Visa-Free Stay Period Extended to 60 Days
There have been rumors about this for a while, but it has now been officially announced. Visa-related information is frequently revised, and searching online often leads to confusion due to a mix of outdated information, such as revisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article presents the latest information as of May 28, 2024, published by the Thai government.
Extension Applies from June 1, 2024
The Thai government’s announcement is as follows:
- Expansion of Visa Exemption Countries and Extension of Stay Duration The number of countries eligible for short-term visa exemption has been expanded to 93 nations, and the permitted stay duration for citizens of visa-exempt countries, including Japan, upon entry into Thailand has been extended to 60 days (previously 30 days). Excerpt from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Thailand announces visa extension to boost economy (Note: The provided URL in the tool output is for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so I will link that as the direct source.) Excerpt from the Tourism Authority of Thailand: “Visa exemptions have been extended to 60 days for citizens of 93 countries/territories, visa on arrival is available for 31 countries/territories, and a newly introduced Digital Nomad Visa allows stays of up to 180 days. Bangkok, July 16, 2024 – Thailand has announced new visa measures to stimulate the Thai economy through travel and tourism. These include a 60-day visa exemption, Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme, Thailand Destination Visa (DTV), and student visas, effective from July 15, 2024.” “Visa Exemption: Thailand now grants visa exemption to citizens of 93 countries/territories, up from the previous 57. Visitors under this scheme are allowed to stay for up to 60 days for tourism or short-term business purposes, with a possible extension of up to 30 days at the Immigration Bureau.” List of Countries Eligible for 60-Day Visa Exemption (as of July 16, 2024, per TAT): Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam. Tourism Authority of Thailand: Visa Information
This change means you can now stay visa-free for two months without needing to apply for extensions or do “visa runs” by exiting and re-entering the country. However, visa-related information is frequently revised, so if you are planning to travel, please always check the latest information from official sources.
