Thailand has ended the 60-day visa-free stay for tourists from many countries, reducing the permitted period to 30 days [1].
This policy shift marks a significant rollback of previous tourism incentives. By tightening entry requirements, the Thai government aims to curb a rise in foreign nationals engaging in illegal employment and criminal activity within the country [2, 3].
The new regulations, approved this week in May 2026 [1], affect a wide range of nationalities. The 60-day visa-free exemption was scrapped for between 90 [4] and 93 countries [5]. Travelers from these nations will now face a shorter stay or may be required to obtain visas on arrival [1, 3].
Immigration authorities said the decision follows increasing reports of tourist misbehavior [2, 3]. The government is prioritizing the crackdown on those who use tourist exemptions to live and work illegally in Thailand, a trend that has strained local resources and security [2, 3].
While some reports previously suggested the government was only considering the change [6], recent updates confirm the policy has been approved [1]. The reduction to 30 days [1] is intended to ensure that visitors are genuine tourists rather than long-term residents avoiding formal work permits [2, 3].
Travelers are advised to check the specific requirements for their nationality as the transition to the 30-day limit begins. The move signals a shift in priority from maximizing tourist volume to enhancing the oversight of foreign nationals entering the kingdom [1, 3].
“Thailand has ended the 60-day visa-free stay for tourists from many countries, reducing the permitted period to 30 days.”
This policy reversal suggests that Thailand is moving away from an open-door strategy to prioritize national security and labor law enforcement. By halving the visa-free duration, the government creates a higher barrier for 'digital nomads' and illegal workers who previously utilized the 60-day window to operate without permits, potentially impacting the long-term tourism economy in favor of tighter social control.
