Thailand is ending its 60-day visa-free scheme on September 15, 2026, replacing it with a 30-day tourist-only exemption that affects dozens of nationalities, including citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The reforms, formalised through four orders in Thailand's Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026, also slash the Visa on Arrival programme from 31 eligible countries to just three and remove visa-free access entirely for 21 nationalities.
Who Qualifies for the New 30-Day Exemption
According to Visa News, a total of 60 countries and territories will be eligible for the 30-day tourist visa exemption, including France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, India, Israel, the UAE, and New Zealand. Travellers from these countries may apply for a one-entry extension of up to 30 additional days by visiting a Thai immigration office in-country, subject to approval.
For those seeking longer stays, a category "TR" electronic tourist visa can be obtained before departure, permitting a 60-day stay from the date of arrival, extendable by a further 30 days. The key change is that visa-free entry is now strictly for tourism; the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on September 3 that anyone entering for other purposes, such as short-term business activities, must obtain the appropriate visa category before travelling.
Land Border Caps and Exemptions
Land-border entries under the 30-day exemption will be capped at two crossings per calendar year for most affected nationalities. Nationals of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore are exempt from this restriction. Air and sea arrivals are not affected by the cap.
Countries Losing Visa-Free Access and Visa on Arrival Changes
Mauritius and Seychelles will move to a separate 15-day visa-free arrangement, a significant reduction for Mauritian citizens who previously benefited from the full 60-day exemption. The Visa on Arrival programme will shrink from 31 countries to just three—Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia—with the 2,000 baht fee and 15-day tourist stay unchanged.
Twenty-one nationalities, including Colombia, Mexico, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan, will lose all visa-free access and must obtain a visa before arrival. Thailand has expanded its e-Visa system to cover its entire diplomatic network, making online applications available to these travellers.
Countries with existing bilateral visa-waiver agreements, such as China, Russia, Brazil, South Korea, and Argentina, are not affected by the reform, with their arrangements remaining in force independently.
Transition and Compulsory Requirements
Travellers who entered Thailand on or before September 14, 2026 will retain the full length of stay granted at the border. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) remains compulsory for all foreign nationals regardless of their visa status.
