Thailand scraps 60-day visa-free entry, reinstates 30-day scheme
BANGKOK: Thailand will implement a major overhaul of its tourist visa exemption and visa‑on‑arrival rules from Sept 15, officially ending the 60‑day exemption scheme introduced two years ago, the Foreign Ministry announced.
Thailand has announced a significant change to its tourist visa policies, set to take effect on September 15. The country's Foreign Ministry has officially scrapped the 60-day visa exemption scheme that was introduced two years ago. In its place, Thailand will reintroduce a 30-day visa-free entry policy, along with a new 15-day exemption for select countries.
The Department of Consular Affairs' director-general, Mungkorn Pratoomkaew, revealed that immigration data indicated the average stay of foreign tourists is typically under 15 days, rendering the previous 60-day exemption redundant. National security concerns, efforts to combat transnational crime, economic benefits, and diplomatic reciprocity were cited as key factors in the recalibration of Thailand's visa policy.
The revised 30-day exemption will be granted to ordinary passport holders from 60 countries and territories. Additionally, a new 15-day exemption will be available for travellers from two countries, while the visa-on-arrival policy will be limited to three nations. Existing bilateral visa waiver agreements with 16 countries will remain unaffected.
Tourists who arrive in Thailand before midnight on September 14 will retain their current permitted stay, including the 60-day entry stamp. For those requiring longer stays under the new regime, they will need to apply for a standard 60-day tourist visa through the global e-visa system. However, in-country extensions will continue to be available for those who need them.
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