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What changes are being made to the visa-free stay duration in Thailand?
Thailand Visa RulesVisa ExemptionsTourist VisaImmigration PolicyRetirement VisaVisa Duration Changes
TLDR : Answer Summary
The recent announcement regarding the reduction of visa-free stay in Thailand from 60 days back to 30 days has sparked significant confusion and concern among expats and tourists. Many comments reflect apprehension about the changes, with various individuals expressing hopes that the rules won't change before their trips, and some questioning the rationale behind the decision. While some users highlight that obtaining a tourist visa is a viable alternative that lasts 60 days, others lament the unpredictability of Thailand's immigration policies. Discussions also touch upon the implications for those looking for longer stays, such as retirees and long-term tourists, and the potential impact on the tourism industry.
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Han ********
In hindsight, the reason nobody misbehaved in the old days is because visa-exempted stays were just 15 days back then. Everyone was quality. ;)
ฉันเป็นทางของประชาชน *********
Tooo many E D OTS no respect for my country
Sarahh ******
I've seen some people online speculating this is a push from the hotel industry in thailand because of people can come for 3 months, they qualify for short term rentals and will rent out condo's on airbnb instead of staying in hotels.
Airbnb is illegal in thailand but for many like myself it's a more financially friendly option and I HATE hotel rooms for longer stays there isn't enough space and hotels that have alot of space or kitchenettes make the trip out of budget.
I had to stay in a hotel for 10 nights whilst searching for a condo to rent (I moved here) and it cost $700USD at a budget hotel which is only $200 less than my rent for my condo which gives me way more freedom and 5 star amenities.
The hotels need to rethink their business plan and stop pushing airbnb out or messing woth twh tourism laws because they dont want to adapt to the way the world is moving. No one likes a small crammed room for extended periods.
Airbnb is illegal in thailand but for many like myself it's a more financially friendly option and I HATE hotel rooms for longer stays there isn't enough space and hotels that have alot of space or kitchenettes make the trip out of budget.
I had to stay in a hotel for 10 nights whilst searching for a condo to rent (I moved here) and it cost $700USD at a budget hotel which is only $200 less than my rent for my condo which gives me way more freedom and 5 star amenities.
The hotels need to rethink their business plan and stop pushing airbnb out or messing woth twh tourism laws because they dont want to adapt to the way the world is moving. No one likes a small crammed room for extended periods.
Graeme ******
@Sarahh *****
Airbnb isn't illegal in thailand. It is only illegal if you use/stay in Airbnb for less than a month this is so they don't compete with the typically short stay hotel vacations. So if you are staying in an Airbnb for a month or more it is legal.Sarahh ******
@Graeme *****
Thank you for clarifying this for me. I was under the impression that it was illegal which is why I didn't book it for my initial entry into the country.Reply to
Sarahh ******
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Keith *******
It's time the government made it easier for genuine retirees who love Thailand, its people; privileged to have met a lovely Thai partner or wife and genuinely help the local community financially.
Jo **********
It is not the difference between 30 and 60 days visa, which is the core root for illegal activities. I propose to open to 90 days, and then enforce the law for illegal businesses by expelling offenders.
Jim **********
Los
Michael *******
I am sure they will give reasonable notice, being aware of travelers booking in advance, in time for next high season perhaps.
Michal ******
From when this is start
Phil **********
Great ive got a trip booked in aug for 38 days. If i cannot get a 60 day entry then i have to apply online. If thats no available then i just stay for 29 and change my flight details. So that will be 9 days of my money they wont be getting now. Maybe i pop over to veitnam a few days instead
Paulus *********
@Phil *********
you can still extend it for another 30 days at immigrationPhil **********
@Paulus ********
ok i look into thatReply to
Phil **********
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David ********
I thought they wanted more visitors this will result in less.
Mike ********
What about the Russians getting 90 days ?
Jay ******
Time for me to get my DTV now
Greta *****
@Jay *****
I wouldn't count on it if I were you. They'll probably cancel your DTV at some stage even if you get itJay ******
@Greta ****
well shall cross that bridge if it ever happens .. always other visas I’m eligible to applyReply to
Jay ******
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Wayne ********
Ffs why 🤦
@ **************
tGraham ******
@Wayne *******
Because it was temporary measure and a Tourist Visa still gives you 60 days on entry and the option to extend for another 30Reply to
Graham ******
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Greta *****
Make up your mind!!! 30 then 60 then back to 30. Cannabis illegal then legal then illegal again. This country is out of whack!
Pete ********
@Greta ****
cannabis staying legal 100% And if you live I. Thailand it doesent matter about
*****
day ruleReply to
Pete ********
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Tin **********
Extend 90 for good tourists ka
Ben ***************
Damn, this was part of my Asia travel next year. I was going to stay in Thailand for 90 days then move on. Oh well
Brandon ************
@Ben **************
Just apply for a tourist visa online. Takes a few minutes and you'll get 60 days which you can extend for 30.Doug *******
@Brandon ***********
I’ve been in Thailand for the initial 60 day stamp then a 30 day extension then a border run to get the current 60 day stamp that will expire in 12 days. What is my best immediate option, another border run or a 60 day tourist visa? Or is the latter not an option? Thank you.Brandon ************
@Doug ******
you can only apply for a tourist visa outside of Thailand. If you want another 60 day stamp, use a border bounce agency to drive you to the border and ensure you can get out and back in without any issues.Doug *******
@Brandon ***********
Thanks for the informative and expedient reply. Yes I’ll schedule a border run with FTV. I just hope the rumors that Thailand is changing entry stamps from 60 to 30 days are not accurate at least for a few more months.Brandon ************
@Doug ******
The newest rumor I saw is JulyDoug *******
About the end of July is when I hope to obtain a non O Retirement Visa so maybe all will be okay for me.
Reply to
Doug *******
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Danny *******
@Brandon ***********
it helps if you link the official site where it can be done so that people don't fall prey to scamsReply to
Danny *******
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Martin *******
Don't want you, just your £££££
Chris *****
Thailand is Thailand 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Keil ******
F you thailand
Jess ******
Ah I really appreciated this Visa and it's foo flexibility. Would be awesome if they keep it as it is 🙏🏻
Frances ********
For retired people like me, 60 day visa exemption is perfect. I guess if it goes back to 30, we’ll just have to add a 30 day extension. We spend at least 2 months in each country. Sad to see things change, but seems inevitable.
Graeme ******
@Frances *******
could always get a 60 day tourist visa ?Doug *******
@Graeme *****
If you could spare a few minutes please PM me or comment here to help me (us) to understand the advantages of a 60 day tourist visa over a border run. I need to do one or the other very soon. Thanks.Frances ********
@Graeme *****
lol that’s a whole other story. My passport name differs from my banking/married name. It’s a major endeavour at this point to change my name on my passport. It’s easier to travel on my maiden, birth given, name. But to get a tourist 60 day visa I need bank records in the same name as passport😅. Sounds like an easy thing, but it seems too complicated for the Bureaucracy to handle.Brandon ************
@Frances *******
tourist visa doesn't require any banking recordsFrances ********
@Brandon ***********
interesting. I’ll check again. When I looked at 60 day ME, it asked for bank record and said name on bank must match passport identically. I’ll look again.Brandon ************
@Frances *******
multiple entry might be different but single entry doesn't require itGraeme ******
@Frances *******
in the uk you don't need bank records for a tourist visa? But I understand it's sounds very complicated 😄Reply to
Graeme ******
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Ian ********
Does anyone want to hazard a guess as to when this will come into effect ?
Ricky ******
Having had several 60 day tourist visas (from the UK) they take about 30 mins to apply for online, cost £30 and approved in a week. You don't need a return ticket either (although some airlines may still query this) when you fly out.
Graeme ******
@Ricky *****
yeah got mine approved recently within 3 days, all good to goIan *********
@Ricky *****
have you ever applied for the multipe entry tourist visa?Ricky ******
@Ian ********
No, because that's not suited me, but perfect for some of course.Reply to
Ricky ******
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Peter ****************
@Ricky *****
hi ricky so we're going over 9th jan for the 1st time from uk whens the best time to apply for our 60 day visa please?Ricky ******
@Peter ***************
As another reply. A month before seems ideal.Graham ******
@Peter ***************
about a month before you travel as a Tourist Visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issuePeter ****************
@Graham *****
thankyou for your helpReply to
Peter ****************
Reply
Danny *******
Good news, a lot of tourists not respecting
Shin *********
What good news 👏
Endre ********
I believe it when I see it in the royal gazette
Daniel *******
Robert *********
Ah well,it was a good break from the bureaucracy of the multiple entry tourist visa .
Martin *********
It was 30 then it was increased to 60 and now it’s been reduced back to 30 again. I’m confused.
Mike ********
@Martin ********
It was also 45 days for a while in 2023,.Jim ********
@Martin ********
Short term experiment. They didn't like itDanny *******
@Jim *******
Yeah, they got record numbers of tourists. I didn't like it either but it made renting a condo for a month much much easierJim ********
@Danny ******
That's the problem. The short term illegal Airbnb rentals was affecting the legit hotelsDanny *******
@Jim *******
renting an apartment for a month isn't illegal. And I'm talking about walk in, not Airbnb.Jim ********
@Danny ******
Some buildings have their own rules relating to casual rentals. These varyReply to
Jim ********
Reply
Brandon ************
@Martin ********
The Thai government is great at creating confusion. Just look at the ETA / Digital entry card fiasco currently going on as wellCharles *********
@Martin ********
not yet, Thailand dosent all of a sudden actReply to
Charles *********
Reply
Khun ************
That's ridiculous... keep it at 60
Graham ******
@Khun ***********
it was a temporary change to 60Khun ************
@Graham *****
yeah I know... I live thereReply to
Khun ************
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Danny *******
@Khun ***********
they are getting way too many tourists with 60 days visa 😂 record breaking numbersReply to
Danny *******
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Brenda *********
I’m coming in April, hope it doesn’t Change before then.
Adam ***********
@Brenda ********
me too! 😯Graeme ******
@Brenda ********
I also am going to be in thailand in April but for this visit I have a 60 day tourist visa which only took 3 days to get approved as I didn't want to risk my visitAdam ***********
@Graeme *****
did you get that online? Or did you have to go to an office?Graeme ******
@Adam **********
I applied through the e-visa online, pretty much all embassies are now online. I went through the London embassy, very simple applicationReply to
Graeme ******
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Anthony *******
When's this into affect
Graham ******
@Anthony ******
nobody knows yetBrandon ************
@Anthony ******
Read the articleReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Steve **********
The logic is sound. I don’t believe they will follow through with it.
No visa exempt “tourist” needs 60 + 30 days.
How many jobs offer 90 days holiday per year?
No visa exempt “tourist” needs 60 + 30 days.
How many jobs offer 90 days holiday per year?
Danny *******
@Steve *********
Who the hell works a regular job nowadays? It's 2025, not 1970s. The days of working as a salary man for forty years at a company are long gone.Paul *********
@Steve *********
I'm retired come twice a year on 60 day visa exempt.Joe ********
@Steve *********
why pay £30 for a 60 day visa and deal with the thai embassy asking for passport details and photos, intinary showing entering and exiting dates etc when you can get it for free on visa exempt, semi retired, self employed, backpackers and gap year students are all people that will use the 60 day visa exempt 😊🙏David *********
@Steve *********
not everyone works 9-5 and has two weeks holiday a year, I contract all year and want the winter in Thailand.Phil ********
@Steve *********
I get 182 days a year holiday.Av **********
@Steve *********
America gives u 6 months of tourismGraham ******
@Av *********
and a METV can get you over 8 months stay in Thailand ;)Steve **********
@Av *********
with a visa. People really are missing the point.Henry *********
@Av *********
Not visa exemptAv **********
@Steve *********
esta allows 6 months to certain countries visa freeReply to
Av **********
Reply
Lee *********
@Steve *********
mine actually, i do all my hours in 9 monthsRene ******
@Steve *********
work in tourism without paying rent and voila...Leider *******
@St***
Well, not everyone works for a company. For me the logic is sound tho, because there's still a lot of people who works illegally, but still, whether if it is 30 days, 15 days, or 60 days, if people is going to decide and stay illegally they'll do. So there's no point to think it can change anything towards people staying illegally. At the end, saying no tourist needs 60+30 is simply not accurate because it's not like that in all cases. I'm a freelancer, so I don't have to worry about schedules, I can extend my vacations as much as I want, I did the 60+30 because I wanted to live on a different place, but yet I wanted to visit first and seeing how's life there. I used 60+30 as a tourist, met lots of places , and after enjoying for that amount of time I decided to get the DTV, and now I have it. So far I've met a lot of people who did the same before taking the decision of living in Thailand, and securing the large amount of money you need while applying for a dtv.Elías ********
@Steve *********
I agree that no jobs offer 90 days holiday per year, BUT, you know there is people who has money and doesn't need to work, right?Marco *******
@Elías *******
that people can easily apply for elite visa instead.Elías ********
@Marco ******
some of them aren't interested to live here on the long term.Reply to
Elías ********
Reply
Steve **********
@El***
yup. And I’m one of them. But I get a proper visa. Not gaming the system visa exempt.Reply to
Steve **********
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Donna ************
@Steve *********
retired people may well travel for lengthy periods.Steve **********
@Do***
and you can get a visa for such occasions. This is visa exempt entry.Donna ************
@Steve *********
they may not be looking to retire in Thailand though, they may want an extended period of travel. I’m simply pointing out it’s not only people taking breaks from work who travel.Jim ********
@Donna ***********
They can get an METVReply to
Jim ********
Reply
John *******
@Steve *********
thousands of gap year people and people like me that are about to retire part timeSteve **********
@Jo**
and you can get a visa for such occasions. This is visa exempt entryIvica ************
@Steve *********
yes but there is country near by also many tourist go there Malaysia give 90 days exsempt for so many countries , they dont have problem with this!!And if they want curb iligal working do this with visa exsempt less day is stupitdy!!
Not only Malaysia also Mexsico give and many south american countries give 90 days exmpt - Brasil, Argentina etc
John *******
@Steve *********
yes I know but people with time and money like flexibility more time is better I've been thereReply to
John *******
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