Thailand : 60-day visa-free takes effect on July 15

Citizens from 93 countries will be able to stay in Thailand without a visa for 60 days starting July 15, 2024.

Eagerly awaited by many fans of the destination, the date for the implementation of the 60-day visa-free stay extension in Thailand has just been announced by the authorities.

Last May, Thailand announced numerous upcoming changes to its visa policies. Among these changes was the doubling of the visa exemption period from 30 to 60 days for visitors from 93 countries.

Today, the spokesperson for the Thai Ministry of the Interior, Traisulee Traisoranakul, stated that her ministry has just released four updates to the country’s visa policies, “aligning them with global competition to attract more foreign visitors, generate more revenue, and thus boost the national economy”.

“These four announcements are part of the Srettha Thavisin government’s policy to stimulate the tourism economy by taking measures to attract foreign tourists, including facilitating travel”, explained Traisulee Traisoranakul.

According to the spokesperson, Deputy Prime Minister and Thai Minister of the Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, has reviewed and signed these four updates, which have just been submitted to the Prime Minister for signature. They will then be published in the Royal Gazette and will come into effect simultaneously on July 15, 2024.

60 days visa-free in Thailand for visitors from 93 countries starting Monday

Here are the four announcements confirmed today by the Ministry of the Interior, which will be applied starting Monday, July 15, 2024, after official publication:

Thai visa exemption extended to 60 days:

  • Establishment of a list of countries and territories whose passport or travel document holders can enter Thailand temporarily for tourism, business, or short-term work purposes and are exempt from visa requirements, allowing them to stay in the Kingdom for up to 60 days. The list now includes 93 countries and territories, up from 57 previously.

More nationalities eligible for visa on arrival in Thailand:

  • Increase in the list of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA) at immigration checkpoints to 31 countries and territories, up from 19 previously.

Introduction of the “Destination Thailand Visa”:

  • Introduction of a new visa category, the “Destination Thailand Visa” (DTV), for those who wish to stay in Thailand to work and travel (workcation) simultaneously. This includes highly skilled individuals, freelancers, remote workers, or those who want to stay to learn Thai boxing and martial arts, attend cooking classes, participate in sports training, undergo medical treatments, attend training courses, seminars, and artistic and musical exhibitions. The DTV will allow its holder to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per entry and will be valid for 5 years.

Extension of stay duration for certain students:

  • Update of the rights of foreign students who come to the country with a non-immigrant “ED” visa to study or pursue higher education to attract skilled and potential workers for the country’s labor market. It extends the stay in Thailand for one year after graduation to seek employment, travel, or pursue other activities in Thailand.

The 93 countries qualified for visa-free travel to Thailand for 60 days

Starting Monday, tourists and business travelers from 93 countries and territories will be able to stay in Thailand for 60 days without a visa (after official publication in the Royal Gazette).

For now, the authorities have not specified the terms for a possible extension of the stay duration…

By June 2025, these travelers will need an electronic travel authorization (Thailand ETA) to benefit from the visa exemption.

This new formality to be completed before departure to the Land of Smiles will gradually come into effect starting December 2024.

Here is the list of the 93 countries and territories exempt from visa entry into Thailand for a period of 60 days:

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Belgium
  • Bhutan
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Canada
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Estonia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Guatemala
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kosovo
  • Kuwait
  • Laos
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Morocco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Panama
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • San Marino
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vietnam
Author:
The VisasNews editorial team
VisasNews is your premier source for the latest insights and updates on travel formalities. Whether you're a globetrotter, a travel enthusiast, or a professional in the tourism industry, VisasNews provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on visa requirements, immigration policies, and travel regulations worldwide. Our dedicated team of experts meticulously curates content to ensure you have access to accurate and timely news, empowering you to navigate the complexities of international travel with confidence.

105 thoughts on “Thailand : 60-day visa-free takes effect on July 15”

  1. Hi all! I’m a little confused with regards to countries that are both under the visa exemption scheme and the visa on arrival scheme, i.e. Cyprus. I am a Cypriot national, and will be in Thailand for approximately 12 days; will I need to go through the VOA application process, or will it not be necessary? Many thanks!

    Reply
  2. Hello
    I live in Greece and have greek residency permit but my nationality is Georgian and hold georgian passport, iv been in Thailand 5 times already in the passed but had do make a visa but now i see that Georgians can enter visa free so i just want to make sure i dont have to make any kind of visa i just can travel with my georgian passport right?
    tnx!!!

    Reply
    • Hey, yes you can travel without applying for any visa at all, you would only have to have a return flight and your passport.

      Reply
  3. Hi –
    I’m sure this has already been answered, but to be sure…
    UK citizen / Passport holder. I am flying to Thailand [ from UK ] in Nov’24 and will stay visa-free for 55 days. I will fly from Chang Mai to Hanoi [ Vietnam ] and stay for 30 days [ within their 45 visa free allowance ]. Will I be able to fly ‘back’ to Thailand, from Vietnam, and commence a new 60 day visa-free visit ?
    thanks for clarifying – Nic

    Reply
    • Dear Nic,
      Unless there is a change in the exemption policy by then, you will be able to benefit from a new visa-free entry into Thailand and stay there for up to 60 days.

      Reply
  4. Still not clear to me if this visa free 60 days , VOA , it’s actually free or you still have to pay 2000 bath ,, stamping fee ” . EU passport. Could you clear this for us , thank you.

    Reply
  5. Hi,

    I am from India. Visitng to Krabi via Bangkok. Booked through Thai Airways. Would be having 1hr 30min layover at Suvarnabhumi Airport. My question is regarding the immigration at Suvarnabhumi. How long will the process take and will I be able to complete the immigration work within 1 Hour 30 Min. Connecting flight is also Thai airways. Please guide me.

    Reply
  6. On 18 Sept. I applied for electronic visa online from the Royal Thai consulate in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia..
    On 25 Sept. I received a reply that my request was rejected and my payment will not be refunded due to reason “” COUNTRY OF THE PASSPORT HOLDER AND NATIONALITY DO NOT MATCH”
    I went back to check my application but it didn’t exist any more. I tried to call the Consulate, but no body picks the phone.
    I am afraid to submit another application with the same mistake and again loose more unrefundable money. Please advise what shall I do to to get the visa and avoid loosing money?

    3
    1
    Reply
    • Saudi Arabia is on the list that is allowed in for 60 days. Just like Canada where I am from. Just show up at customs at the airport in Bangkok and you should have no problems!

      Dave Hett

      Reply
  7. Can a Filipino citizen re-enter Thailand and stay long-term? For example stay 60 says in Thailand then go to closest country and return to Thailand for another 60 days? If yes, how many times it could be done? Thank you.

    Reply
  8. We are uncertain because we don’t know if we need a visa:

    Entry on February 5th, 2025, by speedboat from Langkawi to Koh Lipe,
    followed by 35 days on small islands in southern Thailand,
    and then 14 days in Khao Lak. Total stay: 49 days.
    Return is on March 26th, 2025, by flight from Phuket to Zurich.

    ChatGPT Info:
    If you are an Austrian citizen entering Thailand by land,
    the following regulations apply for the length of stay without a visa:

    Length of stay: 30 days without a visa when entering by land (e.g., from Malaysia).
    Entry requirements:
    Valid passport (at least 6 months valid).
    Proof of return or onward travel.

    Do we need a visa ?

    Reply
  9. i am indian

    I am Indian having Indian passport and Poland residence permit i will be traveling to Thailand on 3rd December 2024 till end January 2025 so will i need to apply Tourist Visa or ETA

    Reply
  10. Hi, I am a Dutch citizen and I travelled to Thailand earlier this year with a 2 months visa and extended for 30 days . Can I visit Thailand again for 60 days visa on arrival with a one way ticket and leave the country with an onwards ticket to Cambodia within the 60 days?

    Reply
    • Hi Billy , I also done same like you, 2 month visa and 30 days extension in January
      so can I enter thailand in 20 October for 60days visa exception ?
      have you find out if you can enter this year

      Thanks

      Reply
  11. Hello!

    We are Latvian citizens and would like to enter Thailand from abroad, Malaysia, by sea.

    1) How long can we stay in Thailand arriving by boat?

    2) Do we need to fill out any paperwork or apply for anything?

    3) Can we fly out of Thailand by plane to return to Malaysia and board a plane back to our home country?

    Reply
    • Buen día,
      Como ciudadano peruano, no necesitas visa para ingresar a Tailandia y puedes permanecer allí por 60 días.
      Necesitará tener un pasaporte y un comprobante de salida del país (comuníquese con su aerolínea para conocer los arreglos exactos para abordar Tailandia sin visa).

      Reply
  12. Hello, I am from the USA and am planning to be in Thailand December 28, 2024 to January 4, 2025. Will I need a Visa? I am confused about the new requirement going into effect December 1, 2024. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Dear Erika,
      If the Thai authorities do not change their current visa waiver policy, you will not need one.
      Regarding the electronic travel authorization ETA in preparation, the authorities have not yet revealed when it will be active, nor how to obtain it.
      Stay tuned.

      Reply
  13. Hi,
    I’m Indian and planning to visit Thailand on 11th October and stay for 2 days, then travel to Cambodia via land border for 3 days and return to Bangkok and stay for 5 more days in pattaya and phuket and travel back to my home country India.

    If possible, i would like to add laos as well for 3 days.

    Now I would like to know is this possible with current visa free conditions for Indian citizens?
    I mean, is the multiple entry possible for Indians with current ongoing visa free conditions either by land/air.

    Please suggest.

    Thank you.

    Reply
  14. Hi, I am from the UK and have already been to Thailand for 30 days in May 2024. Will I be able to enter Thailand and use the visa exemption to stay for 60 days in October 2024 even though I’ve already been in the country this year?

    Reply
  15. Hi there,

    I am planning to visit Thailand in Jan 2025. I am a Canadian citizen but, my wife has an Indian passport. Will visa-free or exempted for 60 days for Indians during that period?

    Reply
  16. I am from india and planning to travel to Bangkok on 7th November. Will explore Thailand for 6 days and return on 14th November. My return falls after the exempted date of 11th November. Do I need to apply for visa before entry or exit? Please reply..anxious about this as I am traveling out of the country for the first time

    Reply
  17. Hello,
    1)I am from India and planning family tour to Thailand on 22 Jan 2025.
    Will Visa Free or exempted for 60 days for Indians during that period ?
    2)I have booked tickets to arrive at DMK airport first then take domestic flight to Krabi.
    Where we need to carryout immigration ? Either DMK airport or Krabi Airport ?

    Reply
    • Dear Ritesh,
      Unless otherwise announced by the Thai authorities, you will be exempt from visa for 60 days.
      Immigration formalities are carried out at the first point of entry into the country, namely DMK airport according to your itinerary.

      Reply
  18. Hello I am travelling to Thailand for 6 days then going to Laos for around 3 weeks then back to Thailand for 60 days. Is this possible on the normal visa?

    Reply
    • Hi,
      It depends on your airline, some are not very picky and know that the 60-day visa exemption can be extended by 30 days and therefore do not require proof beyond 60 days; others do not allow boarding without documents justifying a departure within 60 days.

      Reply
      • Got it! Thank you for clarifying. I will check with my airline.

        I have heard that in terms of onward travel it might not be enough to show a bus ticket to a neighbouring country like Laos or Cambodia. Do you know anything about that?

        Reply
  19. Hi I am planning to come in Thailand for tourist purposes please I’m Philippines citizen. It is possible to stay within 7 days over there with out visa?

    Reply
  20. Hello I am Palestinian but I am a resident of Poland, am I allowed to travel to Thailand without a visa, do I get the visa on arraival or should I apply in advance?

    Reply
  21. I have been to thailand twice this year in last 6 months by air under visa exemption and im planning another trip on October. Is there any limit of entry by air in visa exemption scheme

    Reply
    • Hi Kiran,

      This is Mustafa from Mumbai and I am travelling to Thailand with 3 senior citizens for a 4 days short vacation during Diwali. Just wanted to know if I need to do any paperwork before reaching Bangkok or we directly go to the immigration on landing at the Airport? The last time I was there with my parents, we had availed the VOA facility for which the Thai officials were more than helpful.

      Reply
  22. Hello, i am from Mauritius and will b travelling to Thailand this month for 5 days only..so, visa free means i dnt need to fill the form and pay anything at the airport?

    Reply
      • Hello! I will be travelling from Georgia to Thailand, in November with my husband ( he holds russian passport) . We are not sure for how long we want to stay in Thailand and are not planning on buying the return ticket and are not reserving the hotel, because we want to stay with our friends there. Can we enter the country this way or do we need to prepare something?

        Reply
  23. hello! I’m travelling to Thailand in October 2024 and I’m planning to stay for the 15days that are now allowed without a VISA, i m living to japan i m sri lankan pasport have what wont document .

    Reply
    • Hi,
      The ETA system is not expected to come into force before December 2024 (possibly even later).
      Unless there is a contradictory announcement in the future, you will not need an ETA for your next trip to Thailand.

      Reply
  24. Hello,
    Planning to backpack throught thailand for 60 days and then go through Laos. Therefor i don’t have proof of “leaving the country of thailand”, how can i resolve this ? thanks

    Reply
  25. Hi, I’m a first-time traveler from Papua New Guinea and will be travelling to Thailand in November 2024 for a Medical workshop just for a week (7days). I understand from the latest Thai News that I would be exempted, am I correct? Please confirm? Thanks.

    Reply
  26. Hello, iam a Bulgarian citizen and iam flying to Thailand in November 10th, I want to know if I can get 60 day visa on arrival also, and what are the equipment for it. khab khun krab 🙏

    Reply
  27. wow that’s the best news for me seance i Love Thailand and every year i travel 3to 4 times to Thailand i am from Uzbekistan i was obtaining my visa on arrival now its free for 60 days See you Thailand in October my last visit was may 2024 but already miss So much coming October i will come for 60 days with friends ones Thanks to Thai government for this decision.

    Reply
  28. Hello,
    I am from India and planning family tour to Thailand in 20 Jan 2025.
    Will Visa Free or exempted for 60 days for Indians during that period ?

    Reply
  29. Hello! I’m traveling to Thailand in Oct for 10 weeks. Is it correct that, as a Dutch citizen, I will get a 2 month visa free stamp on arrival, and can get a 30 day extension later on? And if so, do you know what is needed for the extension?

    0
    1
    Reply
    • Dear Linda,
      We can confirm that, as a Dutch citizen, you benefit from a 60-day visa waiver in Thailand, which can be extended for a further 30 days at immigration office, by filling in a form and presenting your passport, a passport photo and paying the extension fee, currently 1,900 Baht.

      Reply
  30. hello! I’m travelling to Thailand in October 2024 and I’m planning to stay for the initial 60 days that are now allowed without a VISA, so I’ll be leaving on December 2024.
    Will I be able to spend other 60 days if going back to Thailand on March 2025?
    Thanks for your attention

    Reply
    • Dear Cecilia,
      Unless otherwise advised by the authorities before your planned trip to Thailand in March 2025, you will be able to return to the country without a visa and enjoy a 60-day stay……………….

      Reply
      • Good to know. A similar question: I would like to stay in Thailand for 6 months start from September 2024. I’ll enjoy visa exemption for 60+30 days within 2024. Can I just do a border run (eg to Laos) before New Year Eve and then walk back in January 2025 and get another visa exemption for 60+30 days more? Is it likely to have any issues here?

        Thanks so much!!

        Reply
  31. Hello, I live in Laos and can not find any info on the rule regarding two land crossings a year limit.
    Has this rule changed or are you still only allowed two land crossings a year into Thailand ?

    Reply
  32. what about kenyan nacionality with greek EU residence permit?
    my wife is kenyan but she has EU residence permit up to 2028
    can we travel to thailand without visa?

    Reply

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