Thailand reduces visa-free stay for tourists
Thailand has cut the permitted visa-free stay for tourists from 60 countries and territories, including India, from 60 days to 30 days, according to a Ministry of Interior notification published in the Royal Gazette on August 31. The revised rule takes effect after 15 days from publication, making September 15, 2026, the effective date, as reported by The Economic Times.
The notification allows eligible passport and travel-document holders to enter Thailand temporarily for tourism without obtaining a visa and stay for up to 30 days. The decision revises the previous 60-day scheme that had been in place since 2024 and had covered 93 countries and territories.
India remains on the list
Indian passport holders remain eligible for visa-free entry to Thailand under the new rules, with the permitted stay reduced to 30 days. The other countries and territories on the list are Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malaysia, Maldives, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Thai Embassy in New Delhi has confirmed that Indian passport holders will be eligible for the new 30-day visa exemption for tourism once the revised scheme takes effect. Indians who wish to stay longer than 30 days can apply for the appropriate Thai e-Visa.
Land-border entries limited
Travellers eligible for the visa exemption who enter Thailand through immigration checkpoints or land-border crossings may use the facility no more than twice in a calendar year. The notification allows the interior minister to designate nationals who may enter Thailand through land checkpoints more than twice a year.
Immigration law firm Fragomen said in a note that visa-exempt entries through land-border checkpoints will generally be limited to two per calendar year, subject to nationality-specific exceptions. Entries by air, the firm noted, will not be subject to a specified annual limit, though admission will remain at the discretion of immigration officers.
Transition for existing visitors
Travellers already in Thailand under the existing visa exemption, as well as those who enter before the new rules become effective, will not have their existing permitted stay shortened. The Thai government has confirmed that travellers who enter before the new rules take effect may remain until the expiry of the period granted to them upon entry. The Thai Embassy in New Delhi has separately confirmed that Indian passport holders travelling before the effective date can remain until the expiry of their permitted period of stay.
Purpose and scope of the change
The Thai government says the policy overhaul is intended to balance national security, tourism and economic interests, international relations and reciprocity, while reducing overlapping visa privileges and misuse of the visa system.
In May, Thailand's Cabinet approved the withdrawal of the 60-day exemption covering 93 countries and territories. In July, the government reversed course on India and retained visa-free entry while reducing the permitted stay to 30 days.
Thailand's Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the 30-day period was intended to better match Indian travel patterns while supporting the country's tourism industry. The Tourism and Sports Ministry has said the 30-day visa exemption is important for attracting Indian visitors, including wedding and celebration groups, as Thailand targets 2.7 million Indian arrivals in 2027.
Additional provisions
Under the new framework, 60 countries and territories, including India, will qualify for visa-exempt tourist entry for up to 30 days. Mauritius and Seychelles nationals will receive visa-free stays of up to 15 days. Nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia will become eligible for Visa on Arrival at authorised checkpoints.
The notification repeals earlier Ministry of Interior notifications dated March 4, 2019, and June 21, 2022, which governed the previous 30-day tourist visa-exemption scheme.
Immigration law firm Fragomen noted that the activities permitted under the visa exemption scheme will remain unchanged. Travelers may continue to undertake non-work activities, such as attending an exhibition as a visitor or participating in an internal meet-and-greet with colleagues. Activities considered work will continue to require appropriate work authorization, such as an Urgent Work Permit. Visa-on-arrival holders cannot obtain an Urgent Work Permit and will therefore be limited to non-work activities.
Visa-free entry to Thailand should not be confused with a general right to work in Thailand. The official Thai Embassy guidance says the new visa-exemption category covers tourism as well as certain business engagements or urgent/ad-hoc work, subject to the applicable rules.
Fragomen also noted that travellers who make frequent visa-exempt visits may be questioned about the purpose and frequency of their travel and should be prepared to provide supporting information.
Thailand's embassy guidance says the 30-day visa-exempt stay can be extended for another period of up to 30 days, but the extension is solely at the discretion of an immigration officer.