Every change to how a foreigner legally stays in Thailand: extension paperwork, 90-day reporting, the DTV, retirement and marriage routes, and what happens on overstay. Immigration policy moves by announcement, and an announcement is usually reported in Thai days before anyone writes it up in English. We cluster the Thai and English reporting into one story per change and refresh this page several times a day.
Effective September 15, Thailand has reduced the visa-free stay for most nationalities from 60 to 30 days, with Seychelles and Mauritius limited to 15 days. Additionally, visa exemptions will no longer permit any work, requiring a Non-Immigrant B visa for business trips or short work.
7 developmentsFrom September 15, Thailand's visa exemption covers tourism only, ending the previous allowance for business trips or short work. Anyone arriving to work after that date needs a Non-Immigrant B visa obtained before travel; the Destination Thailand Visa is available for remote workers.
Thailand has halved visa-free tourist stays to 30 days and closed the Laos DTV loophole for Western nomads, with stricter police checks now required. Expats and long-stay visitors must review their visa plans immediately.
Thailand has reduced the visa-free stay for tourists from 60 to 30 days, effective 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026. The change applies to passport holders from 57 countries and territories, with Seychelles and Mauritius limited to 15 days.
Thailand allows work permit exemptions for SMART-S startup founders, diplomats, short-term specialists, and DTV remote workers, but most foreign employees still need a formal work permit. The article outlines the conditions for each exemption category.
Thailand is reminding foreign visitors to prepare proof of sufficient funds for immigration checks. Tourist and Non-Immigrant Visa holders should have at least 20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family; Visa on Arrival holders need 10,000 baht per person. Travellers can show equivalent foreign currency or accessible financial documents, and should also complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
Suvarnabhumi Airport plans to allow travellers from 31 additional nationalities to use its automated immigration gates by the end of August, benefiting about 900,000 long-term visa holders and 6.5 million more travellers. Previous visitors with registered biometrics will get access first; first-timers must still use staffed counters.
Thai Cabinet has approved updated visa exemption and Visa on Arrival measures, set to take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. Key changes include shifting India from VoA to 30-day visa exemption and consolidating countries into three categories: 30-day exemption, 15-day exemption, or VoA. Current entry conditions remain in place until the new rules are officially published.
The Thai cabinet halved the visa-free period from 60 to 30 days for 59 countries, dropping many countries from the scheme. Indian tourists gain visa-free entry (30 days) instead of visa-on-arrival. Changes take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.