Thailand plans to halve visa-free entry from 60 to 30 days for citizens of 54 countries, including Switzerland, a move likely to affect those seasonal retirees who spend much of the European winter in the kingdom.

The change was first decided by the government in May but had not yet appeared in the Royal Gazette. It will take effect 15 days after publication. Until then, Swiss visitors and other eligible nationals can still enter visa-free for 60 days.

The existing arrangement, introduced in July 2024, allows a 60-day stay followed by one 30-day extension at a local immigration office. This has enabled many visitors to remain for up to three months with relatively little paperwork.

According to Swissinfo, hundreds of thousands of Swiss tourists visit Thailand each year, and tourism professionals believe most use the visa exemption.

Concern for older visitors and long-stay residents

Frank Dumoulin, a Swiss national from Valais who spends several months a year in Thailand, said the change was already creating uncertainty among the Swiss community.

"Some pensioners who are not comfortable with digital processes will not want to apply for a visa online and are likely to be affected by the measure," he said.

Swiss foreign ministry spokesman Pierre-Alain Eltschinger said the ministry had received only a few enquiries so far, although some people were finding it difficult to get information on the new rules.

Pascale Thibaud, a Swiss woman who has lived in Thailand for just over two years, said frequent regulatory changes meant foreigners had to keep themselves informed. Agencies can assist with applications, she said, but their services come at a cost.

The practical point is that a 30-day visa-exempt entry will still be extendable once for a further 30 days, at a fee of 1,900 baht. Dumoulin warned, however, that immigration officers retain discretion and an extension can be refused.

He also advised against overstaying. The fine is 500 baht a day, but a proper extension helps maintain a clean immigration record for future entries and visa applications.

Entry checks and border runs

Thailand has also reported to be tightening entry conditions. A solo traveller must be able to show at least 20,000 baht, while families need 40,000 baht.

Josef Schnyder, the Swiss community's representative on the Council of the Swiss Abroad, said Thai media had reported that nearly 30,000 people had been refused entry at the border in 2025, a significantly higher figure than in previous years.

The shorter exemption could particularly affect foreigners who make repeated trips across a border to reset their permitted stay, often known as border runs or visa runs. Thibaud said those unable to meet financial requirements for a formal visa often rely on this method, and would now need to leave and re-enter twice as often.

Thai authorities are seeking to curb abuse, including unauthorised work and people quietly extending stays. Ministry of Tourism and Sports figures show foreign visitors currently stay for about nine days on average, leading policymakers to conclude the reduction should not materially affect mainstream tourism demand.

Thailand's foreign ministry has also said it intends to review the entire visa system. Dumoulin said Swiss residents were concerned that conditions for some visas, including retirement visas, could become stricter and potentially require health insurance - a particular issue for older applicants.

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19 July 2026

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1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Agencies can assist with applications, she said, but their services come at a cost.

The practical point is that a 30-day visa-exempt entry will still be extendable once for a further 30 days, at a fee of 1,900 baht. Dumoulin warned, however, that immigration officers retain discretion and an extension can be refused.

Maybe the agencies service at a cost will be to 'influence' the Immigration officers discretion.

Edited July 18Jul 18 by JerryM

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

a move likely to affect those seasonal retirees who spend much of the European winter in the kingdom.

Not a problem at all. They stayed far before they started giving 60 days.

Does anyone know why the long delay in publication in the Gazette or when it may appear?

Just now, Sheryl said:

Does anyone know why the long delay in publication in the Gazette or when it may appear?

It will probably never come out.

They've already back tracked on plans to make Indians get a visa.

They panic at any hint of a fall in tourism.

I don't really see what the drama here on this one is, as if you are a genuine seasonal "snow bird" escaping the cold weather, then getting an actual tourist visa is pretty simple... and gives you the option of staying 90 days if you really want to. Just comes across as really idle and entitled to whine at this change when it is so simple to get round.

A 60-day eVisa can be obtained online. You don't even need to send off your passport to make the application!

The fee is currently ฿1,900 if applied for directly through Thai Immigration or a Royal Thai Embassy.

Just allow up to 4 weeks for processing.

Once in Thailand you can extend your stay by a further 30-days at Immigration offices for an additional ฿1,900.

Visit the official Website of Thailand Electronic Visa:

https://www.thaievisa.go.th

Why don't foreign countries reciprocate when Thais enter the destination of their choice? It simply wouldn't happen as the Thai people involved would scream racism. Of course we're led to believe that there's no racism in Thailand.

Bout time Thai authorities started scrutinising the Swiss a little bit more.

Malaysia 90 days, Vietnam 90 days, Bali too I think so. France as long as you wish and probably cheaper now. So where is the pompim? Should thank the Thai government for guiding us,

Edited July 19Jul 19 by Peter Crow

4 hours ago, Rams86 said:

Why don't foreign countries reciprocate when Thais enter the destination of their choice? It simply wouldn't happen as the Thai people involved would scream racism. Of course we're led to believe that there's no racism in Thailand.

You mean like giving visa exempt entries to Thai?

4 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Bout time Thai authorities started scrutinising the Swiss a little bit more.

yeahhh after all they are "neutral" they are supposed to never take a side, time to look into it 😆

If someone want to come to Thailand for seasonal retirement it will be no problem to apply for the visa. A few maybe will stay away, but whole 30 day visa system is being blown up for nothing. Many other countries have visa rules and you hardly read anything about that on internet. Just apply for a visa and people can stay in Thailand as long as they want. More than 30 days are not tourists anymore

6 hours ago, Rams86 said:

Why don't foreign countries reciprocate when Thais enter the destination of their choice? It simply wouldn't happen as the Thai people involved would scream racism. Of course we're led to believe that there's no racism in Thailand.

Hopefully, once you visit and actually spend time in Thailand, you'll find out for yourself rather than being 'led to believe' stuff.

In the meantime, you can work on learning the difference between racism and nationalism.

8 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Does anyone know why the long delay in publication in the Gazette or when it may appear?

Last week, the Thai cabinet passed revised legislation that will enable 'fast-track' deportations. I believe this was needed to bolster their crackdown on the abuse of visa-exempt entries before they officially kill the 60-day option. This is probably needed to prevent IDC overload at Suan Phlu as they continue the internal round-up and clean out as well.

7 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

I don't really see what the drama here on this one is, as if you are a genuine seasonal "snow bird" escaping the cold weather, then getting an actual tourist visa is pretty simple... and gives you the option of staying 90 days if you really want to. Just comes across as really idle and entitled to whine at this change when it is so simple to get round.

If it's so simple to get around, what was the purpose of changing it. other than getting 1,900 baht out of people?

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

If it's so simple to get around, what was the purpose of changing it. other than getting 1,900 baht out of people?

Come on man, it's easy to figure out why.

Yes, they (Thai government) get a little extra out of these types for a visa, but it's chunk change and doesn't matter to most people doing this MO, unless you are going all "Cheap Charlie" over a few thousand baht... and if so, should just go away from Thailand.

They changed it so that the morons won't abuse it but those that are genuine "snow birds" that come once a year for a few months, who can easily afford it, just pay a little extra and they can easily plan in advance and stay 90 days if they want.

It's not an issue for these types that come for 2-3 months a year... piece of cake to sort it out, as they have plenty of time/money to organise themselves for their couple of months here.

Surprised you couldn't figure that out... unless, of course, you are having a good old troll, which is fair enough, I guess.

8 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

I don't really see what the drama here on this one is, as if you are a genuine seasonal "snow bird" escaping the cold weather, then getting an actual tourist visa is pretty simple... and gives you the option of staying 90 days if you really want to. Just comes across as really idle and entitled to whine at this change when it is so simple to get round.

Yes, for those who wish to stay a few months, or even one month, just get a tourist visa to Thailand.

If coming from China, then just visit the Thai embassy or consulate in a major city in China.

Ministry of Tourism and Sports figures show foreign visitors currently stay for about nine days on average.

We all know these figures are biased, based mainly on low-class Indian tourists who spend the bare minimum. Also included are Malaysians on cross-border trips and low-budget Chinese tours. This government, and previous ones too, still haven't grasped that the majority of tourists with significant financial resources come from the West. As a Swiss person said, many are well-off pensioners who want to spend the winter in Thailand. These people are starting to get fed up with the constant, erratic decisions imposed on tourists by the Thai authorities. Neighboring countries like Vietnam, which is also cheaper than Thailand, are booming and offering multi-month residence permits without restrictions or constant changes to the regulations. On the one hand, tourism is one of the country's main economic drivers, and on the other hand, they're doing everything they can to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. GO FIGURE WHAT TRIGGERS THESE PEOPLE

So can the swiss roll trouble makers not apply for a visa like everybody else ! They can only blame themselves! That fat Swiss thug kicking the defenceless Thai female Doctor has a bit to answer for it seems, tut tut tut ! Its done the rest of us a favour though it seems , I never met a nice swiss roll in real life.. or on here

6 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Bout time Thai authorities started scrutinising the Swiss a little bit more.

Remember, It's not the holes, it's the cheese around the holes that's important 😄

So the ministry of Sports and Tourism thinks its acceptable for a tourist thats just flown a day, going through 3 time zones from Europe to Thailand recovering for a day or 2 to Adjust then staying for 9 days and repeating it for your flight home and recovery. Do they know how far England is from Thailand. I'd certainly not be happy doing all that for 9 day's.

7 hours ago, Rams86 said:

Why don't foreign countries reciprocate when Thais enter the destination of their choice? It simply wouldn't happen as the Thai people involved would scream racism. Of course we're led to believe that there's no racism in Thailand.

They do. Which Western/European countries allow Thais to enter visa-free?

1 hour ago, vangrop said:

Ministry of Tourism and Sports figures show foreign visitors currently stay for about nine days on average.

We all know these figures are biased, based mainly on low-class Indian tourists who spend the bare minimum

Oh, we do, do we? Have you got something to back up your assertion that "we all know"?

I really can't see what all the fuss is about. The 60 day on entry has only been running for a couple of years, what did all these people that are moaning do before if they wanted to stay for 90 days.

Not being computer literate to apply for a visa is easily resolved by asking someone who is able to use a computer for help, it really is just being able to follow written instructions, taking some photos and screen shots and uploading them. Hardest part can be converting photos into an acceptable format before uploading.

IIRC, a 60 day SETV is only around 40 Euros and a 60 day METV about 160 Euros, plus the 30 day extension at around 55 Euros. For someone escaping the European winter for 90 days, 100/200 Euros is a drop in the ocean finances wise.

9 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

I don't really see what the drama here on this one is, as if you are a genuine seasonal "snow bird" escaping the cold weather, then getting an actual tourist visa is pretty simple... and gives you the option of staying 90 days if you really want to. Just comes across as really idle and entitled to whine at this change when it is so simple to get round.

60 days has only been available the last two years anyway. What did the snowbirds do before that?

Hint: I used to get tourist visa. Now I go for non-Os. Maybe a Non-OA this time round.

Edited July 19Jul 19 by BusyB

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2 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

Come on man, it's easy to figure out why.

Yes, they (Thai government) get a little extra out of these types for a visa, but it's chunk change and doesn't matter to most people doing this MO, unless you are going all "Cheap Charlie" over a few thousand baht... and if so, should just go away from Thailand.

They changed it so that the morons won't abuse it but those that are genuine "snow birds" that come once a year for a few months, who can easily afford it, just pay a little extra and they can easily plan in advance and stay 90 days if they want.

It's not an issue for these types that come for 2-3 months a year... piece of cake to sort it out, as they have plenty of time/money to organise themselves for their couple of months here.

Surprised you couldn't figure that out... unless, of course, you are having a good old troll, which is fair enough, I guess.

I can not remember the last time I got a 60 day visa for Thailand, that's how long ago it was. I took my passport and the forms to a consulate, and came back a week later to pick it it.

After reading another member's post that the 60 day visa is now an eVisa and can be bought online, it prompted me to reply to you post.

You have misunderstood my post.

The Thai government basically stated it was due to foreigners behaving badly that the 60 day visa exemption was scrapped. If they can simply buy the same access to Thailand online, the only real change I can see is the Thai government bank 1,900 baht.

It appears it has nothing to do with crime syndicates etc.

My post had nothing to do with Cheap Charlies and Snowbirds.

I merely pointed out that I don't see what difference the change is going to make, except for the "chunk change" of people paying the 1,900 baht. It will do absolutely nothing to keep undesirable tourists out of Thailand.

Edited July 19Jul 19 by KhunHeineken

5 hours ago, vangrop said:

Ministry of Tourism and Sports figures show foreign visitors currently stay for about nine days on average.

We all know these figures are biased, based mainly on low-class Indian tourists who spend the bare minimum. Also included are Malaysians on cross-border trips and low-budget Chinese tours. This government, and previous ones too, still haven't grasped that the majority of tourists with significant financial resources come from the West. As a Swiss person said, many are well-off pensioners who want to spend the winter in Thailand. These people are starting to get fed up with the constant, erratic decisions imposed on tourists by the Thai authorities. Neighboring countries like Vietnam, which is also cheaper than Thailand, are booming and offering multi-month residence permits without restrictions or constant changes to the regulations. On the one hand, tourism is one of the country's main economic drivers, and on the other hand, they're doing everything they can to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. GO FIGURE WHAT TRIGGERS THESE PEOPLE

I'm glad it isn't my job to write the section on visa requirements in a book for tourists coming to Thailand.

I would be phoning the Editor asking to delay the print run nearly every week.

On 7/19/2026 at 6:48 AM, Gottfrid said:

Not a problem at all. They stayed far before they started giving 60 days.

Yes, exactly, I don't understand this whining. For years, tourists have stayed in Thailand on 60 + 30 day tourist visas. Long before they introduced the visa exemption.