Cabinet approval has been granted, but the new rules are not yet in effect. The current 60-day exemption remains valid until the Royal Gazette countdown begins.
There is a significant change coming to Thailand’s visa policy. On 19 May 2026, Thailand’s Cabinet approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa exemption scheme that currently applies to travelers from 93 countries. However, the cancellation is not yet legally in force.
As of late June 2026, the official Ministry of Interior announcements required to enact the change have not been published in the Royal Gazette. Travelers should not make any changes to their plans based on this announcement alone. The current 60-day rules remain fully valid at all borders until the new rules officially take effect.
A Short-Lived Scheme: The 60-Day Exemption Since July 2024
The 60-day visa exemption was introduced in July 2024, meaning the scheme will have lasted roughly two years by the time the cancellation takes effect. Officials from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Minister have confirmed the cancellation is driven by concerns over visa misuse, illegal work, and scams.
What the Cabinet Approved: 30-Day Standard Stays and a Possible 15-Day Tier
The following details are confirmed by official sources:
- Standard stay reduction: Most travelers from the 93 affected countries will see their visa-free stay revert from 60 days down to 30 days.
- Reclassification: Some countries may be reclassified to a 15-day exemption, pending review by the Visa Policy Committee. The final list of which countries fall into which category has not yet been released.
- Potential landing fee: In a separate but related development, a 300 THB landing fee for foreign air arrivals has been approved, though its rollout date is not yet confirmed.
When the New Rules Take Effect: 15 Days After Royal Gazette Publication
The new rules are currently in a legislative waiting period. They will take effect precisely 15 days after the implementing regulations are published in the Royal Gazette. Because this publication has not yet occurred, there is currently no fixed effective date.
The change applies only to the visa-exemption and visa-on-arrival tiers. Holders of long-term visa categories — including the LTR visa, Thailand Privilege, retirement visas (Non-Immigrant O/O-A), and the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) — are not affected.
What Has Not Been Confirmed: Country List and Effective Date
Based on official material, two points remain uncertain:
- The per-country list: The final list of which countries will receive a 15-day exemption versus a 30-day exemption has not been officially published.
- The implementation date: The exact date the new rules will take effect is unknown.
Zagdim Analysis
For readers, this means the clock has not started yet. Travel under the current 60-day rules remains possible until official notice is given, and Zagdim believes the Royal Gazette publication date — not the Cabinet approval — is the signal worth watching for the official countdown.
One open question official material does not yet address is the treatment of travelers already in Thailand on a 60-day stamp at the moment the new rules take effect. No official source has confirmed whether a grace period will apply. Until this is clarified, travelers currently in Thailand on a 60-day entry should not assume their permitted stay is affected — the current rules remain valid — but should monitor official announcements as the Royal Gazette publication approaches. On balance, Zagdim advises waiting for the official notice and the final country list before changing any travel itineraries.
For readers weighing longer stays beyond the visa-exemption route, Zagdim’s guide to Thailand long-stay visa options after the 60-day cancellation covers the DTV, LTR, retirement, and Thailand Privilege pathways in more detail.
For travelers and long-stay visitors alike, the practical position is unchanged for now: the 60-day exemption remains valid until 15 days after Royal Gazette publication, and no final country list has been released. What matters most is tracking the official publication date rather than reacting to the Cabinet approval itself. Still have questions? Tell us your situation here and we will help you clarify your next step.
References: Royal Thai Government PRD – Cabinet Approval of Visa Exemption and VoA Scheme Revisions (19 May 2026) / Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Consular Announcement on Revision of Visa Exemption Schemes / Tourism Authority of Thailand – Revision of 60-Day Visa Exemption Scheme Pending Royal Gazette Publication / Thai Visa Services – Thailand 30-Day Visa-Free 2026 / Siam Legal – Thailand Approves End of 60-Day Visa-Free Stay
This article is based on officially verified sources current as of 2 July 2026. Requirements change frequently. Always confirm your specific situation with a licensed immigration attorney, the Thai Immigration Bureau, or your nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate directly.
