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Thailand visa rule changes in 2026: what changed and when
Quick answer
- 15 September 2026: the broad 60-day visa exemption was replaced. Qualifying passports from 60 countries and territories get 30 days.
- 15 September 2026: most visa-exempt land-border entries are limited to two per calendar year.
- 31 August 2026: DTV applicants must prove permanent residence where they apply and provide a criminal-record certificate.
- Tourist-only exemptions: work, longer stays and repeated entry need the right visa.
Timeline
- 31 August 2026: stricter DTV rules, with permanent-residence proof and a mandatory criminal-record certificate
- 15 September 2026: new visa-exemption scheme in force, with 30 days for 60 countries and territories, 15 days for two, and visa on arrival for three
- 15 September 2026: two visa-exempt land entries per calendar year for most nationalities
What this means for visitors
- Plan trips around 30 days, not 60, unless you hold a visa that gives longer.
- If you were already in Thailand, or arrived before 15 September, you can stay until the last date on your stamp.
- Check your passport against the official list, because eligibility is by country and other bilateral waivers are separate.
What this means for people staying long
The exemption is a tourism arrangement. If you want to work, live here or enter repeatedly, you need a proper visa. Our guides cover the main options: the DTV, retirement, family, LTR and Non-B routes.
Guides affected by these changes
Sources
Details come from announcements by Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thai embassies. Wording can differ between embassies, so confirm the exact rule for your passport and route.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 60-day visa exemption still in force?
No. The broad 60-day exemption was replaced from 15 September 2026 by a country-specific scheme with 30 days for most qualifying passports.
How many visa-exempt land entries can I make?
Most nationalities are limited to two per calendar year from 15 September 2026, with exceptions such as Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore.
What changed for the DTV?
From 31 August 2026 you must prove permanent residence where you apply and provide a criminal-record certificate.
Official sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice or an official immigration decision. Requirements, fees and procedures can change, and officers have discretion, so check current rules with the relevant Thai authority before you apply.
Related guides
Tourist & exemption
How long you can stay in Thailand without a visa from 15 September 2026, how the tourist visa works, extensions, land-border limits and common mistakes.
DTV (remote workers)
Everything about the Destination Thailand Visa: who qualifies, 500,000 THB funds benchmark, 180-day stays, new rules from 31 August 2026, tax and work limits.
Extensions & 90-day reports
How Thai visa extensions work, why visa runs no longer suit long stays, re-entry permits, 90-day reporting, TM30 and overstay fines of 500 THB a day.
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