Thailand will terminate its 60-day visa exemption policy for certain travelers starting September 15, 2026, introducing new visa-free periods of 30 and 15 days alongside a revised visa-on-arrival program. This change follows official announcements published by the Interior Ministry in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on August 31, 2026, as reported by HESPRESS English – Morocco News.
Changes to Visa-Free Eligibility and Duration
Under the new regulations, citizens from 60 countries and territories will be eligible for visa-free tourism stays of up to 30 days. This list includes several Arab states such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, along with
countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Morocco is excluded from this new 30-day visa exemption list, meaning Moroccan passport holders will lose their previous 60-day visa-free privilege effective September 15, 2026. Instead, citizens of Seychelles and Mauritius will be granted 15-day visa-free stays, while nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia will receive visas on arrival under the revised scheme.
Land Border Entry Limits and Exemptions
Thailand introduced restrictions on the frequency of land border entries for travelers eligible for the 30-day visa exemption. Such travelers may enter Thailand by land no more than twice per calendar year. This limitation does not apply to citizens of
Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore, who are exempt alongside other nationalities designated by the relevant minister. These measures aim to manage cross-border tourism more effectively under the updated visa framework.
Policy Review, Official Publication, and Traveler Guidance
The alterations stem from a comprehensive review of Thailand’s visa-exemption system announced in May 2026, with details updated in July 2026 by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The Interior Ministry formalized these changes through publications appearing in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on August 31, 2026. Bilateral agreements granting visa-free entry durations of 90, 30, or 14 days remain intact and continue to govern entry for specified countries. The Tourism
Authority of Thailand has stressed the importance for travelers to verify the applicable entry requirements for their nationality prior to traveling, especially with the new rules effective from September 15, 2026.
