Thailand Officially Cancels 60-Day Visa Exemption; Taiwanese Travelers May Revert to 30-Day Stays
The Thai Cabinet officially approved a visa amendment on the 19th, canceling the 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the number of countries eligible for 30-day visa-free entry will also be reduced from 57 to 54. The move is aimed at balancing national security, economic interests, reciprocity, and improving tourism quality. Taiwan is likely affected, with stays potentially reverting to 30 days. The detailed list of countries is pending.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 19:07
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 19:32 (24 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 19:35 (3 min after Collected)
(CNA, by reporter Lee Tsung-hsien, Bangkok, 19th) The Thai Cabinet officially passed a visa amendment in its meeting today. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated at a regular press conference this afternoon that the Cabinet has decided to cancel the 60-day visa exemption and reduce the number of countries eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to 54. Relevant authorities are further reviewing the list of applicable countries.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed at the press conference this afternoon that the government has decided to cancel the 60-day visa-free measure for 93 countries. Mungkorn Pratoomkaew, Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs, added that the 30-day visa-free policy will be reduced from the current 57 countries to 54, while another three countries or regions will be eligible for 15-day visa exemptions. However, the official detailed list of countries has not yet been announced.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the reasons for adjusting the visa policy include considerations of national security, tourism and economic interests, and the principle of reciprocity, as well as eliminating duplicate visa-free privileges and facilitating the operation of the digital visa system.
Thailand began granting Taiwanese travelers visa-free entry for up to 30 days at the end of 2023. In mid-2024, it was announced that the visa-free stay for travelers from Taiwan and 92 other countries would be extended from 30 to 60 days. Therefore, Taiwan is likely to be on the list of those affected by this policy adjustment.
In recent weeks, the Thai government has repeatedly indicated its intention to shorten the 60-day visa-free measure back to 30 days, stating that the move aims to strengthen the screening of tourists and thereby improve the quality of tourism.
Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) reported today that Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul stated the Cabinet has canceled the 60-day visa-free policy and will revert to the original 30-day standard. Further details will be formulated by the visa committee and announced later.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed at the press conference this afternoon that the government has decided to cancel the 60-day visa-free measure for 93 countries. Mungkorn Pratoomkaew, Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs, added that the 30-day visa-free policy will be reduced from the current 57 countries to 54, while another three countries or regions will be eligible for 15-day visa exemptions. However, the official detailed list of countries has not yet been announced.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the reasons for adjusting the visa policy include considerations of national security, tourism and economic interests, and the principle of reciprocity, as well as eliminating duplicate visa-free privileges and facilitating the operation of the digital visa system.
Thailand began granting Taiwanese travelers visa-free entry for up to 30 days at the end of 2023. In mid-2024, it was announced that the visa-free stay for travelers from Taiwan and 92 other countries would be extended from 30 to 60 days. Therefore, Taiwan is likely to be on the list of those affected by this policy adjustment.
In recent weeks, the Thai government has repeatedly indicated its intention to shorten the 60-day visa-free measure back to 30 days, stating that the move aims to strengthen the screening of tourists and thereby improve the quality of tourism.
Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) reported today that Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul stated the Cabinet has canceled the 60-day visa-free policy and will revert to the original 30-day standard. Further details will be formulated by the visa committee and announced later.