Thailand confirms it will cut visa-free stays to 30 days

Thailand is set to cut visa-free stays for millions of passport holders from 60 to 30 days.

From 15 September, travellers from destinations including the UK, the US, Canada and Australia will see the possible length of Thailand trips without a visa halved.

Since July 2024, the Southeast Asian country has allowed tourists from 93 nations, up from 57, to visit Thailand for up to 60 days.

The measures were part of an effort to boost visitors by doubling the stay limits.

Currently, advice from the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) reads: “You can visit Thailand for a period of 60 days for the purpose of tourism, business engagements, and urgent or ad-hoc work. This visa category can be extended for another period not exceeding 30 days.”

According to an announcement from the Ministry of Interior and prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul, it is “deemed appropriate to revoke the list of countries and territories where holders of passports or documents in lieu of passports entering the Kingdom temporarily for tourism, work, or short-term business are exempt from visa requirements”.

The changes were published in Volume 143, Special Issue 207 Ngor of the Royal Gazette, Thailand’s public journal, on 31 August.

Thailand welcomed 32.97 million international tourists in 2025, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasting 33 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2026.

The Ministry of Interior added that the visa rule change was made “taking into account national security, the economy and the promotion of tourism”.

Holidaymakers travelling under the new regulation will also be restricted from entering Thailand through a land border checkpoint no more than twice per calendar year, reported VisasNews.

This rule will not apply to nationals of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, or international arrivals by air.

Read more: Thailand announces plans to cut visa-free stays to 30 days