Thailand to shorten visa-free stays for Australian travellers

Here’s what the updated entry requirements mean for you.

In an announcement made last week, the Thai government revealed plans to alter visa rules for holidaymakers. It comes only two years after its 30-day visa-free travel period was doubled, with the relaxed entry rules now set to be scaled back for all international travellers – including Australians.

What’s changing – and why?

Incoming travellers to Thailand will soon face updated visa requirements. (Credit: Getty/Pyrosky)

In 2024, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expanded its visa-free travel period from 30 to 60 days, in an effort to revive tourism following the pandemic. No more than two years later and authorities are once again tightening visa conditions for international visitors.

Under current regulations, travellers to Thailand can stay in the country for up to 60 days without a visa. Approved by government officials on 19 May, the new scheme revokes this rule, reverting to previously agreed visa limits.

Tourists from more than 90 countries around the world will be impacted by the update, including Australia, the United States, the UK and Europe’s 29-nation Schengen Area. The new visa requirements are expected to vary depending on a traveller’s place of origin and will coincide with tighter checks on visa types upon arrival.

The updated rules will affect tourists from more than 90 countries. (Credit: Getty/Dima_Sidelnikov)

As one of Asia’s top destinations for sun-seeking travellers, tourism contributed roughly 12 per cent to Thailand’s overall GDP last year. But despite welcoming more than 30 million international visitors in 2025, it marked the country’s first annual tourism drop in years (excluding Covid).

While the move may appear surprising amid declining tourism numbers, Thai authorities say the tighter rules are necessary to prevent the alleged exploitation of long-term visa-free stays. In recent years, officials have reported an increase in vandalism, public indecency, drunken violence and drug offences involving tourists.

Cities like Bangkok have seen an increase in tourist-related crime. (Credit: Getty/primeimages)

Thai authorities have also linked the extended visa-free period to illegal work, unauthorised business dealings and other criminal behaviour, arguing that longer stays give offenders more time to conduct unlawful activity.

According to a recent post on the Thailand government’s official Facebook page, “The key reasons behind this change are to strengthen security screening at the border and to reduce cases of visa misuse and overstaying.”

What it means for Australians

Aussies won’t need a visa if their stay lasts less than 30 days. (Credit: Getty/Hleb Usovich)

For Aussies travelling on short holidays, the updated rules are unlikely to have any major impact. While visa-free periods vary between countries, Australians should not need to obtain a visa if visiting for 30 days or less.

But while the new requirements have been approved, authorities are yet to confirm when the changes will take effect – with details surrounding application processes, timeframes and associated costs still unclear. What we do know is that those already in Thailand can remain in the country until their current visa expires.

Thailand remains a popular destination among Australians. (Credit: Getty/primeimages)

Thailand is not alone in tightening travel requirements. Its updated visa rules are simply the latest in a series of changes affecting international travellers, including stricter border controls in the United States and the UK’s new passport rules for dual citizens.

With key details still being finalised, travellers are being urged to monitor the latest visa, entry and exit requirements. According to Smartraveller, visitors to the country should continue to exercise a high degree of caution, as well as check official government updates before booking or departing for Thailand.