Thailand cuts 45-day visa-free entry back to 30 days
Thailand’s government rejected an extension of the 45-day visa-free exemption for several nationalities at the end of March 2023, reverting to a standard 30-day policy until further notice.
If you’ve been scratching your head over recent headlines, you’re not alone! While the Tourism Authority of Thailand had lobbied hard to extend the 45-day visa-free entry for some nationalities through the end of 2023, the Thai government ultimately declined to follow that recommendation.
Since late 2022, more than 50 nationalities had enjoyed visa-free stays of up to 45 days in Thailand. That policy was slated to expire on 31 March 2023, and no renewal was ever announced. The TAT has since told Visamundi the window has closed and those nationalities now qualify for only 30 days in Thailand without a visa.
Why did Thailand choose not to extend the 45-day exemption?
The 45-day visa-free allowance was designed to reboot Thailand’s tourism sector. Latest tourism figures are robust—the airlines can’t keep up with demand—and it’s widely assumed the country now wants to fine-tune visitor flows and restore its financial balance.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand reports that the country welcomed 11.5 million visitors in 2022, surpassing its original target of 10 million, largely thanks to expanded visa-on-arrival and visa-free policies.
In the first quarter of 2023 alone, Thailand also exceeded its initial goal of 6 million visitors, recording 6.15 million arrivals from January through March.
Likewise, nationalities eligible for visa-on-arrival now see the permitted stay drop from 30 days back to 15 days. You’ll still need to show a return ticket on arrival.
What if I was planning a 45-day stay?
You can still extend your stay on the ground: visit an immigration office before the initial 30-day period ends and pay 1,900 baht for an additional 30 days.
Fly under the radar and risk escalating fines—up to a maximum of 20,000 baht per day—plus a possible ban. Adjusting your plans is strongly advised.
Fret not if you still need up to 60 or 90 days; we can help secure the appropriate Thai visa. Thousands of travelers across Asia already trust our services.
A specialist in regulatory monitoring and a content destination expert, she analyzes daily changes in entry formalities to turn complex administrative processes into practical guides. Her role blends ground-level expertise with technical precision to ensure the reliability of the information provided to travelers.
