The Thai government has approved a new visa concession allowing Maldivian citizens to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa, following recent revisions to the country’s visa-free entry policy.

Thailand introduced a 60-day visa-free entry arrangement in 2024 for citizens of several countries, including the Maldives.

However, the policy was later reviewed amid concerns that the system was being misused for illegal activities and security-related offences.

Following the review, the visa-free stay period for Maldivian travelers was temporarily reduced to 15 days.

The Thai Cabinet had previously decided to revise the 60-day visa exemption scheme that applied to citizens of 93 countries as part of efforts to strengthen immigration controls.

Under the updated regulations, citizens from 59 countries will now be eligible for a 30-day visa-free stay in Thailand.

Maldives, along with Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, India, and Malta, has been added to the list of countries receiving the extended concession.

The revised visa arrangements will take effect 15 days after being officially published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette.

The change is expected to provide greater convenience for Maldivian travelers visiting Thailand for tourism, business, and other short-term purposes while maintaining Thailand’s efforts to enhance immigration oversight.