Thailand’s Cabinet approved the revocation of the 60-day visa exemption for nationals of 93 countries and territories on May 19, 2026, as part of a broader revision of entry rules.
The Foreign Ministry said the revised measures would take effect 15 days after three Ministry of Interior announcements are published in the Royal Gazette. Cabinet approval alone did not bring the changes into force.
Replacement arrangements vary by nationality
The approved framework would give each country or territory one visa-exemption arrangement. It would reduce eligibility for the 30-day tourism exemption from 57 countries and territories to 54, introduce a 15-day tourism exemption for three, and narrow Visa on Arrival eligibility from 31 to four.
Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said visa-free durations would be determined on a country-by-country basis, with most affected foreign nationals granted stays of up to 30 days and some potentially receiving only 15 days.
The replacement allowance for each nationality would depend on the applicable arrangement and the details of the legal announcements.
Reversing the July 2024 expansion
The 60-day exemption took effect on July 15, 2024, under government measures intended to support tourism and the economy. It covered tourism and short-term business engagements by nationals of 93 countries and territories.
Eligible nationalities included citizens of the United Kingdom, Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain and the United States. Shorter exemptions would affect visitors whose planned stays exceeded the replacement allowance for their nationality.
Government cites security and overlapping rules
The Foreign Ministry said the review considered national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity, and overlapping exemption privileges that could confuse visitors. It also cited the convenience provided by the e-Visa system.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow described the proposed reduction as part of a crackdown on transnational crime. He said Thailand was targeting individuals abusing the visa system by committing crimes, rather than any particular country.
