Maldivians to Receive 30-Day Visa-Free Stay in Thailand From September 15

Maldivian travellers will be able to stay in Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days from September 15, following the implementation of Thailand’s revised visa policy.

The updated regulations were officially published in Thailand’s Royal Gazette on August 31 and will take effect 15 days after publication.

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The new policy replaces Thailand’s existing 60-day visa exemption scheme, which has been in place for eligible travellers from 93 countries and territories since 2024.

Maldives was initially included among countries that would receive a 15-day visa-free stay under the revised arrangements. Following discussions between Maldivian and Thai officials, however, Thailand revised the arrangement and placed Maldives among the countries eligible for a 30-day visa exemption. Thailand’s official announcement lists Maldives among the countries eligible for the 30-day stay.

Foreign Minister Iruuthisham Adam discussed the issue with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow during a telephone call on June 29.

Thailand subsequently announced on July 14 that Maldivian travellers would be granted a 30-day visa-free stay instead of the initially proposed 15 days.

The revised policy will apply from September 15, with 60 countries and territories eligible for the 30-day visa exemption under the final regulations.

Maldivian travellers currently remain eligible for the existing 60-day visa exemption until the new rules take effect. The Maldives Foreign Ministry’s current guidance states that Maldivian nationals travelling to Thailand for tourism, business engagements or urgent/ad-hoc work can enter visa-free for up to 60 days under the existing arrangement.