Thailand cuts visa-free stay for Indians from 60 days to 30: All you need to know

Thailand visa-free stay will be reduced to 30 days from September 15, affecting Indian tourists under the new 60-country exemption list.

Thailand visa indian travellersThailand’s cabinet earlier this year had decided to reduce the visa-free stay for tourists from 60 countries. (Photo: AI generated image)

Thailand has published new rules reducing visa-free stays for tourists from 60 days to 30 days, including for Indian passport holders. The Interior Ministry notification was published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, replacing the 60-day visa-exemption scheme introduced in 2024.

The Royal Gazette, signed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, sets out a new list of 60 countries and territories whose passport holders can enter Thailand for tourism without a visa and remain in the country for up to 30 days.

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Travel Advisory · Global Desk
Thailand Visa-Free Stay: What Changes for Indians?
Visa-Free Tourist Stay — Transition Rule
60 Days until Sept 14
30 Days from Sept 15
✓ India Remains Visa-Exempt
What Happens to Your Trip?
Travelling Before September 15 The 60-day tourist entry scheme continues uninterrupted.
Travelling From September 15 Maximum visa-free tourist stay is capped at 30 days.
Want to Stay Longer Than 30 Days? Apply for the appropriate Thai e-Visa in advance via the official Thai e-Visa portal.
Official guidance: The Thai Embassy notes that Indian travellers wanting to enter for more than 30 days after September 15 can apply for an appropriate e-Visa.
!Already in Thailand? Don’t Panic
Your existing permitted stay will not be cut to 30 days. People who entered before the new rules take effect can remain until the expiry of the stay granted at entry.
Old vs. New System
Old System New System (From Sept 15)
60 days duration 30 days duration
93 countries / territories 60 countries / territories
Tourism + certain short-term activities Tourism-focused only
Introduced July 2024 Takes effect Sept 15, 2026
Which 60 Countries Are Covered?
Countries and territories eligible for the 30-day visa-free stay (India highlighted):
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bhutan
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Rep.
Denmark
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
India ★
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovak Rep.
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Turkey
Ukraine
UAE
UK
USA
?Why Thailand Is Reforming Rules
Thai government sources cite four operational drivers:
Security & Oversight
International Reciprocity
Reduce Overlapping Privileges
Clearer e-Visa Integration
Land-Border Entry Rule
Visa-exempt entries via land-border checkpoints are limited to 2 times per calendar year. Exiting and re-entering by land to reset the clock is no longer permitted.
Thailand
Cambodia / Malaysia
ThailandFinal exempt entry
Sources: Royal Thai Embassy advisory (Aug 2026) · Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Tourism Authority of Thailand · Reuters
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Why has Thailand reduced the visa-free stay?

Thailand’s Cabinet approved an overhaul of its visa-exemption system in May, citing national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity, overlapping visa privileges and the availability of its e-Visa system. Thai media have also reported concerns that longer visa-free stays were being misused by some foreign visitors.

Thailand had introduced 60-day visa exemption in 2024

Thailand introduced its 60-day visa-exemption scheme in July 2024, expanding eligibility to passport holders from 93 countries and territories, including India. The scheme covered tourism, business engagements and urgent or ad-hoc work, and allowed immigration authorities to grant an extension of up to another 30 days at their discretion.

What prompted Thailand to tighten visa-free rules?

For several years, Thailand has allowed visitors from 56 countries to stay in the nation for 30 days, and two years ago the visa-free exemption was extended to 60 days and eligibility expanded to 93 countries. The Thai authorities have said that due to longer stays in the country, there’s been an increase in illegal activities by foreign nationals, Bangkok Post reported.

What does the change mean for Indian tourists?

Indian passport holders will continue to be able to enter Thailand without obtaining a visa in advance for tourism, but their permitted visa-free stay will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days under the new system.

Indians who want to stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days can apply for an appropriate Thai e-Visa, according to the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi.

Nischai Vats is a Deputy Copy Editor at The Indian Express. His work primarily covers US politics and visa and immigration policy, alongside broader international developments, with an emphasis on accuracy, verification, and clear explainers. Experience Nischai joined The Indian Express in May 2024 where he works on writing, editing, and refining high-impact stories for digital platforms. His role involves ensuring editorial consistency, factual accuracy, and clarity in coverage of complex policy-driven subjects. Earlier in his career, he worked across Indian digital newsrooms in reporting and editing roles, including stints at Inshorts, Newslaundry, Tiranga TV, and Catch News. His newsroom experience spans rapid digital publishing, ground reporting, and copy editing across national, civic, and policy beats. Expertise His core areas of focus include: US politics and governance: Coverage of American political developments, executive actions, and policy shifts. US visa and immigration policy: Reporting and editing stories on visa categories, regulatory changes, and immigration pathways affecting global audiences. Editorial accuracy and copy editing: Ensuring clarity, language precision, and verification in fast-paced digital news environments. Authoritativeness and trustworthiness Nischai's journalism is grounded in verified sources, official documentation, and clear attribution, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. His background across reporting and editing enables him to translate complex policy updates into reliable, reader-friendly coverage. ... Read More

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