Thailand has approved a major overhaul of its short-stay entry rules, moving to tighten both visa exemption and visa on arrival access. The Cabinet approved the revisions on 19 May 2026, according to the Public Relations Department, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Under the new framework, the previous 60-day visa exemption scheme for all 93 eligible countries and territories has been revoked. Thailand will now grant only one visa exemption scheme per country or territory, replacing overlapping arrangements with a single category.
The 30-day visa exemption scheme for tourism purposes has also been revised, with the list of eligible countries and territories cut from 57 to 54. In addition, a new 15-day visa exemption scheme for tourism purposes has been introduced for three countries or territories.
Visa on arrival rules are being narrowed as well. The number of countries and territories eligible for visa on arrival has been reduced from 31 to four, marking a significant contraction in access under the revised policy.
The Public Relations Department said the changes are intended to streamline short-stay entry arrangements and align visa policy with national security, tourism, economic, and reciprocity considerations. It also said the revisions are meant to reduce overlapping visa privileges that could confuse foreign visitors, while reflecting the convenience of Thailand’s e-Visa system.
According to Bangkok Post, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the Cabinet decision means entry rules for countries covered by the scheme will revert to the immigration regulations in place before the 60-day visa exemption programme was introduced. He did not specify when the change would take effect, other than saying the decision would be communicated to the agencies responsible for implementation.
The changes will be published in the Royal Gazette on a date that has not yet been announced, and will take effect 15 days after publication. Thailand first introduced the 60-day visa exemption and visa on arrival expansion on 15 July 2024 as part of a broader package aimed at boosting tourism and business travel.