Thailand: Citizens of 21 countries will need a visa starting September 15, 2026

Until September 14, 2026, holders of ordinary passports from 93 countries and territories can still enter Thailand visa-free and stay there for up to 60 days. However, starting September 15, 2026, a fundamental reform of the visa-exemption program—which was introduced in 2024—will take effect. Under the new system, 60 countries and territories will be eligible for visa-free entry for up to 30 days—in addition to existing bilateral agreements and other special arrangements.

Particularly important for travelers: The reform is not limited to reducing the visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days. For 21 nationalities, visa-free entry to Thailand is being eliminated entirely. As of the effective date, affected travelers must therefore apply for a visa before traveling, regardless of the purpose of the trip or the planned length of stay.

Which 21 nationalities are affected?

Countries whose citizens will need a visa to enter Thailand in the future include, among others, Albania, Andorra, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kosovo, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Sri Lanka, and Tonga, as well as other countries from the original list. For citizens of these countries, this fundamentally changes the entire entry process—shifting from spontaneous travel planning without formalities to a requirement to apply in advance.

For tourism purposes, the electronic visa system will play a particularly central role. Affected travelers can apply for their visa online without having to appear in person. We handle the entire application process for the Thailand e-visa on behalf of our clients and ensure that all required documents are submitted correctly and on time.

Anyone who is unsure which visa category is right for their planned trip should seek information well in advance. In addition to the standard tourist visa, there are other options depending on the purpose of the trip, such as for longer stays or business activities. An overview of the relevant categories can be found on our page about the Thailand tourist visa, where the respective requirements are also explained.

Since entry requirements for numerous nationalities will change significantly as of September 15, 2026, we recommend that all travelers review their travel plans well in advance and not wait until shortly before departure to submit their visa application. Those belonging to the group of 21 affected nationalities should, in particular, allow sufficient time for processing, as spontaneous, visa-free entry will no longer be possible after the effective date. On our Thailand visa overview page, travelers can find all relevant information about the various visa types and their respective requirements.

In general, even for nationals who continue to benefit from visa-free entry, the maximum length of stay will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days starting September 15, 2026. Travelers planning a longer stay should therefore also check whether a visa is advisable or required to avoid difficulties upon entry or unwanted restrictions on their stay.