the next steps after arrival.
Entry screening involves more than the permitted length of stay. Travellers should also review our guide to Thailand’s proof-of-funds requirements, including the amounts commonly published for different entry categories and what evidence to keep available at immigration.
Choose the right route for a longer stay
Visa exemption is designed for short visits. For a longer or more settled stay, compare the options in our Thailand visa guides, including the DTV, retirement visa and marriage visa. Those planning much further ahead can also review permanent residence and Thai citizenship.
Official Royal Gazette notices
The legal measures were published by Thailand’s Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. The PDFs are in Thai and can be opened or downloaded directly from the official Gazette website:
- Download Notice 128702: repeal of the 2024 60-day visa-exemption measure (PDF)
- Download Notice 128703: 30-day visa-exemption country and territory list (PDF)
- Download Notice 128704: Visa on Arrival country list (PDF)
- Download Notice 128705: 15-day visa-exemption list (PDF)
Background document: download the signed Ministry of Interior package dated 26 August 2026.
Publication alert courtesy of Dca Dca. Next Step Hua Hin verified the legal status and details against the official Royal Gazette documents. Information checked 31 August 2026.
Need help planning a longer stay? Next Step Hua Hin can review your circumstances and explain suitable visa or extension options. Contact our Hua Hin visa team before making travel or immigration arrangements.
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