Thailand: Cabinet approves end of 60-day visa-free entry for 93 countries

The 60-day visa-free window in Thailand is coming to an end…

After several weeks of discussions, Thailand’s Cabinet has approved in principle the termination of the 60-day visa exemption scheme, introduced in July 2024 to boost international tourist arrivals. The measure applied to 93 countries and territories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland and several European Union member states.

Following the Cabinet meeting on May 19, 2026, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, confirmed that the scheme would be scrapped. The minister said the countries concerned would return to the rules that applied to them before the 60-day regime was expanded.

In most cases, the visa-free stay is therefore expected to be reduced to 30 days. Some travelers may, however, be subject to different periods, including 15 days, depending on their nationality and the applicable entry regime.

A return to previous rules, country by country

Surasak Phancharoenworakul explained that ending the 60-day exemption does not mean Thailand will introduce a single uniform system for all travelers.

Instead, Thailand plans to review entry conditions on a country-by-country basis. Authorities are expected to take several criteria into account, including security, economic considerations, tourism policy and the profile of the travelers concerned.

The 60-day scheme, which was highly favorable to international visitors, had been presented as a tool to support tourism after the post-pandemic recovery. But it had also drawn criticism in Thailand, particularly in some tourist areas where concerns had been raised about possible abuse of the system, extended stays without stronger controls, or the use of the exemption for non-tourism purposes.

Implementation date still to be confirmed

At this stage, the measure still requires a detailed official announcement.

The minister said embassies, relevant agencies and competent departments must be informed before the new rules are published. Thailand’s visa policy committee will also need to define the criteria applicable to each country.

This step is important for travelers because Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs still currently lists the 60-day visa exemption for the nationalities concerned. Until that official list is updated, it is therefore important to distinguish between the announced political decision and its practical application at the border.

At the weekly press briefing of Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held on May 19, 2026, Mangkon Pratumkaew, Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs, said the details of the reform would soon be published in three announcements by the Ministry of Interior, and that the new measures on visa-free stay periods in Thailand would take effect 15 days after their publication in the Thai Royal Gazette.

Travelers planning to visit Thailand in the coming weeks should monitor upcoming announcements from Thai authorities, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and the Immigration Bureau.

When the new measures take effect, travelers who have already entered Thailand under the current visa exemption scheme will retain their right to stay until the period granted to them upon arrival expires.

Many travelers expected to return to 30 days visa-free in Thailand

Before the expanded 60-day regime took effect in July 2024, many nationals covered by Thailand’s visa exemption scheme were generally allowed to stay in the country for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism purposes.

If the return to the previous rules is confirmed, travelers from many of the countries currently covered by the 60-day exemption could once again be limited to 30 days of visa-free stay in Thailand, instead of the current 60 days. This period may still be extendable by 30 days after arrival, depending on the applicable rules.

For longer stays, travelers should continue to use the visa category that matches their situation, including tourist visas, long-stay visas or other schemes provided by Thai authorities.

Travelers holding passports issued by one of the following 93 countries and territories are affected by the upcoming removal of Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption, subject to the expected official clarification on the new length of stay applicable to each nationality: