The Thailand Guides

Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stay to 30 Days for 93 Countries

· Updated · 3 min read Travel News
Bangkok skyline at dusk over the Chao Phraya River

Contents

  1. What Changed
  2. Options for Longer Stays
  3. Digital Arrival Card Still Mandatory
  4. What This Means for Your Trip

Thailand has reversed its extended visa-free entry policy. On 19 May 2026 the Cabinet approved a return to 30-day stays for 93 countries and territories — including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and most of Europe — ending the 60-day visa-free scheme that had been in place since late 2024. The change took effect on 3 June 2026 and is now in force.

What Changed

Visitors from affected nationalities arriving on a visa exemption now receive 30 days rather than 60. The government cited concerns over security risks, illegal employment, nominee businesses, and transnational crime linked to extended stays as the primary reasons for the reversal.

The change applies to new arrivals only. Travellers already in Thailand under a 60-day exemption stamp are not affected.

Nationals of Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles receive a shorter 15-day visa-free allowance under the revised scheme. Countries already operating under a 30-day arrangement prior to 2024 are unaffected by this update.

Options for Longer Stays

For stays beyond 30 days, a visa must be obtained before departure. Thailand’s e-Visa system is accessible through all 94 Thai embassies and consulates worldwide — no in-person visit required for most nationalities, with processing typically taking three to five business days.

  • Tourist Visa (TR): Grants 60 days on arrival, extendable by 30 days at a local immigration office, for a potential 90-day stay. Apply at a Thai embassy or consulate before departure.
  • Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Designed for remote workers and frequent visitors. Permits unlimited entries over five years, with each stay lasting up to 180 days (one extension per entry). Available to freelancers and digital nomads.
  • Thailand Elite Visa: A long-stay option for those planning multiple extended visits, offering 5–20-year residency-style privileges with dedicated immigration lanes and concierge services.
  • Border run: Exiting Thailand and re-entering resets the visa-free clock, though immigration officers have discretion to refuse re-entry if this is done repeatedly.

Thailand’s Visa on Arrival programme stays active for 31 countries and territories, and authorities are considering adding eight more nationalities to that list.

Thai immigration has also tightened enforcement of back-to-back visa exemptions in 2026. Travellers who repeatedly leave and re-enter to reset their allowance are facing stricter scrutiny at land borders and airports.

Digital Arrival Card Still Mandatory

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) remains compulsory for all foreign nationals. The form must be submitted online within 72 hours of arrival at all major international airports and most land border crossings.

What This Means for Your Trip

A 30-day stay covers the vast majority of standard holiday itineraries. Travellers planning extended trips to Bangkok, Phuket, and the islands should review their bookings now. Those combining Thailand with a neighbouring country before re-entering will need to factor the 30-day limit into their route planning.

For a full breakdown of visa categories and entry requirements, see our Thailand visa guide.

Despite the policy reversal, arrivals remain strong: Thailand recorded 13.43 million foreign tourists between 1 January and 24 May 2026, and weekly figures for 18–24 May rose 10.95% on the prior week, boosted by school holidays in Malaysia and India. The Tourism Authority of Thailand may revise its 33 million visitor target for the full year downward, though no disruption to flight routes or airport operations is expected as a result of the visa change.