Thailand Implements Major Reduction in Visa-Exempt Stay Durations

Effective September 15, 2026, the Thai government has implemented a significant overhaul of its entry policies, ending the 60-day visa exemption scheme that had been in place since July 2024. According to official announcements from the Royal Thai Embassy and the Ministry of Interior, the previous 93-country exemption list has been reduced to 60 countries, with the standard visa-exempt stay duration cut back to 30 days. This policy shift represents the most substantial reversal in Thai tourism entry requirements in over two years.

The government stated that these revisions are intended to improve the management of foreign visitors, strengthen national security, and ensure more rigorous immigration procedures. While the previous 60-day policy was widely viewed as a permanent fixture to boost tourism, the new regulations mandate that travelers from the affected 60 countries are now limited to a 30-day stay, with the possibility of a single 30-day extension at the discretion of immigration officers. Furthermore, specific regional neighbors have seen their exemptions adjusted, with citizens of Cambodia and Myanmar now eligible for only 14 days of visa-free entry.

This policy applies to all foreign nationals entering Thailand on or after September 15, 2026, who rely on visa-exempt entry for tourism or short-term business. Travelers who entered the country prior to this date are permitted to remain for the full duration originally granted upon their arrival. The change specifically impacts citizens from the 60 countries now on the revised exemption list, as well as travelers from Cambodia and Myanmar who face shorter 14-day limits.

Makutet expects this move to signal a shift toward more restrictive, data-driven immigration management in Southeast Asia as countries balance tourism revenue with security concerns. We anticipate that Thailand will likely introduce more stringent digital tracking of "visa-run" patterns in the coming months to enforce the new annual limits on visa-exempt entries.