Thailand to reinstate 30-day visa exemption period

The 60-day visa exemption was originally implemented to support tourism and economic recovery. However, the authorities have since reviewed the policy and found that the longer stay period may not be necessary for most tourists, as the average visit is usually much shorter. 

In addition, the government has identified concerns about misuse of the visa exemption scheme, including: 

• Using visa-free entry for unauthorized work or business 
• Repeated short-term entries to stay in Thailand long-term 
• Involvement in illegal or unregulated activities 

To address these issues, the government plans to adopt a more controlled approach while continuing to support genuine tourism. 

Key proposed changes

• Visa-exempt stay will be reduced to 30 days for most nationalities 
• A 30-day extension at the Immigration Bureau is expected to remain available 
• Some nationalities may be granted shorter stay periods (e.g., 15 days) depending on future review  

Implementation status

At present, the proposed changes have not yet taken effect. The current 60-day visa exemption remains in place until the new regulation is officially published in the Royal Gazette. No effective date has been announced yet, but a decision is expected soon. 

Practical impact

If implemented, this change may affect: 

• Travelers planning to stay longer than 30 days 
• Individuals relying on visa-exempt entries for repeated visits 
• Short-term business visitors or remote workers 

Those who intend to stay longer may need to apply for an extension or consider an appropriate visa type to remain compliant with Thai immigration rules. 

Conclusion

This proposed revision reflects the Thai government’s intention to improve immigration control while maintaining tourism growth. 

Foreign nationals and businesses are encouraged to monitor updates closely, as the new rule may be enforced in the near future. 

We will provide further updates once the regulation is officially announced. 

Reference: 

• Review of visa exemption measures and various visa privileges of Thailand. Retrieved from the official Facebook page of Department of Consular Affairs.