Thailand Approves Revised Visa-Free Entry Rules, Return to 30-Day Stay Planned

Thailand's Cabinet has approved a revised framework for the country's visa-free entry programme, paving the way for a return to the standard 30-day visa exemption instead of the current 60-day stay. However, the new rules have not yet entered into force, and no implementation date has been announced.

The decision was approved on July 14, nearly two months after the Cabinet endorsed the initial proposal. During that period, a government committee refined the draft before presenting the updated version.

The proposal was first discussed during the Cabinet meeting on May 19, although details of that agenda item only appeared in official records at a later date. The latest amendments were announced on July 14, but the final Cabinet minutes have not yet reflected the updated provisions.

According to the government's latest proposal, two significant changes have been introduced:

• Citizens of India will receive visa-free entry, although the permitted length of stay remains unclear.

• All 27 European Union member states will be placed under the same visa-free rules, receiving a 30-day stay.

  
  

The duration of visa-free entry for Indian nationals remains uncertain. One section of the government statement refers to a 30-day stay, while another indicates a 15-day exemption. Authorities have not yet released additional documentation to clarify the discrepancy.

Countries eligible for 30-day visa-free entry

Under the revised proposal, 59 countries and territories would qualify for 30-day visa-free entry, compared with 54 under the previous draft.

Five jurisdictions have been added:

• Bulgaria

• Croatia

• Cyprus

• Malta

• Maldives

The list also includes countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Ukraine, South Africa and all other European Union member states.

Possible 15-day visa-free category

A separate group offering 15-day visa-free entry may include:

• India (subject to final clarification)

• Mauritius

• Seychelles

Visa on Arrival

The revised proposal removes India from the Visa on Arrival programme.

The remaining countries eligible for a 15-day Visa on Arrival would be:

• Azerbaijan

• Belarus

• Serbia

Countries covered by bilateral agreements

Several countries are governed by bilateral agreements rather than Thailand's unilateral visa exemption programme. These arrangements are not affected by the latest Cabinet decision.

For Russia, the existing bilateral agreement provides 30 days of visa-free entry, meaning Russian travellers will continue to receive a 30-day stay regardless of changes to the general visa exemption programme.

Other countries covered by bilateral agreements include:

• 30 days: Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Laos, Mongolia, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

• 90 days: Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile and South Korea.

• 14 days: Cambodia and Myanmar.

When will the new rules take effect?

The revised system has not yet become law.

Before the changes can be implemented, the Ministry of Interior must prepare five ministerial regulations.

These regulations must then be published in the Royal Gazette, after which they will enter into force 15 days later.

Until that process is completed, Thailand will continue granting 60-day visa-free entry, with the current rules expected to remain in place at least through August.