Thailand is changing its visa-free entry rules for tourists from dozens of countries, cutting the standard visa-free stay from 60 days to 30 days from September 15.
The change will affect travellers from 60 countries and territories, including the UAE, India, UK, US, Canada and Australia, as Thailand moves to tighten rules introduced in 2024.
Tourists who need more time will still be able to request a one-time extension of up to 30 additional days, subject to approval by Thai immigration authorities.
Thailand visa-free stay cut from 60 to 30 days
Thailand introduced its expanded 60-day visa exemption in July 2024, allowing travellers from 93 countries and territories to visit without obtaining a visa for stays of up to two months.
Under regulations published in Thailand’s Royal Gazette on August 31, that special 60-day arrangement will be repealed.
From September 15, nationals of 60 countries and territories will instead receive a 30-day visa-free stay for tourism.
For UAE residents travelling on UAE passports, this means the standard visa-free period in Thailand will be reduced by half.
The affected countries include:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, the UAE, the UK and the US.
Can tourists stay in Thailand for more than 30 days?
Yes. Tourists covered by the new visa-free arrangement can request one extension of up to another 30 days.
However, the additional stay is subject to approval by immigration authorities. This means the new system does not simply provide an automatic 60-day stay.
For travellers planning longer holidays, the key difference is that the initial visa-free period will now be 30 days, rather than the 60 days available under the previous arrangement.
What happens if you are already in Thailand?
Travellers who enter Thailand before September 15 under the existing 60-day visa exemption will not have their approved stay shortened because of the new rules.
Those admitted under the current scheme by September 14 will retain the period originally granted when they entered Thailand.
This means the new 30-day rule applies to future admissions after the new regulations take effect, rather than retrospectively changing the stay of tourists who have already entered under the previous arrangement.
Thailand also tightens rules on visa runs
The changes go beyond the length of visa-free stays.
Thailand will generally limit visa-exempt travellers to two entries through land-border checkpoints per calendar year.
The restriction does not impose the same two-entry limit on arrivals by air.
Travellers from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are exempt from the land-border restriction.
The measure is aimed at repeated border crossings, often referred to as “visa runs”, which can be used by some foreigners to remain in Thailand for longer periods without obtaining an appropriate long-stay visa.
Why is Thailand changing its visa rules?
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said the revised rules will take effect on September 15, with the changes forming part of a wider effort to address abuse of the visa system.
The government has raised concerns about foreigners using generous visa arrangements to commit crimes, work illegally or operate businesses without the appropriate permits.
Recent arrests have involved foreign nationals accused of offences including drug crimes and sex trafficking, as well as operating businesses such as hotels and schools without the required permits.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said when the government approved the change that shortening stays was part of a crackdown on abuse of the visa system.
Thailand is still relying heavily on tourism
The visa changes come at a notable time for Thailand’s tourism industry.
The country has welcomed 20.9 million foreign visitors so far this year, according to official figures cited by AFP. That is 3 per cent fewer than during the same period in 2025.
Tourism remains a major part of Thailand’s economy, making the decision to reduce visa-free stays particularly significant.
The policy appears to distinguish between ordinary short-term tourists and foreigners whom Thai authorities believe are using tourist exemptions to effectively live, work or conduct business in the country.
For most holidaymakers, the government is maintaining visa-free access while reducing the initial stay to 30 days, with the option to request a further 30 days.
Are there different visa rules for some travellers?
Yes. Not all nationalities will follow the same arrangements.
Travellers from Mauritius and Seychelles will have a separate 15-day visa exemption.
Thailand’s Visa on Arrival scheme will be limited to nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia, according to the regulations reported by VisasNews.
Some bilateral visa-waiver agreements will also remain in force. These include 90-day visa-free stays for nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Korea and Peru.
For tourists covered by the new 30-day arrangement, however, the main change from September 15 is clear: the initial visa-free stay will fall from 60 days to 30 days, with a possible additional 30-day extension subject to immigration approval.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
