THAILAND – Thailand Revises Entry Regulations for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival Programs

Thailand is preparing to revise its visa exemption framework following Cabinet approval of new entry regulations on 19 May 2026.

Under the proposed changes, the current 60-day visa exemption introduced in July 2024 will be discontinued and replaced by a revised system of visa exemptions, bilateral agreements, and Visa on Arrival (VoA) arrangements.

The new regulations will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. Until then, current entry requirements remain unchanged.

Key information for Travelers

• Current entry requirements remain unchanged until the revised regulations take effect.
• Check visa requirements based on nationality before traveling to Thailand.
• Consult the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate for the latest visa information.
• Those already in Thailand, or entering before the new regulations take effect, may remain for the duration of their approved stay.

Overview of the New Visa Framework

The revised framework simplifies Thailand’s entry arrangements by assigning each nationality to a single visa category. As part of this change, the current 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries and territories will be discontinued.

30-Day Visa Exemption

Nationals of 54 countries and territories will be eligible for a 30-day visa exemption upon entry to Thailand.

•  Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America

15-Day Visa Exemption

Nationals of the following countries will be eligible for a 15-day visa exemption:

• Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles

Visa on Arrival (VoA)

Visa on Arrival will continue to be available for nationals of:

• Azerbaijan, Belarus, India, Serbia

Bilateral Visa Exemption Agreements

Thailand will continue to honor existing bilateral agreements that provide visa-free entry for specific durations:

90-Day Visa Exemption

•  Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Republic of Korea (South Korea)

30-Day Visa Exemption

•  China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

14-Day Visa Exemption (international airports only)

•  Cambodia, Myanmar

Travelers who are not eligible for visa exemption or Visa on Arrival may need to apply through Thailand’s e-Visa system, depending on the purpose and duration of their stay.

Our Recommendation

Travel partners are encouraged to:

• Review upcoming travel bookings to Thailand.
• Verify visa eligibility and permitted length of stay based on the travelers’ nationality.
• Inform clients that the revision of the 60-day visa exemption has been approved but is not yet in effect.
• Continue applying current entry requirements until the revised measures are officially published in the Royal Gazette.

In addition, Easia Travel is currently reviewing all existing bookings and will proactively notify partners of any travelers whose planned stay exceeds the permitted duration under the proposed regulations.

Easia Travel will continue to monitor developments and share updates as further information becomes available, including confirmation of the implementation date once officially announced.

Should you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our sales team.

Source: TAT News