The Thai government has approved a major reform of its immigration legislation, introducing significant changes to the current visa-free travel regime and visa-on-arrival procedures.

Under the approved proposal, Thailand will abolish the existing automatic 60-day visa-free entry scheme for citizens of 93 countries starting on July 15, 2026. In its place, authorities plan to introduce an updated electronic pre-registration system and revise the permitted duration of tourist stays in the country. The goal is to make immigration control more transparent and secure.

The new regulations will take effect 15 days after their official publication in the government gazette, the Royal Gazette. The legal document is expected to be published next week, after which Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will release the updated list of eligible countries and detailed instructions for travelers.

This development is particularly important for tourists and individuals planning vacations in the second half of the summer. The new rules require careful travel planning to avoid potential logistical issues at border checkpoints. Travelers are advised to closely monitor official announcements from consular services and verify the latest entry requirements before purchasing airline tickets.

ORIENT