Answereda month ago
What are the recent changes to visa rules in Thailand effective September 2026?
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Answer summary
Recent changes to Thailand's immigration rules include the reduction of visa-exempt entry from 60 days to 30 days for certain nationalities, effective September 15, 2026. The new regulations also impact Visa on Arrival policies, now limited to only three countries. Discussions among expats highlight the implications of these changes on travel and residency options, particularly for those relying on extending their stays without a proper visa.
22 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
The big change was dropping the 93 countries who got 60 day visa exempt entry to just 60 countries who will get 30 days now
AND
Changing the Visa On Arrival, that 31 countries bought when they landed here for 2000baht for 15 days to just 3 countries now 😮
That makes all those other visa on arrival countries have to buy a visa before they come here
As well as them restarting the two free stamp (visa exempt) entry by land in a calendar year rule
AND
Changing the Visa On Arrival, that 31 countries bought when they landed here for 2000baht for 15 days to just 3 countries now 😮
That makes all those other visa on arrival countries have to buy a visa before they come here
As well as them restarting the two free stamp (visa exempt) entry by land in a calendar year rule
Michael ******
Thanks Tod.
Joanna **********
Oh well we will go to Vietnam for part of our holidays now instead. We used to do 6 - 8 weeks in Thailand solely.
Tom ********
@Joanna *********
good
Rob *******
@Joanna *********
... you still can, either buy a 60 day SETV in your country before you leave or enter on a visa exempt for 30 days, both of which can be extended by 30 days at your local immigration for 1900 baht.
Biff *******
So, effective from the 14th September?
James ********
@Biff ******
effective September 15Biff *******
@James *******
I arrive on the 13th 😊Ulrik ****************
So now you gotta fly to KL every 30 th day to renew the tourist visa?
Unless you have a retirement visa, marriage visa or something else?
Unless you have a retirement visa, marriage visa or something else?
Tom ********
@Ulrik ***************
wow, you mean like other countries make you do?Ulrik ****************
@Tom *******
Yes! You’re a vise man😀
Haydn *******
@Ulrik ***************
no, the tourist visa hasn't changed. That's still an initial 60 days + the option of an extension or a ME 6 month visa. .the change was to visa exempt entry. If you're bouncing around for extension every 30 days then it's clearly an abuse of the exemption program which is what they want to stop.Rob *******
@Ulrik ***************
... no, if you have an actual visa, it would likely be a SETV which is valid for 60 days and can be extended by 30 days at your local immigration office.
Anthony ******
You can try it if you like but Thai immigration will pull you for trying to live in Thailand.
It’s not a tourist visa it’s a visa exemption 30 days free entry not visa
It’s not a tourist visa it’s a visa exemption 30 days free entry not visa
Trevor *********
@Anthony *****
still be 180 days all up in 12 months . So can't see why would pull anyone up for thatUlrik ****************
@Anthony *****
I’m not gonna try it I just get retirement visa😄
Jon ******
You rock
@James *******
! 😉🙏James ********
@Jon *****
thank you...just trying to help with easy to understand new entry rules.James ********
This is much easier to understand without all the Thai language...
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/30/thailand-reduces-visa-free-stay-to-30-days-for-60-nationals-from-september-15-2026/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAUCgEJjbGNrBQKAOnBkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEe-Ik8nYPMGMweN_0vg-t6juptkZ0Q9kG_H-82fBH1qWzlGKq4qebUB8rowu8_aem_iQpcnjOLLN5_eF7nCl5qWQ
Dca *****
@James *******
Sorry, this wasn't summarized, but hopefully, the Thai Immigration Bureau will make nice infographics and the Immigration Bureau will issue Orders about the precise date it will go into effectActivity
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