1 day ago
Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Tourist Stays to 30 Days
Thailand is changing how long many tourists can visit without a visa.
Indian passport holders will still be allowed to enter Thailand without a tourist visa.
However, from September 15, 2026, they can stay for only 30 days without one.
Until September 14, eligible travelers can still use the 60-day rule.
People already in Thailand can stay until the date they were originally permitted to remain.
Anyone who wants to stay longer than 30 days must apply for the right visa or permission.
The new rules also limit visa-free land-border entries to two per year.
Thailand says the changes are intended to improve security, clarify immigration rules, and support tourism and economic interests.
Thailand will reduce visa-free tourist stays from 60 days to 30 days for visitors from 60 countries and territories, including India.
The Interior Ministry published the new rules in the Royal Gazette on August 31, with implementation scheduled for September 15, 2026.
The existing 60-day arrangement remains available to eligible travelers entering before September 15.
Travelers wanting to stay longer than 30 days must obtain an appropriate Thai visa or use another permitted immigration route.
Visa-exempt land-border entries will generally be limited to two per calendar year, preventing repeated crossings to extend stays.
- Who
- Passport holders from 60 countries and territories, including India, and the Thai government.
- What
- Thailand is reducing the visa-free tourist stay from 60 days to 30 days and limiting visa-exempt land-border entries.
- Where
- Thailand, including air-entry points and land-border checkpoints.
- When
- The rules were published on August 31 and take effect on September 15, 2026.
- Why
- The government cited national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity, overlapping visa privileges, clearer e-Visa integration, and concerns about misuse.
Thai Government Rationale
Traveler Impact
Shorter visa-free stays
Thai Government Rationale
Thailand says the reform supports national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity, and clearer oversight of visa exemptions.
Traveler Impact
Visitors who previously had up to 60 days without a visa will have to leave after 30 days or obtain additional permission for a longer stay.
Longer visits
Thai Government Rationale
Officials point to the Thai e-Visa system as an available route for travelers who need to stay beyond 30 days.
Traveler Impact
Travelers planning extended holidays must arrange the appropriate visa or permission before finalizing their plans.
Land-border re-entry
Thai Government Rationale
Thailand will limit visa-exempt land-border entries to two per calendar year to prevent repeated crossings from extending a stay.
Traveler Impact
Visitors can no longer rely on frequent land-border exits and re-entries to reset or prolong their visa-free period.
Key facts
- New visa-free stay
- Up to 30 days for tourism
- Previous visa-free stay
- Up to 60 days under the scheme introduced in 2024
- Effective date
- September 15, 2026
- Eligible countries
- 60 countries and territories, including India
- Longer stays
- Travelers must apply for an appropriate Thai e-Visa or another permitted immigration route
- Existing visitors
- People who entered before the change can remain until their originally granted stay expires
- Land-border entries
- Visa-exempt land-border entries are generally limited to two per calendar year
Sources
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