Thailand Halves Its Visa-Exempt Stay to 30 Days and Caps Land Border Entries

Thailand has cut the length of stay it allows travellers who enter without a visa. Since 15 September 2026, the visa-exempt stay is 30 days for tourism only, down from the 60 days that applied before.

What changed on 15 September
Three things changed at once.

The stay was halved. Travellers who previously planned six to eight weeks in Thailand on the strength of the old arrangement now have half that time.

A new, shorter tier was created. Nationals of two countries now receive a 15-day stay rather than 30.

Visa on arrival was narrowed sharply. Only three nationalities remain eligible for it.

The land border cap
Entries made without a visa at land borders are now limited to two per calendar year for most nationalities. A handful of neighbouring countries are excluded from the cap.

This is aimed squarely at border runs: the practice of leaving Thailand overland and re-entering to restart the clock. Long-stay visitors who relied on that pattern no longer can.

Who now needs a visa before travelling
Anyone whose trip is longer than 30 days. Anyone who has already used their land border entries for the year. Anyone travelling for a purpose other than tourism.

For these travellers the visa has to be in place before departure. There is no longer a long visa-exempt window to fall back on, and the border is not the place to discover that.

What else is checked on arrival
Thailand may ask any arriving visitor for evidence of onward or return travel and for proof of sufficient funds. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card, mandatory since May 2025, still applies to every arrival.

Why this catches people
The 60-day stay was in place long enough to become a habit. Many travellers booked this season's trips before the change was announced, and itineraries built around two months on the islands now overrun the permitted stay.

Overstaying in Thailand is treated seriously. Fines accrue daily, and longer overstays lead to bans on re-entry that last for years.

What to do
Count the days in Thailand on your itinerary, including the arrival and departure days. If the total is more than 30, arrange a visa before you fly. If you are planning to enter overland, check how many land entries you have already used this year.

Verified against the Tourism Authority of Thailand announcement of 1 September 2026 and UK FCDO Thailand entry requirements, checked 1 October 2026.