Thailand Replaces 60-Day Visa Exemption With New 30- and 15-Day Tiers

Thailand has abolished the 60-day visa exemption that applied to 93 countries and territories since July 2024, replacing it with a narrower two-tier system under a Cabinet resolution of 19 May 2026 [1]. Under the new rules, a 30-day tourist exemption now covers 54 countries and territories, and a separate 15-day exemption applies to just 3 more — down sharply from the 93-country, 60-day list it replaces [1]. Each eligible country or territory is assigned exactly one of the two tiers, never both [1]. Visa-on-arrival eligibility is also cut, from 31 countries down to just 4 [1]. The change takes effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette; press reports place that publication on 31 August 2026, putting the new rules in force from 15 September 2026, though the Gazette notice itself has not been independently located [2]. Anyone already in Thailand when the change takes effect keeps their existing permitted stay for that visit [1].

Travelers who need more time can still apply in person for a one-time extension of stay at an immigration office, for roughly THB 1,900 [3]. Because the extension mechanism itself hasn't changed, how much extra time it buys now depends on which of the two new tiers a traveler's passport falls under, rather than the flat "up to 60 days" figure that applied under the old 60-day exemption.

The overhaul does not touch Thailand's long-stay visa categories. Thailand Privilege, the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), retirement visas (Non-Immigrant O, O-A and O-X), business visas, and education visas all continue under their existing rules [4]. Anyone already holding, or applying for, one of those categories is unaffected by this change.

Separately, arrival paperwork has already moved online: since 1 May 2025, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) has replaced the paper TM6 arrival card for all foreign arrivals [2]. As of today, Thailand has not introduced any Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) pre-clearance scheme — this is a duration, eligibility, and tier change only, not a new pre-travel approval requirement.

What this means for travelers and tenants

If you're planning a visa-exempt trip to Thailand to house-hunt, view a rental, or sign a short lease, check which tier your passport now falls under before booking: some nationalities that previously had 60 days now get 30, others get only 15, and some no longer qualify for visa-on-arrival at all [1]. If your plans run longer than your tier allows, either apply for the one-time extension at an immigration office or arrange a longer-stay category — DTV, retirement, or another qualifying visa — before you travel [1][3]. Anyone already in the Kingdom when the new rules take effect keeps the permitted stay they already have for that visit [1].

What this means for landlords and agents

Agencies and landlords who lease to short-stay foreign tenants should confirm which exemption tier — 30 days, 15 days, or visa-on-arrival only — applies to a prospective tenant's nationality before assuming they have time to complete viewings, paperwork, and deposit payment [1]. A tenant from a country moved to the 15-day tier, or dropped from visa-on-arrival eligibility, now has far less runway than before to finish a move-in without an extension or a different visa status [1]. Long-stay tenants on DTV, LTR, retirement, or Thailand Privilege visas are unaffected, so this change mainly reshapes expectations for shorter, exemption-based lettings and viewing trips [4].