Lifestyle

Thailand to End Visa-Free Access for 21 Nationalities Starting September 15, 2026

By VisasNews

Thailand is set to overhaul its visa exemption program on September 15, 2026, ending visa-free entry entirely for citizens of 21 countries while also shortening stays for many others, according to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Until September 14, 2026, passport holders from 93 countries and territories can enter Thailand visa-free for stays of up to 60 days under a scheme introduced in July 2024. Beginning September 15, 2026, this will be replaced by a new system covering only 60 countries and territories, offering visa-free stays of up to 30 days, in addition to separate bilateral agreements and other specific arrangements.

The reform is more far-reaching than a simple reduction in stay duration. Citizens of 21 nations currently included in the 60-day visa exemption list will not appear in the new 60-country list and will require a visa to travel to Thailand for tourism after the change takes effect.

However, not all nationals dropped from the main list will need visas. Some countries maintain separate bilateral agreements permitting visa-free travel, including China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia and Vietnam. Mauritius will also gain a new 15-day visa exemption for tourists. After accounting for these exceptions, 21 nationalities currently eligible for 60-day visa-free entry will need a visa for arrivals on or after September 15, 2026. These include travelers from Morocco, Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay, Sri Lanka and Monaco, among others.

For those affected, Thailand's e-Visa system offers an alternative to traditional in-person applications. Since January 1, 2025, the country has rolled out this online system across its diplomatic network worldwide. Applicants can register an account, submit their application and supporting documents, pay applicable fees online where available, and receive their approved e-Visa by email through the official portal, thaievisa.go.th. The confirmation can then be printed and presented to airlines and Thai immigration officials. Requirements, fees and processing times may differ depending on the Thai diplomatic mission handling the application.

Among the visa options available is the single-entry TR Tourist Visa, which the Royal Thai Embassy in London says remains valid for three months from issuance and permits a stay of up to 60 days from the date of entry. Travelers can request a 30-day extension from Thai immigration authorities for a fee currently set at 1,900 baht. Since it is a single-entry visa, those who leave Thailand generally must obtain a new visa to re-enter unless they qualify for another exemption. Frequent visitors can instead apply for the six-month Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV), which allows stays of up to 60 days per entry for eligible applicants.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the applicable rules depend on the date of entry rather than the date the reform takes effect. Travelers who are already in Thailand under current rules, or who enter the country by September 14, 2026, will retain the stay period granted upon their arrival. This means nationals from the 21 affected countries who enter Thailand no later than September 14, 2026, can still benefit from the existing 60-day visa exemption. The visa requirement will apply only to entries made on or after September 15, 2026.

The four Ministry of Interior regulations enacting these changes were published in Thailand's Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026, and are set to take effect 15 days later.

Regardless of visa status, all foreign travelers must continue completing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entering the country. Thai authorities have confirmed this electronic arrival form is mandatory for all non-Thai nationals, whether entering with a visa or under a visa exemption.

Travelers from the affected countries are advised to plan ahead and secure a visa, particularly through the e-Visa portal, before their trip. Those who arrive in Thailand by September 14, 2026, will remain subject to the entry conditions in place at the time of their arrival.