Thailand Revises Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival Rules Effective from 15 September 2026

Thailand Revises Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival Rules

Effective from 15 September 2026

Thailand has revised its Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival (VoA) schemes for ordinary passport holders. The new measures will take effect from 15 September 2026.

One of the most significant changes is the cancellation of the previous 60-day visa exemption scheme. From the effective date, foreign travellers will be granted entry privileges according to their nationality and the applicable visa exemption or bilateral agreement.

Depending on nationality, travellers may fall under one of the following categories:

• 30-day Visa Exemption
• 15-day Visa Exemption
• Bilateral Visa Exemption for 14, 30 or 90 days
• Visa on Arrival (VoA)
• Visa required prior to travel

For example, nationals of the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, EU Member States, Israel, India, Türkiye, Japan and Taiwan are included in the 30-day visa exemption scheme for tourism purposes.

Certain countries, including China, Russia and South Korea, are covered by bilateral visa exemption agreements, under which the permitted period of stay may differ.

Important Note for Foreign Nationals

The revised visa exemption measures primarily apply to tourism purposes.

A visa exemption does not automatically permit a foreign national to work, operate a business, conduct activities requiring a work permit, or reside in Thailand on a long-term basis.

Foreign nationals intending to enter or remain in Thailand for purposes such as:

Employment | Business | Investment | Retirement | Marriage or Family | Education | Long-Term Residence

should ensure that they hold the appropriate visa and immigration status for their intended activities.

Foreign nationals who enter Thailand before 15 September 2026 under the existing rules may continue to stay until the expiry date stated on their current immigration entry stamp.

Planning to Enter or Stay in Thailand?

Before travelling, we recommend checking three key matters:

Your nationality, purpose of travel, and intended period of stay.

Immigration privileges may differ depending on the passport held and the purpose of entry.

J.A.N. Inter Law Co., Ltd. provides legal consultation and assistance to foreign nationals regarding immigration, business, employment, investment and long-term residence matters in Thailand.

For a case-specific assessment, please contact our office.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on the regulations and official announcements available at the time of publication. Immigration requirements may vary according to nationality, travel purpose, individual circumstances and the decision of the competent immigration authorities.