When does Thailand's visa exemption change from 60 days to 30 days take effect?
Based on 1 discussion with 7 participants · Last activity: 30 days ago
TL;DR
Thailand's Cabinet approved reducing the visa exemption from 60 to 30 days, but the change hasn't been published in the Royal Gazette yet. Until it is published and a 15-day implementation period passes, travelers still receive 60 days on arrival.
What the community said
As of June 21, 2026, the change has not yet taken effect — it has not been published in the Royal Gazette. Once published, a 15-day grace period begins before the new rules apply. Travelers arriving before that deadline still receive the 60-day stamp.
30 days ago Grace period: 15 days after Royal Gazette publication
Travelers arriving on July 1, 2026 are likely still safe to receive 60 days, because even if the Royal Gazette publishes the change imminently, the mandatory 15-day waiting period would push the effective date past July 1.
30 days ago July 1, 2026 arrival — likely still 60 days
Visa on Arrival is a separate category that grants only 15 days and is available to citizens of specific countries. Most travelers who receive 60 days are entering under the visa exemption program, not Visa on Arrival — these are two different schemes.
30 days ago Visa on Arrival = 15 days; Visa Exemption = 60 days (currently)
To avoid uncertainty around the upcoming exemption reduction, obtaining a visa at a Thai consulate before arrival remains an option unaffected by the visa exemption changes.
30 days ago