Thailand Announces Revised List of 60 Visa-Exempt Countries, Reducing Stay Limit to 30 Days

The Royal Gazette has officially published a Ministry of Interior announcement revising visa exemption privileges for foreign tourists entering Thailand. The policy transitions from the previous allowance of a 60-day stay for 93 countries down to 30 days for 60 countries. The measure aims to balance tourism, national security, and prevent criminal activity exploiting loopholes for long-term stays.

Published on August 31, 2026, the regulation designates the updated list of countries and territories whose passport or travel document holders entering Thailand temporarily for tourism will receive visa-free entry for up to 30 days.

This adjustment aligns with current economic, security, and tourism promotion priorities. Issued under Clause 13 of the Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2545 (2002) and approved by the Cabinet on July 14, 2026, the key points of the directive include:

Section 1: Cancellation Cancels previous Ministry of Interior visa exemption notifications issued on March 4, 2019, and June 21, 2022.

Section 2: 30-Day Visa Exemption List (60 Countries/Territories)

1. Commonwealth of Australia

2. Republic of Austria

3. Kingdom of Bahrain

4. Kingdom of Belgium

5. Republic of Bulgaria

6. Kingdom of Bhutan

7. Brunei Darussalam

8. Canada

9. Republic of Croatia

10. Republic of Cyprus

11. Czech Republic

12. Kingdom of Denmark

13. Republic of Estonia

14. Republic of Fiji

15. Republic of Finland

16. French Republic

17. Georgia

18. Federal Republic of Germany

19. Hellenic Republic (Greece)

20. Hungary

21. Republic of Iceland

22. Republic of Indonesia

23. Republic of India

24. Ireland

25. State of Israel

26. Italian Republic

27. Japan

28. Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

29. State of Kuwait

30. Kyrgyz Republic

31. Republic of Latvia

32. Principality of Liechtenstein

33. Republic of Lithuania

34. Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

35. Republic of Malta

36. Malaysia

37. Republic of Maldives

38. Kingdom of the Netherlands

39. New Zealand

40. Kingdom of Norway

41. Sultanate of Oman

42. Republic of the Philippines

43. Republic of Poland

44. Portuguese Republic

45. State of Qatar

46. Romania

47. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

48. Republic of Singapore

49. Slovak Republic

50. Republic of Slovenia

51. Republic of South Africa

52. Kingdom of Spain

53. Kingdom of Sweden

54. Swiss Confederation

55. Taiwan

56. Republic of Türkiye

57. Ukraine

58. United Arab Emirates

59. United Kingdom

60. United States of America

Land Border and Additional Rules

• Land Border Limit: Tourists entering via land border checkpoints are restricted to a maximum of two entries per calendar year. Exemption applies to citizens of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore (or other nations designated by the Minister), who may enter via land borders more than twice a year.

• 15-Day Visa Exemption: Passport holders from Seychelles and Mauritius are entitled to a 15-day visa-free stay (subject to the same two-entry annual limit for land crossings).

• Visa on Arrival (VOA): Available at designated immigration checkpoints for citizens of 3 countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.