Thailand is changing its visa-exemption and Visa on Arrival rules for ordinary-passport holders from 15 September 2026. The broad 60-day exemption for 93 countries and territories will end, and the entry period will depend on the traveller’s passport nationality.
What is changing?
Thailand’s Department of Consular Affairs published the final 2026 ordinary-passport categories on 1 September. Instead of one general 60-day scheme, travellers will fall under a 30-day exemption, a 15-day exemption, Visa on Arrival, a bilateral 14-, 30- or 90-day agreement, or a requirement to obtain a visa before travelling.
New Thailand entry categories from 15 September 2026
| Entry category | Ordinary-passport nationalities |
|---|---|
| 30-day visa exemption | 60 countries and territories, including the UK, Ireland, all 27 EU states, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and Japan. |
| 15-day visa exemption | Mauritius and Seychelles. |
| Visa on Arrival | Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. The final MFA chart states a THB 2,000 fee and Immigration Bureau criteria. |
| 90-day bilateral exemption | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Korea (ROK). |
| 30-day bilateral exemption | China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. |
| 14-day bilateral exemption | Cambodia and Myanmar. Myanmar’s arrangement applies at international airports only. |
Which passports receive the new 30-day visa exemption?
The final Ministry of Foreign Affairs chart lists the following 60 countries and territories:
Australia, Bahrain, Bhutan, Brunei, Canada, Ukraine, Georgia, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Qatar, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United States, Switzerland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Türkiye, Fiji, Maldives, India, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
What does this mean for British and Irish visitors?
British and Irish ordinary-passport holders arriving from 15 September remain able to enter Thailand without applying for a visa in advance for a normal holiday of up to 30 days.
Ordinary passports only: This exemption does not apply to holders of travel documents issued by the British or Irish governments; those travellers must obtain the appropriate visa before travel.
Entry-frequency limit: For British and Irish ordinary-passport holders, the Royal Thai Embassy in London says the visa-exemption scheme may be used only twice within a calendar year. Travellers planning more than two visits, or travelling for a purpose other than tourism, should check the appropriate visa before departure.
Official Royal Thai Embassy guidance for the new 30-day scheme says that a further extension of up to 30 days may be requested in Thailand, but any extension is at the immigration officer’s discretion. A traveller who already knows they want to stay for more than 30 days should consider applying for the appropriate tourist e-Visa before travelling rather than assuming an extension will be granted.
Some former visa-exempt nationalities need extra care
When the outgoing 93-country list is compared with the final 2026 chart, the following countries and territories no longer appear in a new ordinary-passport exemption, bilateral or Visa on Arrival category:
Albania, Andorra, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kosovo, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Panama, Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.
Travellers holding one of these passports should expect to check whether a visa is required before departure. Individual circumstances and travel documents can change the answer, so use Thailand’s official e-Visa checker or contact the responsible Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate.
Does the Thailand Digital Arrival Card change?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) remains a separate, free immigration form. It is not a visa. Non-Thai nationals must normally complete it within the three days before each arrival by air, land or sea. The Thai government has also said screening and inter-agency checks linked to TDAC will be strengthened.
Before you travel
- Check the category for the passport you will actually use and whether any calendar-year entry limit applies.
- Carry proof of accommodation and fully paid onward travel departing within the permitted 30-day stay.
- Be ready to show evidence of sufficient funds if requested; immigration guidance allows officers to ask for proof of THB 20,000 per person, an interview or additional documents.
- If you need longer than 30 days, check the official Thai e-Visa service before departure.
- Complete TDAC only through the free official immigration website.
- Recheck the responsible Royal Thai Embassy shortly before travelling.
Official sources
- Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs: final 2026 summary effective 15 September
- Final English ordinary-passport nationality chart
- Royal Thai Government explanation of the policy change
- Royal Thai Embassy London: visa-exemption update for British and Irish visitors
- Royal Thai Embassy London: detailed visa-exemption requirements from 15 September 2026
- Official Thailand e-Visa checker and application service
Continue planning your Phuket trip
Once the entry paperwork is clear, use our Phuket Travel Guide, read the Phuket Airport Guide, check the live Phuket weather page, or ask Visit Phuket for practical trip-planning help.
Information checked: 15 September 2026. Immigration rules can change. This article explains the official position available on the checked date and is general travel information, not individual immigration advice.