Thailand revised its tourist entry schemes on Sept. 15, 2026. The previous 60-day visa-exemption scheme was revoked. The new framework includes a 30-day tourism exemption for ordinary-passport holders from 60 countries and territories, a separate 15-day exemption for Seychelles and Mauritius, and Visa on Arrival for Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. These are distinct routes; passport, travel purpose and planned stay determine which may apply.

The Thai government announcement says the reviewed exemption and Visa-on-Arrival schemes are for tourism. People travelling to work or for another purpose need to check the relevant visa category.

The 30-day visa-exemption scheme

Thailand's Department of Consular Affairs lists 60 eligible ordinary-passport nationalities for a stay of up to 30 days. Examples include Australia, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States; the official 30-day list is the place to check a specific passport. A listed nationality does not automatically qualify every travel document issued by that country. Check the passport itself, not residence or flight origin.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington says temporary, provisional or emergency passports from eligible nationalities may be accepted if valid for at least six months upon the traveller's return to their country of residence. The embassy also lists proof of funds of 20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family. Entry remains subject to immigration review.

Embassy pages differ on repeat visits. The Doha Embassy limits visa-exempt land or sea entry to twice in a calendar year, except for nationals of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Singapore. The London Embassy says eligible passport holders may enter under the exemption only twice in a calendar year, without the land-or-sea qualification. Thailand's Department of Consular Affairs lists the country categories but does not resolve this wording difference. Travellers planning multiple visits or a land or sea entry should confirm the rule with the Thai embassy responsible for their passport before booking.

A visitor admitted under the 30-day scheme may request an extension of up to 30 more days, but approval is at the immigration officer's discretion. That is not an automatic 60-day stay. If a longer trip depends on the extra time, confirm the extension process or arrange an appropriate visa before relying on it.

The 15-day exemption and Visa on Arrival

Seychelles and Mauritius passport holders have a separate visa exemption for tourism stays of up to 15 days. Visa on Arrival is another route: the Department of Consular Affairs list names Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia for stays of up to 15 days at designated checkpoints.

The Doha Embassy's current checklist includes an application form, a recent photo, a passport valid at least six months with two blank pages, proof of funds of 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family, and a non-refundable 2,000-baht fee payable in cash. Its page says a paid onward ticket must be usable within 30 days of entry. The London Embassy's Visa-on-Arrival guidance instead says the paid ticket must be scheduled within 15 days. Both pages describe a stay of up to 15 days, but their ticket deadlines conflict; the Department of Consular Affairs' category list does not settle that condition. Confirm the ticket deadline with the embassy responsible for your passport before booking.

Both embassy pages say Visa-on-Arrival stays generally cannot be extended, except in specified illness cases. Do not treat this route as interchangeable with the 30-day exemption.

Concept illustration of a generic passport branching toward an exemption gate and an application form under DIFFERENT ENTRY ROUTES.
The article distinguishes visa exemption from Visa on Arrival; passport and travel purpose determine the relevant official requirements. Concept illustration.

Bilateral passport agreements

Some ordinary passports also have separate bilateral arrangements. The Department of Consular Affairs' current list page links to an ordinary-passport agreement table dated Dec. 12, 2025. That PDF places Cambodia and Myanmar, for international-airport entry only, in a 14-day group; China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, Timor-Leste and Vietnam in a 30-day group; and Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Korea and Peru in a 90-day group. The index page was updated Sept. 15, 2026, but its linked bilateral PDF is dated 2025. Confirm the agreement for the passport before relying on the older table.

Longer stays, prior entries and the arrival card

For a stay longer than 30 days, a traveller on the 30-day scheme may request the discretionary extension, but should not plan as if it is guaranteed. The Doha Embassy says an extension application should be filed before the permitted stay expires. If extra days are essential, check a suitable visa route before travel.

The Thai government says visitors already in Thailand under the earlier exemption, and people who entered before Sept. 15, may stay until the final date stamped in their passport. The new scheme did not shorten a stay already authorized by that stamp.

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is separate from a visa. The London Embassy says foreign travellers must submit the TDAC within three days before each arrival, including people using visa exemption or Visa on Arrival. It is free and does not replace a visa or entry permission.

Before booking, check the current official list for the passport, travel purpose and planned stay, then verify any embassy-specific document or repeat-entry condition. After arrival, read the immigration stamp before leaving the checkpoint; it gives the last authorized date for that stay. For work or another non-tourism purpose, use the relevant Thai e-Visa information.