Thailand's cabinet approved cutting the visa-free stay from 60 days to 30 days on 21 May 2026, but the change is not law yet. As of 14 July 2026 the 60-day exemption is still in force, because the new rule only takes effect 15 days after it appears in the Royal Gazette, and no publication date has been set (TAT Newsroom, accessed 14 July 2026). If you are planning a Chiang Mai trip, here is what actually changes and what does not.
What did the cabinet decide?
Thailand's cabinet backed a revision that drops the visa-exemption period from 60 days to 30 days for most eligible nationalities. Under the revised scheme, nationals of 54 countries and territories get 30 days visa-free, while three (Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles) get 15 days (TAT Newsroom; ThaiEmbassy.com, accessed 14 July 2026). The stated reasons include security and curbing misuse of the longer stamp, which was only introduced in July 2024.
Is it in effect for my trip?
Not yet. The 60-day rule stays legal until 15 days after the Royal Gazette publishes the change, and that date has not been announced. So a visitor landing at Chiang Mai International Airport this month still receives the 60-day stamp if their nationality qualifies. Nobody can tell you the exact switch date in advance, which is the important planning point: build in a buffer rather than assuming either number.
What about the arrival card and e-gates?
Separate from the visa question, every non-Thai national must file the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entry. It replaced the paper TM6 card and is submitted free online within 72 hours of arrival at tdac.immigration.go.th. Chiang Mai airport now runs automated border e-gates, so keep your passport and TDAC QR code handy for a faster clearance.
Does a shorter stay change how I plan Chiang Mai?
For most visitors, no. A typical Chiang Mai holiday runs three days to two weeks, well inside a 30-day limit. The change only bites if you planned a long stay on a single entry: a slow-travel month, a nomad stint, or a wide northern Thailand loop. If that is you, watch for the Gazette date and consider a suitable visa or a planned border run instead of stretching an exemption.
Short trip or long, the itinerary math is the same: pack the days. A first-timer with a week can pair the sacred mountain temple on our Half Day Doi Suthep Temple and Hmong Village Tour with an ethical elephant day at the Karen Hill Tribe Elephant Sanctuary, then push north on a private Chiang Rai city tour from Chiang Mai. None of those needs more than a standard visa-free entry.
What should I do before I book?
Check your passport's nationality against the current exemption list, confirm at least six months of passport validity, and file your TDAC in the 72-hour window. If your plan runs past 30 days, do not rely on the exemption; sort a visa now. As a licensed local operator we do not handle immigration, but we build day plans that fit whatever entry length you hold, and we adjust routing fast if monsoon weather closes a mountain road.
Planning a Chiang Mai trip around the visa change? Browse our full tour range or start with the Chiang Mai travel guide, and we will shape a day-by-day plan to match your entry length.Frequently asked questions
Can I still get 60 days visa-free when I arrive in Chiang Mai now?
Yes. As of 14 July 2026 the 60-day visa exemption is still in force. The cabinet approved cutting it to 30 days on 21 May 2026, but the change only becomes law 15 days after it is printed in the Royal Gazette, and no publication date has been announced. Until that happens, eligible nationals still receive the 60-day stamp on arrival at Chiang Mai International Airport.
Do I need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card to enter Chiang Mai?
Yes. The TDAC replaced the old paper TM6 card. Every non-Thai national must submit it free at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before arrival, whether flying, driving, or crossing by sea. Chiang Mai airport also runs automated e-gates, so keep your passport and TDAC QR code ready. Beware copycat sites that charge a fee; the official portal is free.
How will the 30-day change affect my Chiang Mai holiday?
Most visitors stay under two weeks, so a 30-day limit changes nothing for a normal trip. It matters if you planned a long slow-travel stay, a digital-nomad month, or a multi-city Thailand loop on a single entry. If that is you, watch for the Royal Gazette date, and consider a proper visa or a border run built into your plan before the shorter limit takes effect.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get 60 days visa-free when I arrive in Chiang Mai now?
Yes. As of 14 July 2026 the 60-day visa exemption is still in force. The cabinet approved cutting it to 30 days on 21 May 2026, but the change only becomes law 15 days after it is printed in the Royal Gazette, and no publication date has been announced. Until that happens, eligible nationals still receive the 60-day stamp on arrival at Chiang Mai International Airport.
Do I need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card to enter Chiang Mai?
Yes. The TDAC replaced the old paper TM6 card. Every non-Thai national must submit it free at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before arrival, whether flying, driving, or crossing by sea. Chiang Mai airport also runs automated e-gates, so keep your passport and TDAC QR code ready. Beware copycat sites that charge a fee; the official portal is free.
How will the 30-day change affect my Chiang Mai holiday?
Most visitors stay under two weeks, so a 30-day limit changes nothing for a normal trip. It matters if you planned a long slow-travel stay, a digital-nomad month, or a multi-city Thailand loop on a single entry. If that is you, watch for the Royal Gazette date, and consider a proper visa or a border run built into your plan before the shorter limit takes effect.
