Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stay for Indians and others: What it means for travellers with existing permission?
The government said the earlier 60-day exemption had originally been introduced to revive tourism and strengthen economic recovery after the pandemic.
THAILAND has announced a major overhaul of its entry regulations, bringing an end to the popular 60-day visa-free arrangement for travellers from 93 countries and territories, including India. The move forms part of a wider plan to simplify visa categories and tighten immigration controls.
The revised structure was approved by Thailand’s Cabinet on May 19, 2026, according to the Department of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The updated rules will take effect 15 days after they are published in the Royal Gazette.
What does the new “one country, one Thai visa exemption privilege” policy mean?
The revamped framework will follow the principle of “one country, one Thai visa exemption privilege”, aimed at creating a more uniform and transparent immigration system for foreign visitors.
Under the updated policy, Thailand will:
Permit only one visa exemption category for each country or territory
Abolish the 60-day visa-free scheme (Phor 60) for all eligible nations
Reduce the 30-day visa exemption programme (Phor 30) from 57 countries to 54
Launch a new 15-day visa exemption category (Phor 15) for three countries
Cut the Visa on Arrival (VOA) list from 31 countries to four
The government said the earlier 60-day exemption had originally been introduced to revive tourism and strengthen economic recovery after the pandemic. However, concerns later emerged over security risks, illegal employment, nominee businesses and transnational crime.
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, had previously indicated that the country was considering shorter permitted stays for several nationalities. He added that Thailand now intends to focus on attracting “quality tourists” while balancing tourism revenue with national security concerns.
How will the new rules affect Indian travellers?
The revised regulations mark a significant change for Indian tourists. India had been included in Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption scheme in July 2024, allowing visitors to stay for up to two months with an additional 30-day extension option.
With the latest revision, India has now been shifted to the Visa on Arrival category. As a result, Indian passport holders will no longer receive visa-free entry into Thailand.
Instead, travellers from India will be required to obtain a visa upon arrival at authorised immigration checkpoints by presenting the necessary documentation. The stay permitted under this category will be limited to 15 days, making it more suitable for shorter holidays and quick visits.
What happens to travellers already in Thailand?
Travellers already in Thailand under the existing visa-free arrangement, or those entering before the revised rules come into force, will still be allowed to remain until the end of their approved stay period.
Which countries still qualify for Thailand’s 30-day visa exemption?
Following the changes, Thailand’s 30-day visa exemption scheme (Phor 30) will continue to apply to 54 countries, including:
Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and South Africa, among others.
