Thailand Ends 60-Day Visa-Free Policy

For months, Thai authorities have indicated that the 60-day stays, initially introduced to boost post-Covid tourism recovery, have led to unintended consequences. The most notable issue has been the increase in foreigners settling in the country to operate businesses or partake in illegal activities.

When will Thailand enforce the 60-day visa-free policy end?

The Thailand cabinet has officially decided to end the 60-day visa-free program, but an exact enforcement date for the change has not yet been disclosed to the public. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul stated that once the policy is terminated, visa rules will revert to the previous immigration regulations used before the extension took effect.

Under the new proposal, the visa-free stay period is expected to be halved to 30 days for foreign tourists. This shift is part of a broader strategy to prioritize high-quality tourism and tighten screening measures, according to Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaeow. Authorities are also conducting a comprehensive review of all visa categories to address concerns over national security and illegal business operations.

Key takeaways

1. Cabinet ends the 60‑day visa‑free programme

• The Thai cabinet has decided to abolish the 60‑day visa‑free stay for all countries previously eligible .
• Rules will revert to the pre‑2024 system, meaning shorter stays and fewer eligible countries .
• The government says the 60‑day scheme created unintended consequences, including foreigners overstaying to run businesses or engage in crime .

2. Effective date still pending

• No exact enforcement date yet; the decision will be communicated to relevant agencies .
• Visitors already in Thailand before the new rules take effect can stay for the duration of their current permission .
• MFA later clarified: changes take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette .

🛂 What the new visa framework looks like

A. 30‑day visa exemption: reduced to 54 countries

• Down from 57 previously; MFA did not name the three removed countries .
• Full list includes most of Europe, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the US, Canada, and others .

B. 15‑day visa exemption

• Applies to Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius .

C. Visa on arrival

• Reduced from 31 countries to four: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia, India .

D. Bilateral agreements remain unchanged

• Examples:
  • 14‑day: Myanmar (air only), Cambodia
  • 30‑day: China, Hong Kong, Laos, Vietnam, Russia, etc.
  • 90‑day: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Korea .

🧭 Why Thailand is changing the policy

• Authorities cite reciprocity, security concerns, and policy duplication causing confusion among tourists .
• The Visa Policy Committee will reassess which countries may receive eased measures in the future, based on security and economic impact .
• The government is also reviewing the entire visa framework, not just tourist visas, to simplify categories .

📉 Tourism context

• Foreign arrivals as of May 17: 12.9 million, down 3.3% year‑on‑year .
• 2025 arrivals fell 7% to 33 million; forecast for 2026 is 32 million (another decline) .
• The 60‑day scheme was originally introduced to support post‑Covid tourism recovery .

How will the 60-day visa-free policy change affect digital nomads?

The Thai cabinet has officially decided to end the 60-day visa-free entry scheme, reverting to the previous immigration regulations which typically allowed for 30-day stays. While an exact enforcement date has not been disclosed, the change aims to prioritize “high-quality” tourism and tighten security oversight over foreign visitors.

Digital nomads, who often utilize long-stay arrangements to work remotely, face significant disruption as the permitted stay duration is halved. Analysts suggest this move risks driving remote professionals to rival destinations like Vietnam or Indonesia, as the “quality over quantity” focus may overlook the consistent economic contributions of long-stay travelers. Furthermore, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul indicated that future visa policies will include stricter screening of financial status and investment sources, potentially complicating entry for those without traditional employment documentation.