Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Entry for 21 Countries

Thailand is implementing a significant change to its visa policy, reducing the number of countries eligible for visa-free entry from 93 to 60. This reform will take effect on September 15, 2026, following the publication of four Ministry of Interior regulations in the Royal Gazette on August 31, 2026.

While 21 nationalities will now require a visa for entry, some will still be covered by separate bilateral agreements, including nationals from China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, and Vietnam. The 21 countries affected by the new visa requirement include Albania, Andorra, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kosovo, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Marino, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan.

Travellers from these countries can still enter Thailand without a visa until September 14, 2026. The e-Visa system, available since January 1, 2025, will be required for those needing a visa.