New Visa Exemption Rules for Tourists Visiting Thailand

2 September 2014

New visa exemption regulations came into effect in Thailand on August 29, 2014. The Thai Immigration Bureau confirm that tourists who enter Thailand under the existing 30-day visa exemption scheme can now apply to extend their stay by a further 30 days at immigration offices within Thailand. The extension fee will be 1,900 Baht. This change in the regulations only applies to tourists from the 49 countries currently covered by the 30-day visa exemption. This includes: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and USA amongst others.

In effect, this means that passport-holders from those designated countries can now enjoy a 60-day stay in Thailand without needing to apply for a visa in advance. A spokesman for Thailand’s Immigration Bureau said the move was aimed at boosting tourism. Those visitors who enter Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa are still allowed to apply for an extra 30-days stay just as they currently are. The latest developments follow in the wake of statements from Thai authorities vowing to clamp down on people who abuse Thailand’s immigration rules.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ policy for Thai visas and visa exemptions. Different rules apply to different nationalities. You can read more on Thai visas here, but you should also check the latest advice from the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

Updated visa information
Please note that visa regulations in Thailand may have changed since this article was first written. Check the visa section on this site for more details on the current rules.