Thailand visa exemption: 30 days since 15 September 2026
The visa-free stay for tourists was cut from 60 to 30 days on 15 September 2026. This page explains who is affected, what happens to people already in Thailand, the new land-border limit and your options if you want to stay longer.
- Effective
- 15 September 2026 (Royal Gazette Vol. 143, Special Issue 207 Ngor, published 31 August 2026, as reported by several law firms and the Tourism Authority of Thailand)
- Visa-free stay
- 30 days, tourism only. Seychelles and Mauritius: 15 days
- Eligible nationalities
- 60 countries and territories (previously 93 for 60 days)
- Land borders
- Maximum 2 visa-exempt land entries per calendar year; exceptions for Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore
- Visa on arrival
- Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia only
- Already in Thailand
- Travellers who entered before 15 September 2026 keep the period granted on entry
- Extension
- One extension of up to 30 days, 1,900 THB, at a local immigration office, subject to approval (reported by several secondary sources; no official Immigration page could be read)
Reviewed 5 October 2026 against the sources below. We could not open the official Gazette text or an Immigration Bureau page, so details come from sources that quote it. The transition rule for people already in Thailand is reported by Dejudom Law, and the extension by Siam Legal and visa services; the TAT page states neither.
Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT News) · Siam Legal · Dejudom Law
Since 15 September 2026, visitors from 60 countries and territories can enter Thailand without a visa for 30 days (15 days for Seychelles and Mauritius), tourism only. Anyone who entered before that date keeps the stay granted at the border. One extension of up to 30 days for 1,900 THB is currently reported to be available at a local immigration office, at the officer's discretion.
What changed
Thailand introduced a 60-day visa exemption for many nationalities on 15 July 2024. A Cabinet decision in May 2026 reversed that, and a notice in the Royal Gazette of 31 August 2026 set the new rule: 30 days from 15 September 2026, for tourism only, for 60 countries and territories instead of 93.
The change affects the visa-exempt tourist entry. It does not change the stay you get on a visa you applied for, such as the DTV with up to 180 days per entry.
Who is affected
| Situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| You entered Thailand before 15 September 2026 | You keep the period stamped on entry (60 days for most people). |
| You enter on or after 15 September 2026 from a listed country | 30 days, tourism only. Seychelles and Mauritius: 15 days. |
| Your country is not on the 60-country list | You need a visa before you travel. Apply through the official Thai e-Visa portal. |
| You cross by land | At most 2 visa-exempt land entries per calendar year, except from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore. |
| You hold a visa such as DTV, Non-O, retirement, LTR or Privilege | The exemption change does not shorten the stay on your visa. Your visa terms apply. |
Check your nationality against the official list from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book. Some early articles (for example those that mention India or the Maldives) were written before the final Gazette notice.
Your options if 30 days is not enough
The right route depends on how long you want to stay and whether you work remotely.
| Route | Typical stay | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Extension of visa-exempt stay | Up to 30 more days (reported) | A slightly longer holiday. See visa extension for fees and the Bangkok office. |
| Tourist visa from abroad | Set by the visa issued | Planned longer trips; apply before you travel. |
| DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) | 5 years, up to 180 days per entry | Remote workers and soft-power activities. DTV guide |
| Retirement or family Non-O | 1-year extensions | Over-50s and families of Thai nationals. Retirement, Non-O |
| LTR or Thailand Privilege | 5 to 20 years | Long-term residents with the budget or income. Compare all visas |
Extending a visa-exempt stay
Several law firms and visa services report that one extension of up to 30 days remains possible for 1,900 THB at a local immigration office, which gives a total of about 60 days. It is at the officer's discretion and is requested before your permitted stay ends. The fee is the standard 1,900 THB charged for all stay extensions.
Visa runs and the land-border limit
The new cap of two visa-exempt land entries per calendar year makes repeated border runs much harder, and officers have long scrutinised back-to-back entries. If you are planning your stay around runs, a long-stay visa is usually the better answer. Read our visa run guide for how border runs work today.
Checklist before you fly
- Confirm your nationality is on the 60-country list, or apply for a visa.
- Submit the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) on the official site only.
- Note the permitted-until date on your entry stamp. That date, not a guess, governs your stay.
- If you will stay beyond 90 days on a long-stay visa, plan your 90-day report and TM30.
Sources
- TAT News: new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules - Tourism Authority of Thailand, September 2026
- Siam Legal: Thailand approves end of 60-day visa-free stay - law firm
- Dejudom Law: Thailand ends the 60-day visa exemption - law firm
- Thai Visa Services: visa exemption extension - updated 16 September 2026
- Asia Lifestyle Magazine: visa exemption rules from 15 September - media
- Visa policy of Thailand (Wikipedia) - overview, check against official lists
Frequently asked questions
Is the 60-day visa exemption gone?
Yes for new arrivals. From 15 September 2026 the visa-free stay is 30 days for 60 countries and territories. People who entered before that date keep the period granted on entry.
Can I still extend my visa-free stay?
One extension of up to 30 days for 1,900 THB is currently reported by several secondary sources, at the officer's discretion. We could not read an official Immigration page, so confirm with your local immigration office before relying on it.
Does the 30-day rule apply to the DTV?
No. The DTV is a visa, not a visa exemption, and keeps its own stay of up to 180 days per entry. See the DTV guide for the rules in force since 31 August 2026.
Is visa on arrival still available?
Reportedly only for Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia after 15 September 2026.
How many times can I enter by land?
At most two visa-exempt land entries per calendar year, except from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore.
I entered on 10 September. Which rule applies to me?
Travellers who entered before 15 September 2026 keep the stay they were granted on entry. Check the permitted-until date on your stamp.
Keep planning
Not sure which route fits your plans?
Tell us how long you want to stay and what you do for work, and we will point you to the visa route worth checking first.