What are the new visa rules for Thailand effective September 15, 2026?

Again keep posting the same Iver and over

HERE is the 2026 update to the visa exemption rules and the updated list of countries.

Thailand canceled the 60-day visa-free scheme that had covered 93 countries and moved to a "one country, one privilege" system:

Each nationality now has a single set entitlement. The change was approved on 19 May 2026 and takes effect on 00:00 AM in the morning of September 15, fifteen days after is has been published in the Royal Gazette.

The publication in the Royal Gazette was today, on August 31.

Anyone already in Thailand, or who arrives before then, keeps their current permitted stay.

Always confirm your nationality's current entitlement with the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you travel.

*** 30-day visa exemption: 30 days/54 countries, including most of Europe, the US, UK, Australia, Japan, the Gulf states, and ASEAN neighbors.

*** 15-day visa exemption: Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles

*** Visa on Arrival. 15 days. Azerbaijan, Belarus, India, Serbia (2000 THB fee applies)

*** 90-day bilateral agreement: 90 days. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Korea

*** 30-day bilateral agreement: 30 days. China, Hong Kong, Russia, Laos, Macau, Kazakhstan, Timor-Leste

*** 14-day reciprocal exemption: 14 days. Cambodia, Myanmar (by air only)

Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) is different from a visa exemption: you still apply at the airport on arrival and pay a fee (around 2,000 THB), rather than being waved through.

The reciprocal and bilateral categories are listed as covering a few more countries than shown here, so check the official list if your country is not above.

*** The FULL LIST of countries being visa-exempt for 30 days is:

30-day visa exemption (54 countries)

Citizens of these countries can enter for tourism without a visa and stay up to 30 days.

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

*** 15-day visa exemption:

Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Citizens enter without a visa for up to 15 days.

*** Visa exemption requirements

• A passport valid for at least six months.

• Proof of onward or return travel out of Thailand within the permitted period.

• Proof of funds, which immigration may ask to see.

• A completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which is mandatory before arrival.

The TDAC is now required. The old paper arrival card is gone. Every traveler must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before arriving, whether by air or land. Do it before you fly to avoid being held up at immigration.

*** A visa exemption is for tourism and short visits only. You cannot work on it, paid or unpaid, including remote work for an overseas employer in some readings of the rules. If working is any part of your plan, you need a proper visa and, in most cases, a work permit.

Typical Thailand... change it, then change it back, then change it again... wait two years for the next change.