Thailand Visa Exemption 2026: New 30-Day and 15-Day Rules from 15 September

Thailand is changing how many visitors enter the country. From 15 September 2026, the widely used 60-day visa exemption ends. In its place, travellers will fall under 30-day visa exemption, 15-day visa exemption, Visa on Arrival, or other arrangements that apply to their nationality.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirmed the framework after Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. If you are planning a trip around or after mid-September, read this before you book flights.

What is changing on 15 September 2026?

Since mid-2024, many nationalities could enter Thailand for tourism under a 60-day visa exemption at airports and eligible land/sea checkpoints. That temporary measure ends on 15 September 2026.

After that date:

• Former 60-day exempt travellers move to the 30-day, 15-day, Visa on Arrival, or other applicable category for their passport
• Bilateral agreements that already grant 90, 30, or 14 days continue where they still apply
• Entry conditions can differ between air and land-border checkpoints

If your itinerary crosses 15 September, assume the new rules apply to your arrival date, not when you first planned the trip.

Who gets a 30-day visa exemption?

Holders of passports or travel documents from 60 countries and territories may enter Thailand for tourism with a permitted stay of up to 30 days under visa exemption. The Royal Gazette list includes:

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, 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, Maldives, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States of America.

For most nationalities on this list, land-border entry under the 30-day exemption is limited to two times per calendar year. That limit does not apply to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Singapore, or to other nationalities the Minister may designate.

Air arrivals are not subject to that same twice-per-year land-border cap, but officers still enforce standard immigration rules, proof-of-stay requirements, and onward-travel checks where applicable.

Who gets a 15-day visa exemption?

A 15-day visa exemption applies to passport holders from:

• Seychelles
• Mauritius

Land-border entry under this exemption is also generally capped at two times per calendar year, except where the Minister designates otherwise.

Visa on Arrival from 15 September 2026

Visa on Arrival will apply to holders of passports or travel documents from:

• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Serbia

If your nationality is on the VoA list, confirm fee, permitted stay, and required documents on official channels before travel. VoA is separate from visa exemption and typically involves on-arrival processing.

Bilateral and special arrangements still apply

Some passports already benefit from separate bilateral or related entry arrangements, with exemption periods of 90, 30, or 14 days depending on the agreement. ASEAN neighbours and a handful of other partners often fall here.

Do not assume one blog post covers every edge case. Check:

1. Your passport nationality
2. Your port of entry (air vs land)
3. Whether you rely on visa exemption, VoA, or a pre-arranged visa
4. How many days you have already used in Thailand this calendar year if entering by land

Land border vs airport: why it matters

Many long-stay and regional travellers enter Thailand by road from Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, or Myanmar. Under the new framework:

• 30-day exempt travellers face a two land entries per calendar year rule (with ASEAN exceptions noted above)
• 15-day exempt travellers face a similar land-border cap
• Air arrivals follow the published exemption or visa category without that specific land-border counting rule

If you are doing a multi-country loop through Southeast Asia, map your entry method and count before you travel, not at the checkpoint.

Planning a 30-day Thailand trip: connectivity checklist

A one-month stay needs reliable mobile data for maps, banking apps, Grab, hotel check-in, and immigration-related apps. FastTrack eSIM sells data-only prepaid plans on True and AIS partner networks, with QR delivery by email and first-usage activation so you can install before you fly.

Practical setup for visa-exempt arrivals at BKK or DMK:

1. Confirm your phone supports eSIM and is carrier unlocked
2. Buy a plan that matches your stay — many 30-day visitors choose a 3 GB / 30 days tier
3. Install the profile at home on Wi-Fi; enable the line after immigration
4. Keep your home SIM active if you need SMS for bank 2FA

How much mobile data do you need for 30 days?

Data use varies, but typical tourist patterns look like this:

Thailand has strong mobile coverage in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and most tourist corridors on True and AIS infrastructure. Our plans start from $3.99; top-ups are available on active eSIMs if you need more data mid-trip.

See our Thailand eSIM guide for network details and our Bangkok airport guide for arrival-day tips.

Other entry reminders travellers overlook

Thailand's long-standing proof of funds requirement can still be checked at immigration, depending on entry category and officer discretion. Keep evidence ready — Thai baht, equivalent foreign currency, or supporting payment documents.

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) and related immigration apps are worth completing before arrival when required. Have your accommodation address and departure details handy.

These requirements are independent of visa length but matter on the same immigration line where your 30-day stamp is issued.

Timeline at a glance

Bottom line

From 15 September 2026, Thailand moves away from the 60-day visa exemption toward a clearer split: 30 days for 60 listed countries, 15 days for Seychelles and Mauritius, and Visa on Arrival for Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia, plus any bilateral rules that still apply to your passport.

Plan your entry category, land-border limits, and stay length before you fly. For the part you can control before departure — staying online from arrival day — a Thailand eSIM on True and AIS with first-usage activation lets you install early and connect when you land.