Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stay for Indian Travellers From 60 to 30 Days

Thailand has scaled back its visa-free entry allowance for Indian travellers and dozens of other nationalities, ending the extended 60-day scheme that had been in place since July 2024. The change was published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 31 August 2026 and took effect on 15 September 2026, applying to entries into Thailand from that date onward.

What has changed

Under the new rules, Indian nationals remain on Thailand's visa-exemption list, meaning no advance visa is still required for tourism, but the permitted stay on arrival has dropped from 60 days to 30 days. A one-time extension of up to 30 additional days can still be applied for at an immigration office inside Thailand, so a traveller willing to handle that paperwork can still stay up to roughly two months in total, though not automatically as before.

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Why Thailand made the change

The 60-day exemption had been introduced in mid-2024 as a temporary boost to inbound tourism following the pandemic-era slump. Thai authorities have now reverted to a more standard 30-day framework as part of a broader overhaul of entry rules covering some 60 countries and territories, alongside separate changes to visa-on-arrival eligibility for a smaller group of nationalities.

Who this affects

The shorter stay applies to all Indian passport holders travelling to Thailand for tourism under the visa-exemption route; it does not affect travellers who already hold a separate Thai visa, such as a long-stay or work visa, which carry their own validity periods. Travellers already inside Thailand under the previous 60-day allowance before 15 September 2026 retain the stay period granted to them on arrival.

Traveller tips

• Check your planned length of stay against the new 30-day limit before booking, especially for longer combined Southeast Asia itineraries.
• A one-time 30-day extension is available at Thai immigration offices for those wanting to stay closer to the previous two-month window.
• This is a fast-moving regulatory change; confirm current requirements on Thailand's official immigration website or with the Royal Thai Embassy before travel, as procedures can be refined after launch.
• Carry proof of onward travel and sufficient funds, as these can still be requested by immigration officers on arrival regardless of visa-exempt status.