Thailand Overhauls Visa Policy 2026: 60-Day Visa-Free Scrapped, 30-Day Stay for 59 Countries Including India and All EU States
- Xavi
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Bangkok — July 14, 2026 The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned a comprehensive reform of the nation's visa exemption and entry privilege system, eliminating the 60-day visa-free stay that was implemented in July 2024. This will be substituted with a tiered structure founded on the "one country, one entitlement" principle.
The changes, announced by Deputy Government Spokeswoman Ploytalay Laksameesangchan on July 14, 2026, reduce the maximum visa-free stay from 60 days to 30 days for most eligible nationalities and remove several countries from the scheme entirely. The government cited concerns over misuse of the previous policy, which authorities say was being exploited in ways that violated immigration law and posed risks to national security.
"This review aims not to limit tourism opportunities but to refine the system, making it more suitable, transparent, and verifiable. It seeks to balance economic growth, ease of travel for tourists, international relations, and national security, while ensuring visa measures are not exploited for illegal activities."— Ploytalay Laksameesangchan, Deputy Government Spokeswoman
Quick Facts: Thailand's New Visa Policy 2026
Feature | Old Policy (2024–2026) | New Policy (2026) |
Visa-Free Stay | 60 days for 93 countries | 30 days for 59 countries; 15 days for select countries |
Eligible Countries | 93 countries and territories | 65 countries and territories (total across all schemes) |
India | Visa on Arrival → 60-day visa-free | 30-day visa-free entry |
EU Member States | Mixed privileges | All 27 EU states now have equal 30-day visa-free access |
Visa on Arrival | 31 countries | 3 countries (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia) |
TDAC System | Existing | Enhanced screening and database integration |
Key Changes in Thailand's New Visa Policy
1. 60-Day Visa-Free Scheme Revoked
The 60-day visa exemption introduced in July 2024 has been officially withdrawn for all 93 previously eligible countries and territories. The extended permitted stay, authorities said, could be used as a route to enter the country to commit illegal acts or carry out activities inconsistent with tourism purposes.
2. 30-Day Visa-Free Stay for 59 Countries
Under the new measures, 59 countries and territories will be granted visa-free entry for tourism and stays of no more than 30 days.
New Entitlements Extended to Six Countries:
India, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and the Maldives have been added to the 30-day visa-free list, meaning all 27 European Union member states now receive the same entitlement.
This move supports international relations, negotiations to secure Schengen visa exemptions for Thai nationals, and the development of economic agreements between Thailand and the EU.
3. 15-Day Visa-Free Stay
Mauritius and Seychelles have been granted visa-free entry for stays of no more than 15 days, subject to review based on tourist numbers and spending patterns.
4. Visa on Arrival (VoA) Reduced to 3 Countries
The Visa on Arrival scheme has been significantly reduced from 31 countries to just three: Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.
Important: India's Visa on Arrival entitlement has been withdrawn because it instead receives a 30-day visa exemption, preventing overlapping entitlements.
5. Total: 65 Countries Eligible Across All Schemes
After the review, a total of 65 countries and territories will receive entitlements under the various measures.
Special Focus: What This Means for Indian Tourists
A Victory for Indian Travellers
Thailand will retain visa-free entry for Indian passport holders, after a proposal to scrap it entirely led to a drop in arrivals from India.
"As a result, the cabinet sanctioned a 30-day visa-free entry to match the travel patterns of Indian tourists, a significant market for Thailand."— Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Tourism Minister
Key Points:
New: 30-day visa-free entry (replaces Visa on Arrival)
Average stay: 7.17 days, well within the new limit
Longer stays: Must obtain a visa in advance
Background: An initial proposal in May 2026 to reduce the visa-exempt list from 93 to 54 countries and territories, eliminating India from the visa-free scheme, created confusion among Indian travellers and resulted in a decline in arrivals. The Thai Cabinet reversed course, approving the 30-day visa-free entry for Indian travellers at its weekly meeting on Tuesday.
India is Thailand's third-largest source of tourists this year, trailing only China and Malaysia.
30-Day Visa-Free Entry Also Approved For:
Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and the Maldives
This brings the total of countries and territories eligible for 30-day visa-free visits to 60, including all 27 EU member states
Supporting Schengen Visa Negotiations
The inclusion of all 27 EU member states in the 30-day visa-free scheme may help Thailand in its ongoing negotiations for Schengen visa exemptions for Thai passport holders.
Full Breakdown of New Entry Categories
Category | Countries/Territories | Stay Duration |
Visa Exemption | 59 countries (including all 27 EU states, India, and others) | 30 days |
Visa Exemption | Mauritius, Seychelles | 15 days |
Visa on Arrival | Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia | Varies |
Bilateral Agreements | Cambodia, Myanmar (14 days); China, Hong Kong, Russia, Vietnam (30 days); Argentina, Brazil, South Korea (90 days) | 14–90 days |
Why Thailand Made These Changes
The "One Country, One Entitlement" Principle
The purpose of the review is to ensure that assistance for foreign tourists aligns with the current situation, while:
Closing security loopholes and preventing misuse
Reducing overlapping entitlements under the principle of "one country, one entitlement"
Aligning visa privileges with each country, taking into account economic and security considerations, international relations and reciprocity
Enhanced TDAC System for Screening
Security agencies will improve the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system to screen foreign nationals' records and check their travel history.
Authorities will also speed up the integration of agency databases to:
Assess risks from the point of origin
Monitor the use of entitlements to ensure they are used for their intended purposes
When Do the New Rules Take Effect?
The five related draft Ministry of Interior announcements will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.
Foreign nationals who entered Thailand and received entitlements under the previous measures before the new announcements took effect will still be allowed to remain for the balance of their original permitted stay.
Thailand's Visa Policy: A Broader Shift
The overhaul reflects a growing trend across Southeast Asia toward more targeted, security-conscious immigration policies. Thailand's previous 60-day visa-free stay was one of the most generous in the region; the new 30-day standard aligns Thailand more closely with neighbours like Singapore and Malaysia.
The policy shift comes as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's government seeks to tighten oversight of foreigners accused of misusing Thailand's visa-free system for illegal activities. The government is responding to concerns from local businesses, particularly in tourist destinations, that some foreign visitors are working illegally or engaging in activities not permitted under their visas.
For the latest Thailand visa policy updates, visa-free entry changes for Indian and EU travellers, Bangkok immigration news 2026, and Southeast Asia travel rules, visit:👉 visasupdate.com/blog/categories/thailand