Thailand has formally repealed the 60-day visa exemption scheme.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 That scheme has now been repealed.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 2-entries-per-calendar-year limit applies to land border checkpoint entries only; air and sea arrivals are not subject to this cap, per the official TAT Newsroom announcement. Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei keep unlimited land entry too.
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 (air, land, sea) | 2 per rolling 12 months | 2 per calendar year, all entry methods (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei unlimited) |
| Bilateral agreements (9 countries) | 60 days | 8 move to 30 days, 1 to 14 days |
| Extension (1st entry) | +30 days at immigration | +30 days at immigration (unchanged) |
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 confirmed extension (1,900 THB) to roughly 60 days gives 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.
Whether air entries remain unlimited after that isn't yet clear from official sources. Confirm with Thai Immigration or your embassy before relying on this.
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.