Thailand Halves Visa-Free Stays to 30 Days for Over 60 Nationalities

The revised entry regime covers travelers from more than 90 countries and territories, reversing a pandemic-era expansion of visa-free privileges. Authorities say the move is intended to curb misuse of visa exemptions and illegal activity involving foreign nationals.

More than 60 nationalities — among them most Schengen states, the United States and Australia — will see visa-free stays reduced from 60 days to 30. Some nationalities will be granted 15-day exemptions, while others, including Azerbaijan, Serbia and Belarus, will shift to visa-on-arrival status.

The new rules also cap visa-free entries at two per year, a restriction aimed at travelers who repeatedly exit and re-enter the country on exemption status.

For travel companies, the commercial effect is expected to hinge more on trip length and asset class than on headline visitor numbers. Shorter permitted stays are seen as weighing on long-haul itineraries more than on short breaks, and on the property market more than on hotels.

The changes coincide with a broader repositioning of Thailand's tourism strategy toward higher-value visitors and higher spending per trip, a shift officials have framed around so-called quality tourism.