Thailand's 60-Day Visa-Free Stay Ends, Replaced by 30-Day Rule

As of September 15, 2026, Thailand has scrapped its 60-day visa-free entry scheme for most nationalities, replacing it with a 30-day exemption for 60 countries and territories, including every EU member, and a 15-day exemption for Seychelles and Mauritius, while Visa on Arrival is now limited to three nationalities: Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. A further 16 countries, including China and Russia, enter under separate bilateral agreements rather than the exemption scheme. Visa-exempt entry by land stays limited to twice per calendar year — a rule in place since 31 December 2016, with Malaysian nationals excepted — and since November 2025 the Immigration Bureau has capped repeated “visa runs” at two at airports as well. (Corrected on 2 October 2026: an earlier version described the land-border limit as new. Corrected on 9 October 2026: an earlier version gave the counts of the May 2026 proposal, 54, three and four, instead of the rule that took effect.) Visitors admitted under the new 30-day exemption can apply for one further 30-day extension at an immigration office for a 1,900-baht fee, but the exemption now covers tourism only, not work. Anyone who entered Thailand before September 15 keeps the original stay period stamped in their passport.