The extended welcome mat has been pulled back. Thailand’s cabinet has approved a major revision of its visa exemption policies, effectively canceling the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for tourists from 93 countries and territories. The new regulations will take effect 15 days after their publication in the official Royal Gazette.
The most significant shift is the total revocation of the 60-day visa exemption scheme for all 93 previously eligible countries and territories. The government reduced the number of countries eligible for the 30-day visa exemption scheme from 57 to 54, explicitly mandating that this 30-day scheme is now exclusively for tourism purposes. It also created a new 15-day visa exemption scheme for tourism purposes, applying to three countries or territories, and reduced the visa-on-arrival program from 31 eligible jurisdictions to just four.
The revised measures aim to streamline entry protocols and are driven by considerations of national security, tourism economics, and diplomatic reciprocity. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek told reporters that “the current scheme has allowed some people to exploit it,” noting that while tourism remains an indispensable pillar of the Thai economy, security concerns have taken priority.
There have been a series of high-profile arrests of foreigners in recent months, including cases linked to drug trafficking, human smuggling, and running unauthorized local businesses such as hotels and language schools without proper licenses. Policymakers now view a 30-day ceiling as an adequate timeframe to accommodate genuine, high-value travelers.
The policy reversal comes just over a year after Thailand expanded visa-free stays from 30 to 60 days in March 2025 to revive tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the government’s efforts to boost arrivals, foreign arrivals fell by around 3.4 percent in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period in 2025. Arrivals from the Middle East reportedly dropped by nearly one-third during the same period.
Tourism contributes more than 10 percent of Thailand’s GDP and remains one of the country’s most important industries. Under the outgoing scheme, travelers from 93 countries, including the United States, the Schengen area, and several South American nations, could enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days. Nationals who have enjoyed the 60-day exemption include those from Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain, and the United States.
To prevent systemic abuse, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will also enforce a strict cap of two visa-free entries per calendar year via land borders for the standard 30-day tier, mirroring protocols used before the 2024 expansion.
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, check the latest visa requirements for your nationality before booking. More details are expected once the committee finalizes the country-by-country breakdown.
The Bottom Line
Thailand’s cabinet has revoked the 60-day visa-free entry scheme for tourists from 93 countries and territories, reverting to a tiered system with stays capped at 30 days for most visitors and just 15 days for some nationalities. The new regulations take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. The government cited security concerns, including a rise in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and unauthorized foreign workers exploiting the generous 60-day window.
