Thailand will replace its 60‑day visa‑exemption scheme with a new set of rules that take effect on 15 September 2026. The changes limit visa‑exempt stays to 30 days for most eligible countries, introduce a 15‑day exemption for two nations, and add a Visa‑on‑Arrival (VOA) option for three countries.
New visa‑exemption categories
30‑day exemption – 60 countries/territories
Nationals of the following 60 jurisdictions may enter Thailand visa‑free for tourism only and stay up to 30 days. Business or work activities are not permitted; a Non‑Immigrant “B” Visa is required for business travel.
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and others listed in the Gazette.
Land border entry: the exemption may be used no more than twice per calendar year, except for nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Singapore, for whom the limit does not apply.
15‑day exemption – 2 countries
Nationals of Seychelles and Mauritius may stay visa‑free for up to 15 days, also limited to two uses per year at land checkpoints.
Visa on Arrival – 3 countries
Nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia can obtain a VOA at designated immigration checkpoints.
Effective date
The Royal Thai Government Gazette published the revisions on 31 August 2026. The measures become operative 15 days later, on 15 September 2026. Travelers who entered Thailand before that date retain the stay period originally granted.
Implications for short‑term work and urgent assignments
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Entry before 15 Sept 2026 – The existing 60‑day exemption remains in force, allowing tourism, short‑term business, and urgent or ad‑hoc work. Applicants can continue using the Urgent Work Permit (UWP) notification process.
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Entry on/after 15 Sept 2026 – The 30‑day exemption is limited to tourism. It does not explicitly cover urgent or ad‑hoc work, and the Department of Employment has not yet clarified whether UWP notifications are permissible under the new rule.
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Recommended approach – Pending clarification, individuals planning urgent or ad‑hoc work after the transition should obtain a Non‑Immigrant “B” Visa before travel to ensure compliance.
Practical considerations
- Verify eligibility for the 30‑day exemption list before booking travel.
- If business activities are required, apply for a Non‑Immigrant “B” Visa in advance.
- For land border crossings, track the number of visa‑exempt entries used within the calendar year.
- Monitor official updates from the Department of Employment regarding UWP eligibility under the 30‑day exemption.
These changes are informational and do not constitute legal advice. Travelers should consult the relevant Thai authorities or qualified counsel for case‑specific guidance.
Source article: newlandchase.com
