Thailand unveils new visa rules after canceling 60-day visa-free scheme

The revised visa categories will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette

Thailand has announced new visa rules following the cancellation of its 60-day visa-free entry scheme for 93 countries and territories, with revised categories set to take effect once published in the Royal Gazette.

According to Nation Thailand, the Department of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Cabinet approved the revised visa exemption and Visa on Arrival measures on May 19, 2026, as part of a wider effort to reorganize Thailand's visa categories and reduce confusion over entry privileges.

The new measures will not take effect immediately. Under the Cabinet resolution, they must first be published in Thailand's Royal Gazette and will apply only 15 days after that publication. No publication date has yet been announced.

The revised system is based on the principle of "one country, one Thai visa exemption privilege." The measures will be issued under three Ministry of Interior notifications.

Why the 60-day scheme was canceled

The 60-day visa-free scheme had been introduced to stimulate tourism and the economy, but it later came under review amid concerns over security, illegal work, nominee businesses, and transnational crime.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul earlier said Thailand would restore previous visa rules for affected countries, with most returning to stays of around 30 days. He said the review would take both security and economic considerations into account, with the focus shifting from visitor numbers alone to "quality tourists."

30-day visa exemption

The 30-day tourism visa exemption list will be reduced from 57 to 54 countries and territories. Eligible nationalities include 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, and United States.

15-day visa exemption

A new 15-day tourism visa exemption will be introduced for three countries: Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius.

Visa on Arrival

The Visa on Arrival list will be significantly reduced from 31 to just four countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia, and India.

Reciprocal visa exemptions

Thailand maintains several reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with countries that allow Thai nationals to enter without a visa.

A 90-day reciprocal exemption applies to five countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and South Korea.

A 30-day reciprocal exemption covers nine countries and territories, with seven listed: China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macau, Russia, and Timor-Leste.

A 14-day reciprocal exemption applies to Cambodia and Myanmar, with Myanmar entry permitted by air only.

Reciprocal visa exemptions

Foreigners who entered Thailand under the existing visa exemption rules, or who plan to travel before the new measures take effect, will still be allowed to remain in the country until their permitted stay expires.

After the new measures take effect, foreign travelers may enter Thailand under the revised visa schemes, bilateral visa exemption agreements, or an appropriate visa applied for through Thailand's e-Visa system.