Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stay for UAE, 92 other countries

Thailand’s government has approved ending the 60-day visa exemption scheme granted to citizens of 93 countries and territories, reverting instead to a maximum stay of 30 days for most visitors.

Thailand’s Government Public Relations Department said the decision, approved on May 19, is part of a broader package of visa regulation changes proposed by the Foreign Ministry, aimed at reorganising entry policies and strengthening oversight of visitors.

Under the new rules, only one exemption category will apply per country, with the cancellation of the 60-day “P.60” scheme and a return to the previous “P.30” system, which allows stays of up to 30 days. The decision will take effect 15 days after its official publication.

The amendments also reduce the number of countries eligible for the 30-day exemption from 57 to 54, while introducing a 15-day exemption for three countries and territories. In addition, visa-on-arrival eligibility will be cut from 31 countries to just four.

Reorganising Travel Plans

The list of countries affected by the decision includes 93 nations, among them key tourism and economic markets such as the UAE, the UK, Japan and France.

According to travel agencies, the decision applies to all these countries, including holders of UAE passports, who had previously benefited from the 60-day visa exemption scheme. The move is expected to force travellers to reorganise their travel plans, especially those relying on longer stays for extended holidays, business trips or multi-city travel within Thailand.

The change may also push some travellers to shorten their stays or apply for additional visas if they need to remain in Thailand for longer than one month, potentially increasing travel costs and requiring more advance planning.

For UAE residents, the visa rules will depend on their original nationality and passport, rather than their residency status in the UAE. Travellers will therefore be subject to the visa requirements linked to their own nationality when entering Thailand.

At the same time, Thai authorities confirmed that other entry facilities, including electronic visas, will remain available for those wishing to extend their stay before the 30-day limit expires, partially easing the impact of the decision on inbound tourism.