Thailand has formally repealed the 60-day visa exemption scheme. The new rules are now in force. We're updating this to the best of our knowledge; always confirm with your local Thai embassy or consulate before travelling.
What Changed
Thailand introduced a temporary 60-day visa exemption in July 2024 as a tourism stimulus measure. That scheme has now been repealed. Visa-exempt stays return to the pre-2024 standard of 30 days for the 60 countries on the standard exemption list, and 15 days for Seychelles and Mauritius. The eligible country list also shrinks from 93 to 60.
Visa on Arrival is reduced to 3 countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia. Of the 9 countries previously on 60-day bilateral exemption agreements, 8 move to 30 days and 1 moves to 14 days.
The official TAT Newsroom announcement applies the limit of 2 entries per calendar year to entries through land border checkpoints. It does not state a limit for air or sea arrivals. Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Singapore are not subject to the limit.
Key Changes at a Glance
| Rule | Was (July 2024 - 14 Sept 2026) | Now (From 15 September 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Stay duration (60 countries) | 60 days per entry | 30 days per entry |
| Stay duration (Seychelles, Mauritius) | 60 days per entry | 15 days per entry |
| Eligible country count | 93 countries | 60 countries |
| Visa on Arrival | Wider eligible list | 3 countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia |
| Entry limit | - | 2 per calendar year at land border checkpoints (Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore not subject) |
| Bilateral agreements (9 countries) | 60 days | 8 move to 30 days, 1 to 14 days |
| Extension | +30 days at immigration | Up to +30 days at immigration, once, at officer discretion |
The 30-day list includes Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States, and 38 others. Seychelles and Mauritius get 15 days. Country tiers and 30/15-day splits are consistent across sources reporting the 31 August Gazette text, but cross-check your nationality against thaievisa.go.th or your nearest Royal Thai Embassy before travel.
Current Status
What This Means for Visitors in Chiang Mai
If you are currently in Thailand on a visa-exempt stamp, your existing stamp remains valid for its original duration. This change affects new arrivals after the implementation date, not those already holding a valid stamp.
For anyone relying on visa-exempt entry as their primary stay strategy, this significantly reduces the practical value of the approach. A 30-day stay with one extension of up to 30 days (1,900 THB at immigration, at officer discretion) gives roughly 60 days and little room compared to a Tourist Visa, ED Visa, or DTV.
Options Worth Considering Now
- ED Visa: 1-year multi-entry, renewable. Suitable for those enrolled in Thai language, Muay Thai, or other approved programs in Chiang Mai. See the ED Visa overview.
- DTV Visa: 5-year multi-entry for remote workers and long-stay visitors. 180 days per entry, renewable from within Thailand. See the DTV guide.
- Tourist Visa: Applied before arrival at a Thai embassy. Grants 60 days, extendable to 90 days, and does not consume your visa-exempt quota. See the Tourist Visa guide.
- Retirement or Marriage Visa: For eligible applicants. 1-year renewable with financial requirements. See Retirement Visa or Marriage Visa.
Land Border Cap: 2 Entries Per Calendar Year
Land border entries are capped at 2 per calendar year. Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei continue to have unlimited land entry. Once you've used your 2 land border exemptions for the year, any further land re-entry needs a visa.
The official announcement does not state a limit for air or sea arrivals, and how repeated air or sea entries are treated is not stated. Confirm with Thai Immigration or your embassy before relying on repeated entries.
Watch these sources for official country tier lists and updates: Thai Immigration Bureau (immigration.go.th), Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.go.th), and your country's Thai embassy website.
Disclaimer
CMLocals is an independent information resource. This page reflects the current rules and reporting cross-checked against multiple outlets. We are not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Officer discretion and enforcement practice can vary. Verify with official Thai government sources (thaievisa.go.th, your nearest Royal Thai Embassy) before making travel decisions.