From 15 September 2026, Thailand reduces its visa-exempt stay from 60 to 30 days for 60 eligible nationalities, following a Cabinet decision of 19 May 2026 published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. The 30-day extension at immigration offices (1,900 THB) remains available, allowing a maximum of 60 days per visa-exempt entry.
What exactly changes on 15 September 2026
The regulation published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 repeals the 60-day visa exemption introduced on 15 July 2024 for 93 nationalities. From 15 September 2026:
- Visa-exempt entry: 30 days (was 60) for 60 countries and territories, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, France and most of the EU
- Land-border entries under the exemption: capped at 2 per calendar year (except Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore)
- Mauritius and Seychelles: separate 15-day exemption
- Visa on Arrival: reduced to 3 nationalities (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia)
- Entries made before 15 September keep their original 60-day stamp
What does NOT change
- The one-time 30-day extension at immigration offices remains — TM7 form, 1,900 THB official fee. A 30-day entry can still become 60 days total
- The 60-day Tourist Visa (TR), applied for at Thai embassies before travel, is unchanged — and also extendable by 30 days (90 days total)
- Long-stay visas are untouched: DTV (5 years), retirement Non-O, marriage, education
- The TDAC digital arrival card requirement continues to apply
Who is most affected on the islands
The change hits medium-stay visitors hardest: the one-to-two-month winter travellers who relied on 60 free days, and the visa-run pattern that chained visa-exempt entries. With 30 days on arrival, a Samui-Phangan-Tao trip beyond a month now requires either the extension at Samui Immigration in Maenam (plan the TM7 file before day 23-25 of your stay) or a Tourist Visa obtained before flying.
For frequent visitors, the 2-per-year land border cap effectively closes the Ranong-style border run as a repeat strategy. Air re-entries remain possible but repeated visa-exempt entries were already drawing scrutiny before this reform — the direction of travel is unmistakable.
Your options for staying longer than 30 days
- 31-60 days: extend at immigration (+30 days, 1,900 THB) — one visit to Maenam with a complete file
- Up to 90 days: apply for the 60-day Tourist Visa (TR) before travelling, then extend by 30 in-country
- Several months to years: DTV for remote workers and Muay Thai/wellness stays (5 years, 180 days per entry), retirement Non-O from age 50, marriage Non-O, or education Non-ED — see our comparison guide
- Unsure which path fits? Send your situation on WhatsApp — we answer the same day
Frequently asked questions
When does Thailand's 30-day visa exemption start?
15 September 2026. The regulation was approved by Cabinet on 19 May 2026 and published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. Entries before that date keep their 60-day stamp.
Can I still extend the 30-day entry?
Yes — the one-time 30-day extension at immigration offices remains available (TM7 form, 1,900 THB official fee), giving a maximum of 60 days per visa-exempt entry.
Is the 60-day Tourist Visa still available?
Yes. The TR visa, applied for at a Thai embassy or via e-visa before travel, still grants 60 days and can be extended by 30 days in Thailand — 90 days total.
Are land border crossings limited now?
Yes — visa-exempt land entries are capped at 2 per calendar year for most nationalities (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are exempt from the cap).
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