Thailand said on Tuesday, May 13 that it will reduce the visa-free stay period for tourists from 93 countries. The new stay period will be 30 days. This change is, from 60 days. Authorities want to curb activity. They also want to tighten immigration controls. According to Reuters, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaeow said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would submit the proposal to the Cabinet for approval, although no implementation date was announced.
The change would reverse part of Thailand’s tourism liberalisation measures introduced in July 2024, when the government expanded visa-free entry to 93 countries and extended permitted stays to 60 days. Reuters reported that Thai authorities now want stricter oversight after concerns emerged over the misuse of long visa-free stays by some foreign nationals.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit a plan to the Cabinet for approval to reduce the visa-free stay period for foreign tourists in Thailand to 30 days from 60 days,” Sihasak Phuangketkaeow said, according to Reuters. He did not specify when the new rules could take effect.
Thai officials said the revised policy is intended to address concerns about foreigners using extended visa exemptions for activities unrelated to tourism, including illegal employment and criminal operations. Reuters reported that authorities will also increase checks on other visa categories to ensure visitors comply with the purpose stated in their visa applications.
The government’s decision comes as Thailand faces slowing tourist arrivals despite relying heavily on tourism as a key economic driver. Reuters reported that Thailand recorded 12.4 million foreign tourist arrivals between January 1 and May 10, 2026, down 3.43% from the same period in 2025. The country welcomed nearly 40 million international visitors in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global travel.
According to Reuters, the Thai government has increasingly linked visa policy reviews to concerns about transnational crime and unauthorised work. A draft government policy statement seen by Reuters in April said authorities planned to strengthen domestic security measures and review free-visa entry rules as part of broader efforts to combat criminal activity.
Thai officials say most tourists do not stay enough. The short visa-free period does not change how they usually travel. According to VnExpress, Tourism and Sports Ministry Permanent Secretary Natthriya Thaweevong previously said average foreign tourist stays in Thailand were around 21 days. “This change should not impact tourism, as foreign tourists stay in Thailand for 21 days on average,” she said, according to Bangkok Post reporting cited by VnExpress.
The visa-free expansion introduced in 2024 had been part of a broader campaign to revive Thailand’s tourism sector and stimulate economic growth after the pandemic. Reuters reported in May 2024 that Thailand extended visa-free access and longer stays to attract tourists, remote workers, students, and retirees as the government sought to boost spending and return visitor numbers to pre-pandemic levels.
Under the current framework, tourists from 93 eligible countries can enter Thailand without a visa and remain for up to 60 days, with options for extensions in some cases. Thai authorities have since reviewed whether the longer stays created loopholes that allowed some visitors to remain in the country for unofficial employment or use Thailand as a base for operations linked to criminal networks in neighbouring countries, according to multiple local and international reports.
The proposed reduction could affect travellers from major tourism markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Australia, and several European Union member states that currently benefit from Thailand’s visa-free entry system. Reuters said the policy applies broadly to all 93 countries currently covered under the exemption programme.
Tourism businesses and travel operators are closely monitoring the changes because the sector remains central to Thailand’s economy. Reuters reported that tourism continues to be one of the country’s most important industries despite slower growth this year. Thailand’s business groups previously lowered economic growth forecasts for 2026 as weaker tourism numbers and global economic uncertainty weighed on the outlook.
Background
Thailand introduced its expanded visa-free programme in July 2024 to support the recovery of its tourism industry after the pandemic. The policy allowed visitors from 93 countries to remain in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa, compared with the previous 30-day limit. Reuters reported that the government also introduced new visa categories for remote workers and long-term visitors as part of efforts to increase tourism revenue.
Since early 2026, Thai officials have reviewed the system following reports that some foreign nationals were misusing visa exemptions for illegal work or criminal activities. Reuters and other regional outlets reported that immigration and security agencies pushed for stricter screening measures and tighter oversight of long-stay visitors.
What Happens Next
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will soon send the proposal to Thailands Cabinet so they can decide if it is okay. This is what Reuters said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking this step to get the proposal approved by Thailands Cabinet. No official implementation date has been announced, and authorities have not yet clarified whether transitional arrangements will apply to travellers who already booked trips under the current 60-day rules.
Thai authorities also said they would strengthen checks on other visa categories to ensure compliance with immigration rules. Officials have not announced additional restrictions beyond the proposed reduction in visa-free stay periods, but Reuters reported that broader visa policy reviews remain under discussion within the government.
