Thailand Still Grants Russians a 60-Day Visa-Free Stay for Now

Thailand is preparing to shorten the maximum visa-free stay for foreign tourists from 60 to 30 days, though the new rule hasn't taken effect yet. Russian nationals can still enter the country visa-free for up to 60 days.

Thailand's cabinet backed the plan to scrap the 60-day visa-free allowance back in May. But a cabinet decision alone isn't enough — the amendment still needs to be published in the official Royal Gazette. Once published, a 15-day transition period follows before it takes effect.

No date has been set yet for when the new rule will kick in. Until then, the current 60-day visa-free entry remains in place at the border.

Once the change takes effect, Russians will see their visa-free stay cut to 30 days — the length covered by the bilateral visa waiver agreement between Russia and Thailand.

Travelers planning to stay in Thailand longer than a month will need to factor in the 30-day cap once it applies and consider getting an appropriate visa in advance.

Anyone who enters and is granted a 60-day stay before the new rule takes effect won't be affected retroactively — they'll be able to stay for the full period granted on arrival.

The change applies only to visa-free entry. It has no direct effect on long-term visas, including the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), as well as work, retirement, and other residence permits.

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) requirement remains unchanged — travelers must complete it before their trip regardless of whether they're entering with or without a visa. TDAC isn't a visa and doesn't set the allowed length of stay; that's determined separately at immigration control.

For now, nothing changes for tourists: the 60-day visa-free entry is still in effect. The shift to 30 days will begin only once the new rule is officially published.