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

Thailand has recently reduced visa-free entry periods for travelers from certain regions, including the Gulf, to just 30 days. This new rule applies to over 60 countries, such as the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, India, the Philippines, the United States, China, and the Schengen area. The Thai Foreign Ministry implemented this change to prevent the exploitation of the visa system and curb crimes allegedly committed by citizens of some foreign nations.

Recently, UAE citizens have been arrested for drug offenses and operating businesses without permits, leading to public outrage. UAE tourists are now limited to 30 days of visa-free entry, down from the previous 60 days. To enter Thailand, UAE citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months, return or onward flight tickets, and a hotel booking.

The visa and travel extension rules are based on the traveler's passport, not residency status. UAE residents must adhere to the rules of their home nation. Tourists can extend their stay once, at the discretion of an immigration officer, for an additional 30 days, costing 1,900 Thai baht ($57). The visa system is managed online through thaievisa.go.th, with no in-person applications accepted at consulates.

Countries receiving a 15-day visa exemption include Belarus, Serbia, and Azerbaijan, along with Seychelles and Mauritius. Tourists from Cambodia and Myanmar are granted 14-day visa-free entry. Thailand has welcomed 20.9 million foreign tourists this year, a three percent decrease from the same period in 2025.