Thailand to Reduce Visa-Free Stay from 60 to 30 Days

Foreign tourists visiting Thailand without a visa will soon be able to stay upto 30 days instead of 60. Following an official decree published in the country's Royal Gazette, eligible tourists will only get one month stay. The new policy will take effect on 15 September 2026, putting an end to the temporary two-month visa exemption which was introduced in July 2024. The new Thai visa rule applies to passport holders from 60 eligible countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, India, Australia, Canada, the United States, and European Union member states.

What are the New Visa Exemption Rules for Thailand?

The updated policy reframes the visa exemption scheme only applies to short-term tourism, tightening rules for land entries and business travel.

Aspect	New Standard (From 15 September 2026)
Visa-Free Duration	Reduced from 60 days to 30 days per entry
Eligible Passport Holders	Nationals of 60 countries (including the UK, India, the US, and the EU)
Allowed Trip Purpose	Restricted strictly to leisure and tourism
Land Border Cap	Maximum of 2 visa-exempt entries per calendar year
Extension Allowance	One 30-day extension permitted at local immigration offices

However, tourists who are entering Thailand before midnight on 14 September 2026 will still receive the full 60-day entry stamp at immigration. The new 30-day capping applies only on those arriving on or after 15 September.

What to Do if You Plan a Longer Thailand Trip?

If you are planning an extended holiday, work trip, or multi-country backpack tour across Southeast Asia, keep the following options in mind:

In-Country Extension: If 30 days is not enough, you can still visit a local Thai immigration office to request extension. They can grant a one-time 30-day extension for an administrative fee (THB 1,900 / approx. INR 4,600).
Apply Before You Fly: If you know in advance that you need to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, apply for a standard Single-Entry Tourist Visa (TR) through the Thai Embassy in India before departure. This will save you visiting an immigration office during your trip.
Land Border Crossing Limit: If you plan to travel to Thailand from neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Cambodia, or Laos, you can only enter Thailand visa-free via land checkpoints twice a year. Flights into international airports have no such entry count limit.

Government figures show that 90 per cent of Indian holidaymakers stay fewer than 30 days in Thailand, with the average trip lasting 10 to 15 days. Thai tourism authorities expect minimal disruption to standard holiday travel, but urge long-stay visitors to plan their visa requirements well before flying. Finally, if you plan to visit Thailand for a short trip or a long stay, don’t forget to secure your stay with Thailand travel insurance. It ensures financial safety from a number of emergencies.