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Answered2 months ago

When will the new 30-day visa exemption for Thailand officially take effect?

Darren ********
asked Aug 31, 2026
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Is the new 30 day visa likely to come into effect before October???
Answer summary
The new regulations reducing the visa exemption period from 60 days to 30 days has been officially published in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026. The changes will take effect 15 days later, meaning the 30-day visa exemption will be in place starting September 15, 2026. This change affects travelers who currently benefit from the longer visa exemption period.
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Rob **********
Rob **********
15th September
Nigel ***********
Nigel ***********
15th September
Greg ***********
Greg ***********
The change from 60 to 30 days has been published in the Royal Gazette today, as of August 31. It will be in effect 15 days later, by September 15.

This means the new rule becomes effective on 00:00 AM in the morning of September 15

Keep in mind only 60 countries remain from the former 93 countries whose citizens are elegible for visa-exempt entry.

For those for whom the 30-day visa-free entry plus the 30-day extension are not suitable, the alternative is to apply for the 60-day single-entry "Tourist Visa Leisure," the stay permit duration of which can also be extended by 30 days.
Dave *******
Dave *******
September 15th
Andy ******
Andy ******
Yes
Bent ********
Bent ********
15 september
Dave ********
Dave ********
15th September ?
Steve *********
Steve *********
Officially published. It's happening
Martyn ***********
Martyn ***********
Everyone is saying it's published... Post a link to it!
James ******
James ******
They just published it
Pascal ********
Pascal ********
So, it's finally official. The visa period reduction has been published in the Thai Royal Gazette just now and effective!
Steve******
Steve******
Yes..it is published
Ismael ***************
Ismael ***************
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Joolz *******
Joolz *******
15th September allegedly
Greg ***********
Greg ***********
The change from 60 to 30 days has been published in the Royal Gazette today, as of August 31. It will be in effect 15 days later, by September 15.

Keep in mind only 60 countries remain from the former 93 countries whose citizens are elegible for visa-exempt entry.
John ********
John ********
No
Greg ***********
Greg ***********
it has been published in the Royal Gazette today. It will be in effect 15 days later, by September 15.
Graeme ********
Graeme ********
15 days after published in the Royal Gazette which is any day now as it's been notified as at today.
Nico ********
Nico ********
Graeme Buxton How do airlines handle checking if you meet the entry requirements at the time of departure and if you booked a return trip long in advance, longer than 30 days...
Graeme ********
Graeme ********
Highly unlikely an airline will focus on the new timings as it's completely within rights to apply for a 30 day extension once in country to meet the 60.
Graeme ********
Graeme ********
any day now then
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Graeme *******
It was published today
MD *******
MD *******
It happens when it happens. Currently it is 60 days plus 30 days extension.
Steve *******
Steve *******
MD Mayes Currently 60 days, the extention has to be applied for and is granted at the discretion of your local Immigration Office
Bernie **********
Bernie **********
MD Mayes gazzette today...so new rules in 15 days
Gary *******
Gary *******
MD Mayes The regulations appear in the August 31, 2026 edition of the Royal Gazette, Volume 143, Special Issue 207 Ngor. The first of them repeals the special 60-day visa exemption scheme currently in effect. All four regulations provide for their entry into force after a 15-day period from the date of publication
Russ **********
Russ **********
@Gary ******
but for already purchased early travel is there a grandfather clause
Gary *******
Gary *******
Russ Marriott and less you be landing in Thailand before 14 September as from 15 September it be a 30 days entry but can get a 30 days extent at the immigration for 1900 bhats
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Russ *********
you bought a travel ticket, you didn't make a contract with the Thai government. You receive whatever the current amount of days is on the day you arrive
Nico ********
Nico ********
The transition of the visa-free period in Thailand from 60 to 30 days officially takes effect on September 15, 2026. The necessary ministerial decrees were signed and submitted today, August 31, 2026, for publication in the Royal Gazette. Because the legislation stipulates an implementation period of 15 days after publication, the new regulation will definitively come into force from mid-September.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
It’s been published today. Official announcement.

Need more than 30 days get a visa. Cheaper than an extension unless you’re from NZ.
Gary ******
Gary ******
I just googled it, it was published in the Royal Gazette today, as of the 15th of September visa exemption will return to 30 days,

Thailand shooting itself in the foot again
Leonard ******
Leonard ******
I think he means the 30 day exempt, 60 days still current
Phil ******
Phil ******
Is it confirmed 30 days in the Royal Gazette?
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
Stephen *********
Stephen *********
Do Nothing unless you have to as most likely get 60 day stamp,why panic if they change just go to immigration & top up! With 30 days
Ian ********
Ian ********
If i book a flight for 40 day stay will i be ok can i extend
Dca *****
Dca *****
it will be in legal effect definitely by Thursday, 17 September 2026, but could be as early as Tuesday, 15 September 2026

4 Thai Interior Ministry Notices Published in Thailand's Royal Gazette on Monday, 31 August 2026:

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ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง ยกเลิกประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง กำหนดรายชื่อประเทศและดินแดนที่ผู้ถือหนังสือเดินทางหรือเอกสารใช้แทนหนังสือเดินทางซึ่งเข้ามาในราชอาณาจักรเป็นการชั่วคราวเพื่อการท่องเที่ยว ทำงานหรือการติดต่อธุรกิจระยะสั้น ได้รับการยกเว้นการตรวจลงตรา และให้อยู่ในราชอาณาจักรได้ไม่เกินหกสิบวัน เป็นกรณีพิเศษ ลงวันที่ ๑๕ กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๗

ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง กำหนดรายชื่อประเทศและดินแดนที่ผู้ถือหนังสือเดินทางหรือเอกสารใช้แทนหนังสือเดินทางซึ่งเข้ามาในราชอาณาจักรเป็นการชั่วคราวเพื่อการท่องเที่ยวได้รับการยกเว้นการตรวจลงตรา และให้อยู่ในราชอาณาจักรได้ไม่เกินสามสิบวัน

ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง กำหนดรายชื่อประเทศที่ผู้ถือหนังสือเดินทางหรือเอกสารใช้แทนหนังสือเดินทางซึ่งเข้ามาในราชอาณาจักรเป็นการชั่วคราวจะขอรับการตรวจลงตรา ณ ช่องทางอนุญาตของด่านตรวจคนเข้าเมือง

ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง กำหนดรายชื่อประเทศที่ผู้ถือหนังสือเดินทางหรือเอกสารใช้แทนหนังสือเดินทางซึ่งเข้ามาในราชอาณาจักรเป็นการชั่วคราวเพื่อการท่องเที่ยวได้รับการยกเว้นการตรวจลงตรา และให้อยู่ในราชอาณาจักรได้ไม่เกินสิบห้าวัน
Gary ******
Gary ******
Nothing has changed, and no one knows when or if it will
Gary *******
Gary *******
Gary Free The regulations appear in the August 31, 2026 edition of the Royal Gazette, Volume 143, Special Issue 207 Ngor. The first of them repeals the special 60-day visa exemption scheme currently in effect. All four regulations provide for their entry into force after a 15-day period from the date of publication
Ant ***********
Ant ***********
Yes
Rune *******************
Rune *******************
Can i still go fore 60 days and get 30 more on the ambassy
RadiantPe*********
RadiantPe*********
Went through immigration yesterday and the said it starts next month
Jakob *********
Jakob *********
RadiantPeacock3415 15th of September, if I am correct
Elías ********
Elías ********
Nobody knows 🤷🏻
Brett *********
Brett *********
Gazetted today
Fabio ****
Fabio ****
Now it's official in the Royal Gazette. Will change to 30 days in 2 weeks
Matt ********
Matt ********
Fabio Pe when did that happen ? I thought it hadn't been published yet
Gabriel ***********
Gabriel ***********
Matt Howley
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Matt Howley The change from 60 to 30 days has been published in the Royal Gazette today, as of August 31. It will be in effect 15 days later, by September 15.

Keep in mind only 60 countries remain from the former 93 countries whose citizens are elegible for visa-exempt entry.
Fabio ****
Fabio ****
Matt Howley somewhen this evening
Deane ********
Deane ********
Nothing in the Royal Gazette yet, so nobody knows !
Gary *******
Gary *******
Deane Fisher The regulations appear in the August 31, 2026 edition of the Royal Gazette, Volume 143, Special Issue 207 Ngor. The first of them repeals the special 60-day visa exemption scheme currently in effect. All four regulations provide for their entry into force after a 15-day period from the date of publication
IndigoG********
IndigoG********
I would not take the 30 day extension for granted. They could throw the 7 day at you. Things change quick here. Whole worlds borders are changing...the ease of movement of the past 30 years is changing. Globalism is history.
Scott *******
Scott *******
I go in November for 38 days.what do I have to do now please help
Peter ******************
Peter ******************
Scott Nolan Don't listen to people suggesting you to extend inside Thailand! Wrong suggestion!

You must have an outbound fligth before your exemption visa expire ( now is 60 days but it will be 30 quite soon). So, best solution is to apply for a tourist visa (60 days)
Jim ********
Jim ********
Scott Nolan nothing yet. But if and when it changes you can still enter and get a 30 day stamp and then get a 30 day extension at immigration
Fabio ****
Fabio ****
Scott Nolan extend inside Thailand at an immigration office for another 30 days. I guess it's still possible.
Peter ********
Peter ********
Scott Nolan

You apply for a 60 day tourist visa. Here is the official website.

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Steve *******
Steve *******
Scott Nolan Apply for a single entry tourist visa
Adrian *********
Adrian *********
September
Lindsay ********
Lindsay ********
I applied for the 2 months visa in australia just to be sure if it changed by then

Paid the visa fee $60. Sent proper info 3 times over a long period of weeks. Then never heard back from thai website. Waste of time and money. Now here on the visa 2 mnth exemption.WTF. going on

$#$$&*
Cj ******
Cj ******
Lindsay Prowse
Longy ****
Longy ****
Agree
Jakob *********
Jakob *********
Lindsay Prowse I never had any problems with the Thai embassy in Canberra...always quick response
Chang ******
Chang ******
Lindsay Prowse why are you applied for visa application you get 60 days plus 30 days without visa free in Thailand ?
Longy ****
Longy ****
Chang Wada 60 is finished today apparently.

Tourist visa cheaper than an extension and you don't have to battle with crooks at thai in-country immigration
Peter ********
Peter ********
Lindsay Prowse

This is the correct site.

I applied a month ago for a 60 tourist visa and received the visa after 4 days.

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Lindsay ********
Lindsay ********
Actually i think its overloaded they cant handle it
Nico ********
Nico ********
Lindsay Prowse yep that is quite possible.
Lindsay ********
Lindsay ********
They have crook website. Its troublsome.
John *********
John *********
Lindsay Prowse when I receive my visa using the e visa website, the visa usually goes to my spam folder. Strange how that works.
Lindsay ********
Lindsay ********
John N Kwan ? Weird.
Longy ****
Longy ****
Lindsay Prowse if applied for in Australia, then they would still have your passport ?

Did you send funds to a scam site
Lindsay ********
Lindsay ********
Longy Oi all done on line.
Ole ***************
Ole ***************
There is no 30 days visa to Thailand, but visa free (excempt) stay will be reduced from 60 to 30 days as it was earlier and should not cause any problem for anyone. A 60 day visa (TV) is still available as before.
Tara *********
Tara *********
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Martyn ***********
Martyn ***********
Tara Jameson that says... 'could be' published today...
Tara *********
Tara *********
Martyn Rollinson Yes. So?
Simon *********
Simon *********
This is a bummer. I'm arriving in October for 7 weeks. Flights and accommodation paid for. Can I get a 30 day extension?
Mike ************
Mike ************
@Simon ********
Plenty time to get a tourist visa, as you should.
Russ **********
Russ **********
Mike Veldhuizen … depends on how quickly or not your home country does your Police Check for the visa application
Ole ***************
Ole ***************
Russ Marriott No police check for a tourist visa.
John ********
John ********
@Simon ********
yes 1,900bht
Steve******
Steve******
@Simon ********
usually yes. But depends on your travel history.
Peter ********
Peter ********
@Simon ********
Just apply for a 60 day tourist visa online. I did that too, took 4 days and I received the visa. Costed 35 euros.

****************************
Peter ********
Peter ********
Yes, but it’s not called a visa. It’s called visa exemption. You’ll get stamped in for 30 days. If you want to stay longer, you could apply for a visa online.
Peter ********
Peter ********
Gary Free

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Jonathan **********
Jonathan **********
Gary Free supposedly it hit the Gazette today. But I have yet to verify that.
Bob **********
Bob **********
15 days from now
Paul ******
Paul ******
Bob D'Andrea I have not seen that it has been published as yet have you a link.
ImTheJesusC************
ImTheJesusC************
Paul Roll
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3.pdf
Wayne *********
Wayne *********
You mean the old 30 days visa exempt coming back
Ellen **********
Ellen **********
Wayne Roberts yes
Barry ********
Barry ********
How would we know what the government's plans are ?
Kevin *******
Kevin *******
@Barry *******
thought you lot knew everything ! Obviously not !
Abu ********
Abu ********
15 September.
Paul ******
Paul ******
@Abu *******
I have not seen that it has been published as yet have you a link.
Gary *******
Gary *******
Paul Roll The regulations appear in the August 31, 2026 edition of the Royal Gazette, Volume 143, Special Issue 207 Ngor. The first of them repeals the special 60-day visa exemption scheme currently in effect. All four regulations provide for their entry into force after a 15-day period from the date of publication
เดแคลน ***********
เดแคลน ***********
Paul Roll it was published in the Gazette today apparently (not checked myself) so its 15 days from today.
Gary ******
Gary ******
Please show
Bob ******
Bob ******
The government website says middle of September so 15 days afterwards it would be in effect if they stick to their timetable
Kevin *******
Kevin *******
Wait and see ! Thailand immigration is a joke ! I applied for 6 months paid the money for some reason my name was entered wrongly on the receipt and the London embassy won't answer my emails or calls ! I'll be going on free entry now expecting 30 days !
Jim **********
Jim **********
Kevin Dunne you can't even get InTouch with London embassy I left the phone ringing for 5 hours one day & no body picked up. For my next long stay I'm going to hull embassy I've been told it's a lot better.
Kevin *******
Kevin *******
Jim Bradburn I've just tried calling no number exists is the reply and email i sent isn't correct address but its on the site ! ?????? 😕 just wondering if its closed down ?
Kevin *******
Kevin *******
Jim Bradburn OK will try thanks 😊 👍
Kevin *******
Kevin *******
Obviously you dint know shit !
Gary ******
Gary ******
But he can spell , you can’t
Peter ********
Peter ********
Kevin Dunne if you made a mistake that’s on you. And what has Thai immigration. To do with you applying for a visa? You seem to be a joke.
Abu ********
Abu ********
Kevin Dunne , it's not the decision of immigration but the government and the prime minister already signed the order. Thanks
Mats **********
Mats **********
I have been waiting since songkran!

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