Thailand Proposes Changes to Visa Exemptions

Thailand Proposes Changes to Visa Exemptions

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently reviewing a proposal to reduce the visa-exempt stay for nationals of 93 countries. If approved, the current 60-day entry would revert to a 30-day allowance. This potential shift comes as a response to concerns over unauthorized work and the misuse of short-term entries for long-term stays.

While a committee involving the Ministry of Tourism and the Immigration Bureau has agreed to the change in principle, the 60-day policy remains active for now. No final approval or official government gazette announcement has been issued, meaning travelers can still take advantage of the longer stay period until further notice.

Who is affected

The proposed reduction targets slow travelers and digital nomads who rely on visa-exempt entries to maintain a flexible lifestyle. While the average tourist staying under two weeks won't feel the impact, remote workers using these entries to bridge time between more permanent solutions will need to adjust their plans.

What to do

For those planning an extended stay in Thailand, it is important to monitor nomad news for the official implementation date. If the stay is reduced to 30 days, visitors can still apply for a 30-day extension at local immigration offices for a fee of approximately 1,900 THB.

Nomads looking for more security should consider the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which provides a much longer runway for remote work without the uncertainty of changing exemption rules. Immigration officials are also increasing scrutiny on back-to-back "visa runs," so having a formal visa is becoming more important for long-term stays.

Read our full Thailand guide for the complete picture.