Bangkok: In a significant policy shift that will impact millions of holidaymakers, Thailand has officially cancelled its popular 60-day visa-free entry scheme for all 93 eligible countries and territories, including India. The decision, aimed at streamlining entry processes and tightening national security, was approved by the Thai Cabinet during its session on May 19, 2026.
Under the revised framework, Indian passport holders can no longer enter Thailand without a visa. Instead, Indian travellers must now utilize the Visa on Arrival (VOA) or pre-applied e-Visa pathways. Furthermore, the maximum duration of stay permitted under the Visa on Arrival category has been strictly capped at 15 days, marking a sharp decline from the previous two-month extension.
The New ‘One Country, One Visa Privilege’ Rule
The overhaul comes as part of Thailand’s broader efforts to reorganize, simplify, and standardize its immigration systems. According to the Department of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the new framework operates on a strict guiding principle: “One country, one Thai visa exemption privilege.”
Under this updated system, Thailand will:
- Allow only one distinct visa exemption category per country or territory.
- Completely scrap the 60-day visa-free scheme (known as Phor 60) for all previously eligible nations.
- Reduce the list of countries eligible for the 30-day visa exemption (Phor 30) from 57 to 54.
- Introduce a brand-new 15-day visa exemption category (Phor 15) for three nations (Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius).
- Sharply scale down the Visa on Arrival (VOA) list from 31 countries to just four.
The new regulations will officially come into effect 15 days after they are published in the Royal Gazette.
Why is Thailand Rolling Back the 60-Day Visa Exemption?
The 60-day visa exemption was originally introduced in July 2024 to jumpstart post-pandemic tourism and aid economic recovery. However, the open-door policy quickly drew intense scrutiny from immigration and law enforcement authorities.
The government raised serious concerns regarding national security, illegal employment, transnational crime, and the proliferation of illicit “nominee businesses” run by foreign nationals.
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, had previously indicated a policy rollback, emphasizing that the country is shifting its focus beyond sheer visitor volume. The government is now placing a heavier emphasis on attracting “quality tourists” while carefully balancing economic benefits with robust national security considerations.
What it Means for Indian Travellers
For Indian tourists, who constitute one of Thailand’s largest visitor demographics, this change is a substantial setback. The July 2024 policy allowed Indians to stay for 60 days visa-free with an option to extend for another 30 days, making Thailand an incredibly flexible destination for long-haul vacations and digital nomads.
With India now relocated to the Visa on Arrival category, travelers must brace for changes:
- Shorter Trips: The 15-day maximum stay means Indian tourists can only plan short holidays under the VOA route. Those planning extended stays must apply in advance through Thailand’s e-Visa system.
- Airport Procedures: Indian tourists must now line up at designated immigration checkpoints upon arrival in Thailand, fill out application forms, and present all necessary documentation.
- Required Documents: To clear the Visa on Arrival desk, travellers must possess valid return flight tickets, confirmed hotel bookings (proof of accommodation), passport-sized photographs, and proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay.
Are Current Travellers Affected?
The Thai government has clarified that the policy change will not apply retroactively. Travellers who are already inside Thailand under the current visa exemption scheme, or those who arrive before the new laws are officially gazetted and enforced, will not be impacted. They will be permitted to stay in the country until their originally granted duration expires.
Thailand’s Updated Visa Categories: At a Glance
Following the comprehensive restructuring, Thailand’s new visa framework stands as follows:
- 30-Day Visa Exemption (Phor 30): Available to 54 countries including the US, UK, Australia, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, and most European nations.
- 15-Day Visa Exemption (Phor 15): Limited to the Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
- Visa on Arrival (VOA): Scaled down to just four countries—India, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.
- 90-Day Reciprocal Exemption: Covers South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Chile.
- 30-Day Reciprocal Exemption: Includes China, Russia, Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Timor-Leste, and Kazakhstan.
If you are planning a trip to Bangkok, Phuket, or Pattaya in the coming weeks, it is highly recommended to monitor official Thai embassy advisories to ensure your travel dates do not clash with the transition period.
