Thailand’s new visa rules will replace the current 60-day visa exemption with a 30-day system for most eligible visitors, but the change takes effect only after publication in the Royal Gazette.
Thailand’s new visa rules will change how many visitors enter the country, especially those who have been relying on the 60-day visa exemption introduced in July 2024. The government has approved a new framework that is meant to simplify entry by grouping travellers into clearer categories.
What changes under the new visa rules
The revised system covers 65 countries and territories. Under the plan, 59 countries will receive 30 days of visa-free stay. The authorities say the aim is to move toward a “one country, one entry category” approach, which should make the immigration framework easier to understand.
For international travellers, the key point is that the current 60-day exemption is set to be replaced, not extended. The new visa rules therefore shorten the standard visa-free stay for many visitors compared with the arrangement that has been in place since July 2024.
Who is affected
The new visa rules will apply across all 27 European Union countries, which means EU nationals will fall under the same 30-day visa-free rule. Travellers from India will also be entitled to 30 days without a visa, making trip planning easier for that market as well.
Because the system is based on country and territory groupings, eligibility depends on passport nationality. That means travellers should check the exact rules for their own passport before booking or extending a stay.
When the changes start
The government has approved the new visa rules, but they do not take effect immediately. The change will begin 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. Until that formal publication happens, the current entry rules remain in force.
This timing matters for anyone planning a trip soon, because the legal position only changes after the official notice is published.
TDAC and border checks
The Thai authorities are also strengthening the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC. The updated system is intended to help officials check the travel history of foreign visitors more efficiently.
That does not replace visa rules, but it does mean arrival procedures are becoming more digital and more closely managed. Travellers should follow embassy updates closely before departure and before arrival, especially if their trip is near the switch date.
In short, Thailand’s new visa rules signal a broader tightening and simplification of entry policy. The main practical effect is a shorter visa-free stay for many visitors, with the final details locked in only after the Royal Gazette publication.
