Thailand To Slash 60-Day Visa-Free Travel To 30 Days; Here’s What It Means For Indian Travellers

Thailand is considering reducing the visa-free stay for travellers from 60 days to 30 days, which could impact global travel plans. The proposal is currently being evaluated and is part of Thailand’s efforts to address issues related to the improper use of its visa-free programme, while still encouraging continued growth in tourism.

Thailand May Move Towards A 30 Day Visa Programme

According to Travel + Leisure, Thailand’s 60-day visa-free policy was established to promote the recovery of tourism and the economy after the impact of COVID-19 on global travel. This policy is currently applied to travellers from more than 90 different countries. 

The 60-day visa-free policy for Indian passport holders was implemented in 2026, allowing entry into Thailand for tourism and short-term business. In addition, tourists could request an extension of their visa for up to 30 more days at a local immigration office after arriving in Thailand.

Authorities are now taking a closer look at the 30-day extension period that has been granted. The Bangkok Post indicates that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be presenting a proposal to the Thai Cabinet requesting to reduce the visa exemption to 30 days. 

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports supports this request and points out that most international visitors only stay in Thailand for around 30 days, making the current 60-day visa exemption unnecessary for most tourists, as stated by Travel + Leisure. 

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30 Day Visa: All You Need To Know

Concerns regarding the improper use of visa-free entries have been increasing and are the driving force for the proposed changes. Many authorities have mentioned several issues surrounding visa-free entries, such as individuals overstaying their welcome, foreigners working illegally, and the growing number of scams targeting foreign nationals.

Authorities believe that by reducing the length of the visa-free stay to 30 days, they will be better able to regulate these activities while continuing to open Thailand to international tourists.

Should the proposal be accepted, Thailand will have a new framework for its visa-free policy, which will include:

• A 30-day visa-free stay instead of a 60-day stay.
• Extensions of the 30-day visa will continue to be available with immigration approval.
• An extension fee of roughly 1,900 THB (approximately ₹1,700) (as indicated by the Thailand Embassy).

It should be noted that the changes are still to be decided, and there is no official timeline for implementation at this point.

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What Does It Means For Indian Travellers?

While the proposed 30-day visa waiver for Thailand may not significantly impact typical holidays, usually lasting around 5–10 days, it could affect longer trips that require greater flexibility or are subject to change.

Thailand tourism continues to be one of the most cost-effective and accessible forms of international travel for Indian nationals. However, the original policy offered a significant degree of freedom for travellers looking to slow down and take their time, visit several cities (i.e., combine visits to Bangkok, Phuket, and Krabi), or stay in one location for a prolonged period as a remote worker or digital nomad.

The loss of the previous 60-day entry period means that travellers will have to put additional effort into planning out their itineraries due to the short timeframe that is currently allowed under the new policy. 

For the majority of Indian tourists who travel to Thailand for short leisure trips, the effect of the new policy will be minimal. However, implementing such a policy may help to reduce the regulatory burden of travelling to Thailand while still encouraging the influx of Indian visitors to the destination by providing a safer and better-regulated travel experience.

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