[Infographic] Thailand: New visa exemption rules from September 15, 2026

The Department of Consular Affairs under Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now confirmed the details first reported by VisasNews yesterday, following the publication in the Royal Gazette of the regulations formally approving changes to the country’s visa exemption and Visa on Arrival schemes.

In an official summary published on September 1, Thai consular authorities use an infographic to outline the various entry arrangements that will apply to ordinary passport holders from September 15, 2026.

As VisasNews reported yesterday, the main change for many international travelers is the reduction of the visa-free stay from 60 days to 30 days.

30-day visa exemption for 60 countries and territories

Starting September 15, nationals of 60 countries and territories will be able to stay in Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days.

The list notably includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, as well as all European Union member states, Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland.

Through September 14, 2026, the current rules will remain in effect, allowing these travelers to stay in Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days.

The infographic released by the Department of Consular Affairs provides a straightforward overview of the new system:

• 60 countries and territories will qualify for a 30-day visa exemption;
• nationals of Seychelles and Mauritius will receive a 15-day visa exemption;
• citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia will be eligible for Visa on Arrival (VoA), allowing a 15-day stay for a fee of THB 2,000.

Bilateral visa exemption agreements remain separate

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs also notes that some travelers are covered by separate bilateral visa exemption agreements.

Depending on the country, these agreements allow visa-free stays of 14, 30 or 90 days.

Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and South Korea, for example, can stay visa-free for up to 90 days, while several Asian countries and territories are covered by bilateral agreements allowing stays of 14 or 30 days.

The infographic therefore makes a clear distinction between these bilateral arrangements and Thailand’s general visa exemption scheme, which will be reduced to 30 days from September 15.

“Visa Free” and “Free Visa” do not mean the same thing

The ministry is also using the new guidance to clarify a distinction that can sometimes cause confusion.

“Visa Free” means that no visa is required to enter Thailand, provided the traveler meets the conditions of the visa exemption.

By contrast, “Free Visa” means that a visa is still required, but no visa fee is charged.

The new official guidance therefore provides travelers with a practical overview of the different entry regimes that will coexist in Thailand from September 15, 2026, while confirming the measures detailed by VisasNews following their publication in the Royal Gazette.