MOFA Eyes Shorter Visa-Free Stays of 30 Days to Close Loopholes

Thailand’s Current Visa Exemption Policy

On 20 March 2026, Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, announced at a press briefing in Bangkok that the Ministry is preparing to submit a proposal to the government to reduce the visa-free stay period from 60 days to 30 days.

The current policy, which took effect on 15 July 2024, allows citizens of 93 countries and territories to enter Thailand without a prior visa for stays of up to 60 days, covering tourism, short-term business travel, and certain related activities. This was introduced under then-Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the 60-day visa exemption doubled the previous 30-day limit with the aim of boosting post-pandemic tourism, short-term business visits, and meetings. However, concerns have since emerged that the extended stay period has created loopholes susceptible to misuse, prompting the government to review whether the permitted duration should be reduced to 30 days.

The key considerations underpinning this proposed revision are as follows:

Misuse of Visa Privileges

Authorities have raised concerns over foreign nationals entering under the visa-exemption scheme but engaging in illegal work, unauthorized businesses, or using Thailand as a transit hub for crimes in neighboring countries, with reported adverse effects on local economies, national security, and Thailand’s international image. In tourist-heavy areas such as Phuket, concerns have been reported regarding inappropriate tourist behavior, illegal employment, business competition affecting local operators, and issues related to community safety. Reducing the permitted stay to 30 days is viewed as a targeted measure to curb such conduct and to strengthen oversight and enforcement by the relevant authorities.

Alignment with Actual Travel Patterns

Authorities note that tourists entering Thailand generally stay around 30 days, and the current 60-day period does not reflect the actual behavior of most travelers, whose stays are typically shorter. A reduction to 30 days would better align the permitted stay with observed travel patterns and help prevent individuals from extending their presence in Thailand beyond genuine tourism purposes.

Impact of the Policy Change

1. Impact on Tourists: For the majority of visitors, the proposed change is unlikely to be significant, as typical stays fall well within a 30-day window. Tourists would remain eligible for a 30-day extension, which may be obtained at a local immigration office for a fee of THB 1,900, bringing the total possible stay to 60 days.  However, travelers should note that Thai immigration authorities have tightened enforcement of repeated visa-exempt entries; those seeking to extend their stay beyond a single visit are encouraged to apply for an appropriate visa category.
2. Economic Impact: The measure is expected to have a limited effect on overall tourism revenue, given that most visitors stay for shorter durations. At the same time, it may help reduce informal economic activity and unfair competition in sectors such as short-term accommodation. Some reduction in revenue from long-stay visitors is nonetheless anticipated.
3. Impact on the Public Sector: Implementation of the measure will increase the workload of relevant government agencies, particularly in relation to visa screening, monitoring, and the processing of extension applications. While this will require enhanced enforcement capacity in the short term, it is expected to improve the systematic management of foreign nationals over time.

Conclusion

The proposed reduction seeks to strike a balance between Thailand’s commitment to promoting tourism and the need to strengthen regulatory oversight of its visa exemption framework. The proposal does not target any specific nationality and is described by authorities as a structural policy adjustment aimed at immigration control and security oversight, with Thailand’s overall tourism policy remaining unchanged in principle.  As of the time of writing, the change has been agreed upon in principle by the relevant committee but has not yet received formal Cabinet approval, and no implementation date has been announced.  Its long-term effectiveness will depend on the quality of implementation — particularly efficient visa administration and consistent law enforcement — in support of a more sustainable and well-regulated tourism framework.

Author: Panisa Suwanmatajarn, Managing Partner.

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