Bangkok, 1 September 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced updated Thailand visa exemption rules for international travelers, introducing new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption categories alongside revised Visa on Arrival eligibility. The new measures take effect on 15 September 2026, replacing Thailand’s previous 60-day visa exemption scheme. The relevant Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026.
From 15 September 2026, travelers who were previously covered by the 60-day visa exemption will instead be subject to the applicable 30-day visa exemption, 15-day visa exemption, Visa on Arrival, or another relevant entry arrangement, depending on their nationality.
Under the updated Thailand visa exemption framework, holders of passports or travel documents from 60 countries and territories will be eligible to enter Thailand for tourism without a visa, with a permitted stay of up to 30 days. The countries and territories included in the 30-day visa exemption are:
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Bhutan
- Brunei Darussalam
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- India
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
The latest Thailand visa exemption updates are important for travelers checking whether their nationality qualifies for visa-free entry and how long they can stay in the country.
For travelers entering Thailand through land-border immigration checkpoints, the 30-day visa exemption may generally be used no more than twice per calendar year. This restriction does not apply to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Singapore, or to other nationalities that may be specifically designated by the Minister.
A separate 15-day visa exemption will apply to holders of passports or travel documents from Seychelles and Mauritius. Travelers from these two countries entering Thailand through land-border immigration checkpoints may generally use this exemption no more than twice per calendar year, except for nationalities that may be designated by the Minister.
Thailand has also revised its Visa on Arrival (VoA) arrangements. From 15 September 2026, Visa on Arrival will apply to holders of passports or travel documents from Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. Travelers from these countries should check the applicable entry conditions before travelling.
The revised visa exemption measures do not replace Thailand’s separate bilateral and related entry arrangements where these continue to apply. Depending on the relevant agreement or arrangement, certain travelers may still benefit from visa exemption periods of 90, 30 or 14 days. Travelers should therefore check the entry conditions applicable to their nationality before making travel arrangements. These arrangements may provide different entry conditions, so checking the rules before departure is especially important for travelers with specific travel plans.
With the new Thailand visa exemption rules now in effect, travelers are advised to verify the entry requirements applicable to their passport before departure, particularly if they are planning a longer stay, travelling by land across Thailand’s borders, or making multiple entries during a trip.
If you are planning a holiday in Thailand and need help arranging your itinerary, Asia Pioneer Travel can assist with planning your trip and provide guidance based on the latest available travel information. Contact our team to discuss your Thailand travel plans and enjoy a smooth and well-organized journey.
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thailand’s official government information. Visa and entry requirements may be subject to further changes, so travelers are advised to verify the latest regulations with the relevant Thai authorities before travelling.
