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Thailand Ends 60-Day Visa Waiver, Moves to Shorter Tiered Stays

Officials say the tighter limits target visa abuse linked to crime.

Overview

  • Thailand’s cabinet, which approved the rollback Tuesday, ended the 60-day visa-free stay for travelers from more than 90 countries.
  • A new country-by-country system will set most visa-free visits at up to 30 days, with some nationalities limited to 15 days.
  • The Foreign Ministry will cap visa-free entries by land to two per calendar year for visitors using the 30-day option.
  • Officials said the longer stays were exploited by criminal groups and unauthorized workers, prompting a shift toward tighter controls.
  • Uncertainty over the start date adds strain to a still-recovering sector, with first-quarter arrivals down 3.4% from a year earlier.