Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stay For Indians From 60 to 30 Days

Thailand has announced new visa-free entry rules for tourists from more than 60 countries, including Indian passport holders, reducing the permitted visa-free stay for Indians from 60 days to 30 days. The new regulations were published in Thailand’s Royal Gazette on August 31 and are scheduled to take effect from September 15, 2026. The change replaces the visa exemption arrangement introduced in 2024, under which eligible Indian travellers could stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without obtaining a visa.

Under the existing tourist visa exemption scheme, citizens of more than 90 countries, including India, the United States, China and countries in Europe’s 29-member Schengen area, are eligible for visa-free entry for stays of up to 60 days. The revised rules will introduce a shorter permitted stay for travellers from the affected countries. Indian tourists planning trips after the new regulations come into force will therefore need to take the revised 30-day limit into account while planning their itineraries and accommodation.

The 60-day visa exemption introduced in 2024 had made travel to Thailand more convenient for Indian passport holders by allowing longer stays without the need to obtain a tourist visa in advance. The policy covered tourism-related visits and formed part of Thailand’s broader effort to facilitate international travel. The latest decision changes the duration available under the exemption while retaining visa-free access for eligible Indian travellers.

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The new rules are part of Thailand’s updated arrangements governing visa exemptions for foreign visitors. According to the information released through the Royal Gazette, the revised provisions cover travellers from more than 60 countries. The changes will come into effect on September 15, meaning travellers arriving under the visa exemption scheme from that date will be subject to the new conditions rather than the earlier 60-day provision.

For Indian travellers, the main change is the reduction in the maximum visa-free stay from two months to one month. Those planning longer trips will need to consider the applicable immigration and visa requirements rather than assuming that the previous 60-day exemption remains available. Travellers are also expected to check the latest entry conditions before departure, particularly when planning stays that approach or exceed the revised visa-free period.

Thailand remains a major international destination for Indian tourists, with its beaches, cities, cultural attractions and entertainment drawing visitors throughout the year. The new rules do not end visa-free travel for Indian passport holders but reduce the length of stay permitted under the exemption. With the revised regulations scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, Indian travellers visiting Thailand after that date will need to plan their stays according to the new 30-day visa-free limit.

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