Thailand Tightens Entry Rules to Focus on 'Quality Tourism'
Thailand is cutting visa-free stays for travelers from more than 90 countries and territories starting Tuesday, reversing a pandemic-era expansion to curb misuse of visa privileges and illegal activities involving foreign nationals. More than 60 nationalities, including most Schengen countries, the United States and Australia, will see visa-free stays reduced from 60 days to 30. Some nationalities get 15-day exemptions, while others including Azerbaijan, Serbia and Belarus shift to visa-on-arrival. The rules also limit visa-free entries to two per year.
Impact and considerations
For travel and corporate travel companies, the impact depends more on trip length and asset class than visitor volume: long-haul itineraries and the property market may be hit harder than short breaks and hotels. Companies should reassess long-stay, project-assignment and meeting arrangements in Thailand.
Key points
- Thailand cuts visa-free stays for more than 90 countries and territories starting Tuesday, reversing a pandemic-era expansion.
- More than 60 nationalities, including most Schengen countries, the United States and Australia, see visa-free stays reduced from 60 days to 30.
- Some nationalities receive 15-day exemptions, while Azerbaijan, Serbia and Belarus shift to visa-on-arrival.
- The new rules limit visa-free entries to two per year, restricting travelers who repeatedly cross the border.
- The government says the move aims to curb misuse of visa privileges and illegal activities involving foreign nationals.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- Skift
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 14 Sept 2026, 21:48
- Page published
- 15 Sept 2026, 00:02
- Last updated
- 14 Sept 2026, 21:48
- Original links
- Skift Feed：Thailand Tightens Entry Rules to Focus on 'Quality Tourism' (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 14 Sept 2026, 21:48