Thailand cuts the visa-free stay limit to 30 days

Thai authorities have decided to cut the visa-free stay period for foreign nationals from 60 to 30 days. The reason cited is cases of illegal employment and business activity carried out under the guise of tourist trips.

According to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, the measure is aimed at preventing abuse of the visa-free regime. There has recently been a rise in cases of foreigners using the extended stay period to run illegal businesses. Representatives of the hotel and tourism industry have also raised concerns, noting a rise in illegal property rentals by visitors without proper permits.

Since July 2024, citizens of 93 countries have been able to stay in Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days. This period will now be cut to 30 days, which authorities believe will allow them to address violations without significantly harming tourist flow.

The Association of Thai Travel Agents notes that a growing number of foreigners are engaging in illegal work while staying in the country as tourists. The Thai Hotels Association adds that extending the visa-free stay led to a rise in cases of illegal property rentals, according to the Bangkok Post.

According to Thienthong, key ministries have already approved the initiative, and the official effective date of the new rules will be announced soon. Possible exceptions and transitional measures are also being considered for travellers who have already booked trips.

How will this affect the tourism industry?

Extending the visa-free stay to 60 days had proven a convenient option for many travellers, including digital nomads and retirees. According to Forward Keys, around 7% of bookings for January–February 2024 were for trips longer than 22 nights.

The shortened period could slightly reduce demand for trips to Thailand. Tourism is a major part of the country's economy, but the industry is already facing a number of challenges, including Chinese tourists' concerns over safety and tighter budgets among travellers from North America and Europe, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts.

Nevertheless, Thai authorities are counting on increased tourist arrivals in 2025 and intend to surpass the 2019 record, when the country welcomed more than 40 million foreign tourists. From January to mid-March 2025, tourist numbers had already grown by 3.9% compared with the same period in 2024.