2 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Sep 1, 2026 08:14 PM IST

Thailand has published new rules reducing visa-free stays for tourists from 60 days to 30 days, including for Indian passport holders. The Interior Ministry notification was published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, replacing the 60-day visa-exemption scheme introduced in 2024.

The Royal Gazette, signed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, sets out a new list of 60 countries and territories whose passport holders can enter Thailand for tourism without a visa and remain in the country for up to 30 days.

.

Travel Advisory · Global Desk

Thailand Visa-Free Stay: What Changes for Indians?

Tourist Stay Transition Rule

60 Days (Until Sep 14)

30 Days (From Sep 15)

✓ India Remains Visa-Exempt

✈️ What Happens to Your Trip?

Travelling Before September 15 The 60-day tourist entry scheme continues uninterrupted.

Travelling From September 15 Maximum visa-free tourist stay is capped at 30 days.

Want to Stay Longer Than 30 Days? Apply for the appropriate Thai e-Visa in advance.

Official Guidance: The Thai Embassy notes that Indian travellers wanting to enter for more than 30 days after the new scheme takes effect can apply for an appropriate e-Visa.

🛡️ Already in Thailand? Don’t Panic

Your existing permitted stay will not suddenly be cut to 30 days. People who enter before the new rules take effect can remain until the expiry of the stay granted when they entered.

📊 Old vs. New System Overview

Old SystemNew System (From Sept 15)
60 days duration30 days duration
93 countries/territories60 countries/territories
Tourism + certain short-term activitiesTourism focused
Introduced July 2024Takes effect Sept 15, 2026

🌐 Which Countries Are Covered?

The 60 countries and territories eligible for the 30-day visa-free stay include:

Australia

Austria

Bahrain

Belgium

Bulgaria

Bhutan

Brunei

Canada

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Fiji

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Indonesia

India

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Jordan

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Malaysia

The Maldives

The Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Oman

The Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Romania

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Slovak Republic

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Turkey

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States

💡 Why Thailand is Reforming Rules

Thai government sources cite key operational drivers:

Security & Oversight

International Reciprocity

Reduce Overlapping Privileges

Clearer e-Visa Integration

🚗 Land-Border Entry Rule

Visa-exempt entries via land-border checkpoints are generally limited to 2 times per calendar year.

Thailand

Cambodia

Thailand (Final Exempt)

.

HTML Code Copied to Clipboard!

Why has Thailand reduced the visa-free stay?

Thailand’s Cabinet approved an overhaul of its visa-exemption system in May, citing national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity, overlapping visa privileges and the availability of its e-Visa system. Thai media have also reported concerns that longer visa-free stays were being misused by some foreign visitors.

Story continues below this ad

Thailand had introduced 60-day visa exemption in 2024

Thailand introduced its 60-day visa-exemption scheme in July 2024, expanding eligibility to passport holders from 93 countries and territories, including India. The scheme covered tourism, business engagements and urgent or ad-hoc work, and allowed immigration authorities to grant an extension of up to another 30 days at their discretion.

What prompted Thailand to tighten visa-free rules?

For several years, Thailand has allowed visitors from 56 countries to stay in the nation for 30 days, and two years ago the visa-free exemption was extended to 60 days and eligibility expanded to 93 countries. The Thai authorities have said that due to longer stays in the country, there’s been an increase in illegal activities by foreign nationals, Bangkok Post reported.

What does the change mean for Indian tourists?

Indian passport holders will continue to be able to enter Thailand without obtaining a visa in advance for tourism, but their permitted visa-free stay will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days under the new system.

Indians who want to stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days can apply for an appropriate Thai e-Visa, according to the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi.

The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. … Read More

Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram