Thailand May Cut Visa-Free Stay from 60 to 30 Days
Thailand is considering reducing its 60-day visa-free entry to 30 days for 93 nationalities, citing illegal work and fraud concerns, while offering extensions and new visa options.
Thailand had thrown open its doors in 2024 with a visa exemption allowing stays of up to 60 days for 93 nationalities, but this policy could now be updated and revised by Thai authorities.
According to a recent Bangkok Post report, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, supported by the Immigration Bureau, is seriously considering reducing the visa-free stay from 60 days to 30 days.
Why this policy reversal? Who will be affected? And most importantly, what are your alternatives?
Bharath Mohan (Doi Inthanon, Ban Luang, Thailand) / Unsplash.com
Reducing Visa-Free Stays from 60 to 30 Days?
The 60-day visa exemption (introduced mid-2024 for 93 countries, including France, Belgium, and Canada) was a flagship measure to boost post-Covid tourism. However, Thai authorities, including Secretary Permanent of Tourism Natthriya Thaweevong, now believe this policy has created unintended consequences. The goal is clear: to revert the default duration to 30 days.
The two official reasons for this change:
Combatting crime and illegal work: Authorities have seen an increase in abuse. "Fake tourists" are exploiting the 60-day exemption to work illegally (as guides, in shops) or commit fraud without applying for proper visas.
A key statistic: According to the ministry, the average duration of stay for tourists in Thailand is 21 days. Reducing the exemption to 30 days would thus not penalize the vast majority of visitors while filtering out higher-risk profiles.
Alternatives: How to Stay Longer Than 30 Days?
If you wish to stay longer, Thailand will still welcome you—but you’ll need to follow stricter formalities.
Option A: On-Site Extension (The "Last-Minute" Method)
If you enter with the 30-day visa-free exemption, you can still visit a local immigration office (in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Samui, etc.) to request a 30-day extension.
Cost: 1,900 THB (approx. €50).
Constraint: You’ll spend half a day in administration.
Option B: Tourist Visa (TR — Single or Multiple Entry) — The Reliable Choice
Apply for an e-Tourist visa online before travel.
Benefit: It grants you a 60-day stay upon arrival, with the option to extend by up to 30 days — giving you up to 90 days in total.
The Arrival of the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
No discussion of this change would be complete without mentioning the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) — a move toward border digitization.
As seen in Europe (ETIAS) and the UK (UK ETA), Thailand is preparing a similar electronic travel authorization. Travelers exempt from visas will soon need to register online before boarding their flights, aiming to screen passengers even before they board the plane.
En tant que chargée de relation client, mes missions sont la gestion et le suivi des demandes de visas. Je reste informée des actualités concernant les nouvelles formalités de voyage ainsi que les spécificités des nouveaux visas.
