# Thailand to Reduce Visa-Free Stay Limit to 30 Days

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/travel/286540-thailand-to-reduce-visa-free-stay-limit-to-30-days
- Published: 2026-02-13T15:40:22+07:00
- Author: Bahar Karaman

Thailand is preparing to reduce visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days for citizens
of 93 countries, a move aimed at tightening immigration controls while maintaining
tourism flows.

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## Key Points

 * **Policy shift**: Authorities believe shorter stays will help prevent misuse 
   by foreigners engaging in illegal activities, nominee businesses, or repeated
   visa runs.
 * **Tourism resilience**: With most visitors staying around 21 days, officials 
   expect minimal impact on tourism revenue. Extensions beyond 30 days will remain
   available.
 * **Industry support**: The Association of Thai Travel Agents backs the reduction,
   noting that long stays are often exploited for non-tourism purposes.
 * **Background**: The 60-day visa-free scheme was introduced in mid-2024 under 
   Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to boost arrivals. While initial surges from 
   China, Taiwan, and India were notable, most tourists continued to stay less than
   a month.
 * **Immigration measures**: Since late 2025, the Immigration Bureau has tightened
   checks on foreigners making repeated border runs.

Authorities seek to balance national security concerns with the country’s reliance
on tourism, a key sector of its economy. Officials believe the adjustment will help
monitor overstays more effectively while still encouraging international visitors
to explore Thailand’s attractions within the revised timeframe.

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## Economic Outlook

 * Average tourist spending is unlikely to decline significantly, given typical 
   stay durations.
 * Stricter controls may reduce opportunities for foreign-run nominee businesses,
   protecting domestic operators.
 * Thailand positions itself as a quality-driven tourism hub, balancing economic
   benefits with immigration enforcement.

**Regional Context** Thailand’s adjustment contrasts with Malaysia and Vietnam, 
which continue to offer longer visa-free stays to attract extended visitors. However,
Thailand’s established tourism infrastructure and reputation may offset the shorter
entry period. The government appears to be prioritizing sustainable tourism and 
tighter oversight of foreign business activities over aggressive visitor growth.