On October 24, Thailand’s Department of Consular Affairs, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a statement announcing a recent meeting on the 60-day visa exemption policy. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn.
The stated purpose of the meeting was to “discuss the impacts of the 60-Day Visa-Free Measure,” which currently allow citizens of 93 countries to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days for tourism, business, or certain temporary activities.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports released a similar statement, emphasizing that the meeting sought to “strike a balance between promoting tourism and enforcing immigration regulations, to ensure that Thailand remains an attractive destination.”
According to the ministry, several government agencies are now involved in the review process, including the Ministry of the Interior, the Immigration Bureau, and the National Security Council.
Signs of caution for several months
Introduced in July 2024, the 60-day visa exemption was part of a broader package of reforms aimed at revitalizing Thailand’s tourism sector. The government simultaneously expanded the list of eligible countries to 93 nationalities and extended the visa-free stay period from 30 to 60 days.
This flexibility helped boost the post-pandemic recovery of Thailand’s tourism industry, one of the country’s key economic pillars. However, it has also raised concerns about potential misuse and the extended presence of visitors engaging in activities inconsistent with their visa-free status.
By late summer 2024, several Thai officials had already discussed the possibility of reverting to the original 30-day limit, citing the need for adjustments to prevent abuse of the program.
At the time, the government explained that the visa policy was subject to a biannual review, an evaluation mechanism planned from the outset, in coordination with the relevant ministries and agencies.
The recent announcements fall within this regular review process and confirm that the 60-day visa exemption is now among the measures being given priority consideration.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports added that the reassessment aims to “control illegal commercial activities while ensuring tourists have sufficient time to explore and enjoy their visit,” and that it should “significantly help build tourist confidence.”
A possible reduction in the length of stay for “returning travelers”?
According to the ministry’s statement, travelers returning to Thailand under the visa exemption scheme are among the groups affected by the current review.
“The urgent item on the agenda is to assess the impact of the visa exemption policy (which allows foreign visitors entering the country for tourism to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days) and to consider adjusting the permitted length of stay for those re-entering the country,” the ministry said.
The Department of Consular Affairs noted that the meeting’s conclusions will be submitted to a future Visa Policy Committee, which will evaluate the proposals before making any recommendations to the government.
For now, no changes have been decided. The evaluation process is ongoing, and any modification will require government approval and an official announcement in advance.
Eligible tourists may still enter Thailand without a visa and stay for up to 60 days per entry, with the option to extend their stay by an additional 30 days once in the country. For other types of stays, or for travelers not eligible for visa exemption, an electronic visa (e-Visa) remains required, and the TDAC mandatory for all visitors.
