On May 19, 2026, the Cabinet of the Royal Thai Government approved, in principle, revisions to Thailand’s visa exemption scheme and visa on arrival (VOA) program, as proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The revisions represent a tightening of Thailand’s immigration framework and will affect a broad range of short-term visitors.
Background
On July 15, 2024, Thailand expanded its visa exemption scheme by increasing the permitted period of visa-exempt stay from 30 days to 60 days in order to promote tourism, support the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery, and facilitate international travel.
Under this revised scheme, passport holders from 93 countries and territories (an increase from the previous 57 countries and territories) have been permitted to enter Thailand without a visa and remain in the country for up to 60 days per entry for purposes including tourism, business engagements, urgent work, and ad hoc assignments. In addition, eligible visitors may apply at the Thai Immigration Bureau for a further 30-day extension of stay.
Key Changes
The proposed revisions would revoke the current 60-day exemption and reinstate the previous stay period, thereby reducing the maximum permitted stay for eligible travelers to 30 days per entry. In addition, the number of countries and territories eligible under the 30-day visa-exemption scheme is expected to be reduced to 54.
The scope of the VOA scheme would likewise be significantly narrowed, with the number of eligible countries reduced from 31 countries to just four (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia, and India).
Further, Thailand is expected to introduce a new 15-day visa exemption category for nationals of Seychelles, the Maldives, and Mauritius.
The revised framework would also limit each country or territory to a single visa exemption privilege in order to simplify Thailand’s immigration framework and reduce overlapping immigration privileges.
Overstay Penalties
Foreign nationals are reminded that remaining in Thailand beyond their permitted period of stay constitutes an offense under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). Overstay penalties may include imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up to THB 20,000, or both. In practice, a fine of THB 500 per day, capped at THB 20,000, is generally imposed.
The duration of a re-entry ban can range from one to 10 years, depending on the length of the overstay and whether the individual leaves Thailand voluntarily or is arrested by the authorities. More severe consequences may apply where a foreign national is arrested while overstaying, including deportation and a prohibition on re-entering Thailand for five years when the overstay is one year or less, or 10 years when the overstay is more than one year.
Next Steps and Timeline
Although the Cabinet has approved the proposed revisions in principle, the new measures are not yet in effect. The detailed implementation framework is expected to be set out in Ministry of Interior notifications, which will become effective 15 days after publication in the Government Gazette.
Foreign nationals who enter Thailand before the new measures take effect may continue to remain in Thailand until the expiry of their existing permitted period of stay. Thereafter, foreign nationals entering Thailand will need to rely on (i) the revised visa exemption and VOA schemes, (ii) applicable bilateral visa exemption agreements, or (iii) an appropriate visa obtained through Thailand’s e-visa system.
Implications for Businesses and Foreign Nationals
The revisions to the visa exemption scheme and VOA scheme signal a significant shift in Thailand’s immigration policy toward stricter oversight of foreign nationals entering and staying in the country. The changes are expected to materially affect foreign nationals who currently rely on visa exemption privileges for business travel, project-related activities, or extended stays in Thailand.
In particular, foreign nationals who currently rely on the 60-day visa exemption may face shorter permitted periods of stay. Nationals of countries no longer eligible for visa exemption may be required to obtain a visa prior to travel, while nationals of countries removed from the VOA scheme may no longer be able to obtain entry permission upon arrival in Thailand.
Accordingly, it is suggested that businesses and foreign nationals should review their existing immigration arrangements, assess whether alternative visa categories may be more appropriate, and closely monitor the relevant notifications in the Government Gazette for implementation updates.
Foreign nationals intending to remain in Thailand for longer periods or engage in work-related activities should consider obtaining an appropriate visa category from the outset, such as a non-immigrant “B” visa, SMART visa, Destination Thailand visa, or long-term resident visa.
