Thailand’s Cabinet approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa exemption scheme (P.60) for 93 countries on 19 May 2026. Most countries that previously enjoyed the 60-day visa exemption are expected to revert to the 30-day visa exemption scheme (P.30), but with a tightened limit of no more than two entries per year, except for certain ASEAN member states. The number of countries eligible for P.30 will also be reduced from 57 to 54. The exact effective date will only be confirmed after publication in the Royal Gazette, with the new rules expected to take effect 15 days after publication.
According to the information currently available, Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul confirmed after the Cabinet meeting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted the proposal on the same day and that it was approved by the Cabinet.
The 30-day visa exemption will remain, but with a narrower scope
According to the Cabinet-approved measures, Thailand will retain the P.30 scheme, namely the 30-day visa exemption system. However, the scheme will be revised.
Current information indicates that the number of countries eligible for P.30 will be reduced from 57 to 54, and the scheme will be clearly limited to tourism purposes. Travellers entering Thailand under P.30 will face a limit of no more than two entries per year. ASEAN nationals are expected to be exempt from this limit, for example Malaysian nationals, although the specific exemption arrangements for other ASEAN countries still await official confirmation.
However, the final list of the 54 countries or territories that will retain 30-day visa exemption eligibility has not yet been published. According to available information, the Visa Policy Committee is still reviewing the country list.
A new 15-day visa exemption scheme will be introduced
In addition to cancelling P.60 and tightening P.30, Thailand will also introduce a new P.15 scheme. Based on current information, P.15 will apply to Seychelles, Maldives and Mauritius, with a permitted stay of 15 days. It will also be limited to tourism purposes, subject to a maximum of two entries per year, and may be extended for an additional 15 days.
The Visa on Arrival list will also be adjusted
This policy revision also involves the Visa on Arrival scheme. According to available information, Belarus, Serbia, India and Azerbaijan are included in the relevant adjustment scope. However, the specific applicable details should still be confirmed by reference to the Royal Gazette and subsequent official announcements from the Thai authorities.
The effective date still depends on publication in the Royal Gazette
Although the Cabinet has approved the policy, the new rules do not take effect immediately. Based on current information, the new scheme will formally take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.
As of 19 May 2026, the Royal Gazette had not yet published the relevant new rules. Therefore, the more accurate wording at this stage is: Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa exemption arrangement, but the official effective date still needs to be confirmed after publication in the Royal Gazette.
Matters still awaiting confirmation
Several details have not yet been finally confirmed.
First, the final list of the 54 countries or territories that will retain eligibility for the P.30 30-day visa exemption is still pending review by the Visa Policy Committee.
Second, there is not yet a complete official list of which countries or territories may be moved to the 15-day visa exemption scheme.
Third, whether travellers entering under the 30-day visa exemption will still be able to apply for an in-country extension in Thailand has not yet been formally confirmed by the Royal Gazette, although current information suggests that this may be retained.
Fourth, it remains unclear whether travellers who are already in Thailand and currently hold a 60-day entry stamp will be entirely unaffected by the new rules. Further clarification from the Thai Immigration Bureau or other relevant authorities is still needed. However, based on the legislative practice under the July 2024 P.60 Royal Gazette announcement, the permission of stay granted by an entry stamp is generally determined by the rules in force on the date of entry, and is not normally shortened by later rule changes.
Travellers should confirm the latest rules before departure
Before the Royal Gazette is officially published, travellers planning to enter Thailand should closely monitor the latest official updates, especially whether their nationality remains on the 30-day visa exemption list, whether their planned entry date falls after the new rules take effect, and whether they have already used visa-exempt entry into Thailand multiple times within the same year.
Travellers who plan to stay for more than 30 days, or who intend to enter and leave Thailand multiple times within one year, should confirm in advance whether they need to apply for an appropriate visa, rather than relying on the previous 60-day visa exemption arrangement.
Important notice
This article is based on information available as of 19 May 2026. Thailand’s entry and visa policies may change depending on the Royal Gazette, the Immigration Bureau, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thai embassies and consulates, and actual enforcement practice. Before travelling or applying for a visa, please refer to the latest official announcements from the Thai authorities.
