Thailand May Cut Visa-Free Stay to 30 Days: What Travellers Need to Know

Last updated: Apr 1, 2026

Thailand is moving to halve its visa-free stay from 60 days to 30 days for travellers from 93 countries. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on 20 March 2026 that a formal proposal will be submitted to Cabinet, though no implementation date has been set yet. If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, here’s what the proposed change means for you — and what your options are if you need to stay longer.

The 60-day visa exemption was introduced in July 2024 to boost post-pandemic tourism. But concerns over misuse — including illegal work, unauthorised businesses, and criminal networks exploiting the generous entry window — have prompted the government to reconsider. Here’s everything you need to know.

What’s Changing and Why

The proposed reduction

Thailand currently allows passport holders from 93 countries and territories to enter visa-free for up to 60 days. Under the proposed change, this would be cut to 30 days — the same duration that applied before the July 2024 expansion.

The proposal was given the green light by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 March 2026, but it still requires Thai Cabinet approval before taking effect. No implementation date has been announced.

Why is Thailand doing this?

According to government officials and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the 60-day window has been abused by some visitors for illegal business activity, unauthorized work, and unlawful short-term rentals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and security agencies have also flagged concerns about foreigners using the generous entry window as a transit route for criminal activity in neighbouring countries. Government officials have argued that most tourists stay only around 7 to 21 days, so a shorter visa-free stay would still cover the typical trip.

Which Countries Are Affected?

The proposed 30-day limit would apply to all 93 nationalities currently eligible for Thailand’s visa exemption. This includes travellers from the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific — essentially every country that currently enjoys 60-day visa-free entry.

Middle East and South Asia

Travellers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, India, Sri Lanka, Jordan, and the Maldives are all affected.

Europe and the Americas

All EU member states, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Brazil, and other nations in the Americas and Europe will see their visa-free stay cut from 60 to 30 days.

Asia-Pacific

Nationals from Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Philippines are also included in the 93-country list.

Full list of 93 visa-exempt nationalities

The complete list, as published by the Royal Thai Embassy, includes:

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, South Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, 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, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, Ukraine, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

How to Stay Longer Than 30 Days

If the reduction goes through, 30 days of visa-free entry doesn’t have to be the end of your trip. Thailand offers several options for travellers who need more time — from simple extensions to dedicated long-stay visas.

Option 1: Apply for a 30-day extension at immigration

The most straightforward workaround. Once you’re in Thailand, you can visit any Thai Immigration office and extend your stay by an additional 30 days — bringing your total back up to 60 days.

Fee: 1,900 THB (approximately USD 53)
Documents needed: Passport, completed TM.7 form (available at the office), one passport-sized photo, proof of accommodation, and cash for the fee
Where to apply: Immigration offices in Bangkok (Chaeng Watthana), Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and other major cities
Processing: Usually 1–5 working days. Apply at least a week before your stamp expires

This option effectively restores the 60-day maximum stay, but requires an in-person visit to immigration.

Option 2: Get a Tourist Visa (TR) before you travel

If you already know you’ll need more than 30 days, apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa (TR) at a Thai embassy or consulate before departure. This gives you 60 days on arrival, with the option to extend by another 30 days in-country.

Single-entry TR visa: Valid for one entry within 3 months, with a 60-day stay
Multiple-entry TR visa: Valid for multiple entries within 6 months, 60 days per entry
Extension: You can still apply for a 30-day extension at immigration, bringing the total to 90 days per entry

Apply through the Thailand e-Visa portal or your nearest Thai embassy. You’ll need your passport, proof of accommodation, return flight tickets, and proof of funds.

Option 3: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for long stays

For remote workers, digital nomads, or anyone planning an extended stay, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is the best option. Often called the “digital nomad visa,” it offers far more flexibility than a tourist visa.

Stay duration: Up to 180 days per entry
Validity: 5 years, with multiple entries allowed
Extension: Can be extended by another 180 days in-country (1,900 THB fee), for up to 360 consecutive days
Cost: 10,000 THB (approximately USD 280)
Financial requirement: You must show at least 500,000 THB (approximately USD 14,000) in funds

The DTV covers remote work, “workcation” stays, attendance at Thai boxing or cooking classes, sports training, medical treatments, and short-term educational courses. Apply through the Thai e-Visa system.

Option 4: Visa on Arrival (15 days)

If your nationality isn’t on the 93-country visa-exempt list, Thailand also offers Visa on Arrival for citizens of 31 additional countries. However, this only allows a 15-day stay and costs 2,000 THB — so it’s not a workaround for the visa-free reduction, but worth knowing if you’re from an eligible country and planning a short trip.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

Regardless of whether you’re entering visa-free, on a tourist visa, or with a DTV, all travellers to Thailand must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before arrival. This replaced the old paper TM6 form in May 2025.

Key TDAC details

When to complete it: Within 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival in Thailand
Cost: Completely free — no fees at all
Official website: tdac.immigration.go.th
Who needs it: Every non-Thai traveller, including children and infants
What you need: Passport details, flight/transport information, accommodation address, and an email address to receive the QR code confirmation

Save the QR code confirmation you receive by email — you’ll need to show it to immigration officers upon arrival.

Several Thai airports — including Don Mueang — now have Automated Border Control (ABC) gates that use facial recognition linked to your TDAC and passport data. If you’re eligible, these gates can significantly speed up the immigration queue. Travellers who need a physical passport stamp or expectant mothers should use the manual counters instead.

Important: Beware of unofficial websites charging fees to process your TDAC. The only legitimate portal is tdac.immigration.go.th — it is always free.

What This Means for Your Trip to Thailand

If you’re travelling before the change takes effect

The 60-day visa-free entry is still in effect as of April 2026. The proposal requires Cabinet approval, and no implementation date has been announced. If you’re travelling to Thailand in the coming weeks, you still get 60 days.

Book your flights to Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai on Wego and compare deals from airlines like Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai Smile, and Emirates.

If you’re planning a trip for later in 2026

Keep an eye on the Thai government’s official announcements. If the 30-day limit is approved, you have three clear options:

Short trips (under 30 days): No change needed — enter visa-free as usual
Medium trips (30–60 days): Enter visa-free for 30 days, then extend at immigration for 1,900 THB — or apply for a Tourist Visa (TR) before departure for a 60-day entry stamp
Long stays (60+ days): Apply for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for up to 180 days per entry

Other entry tips

Immigration officers may ask for proof of onward or return travel and evidence of sufficient funds — at least 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family. These checks are random but it’s wise to have documentation ready.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 30-day visa-free change already in effect?

No. As of April 2026, the 60-day visa-free entry is still active. The proposal has been approved in principle by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but still needs Thai Cabinet approval. No implementation date has been set.

Can I still stay 60 days in Thailand after the change?

Yes, but you’ll need to take an extra step. You can enter visa-free for 30 days and then apply for a 30-day extension at a Thai Immigration office for 1,900 THB. Alternatively, apply for a Tourist Visa (TR) before your trip for a 60-day entry stamp.

Does this affect Visa on Arrival travellers?

No. The proposed change applies only to the 93-country visa exemption scheme. Visa on Arrival (15-day stay) for the separate list of 31 countries is not affected by this proposal.

What is the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)?

The DTV is a long-stay visa for remote workers, digital nomads, and travellers engaged in soft-power activities (such as Thai boxing, cooking classes, or medical treatment). It costs 10,000 THB, is valid for 5 years, and allows stays of up to 180 days per entry.

Do I need to complete the TDAC?

Yes. Every non-Thai traveller must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours of arrival. It’s free and mandatory regardless of your visa type.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.