Thailand reduces visa-free entry to 30 days for travellers from regions including Gulf

Thailand has cut in half the visa-free stay limit for visitors from a range of countries to 30 days, the Foreign Ministry announced. This new rule extends to over 60 nations, such as the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, India, the Philippines, the United States, China, the UK, and all 29 Schengen area members. The move comes amid concerns over potential visa system misuse and crimes allegedly committed by citizens of certain foreign countries, including drug offenses and operating businesses without permits, which have led to recent arrests.

Previously, UAE residents could enter Thailand for up to 60 days for tourism and short business visits. Starting today, this period has been reduced to 30 days. To enter Thailand, a UAE citizen must possess a passport valid for at least six months, along with return or onward flight tickets and a hotel booking. While visa and travel extension rules are based on the traveller's passport, not their residency status, UAE residents must adhere to the rules applicable to their home nation.

Tourists can still apply for a one-time 30-day extension at the discretion of an immigration officer, costing 1,900 Thai baht ($57). The visa system is managed online through thaievisa.go.th, with no in-person applications at consulates. The new regulations apply to countries and territories like Belarus, Serbia, and Azerbaijan, granting a 15-day visa-on-arrival for tourism purposes.

Visitors from Seychelles and Mauritius receive a 15-day visa exemption, while those from Cambodia and Myanmar are granted 14-day visa-free entry. Despite a decline in tourist numbers, Thailand has welcomed 20.9 million foreign tourists since the start of the year, marking a three percent drop compared to the same period in 2025.