Thailand is tightening its visa-free entry rules, with UK travellers and visitors from dozens of other countries soon needing a visa for stays longer than 30 days.
Since July 2024, tourists from 93 countries — including the UK, Australia, India, the US and much of Europe — have been allowed to stay visa-free for up to 60 days to help revive tourism after the pandemic.
But Thai authorities have now approved plans to scale the exemption back, citing security concerns and confusion around overlapping visa schemes. Under the revised system, visa-free stay limits will vary by country, though many travellers will now be capped at 30 days without a visa.
The new rules will take effect 15 days after they are officially published in Thailand’s Royal Gazette.
Thailand remains one of Asia’s most popular holiday destinations, welcoming nearly 12 million visitors so far this year.