Thailand will terminate its 60-day visa exemption system for certain international travelers on September 15, 2026, replacing it with new visa-free periods of 30 days and 15 days. The update also revises the visa-on-arrival scheme, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Citizens from 60 countries and territories will be able to enter Thailand without a visa for tourism stays up to 30 days under the new rules. The eligible countries include several Arab states such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to nations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Moroccan passport
holders will lose their previous eligibility for 30-day visa exemption as of September 15, 2026, after having qualified for stays of up to 60 days under the former system. Meanwhile, citizens of Seychelles and Mauritius will be granted 15-day visa-free stays, while nationals from Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia will need to obtain visas on arrival.
Land Border Entry Restrictions
Under the revised policy, travelers eligible for the 30-day visa exemption are limited to entering Thailand by land no more than twice per calendar year. Exceptions to this restriction apply to citizens of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore, as well as other nationalities designated by
the Interior Ministry. This change aims to regulate land-border crossings while maintaining exemptions for selected countries.
Official Publication and Traveler Advisory
Official announcements detailing the visa policy changes were published by the Interior Ministry in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on August 31, 2026. The Tourism Authority of Thailand advised travelers to verify entry requirements related to their nationality before planning trips to Thailand, especially with the new regulations becoming effective on September 15, 2026.
Background and Policy Review
The alterations come after a comprehensive review of Thailand’s visa-exemption policy. Earlier in 2026, the Tourism Authority had indicated considerations to restructure the 60-day visa-free system before finalizing the current
updates. Although bilateral agreements continue to permit visa-free entries ranging from 14 to 90 days for certain countries, the new framework adjusts visa-free durations and visa-on-arrival eligibility to better align with Thailand’s immigration and tourism management objectives.
