Thailand’s cabinet approved new visa exemption rules on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Bangkok, reducing visa-free stay durations and limiting eligibility for foreign tourists, according to Reuters. The decision affects visitors from 93 countries and replaces the previous 60-day visa-free policy with shorter stays and revised entry categories.
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Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the cabinet meeting endorsed a major overhaul of the country’s visa exemption framework, Reuters reported. The policy removes the 60-day visa-free entry scheme that had been in place for tourists from 93 countries and territories.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the government would revert most visitors to shorter stays under revised entry rules. “The Cabinet has resolved to cancel the 60-day visa-free scheme for more than 90 countries,” he said after the meeting on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
The new framework also introduces stricter limits on visa categories. A foreign ministry official said the changes include reduced eligibility lists and revised exemption periods designed to streamline entry procedures.
Mungkorn Pratoomkaew, director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs, told a briefing that “the revised measures aim to streamline entry protocols and are driven by considerations of national security, tourism economics, and diplomatic reciprocity,” according to Reuters.
He also said the government would enforce a new rule allowing only one visa exemption scheme per country or territory. This replaces earlier overlapping arrangements that had created multiple entry privileges for some nationalities.
Under the revised system, most affected countries will revert to the earlier standard of approximately 30-day visa-free stays, according to Reuters and Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing.
Officials also confirmed changes beyond the 60-day rollback. The number of countries eligible for 30-day visa-free entry will be reduced from 57 to 54, while a new 15-day exemption category will apply to a small number of countries or territories.
Visa-on-arrival arrangements are also being tightened, with eligibility reduced significantly as part of the broader policy shift.
Regional / Global Impact
Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s most visited destinations, and tourism remains a major contributor to its economy. Reuters reported that the country attracted nearly 40 million visitors in 2019 before the pandemic, making entry rules a key factor for regional travel flows.
The revised visa policy is expected to affect international travel planning, particularly for long-stay tourists and digital nomads who previously relied on extended visa-free access. The tighter framework may also influence regional competition among tourism-dependent economies in Asia.
Background
Thailand expanded its visa-free stay policy in 2024, extending the allowance to 60 days for 93 countries to boost post-pandemic tourism recovery, according to Reuters.
Before that change, most visitors were typically allowed stays of around 30 days under earlier regulations.
The 60-day extension was introduced as part of efforts to stimulate inbound tourism and economic activity.
Authorities have since reviewed the policy amid concerns over regulatory overlap and enforcement challenges in visa exemptions.
What happens next
The new visa rules will take effect 15 days after publication in Thailand’s official Royal Gazette, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Officials said a Visa Policy Committee will further review country-by-country eligibility under the revised framework.
Additional administrative details, including final country lists and implementation procedures, will be announced by relevant agencies in the coming weeks.
