Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and foreign-minister-designate Sihasak Phuangketkeow announced on 21 April that Bangkok will **halve the visa-exempt period for 93 countries, including the United Kingdom, from 60 days to 30 days**. The measure, presented during a foreign-policy briefing in Bangkok, reverses a pandemic-era incentive introduced in July 2024 to boost tourism. Officials said data show that more than 90 percent of visitors depart within 30 days, while the longer allowance has been misused for undeclared work, property speculation and online scam operations. Immigration police recently linked several cyber-crime suspects to repeat 60-day visa-free entries.
![Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stay for UK and 90 Other Nationalities From 60 to 30 Days]()
For travellers and HR teams who now need to secure the right paperwork more quickly, VisaHQ can streamline the process by handling applications for Thailand’s Multiple-Entry Tourist and Non-B business visas. The firm’s UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers real-time guidance, document checks and courier services, ensuring employees stay compliant and avoid costly overstays.
From an HR-mobility standpoint the change tightens the window for short-term assignments and project work. British firms sending staff to Thailand will need to budget for additional visa costs or secure “Multiple-Entry Tourist” or business (Non-B) visas for stays exceeding 30 days. Overstays incur daily fines of THB 500 and potential blacklisting. The policy is expected to take effect in mid-May once gazetted, giving airlines two weeks to update Advanced Passenger Information (API) systems. Travel managers should audit upcoming trips and inform employees who plan extended remote-work “work-cation” arrangements that they will now require formal immigration permission. Tourism operators fear the shorter stay could dampen long-haul demand, but the government argues that higher-spending visitors typically stay under a month and will be unaffected. A review of the impact is promised after six months.
For travellers and HR teams who now need to secure the right paperwork more quickly, VisaHQ can streamline the process by handling applications for Thailand’s Multiple-Entry Tourist and Non-B business visas. The firm’s UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers real-time guidance, document checks and courier services, ensuring employees stay compliant and avoid costly overstays.
From an HR-mobility standpoint the change tightens the window for short-term assignments and project work. British firms sending staff to Thailand will need to budget for additional visa costs or secure “Multiple-Entry Tourist” or business (Non-B) visas for stays exceeding 30 days. Overstays incur daily fines of THB 500 and potential blacklisting. The policy is expected to take effect in mid-May once gazetted, giving airlines two weeks to update Advanced Passenger Information (API) systems. Travel managers should audit upcoming trips and inform employees who plan extended remote-work “work-cation” arrangements that they will now require formal immigration permission. Tourism operators fear the shorter stay could dampen long-haul demand, but the government argues that higher-spending visitors typically stay under a month and will be unaffected. A review of the impact is promised after six months.
