Published: 12:42 AM, 23 May 2026
Thailand scraps 60-day visa-free stay for Indians
Thailand, one of the most visited destinations for Indian travellers, has introduced a significant change to its entry rules, impacting how tourists plan their trips. The country has cancelled its widely used 60-day visa-free scheme for all 93 countries and territories, including India, as part of a broader effort to simplify and reorganise visa categories.
The revised framework, approved by Thailand's Cabinet, shifts the focus towards more streamlined entry processes and clearer regulations. For Indian travellers in particular, the change marks a notable shift, especially after the relatively recent introduction of extended visa-free stays in July 2024.
Thailand's Cabinet approved the revised visa exemption and visa-on-arrival rules on May 19, 2026, according to the Department of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The revised system operates on a new guiding principle: "one country, one Thai visa exemption privilege". This aims to establish clearer and more consistent standards for foreign visitors.
Under the updated framework, Thailand will:
Allow only one visa exemption category per country or territory
Scrap the 60-day visa-free scheme (Phor 60) for all eligible nations
Reduce the list under the 30-day visa exemption scheme (Phor 30) from 57 to 54 countries
Introduce a new 15-day visa exemption category (Phor 15) for three countries
Scale down the Visa on Arrival (VOA) list from 31 countries to just four
These measures will come into effect 15 days after they are officially published in the Royal Gazette.
The 60-day visa exemption was initially introduced to boost tourism and support economic recovery. However, the policy later came under scrutiny due to concerns related to security, illegal employment, nominee businesses and transnational crime.
Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, had earlier indicated that the country would review the policy and likely revert to shorter stays for many nationalities. He noted that the government is now looking beyond visitor numbers and placing greater emphasis on attracting "quality tourists", while balancing both economic benefits and security considerations.
