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Thailand’s visa rules change on 15 September 2026. Here’s what foreign travellers need to know before visiting.
Thailand is about to change its visa rules for international visitors. From 15 September 2026, the country will revise its Visa Exemption (VE) and Visa on Arrival (VoA) schemes, with shorter stays for many travellers and a smaller list of countries eligible for visa-free entry.
The biggest change is simple: the current 60-day visa exemption will end. Under the new rules, nationals of 54 countries and territories will qualify for a 30-day Visa Exemption (VE) for tourism. This means eligible visitors can enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 30 days.
Which Visa Rules Apply to Your Passport?
The official list includes countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. Visitors from these countries can enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 30 days under the revised Visa Exemption (VE) scheme. Depending on their nationality, they may also apply for a Visa Extension at a Thai immigration office for up to another 30 days.
| Region | Eligible countries and territories |
| Asia & Middle East | Bahrain, Bhutan, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand’s UAE entry category (United Arab Emirates), Maldives |
| Europe | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, 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 |
| Americas | Canada, United States of America |
| Oceania | Australia, Fiji, New Zealand |
| Africa | South Africa |
Note: The 30-day Visa Exemption is limited to two entries per calendar year, except for nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore, who are not subject to this limit.
Under the revised rules, passport holders from Seychelles and Mauritius can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 15 days. Nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia can use the Visa on Arrival (VoA) scheme for up to 15 days, with a THB 2,000 fee. Depending on their nationality and entry type, some visitors may also apply for an extension of up to 30 days at a Thai immigration office.
Some nationalities also follow separate bilateral visa agreements with Thailand. These agreements provide different stay periods, so the rules can vary by passport. Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and South Korea can stay for up to 90 days, while China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, Timor-Leste and Vietnam have 30-day arrangements. Cambodia and Myanmar have 14-day arrangements, with Myanmar limited to international airports.
No Visa, But You Still Need the TDAC
Being visa-exempt does not mean skipping the paperwork altogether. Foreign visitors still need to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entering Thailand, even if they do not need a visa. The TDAC is free and can be submitted online within 72 hours before arrival.
Register through this link only: tdac.immigration.go.th
The new 30-day and 15-day visa exemptions are now limited to tourism, unlike the previous 60-day exemption, which also covered certain short-term work and business activities.
Travellers who enter before the new rules take effect can keep their existing permitted stay. Those not covered by the new lists may still qualify under bilateral agreements or apply for the appropriate visa through Thailand’s e-Visa system.
In short: visa-free entry is now more specific, so make sure your entry option matches the purpose of your trip.
