Thailand limits visa-free stays to 30 days for India and 92 other countries

Thailand’s Cabinet approved a rollback of its 60-day visa-free entry scheme on May 19, cutting back a travel concession that had applied to 93 countries and territories. The change has not taken effect yet: Thai authorities said the revised rules will start 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. Until then, current entry conditions remain in place. The move was announced by the government public relations department and later reiterated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. ### When do the new entry rules actually start? May 19, 2026, is the date the Cabinet approved the revision, according to Thailand’s government public relations department. The rules do not begin immediately, because the Ministry of Interior announcements still need to be published in the Royal Gazette. Bangkok-based tourism officials said travelers entering before the effective date can stay for the duration of the permission already granted at entry. The Tourism Authority of Thailand said foreign visitors should keep checking official updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thai embassies or consulates for nationality-specific rules. (thailand.prd.go.th) ### What changes for travelers from the affected countries? Thailand said it is revoking the 60-day visa exemption for all 93 countries and territories covered by that scheme. Under the revised framework, each country or territory will be assigned to only one entry category rather than overlapping privileges. The new breakdown is narrower than before. The government said 54 countries and territories will be eligible for a 30-day visa exemption, three will be eligible for a new 15-day visa exemption, and visa on arrival will remain for four countries or territories. (tatnews.org) Separate bilateral agreements will still provide exemptions of 14, 30 or 90 days where those arrangements already exist. (thailand.prd.go.th) ### Why did Thailand say it is tightening the rules? Thailand’s government listed five reasons for the revision: national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity, reducing overlapping visa privileges that could confuse visitors, and the wider availability of the e-visa system. The Tourism Authority of Thailand said the Visa Policy Committee, chaired by the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, will continue reviewing visa arrangements on a country-by-country basis using security and economic considerations. (thailand.prd.go.th) ### Does this mean Thailand is closing the door to longer stays? Thailand’s separate Destination Thailand Visa, or DTV, remains in place for remote workers and other longer-stay visitors. (thailand.prd.go.th) Foreign Ministry visa materials describe the DTV as a five-year multiple-entry visa designed for remote workers, freelancers and other eligible foreigners, with stays of up to 180 days per entry and a one-time extension of up to 180 days through immigration. (tatnews.org) The official e-visa portal remains active as well. Thai authorities pointed to the e-visa system as one reason the government could simplify and tighten exemption categories while still offering other legal channels for entry. ### What should travelers do now? Foreign visitors planning trips in the coming weeks should not assume the new rules are already in force. Thailand’s Tourism Authority said the current system remains valid until Royal Gazette publication, after which the revised conditions will begin 15 days later. (image.mfa.go.th) The next concrete milestone is the Royal Gazette notice from the Ministry of Interior. (thailand.prd.go.th) After that publication, travelers from the 93 affected countries and territories will need to check whether their nationality falls under the 30-day exemption list, the new 15-day list, a bilateral arrangement, or visa on arrival. (tatnews.org)