What to know about Thailand ending 60-day visa-free stays
Thailand is eliminating its 60-day visa-free stay scheme for all 93 eligible countries while overhauling its entire visa policy to reduce confusion and streamline entry requirements. The changes take effect 15 days after publication in the
BANGKOK — Thailand will revoke the 60-day visa-free stay scheme for all 93 eligible countries and territories as part of a sweeping overhaul of the country's visa policy, the Department of Consular Affairs announced on 19 May.
Mangkorn Pratoomkaew, director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs, said the Cabinet had approved a review of Thailand's visa exemption and visa privilege measures following a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Under the new policy, each country or territory will receive only one visa exemption privilege.
The government will also review the 30-day visa-free tourism scheme, reducing the number of eligible countries and territories from 57 to 54. In addition, Thailand plans to introduce a new 15-day visa-free tourism scheme for three countries or territories and drastically reduce the number of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival from 31 to just four.
The changes will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette under three announcements issued by the Ministry of Interior.
Mangkorn said the review followed discussions among agencies under the Visa Policy Committee and took into account security, tourism, economic factors and reciprocal treatment between countries. He added that overlapping visa privileges had caused confusion among foreign travellers and complicated the Foreign Ministry's e-Visa system.
Foreign nationals already in Thailand, or those entering before the new measures take effect, will still be allowed to remain in the country under their current permitted stay until it expires. After the new rules come into force, incoming travellers must comply with the updated visa conditions.
Mangkorn also said the prime minister had signed an order appointing a new committee to regularly review Thailand's visa policies, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to ensure visa measures remain aligned with current conditions in all dimensions.
