Visa Rules Update

Thailand Visa Free Stay Cut to 30 Days: Full List of 60 Countries

By Darshil Bhavsar
Published 02 Nov 2026
Updated 22 Oct 2026
3 min read

If you visited Thailand in 2025 on a 60 day visa free stay, things have changed. From 15 September 2026, Thailand introduced a new, stricter system.

Most eligible travellers now get 30 days visa free, for tourism only. The list shrank from 93 to 60 countries and territories, visa on arrival was cut to three countries, and most people can use the visa free route only twice a year.

Short on time? Here is the quick answer.

Your question	The short answer
New stay?	30 days, tourism only.
Since when?	15 September 2026.
Countries?	60, down from 93.
Entry limit?	Two visa free entries per calendar year for most.
Extension?	One extension of up to 30 days, at the officer’s discretion.

Old Rules Versus New Rules

Rule	Before	From 15 September 2026
Visa free stay	60 days	30 days
Countries	93	60
Visa on arrival countries	31	3
Yearly limit	No set limit	Two entries for most

The 60 Countries and Territories

Region	Countries
Europe	Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Asia	Bhutan, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan
Middle East	Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Americas	Canada, United States
Oceania	Australia, Fiji, New Zealand
Africa	South Africa

Other Arrangements

Group	Stay
Mauritius, Seychelles	15 days
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia	Visa on arrival
China, Hong Kong, Laos, Russia, Vietnam	30 days under bilateral deals
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Korea	90 days under bilateral deals

Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are not subject to the two entries a year limit. Travellers who entered by 14 September 2026 keep the stay granted when they arrived.

Planning Your Trip

Check if your passport is on the list.
Count your visa free entries this year.
Get a proper visa if you plan to stay longer, work or study.
Carry proof of onward travel and funds.

Why Thailand Changed the Rules

Thailand extended its visa free stay to 60 days in 2024 to boost tourism. Over time, the authorities said some visitors were using repeated visa free stays to live or work in the country without the right visa. The new system aims to keep tourism easy while stopping misuse.

For a normal holiday, 30 days is enough for most people. If you want a longer stay, consider a tourist visa or another visa that fits your purpose. Remote workers may look at the Destination Thailand Visa, which allows longer stays for those who qualify.

Your plan	Better option
Holiday under 30 days	Visa free entry
Holiday over 30 days	Tourist visa or an extension
Remote work	Destination Thailand Visa
Paid work	A proper work visa and permit

Words You Will See

New to these terms? Here is what they mean in plain English.

Word	What it means
Visa exemption	Entry without a visa for a set time
Bilateral agreement	A deal between two countries
Discretion	The officer’s own decision
Calendar year	1 January to 31 December

Before You Rely on Any Figure

This reflects official Thai announcements as of October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change, so check the official government website on the day you act. For questions about your own case, speak to a licensed immigration lawyer or an authorised representative. World Visa Academy is a training academy; it does not file applications or guarantee any visa or outcome.

The Honest Summary

Thailand is still easy to visit, but the rules are tighter. Most travellers get 30 days, twice a year. For longer stays, apply for the right visa.

Key takeaways

From 15 September 2026, Thailand cut visa free stays from 60 days to 30 days.
The list fell from 93 to 60 countries and territories.
Most travellers can enter visa free only twice per calendar year.
Visa on arrival now applies to just three countries.

Learn Thailand visa rules

World Visa Academy trains professionals on Thailand visitor visas and entry rules.

View the course

Frequently Asked Questions

From 15 September 2026, eligible travellers get 30 days for tourism.

60 countries and territories, down from 93.

You may get one extension of up to 30 days, at the officer’s discretion.

Most travellers can use visa free entry twice per calendar year.

Yes. India is on the list of 60 countries and territories.

Thailand visa free visa on arrival travel Southeast Asia visa rules update

Darshil BhavsarTrainer, World Visa Academy

About Darshil and World Visa Academy →

Be the first to comment.

Name

Email Email will not be published

Comment

Get Your Quality
Skills Certificate Through
World Visa Academy

Get started now