- The Thai Cabinet approved a revised framework granting Maldivian passport holders 30 days of visa-free stay, replacing an earlier 15-day proposal.
- Maldives joins Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, India and Malta under the 30-day exemption, part of 59 eligible countries determined by security, economic and reciprocity factors.
- The changes take effect 15 days after publication in Thailand's Royal Gazette, with travellers entering earlier retaining their granted stay period.
Maldivian passport holders will be permitted to stay in Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days under a revised entry framework approved by the Thai Cabinet.
The latest decision replaces an earlier plan that would have limited visa-free stays for Maldivians to 15 days. Maldives is among six countries placed under the 30-day exemption, alongside Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, India and Malta.
Thailand introduced a 60-day visa exemption for citizens of 93 countries and territories in 2024 as part of efforts to support tourism. The Thai Cabinet later decided to withdraw the blanket arrangement following concerns over immigration violations, illegal activities and risks to national security.
Under the revised system approved on 14 July, citizens of 59 countries and territories will be eligible for visa-free entry for tourism for up to 30 days. Entry privileges have been determined based on security, economic interests, international relations and reciprocity.
The new arrangement means the permitted stay for Maldivians will be shorter than the existing 60-day allowance but longer than the 15-day period proposed under the previous revision.
The changes will take effect 15 days after the relevant Ministry of Interior announcements are published in Thailand’s Royal Gazette. Travellers entering Thailand before the new rules become effective will be allowed to remain for the period granted upon entry.
