Thailand ends 60-day visa exemption from 15th September: What travelers need to know

Recently, Thailand has announced changes to its visa exemption rules which will come into effect on September 15, 2026. Therefore, if you are planning to travel Thailand after this date, you should be aware of this change and find out about related information. Here is what travelers need to know about the new rules in order to prepare for a smooth trip.

Thailand’s new visa exemption rules

Thailand has confirmed that from September 15, 2026, they will end the 60-day visa exemption period. Instead, there are 60 countries and territories granted 30 days in Thailand without needing a visa while Seychelles and Mauritius will receive a only 15-day visa free entry system for tourism.

60 countries and territories which are qualified 30-day visa exemption (cre Newland Chase)

Tourists that have already been in Thailand, or entered the country before September 15 will not be affected by this new policy. You can stay here until the expiry date granted when you enter Thailand, as indicated by your immigration stamp.

What is the reason behind Thailand changing the visa policy?

The Thai government says the revision is brought in for the sake of national security. The main purpose is to maintain a safe tourism environment, prevent concerns over cases involving foreign nationals engaging in illegal activities, such as drug-related offenses, prostitution, and the unauthorized use of Thai names or identities for business purposes. Moreover, the government also takes reciprocity between countries, overlapping visa privileges and the e-Visa system into consideration when reviewing the existing arrangements.

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Will travelers to Thailand be affected?

In terms of tourists taking a short holiday in Thailand, they will not be profoundly impacted by the new rules. In fact, if you only plan to come here within the visa-free period allowed for your nationality, you will not have to apply for a visa. 

At the same time, travelers who previously relied on the 60-day visa exemption and planned to stay in Thailand for longer than the newly permitted period need to seriously check the policy and carefully rearrange their plans. 

However, whether you are planning a short or long trip, you are all recommended that you should check the visa exemption rules for your passport. This is because not all countries are required to follow the same visa rules. In fact, some nations are in separate bilateral visa exemption agreements with Thailand, which are separate from Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption scheme in 2024. 

For example: Vietnamese can stay in Thailand for up to a 30- day period without a visa as a result of this type of bilateral agreement with Thailand. Therefore, having checked the rules in advance, you could fully understand how long you can stay in Thailand and whether you need to arrange a visa or extension. 

Thailand visa and entry requirements for travelers.

Travel tips to avoid problems

• Before heading to Thailand, carefully check your passport’s visa exemption status.
• Make sure to understand how many days you are allowed to stay in the country depending on your nationality.
• If you are staying for a longer period, make sure to get the corresponding visa or extension prior to your departure.
• Make sure to have a valid passport with enough empty pages for the immigration process when arriving in the country.
• Save a copy of your visa or visa exemption information on your phone in case you lack internet connection.
• Do not rely on past information since visa policies and requirements are subject to change without notice.
• It is also advisable to double-check the entry conditions depending on the travel itinerary if the trip involves neighbouring countries, as overstaying unintentionally might occur due to miscalculations.
• If your passport is subject to a bilateral visa exemption, make sure to check the corresponding agreement and not the 30-day visa exemption list from Thailand.
• Do not overstay, even for a few days. If your plans change while you are in Thailand, deal with your visa status before your permitted stay expires. 

For more practical advice, check out our Top 8 Thailand Travel Tips First-Time Travelers Should Know

Conclusion

Even though Thailand has announced the end of the 60-day visa exemption from September 15, 2026, this will not really have a dramatic effect for most short-term tourists. They will still be allowed to stay in Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days. 

The important thing is that travelers check their visa conditions for their passport before their trip and make a careful plan within the permitted stay. Just with a little preparation, travelers can continue to enjoy Thailand without unnecessary visa-related problems.