Thailand cuts visa-free stay to 30 days

Thailand will seek to cut the visa-free stay for tourists from 93 countries to 30 days from 60 days, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaeow said on May 13. The proposal would reverse part of a tourism policy introduced on July 15, 2024, when Thailand expanded visa-free entry to 93 countries and territories and lengthened the permitted stay to 60 days. Sihasak said the ministry would submit the plan to Cabinet, but he did not give a date for when any change would take effect. Reuters reported the move as part of an effort to curb criminal activity linked to longer stays. ### Which travelers are covered by the proposed change? Thailand’s current visa-exemption list covers nationals of 93 countries and territories, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The scheme applies to travel for tourism, business engagements, urgent work or ad-hoc work, and the current rule allows a stay of up to 60 days. (gmanetwork.com) India is on that 93-country list, according to the Thai foreign ministry document. Other eligible travelers include passport holders from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and much of Europe under the current arrangement. ### What rule is in force right now? (image.mfa.go.th) July 15, 2024, is the effective date on Thailand’s current visa-exemption notice, which says eligible travelers can stay for up to 60 days. The same notice says that period can be extended for another stay of not more than 30 days, subject to the discretion of immigration officers. (image.mfa.go.th) No official Thai government source in the material reviewed said the new 30-day limit had already taken effect. Reuters said Sihasak described the cut as a plan that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would submit to Cabinet for approval. (image.mfa.go.th) ### Why is Thailand moving to shorten the stay? Sihasak said the shorter period is intended to help prevent criminal activity, according to Reuters. Bangkok Post separately reported that the ministry linked the proposed rollback to abuses of the exemption and potential security risks. (gmanetwork.com) Thailand has relied heavily on tourism since the pandemic recovery. Reuters said foreign arrivals had peaked at nearly 40 million in 2019, underscoring why entry rules remain a closely watched policy area for Bangkok. ### What does this mean for someone planning a trip now? (gmanetwork.com) Travelers from the 93 eligible countries are still covered by the 60-day visa-exemption rule unless and until Cabinet approves a change and the government publishes implementation details. The official tourism and foreign ministry materials available now continue to describe the current stay as 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension. (gmanetwork.com) A shorter visa-free period would matter most for visitors planning stays longer than 30 days. Travelers staying for shorter holidays would not see a practical difference if the proposal is adopted, while those planning longer stays would need to watch for guidance on extensions or other visa options. That last point is an inference based on the current 60-day threshold and the proposed 30-day limit. (tourismthailand.org) ### Where should travelers look for the final rule? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Authority of Thailand are the main public sources for Thailand’s visa-exemption terms. The foreign ministry’s visa-exemption notice lists the eligible 93 countries, while the tourism authority’s passport-and-visa page reflects the current 60-day policy. (image.mfa.go.th) Cabinet approval is the next formal step identified by Sihasak. Until that happens, the official documents reviewed still show the July 2024 framework, and no implementation date for a 30-day limit has been announced. (gmanetwork.com) (image.mfa.go.th)