Thailand Implements New 30-Day Visa Exemption Limits Sept 2026

Effective September 15, 2026, the Thai government has overhauled its visa exemption framework, moving away from the previously generous 60-day allowance for many international visitors. This policy shift introduces a tiered system, primarily capping visa-exempt stays at 30 days for most major tourism markets, with some categories reduced to 15 days. The move is part of a broader effort by Thai authorities to tighten border management and regulate the influx of long-term visitors who were previously utilizing the 60-day exemption for extended stays.

This change represents a significant departure from the post-pandemic recovery strategy that prioritized ease of access. By restricting the duration of stay, the government aims to encourage the use of formal long-term visa products, such as the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), for those intending to stay beyond the new 30-day limit. This adjustment is expected to impact digital nomads and long-term tourists who previously relied on the flexibility of the 60-day entry window.

Nationals from 60 countries and territories, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and Japan, are directly impacted by these reduced stay durations. The policy specifically affects tourists and business travelers who previously entered Thailand under the 60-day visa exemption program.

Makutet expects this policy to lead to a temporary decline in 'visa run' tourism, as the reduced stay duration makes it harder for non-resident workers to maintain a presence in Thailand without formal visa sponsorship. We anticipate that the Thai government will continue to monitor the impact on tourism revenue and may introduce further adjustments to the DTV or other long-term visa categories to compensate for the loss of flexible short-term visitors.