Sri Lankan passport holders will no longer be eligible for Thailand’s visa-exemption scheme from September 15, 2026, under revised visa measures announced by the Thai government.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the revised visa exemption and Visa on Arrival schemes were published in the Royal Gazette on August 31 and will take effect from September 15.
The changes follow a review approved by the Thai Cabinet in May, which included abolishing the existing 60-day visa-exemption scheme and revising the list of countries eligible for shorter visa-free entry. The review considered factors including national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity and the availability of Thailand’s e-Visa system.
Under the revised arrangements, Sri Lankan passport holders travelling to Thailand after the new measures take effect will need to obtain an appropriate visa before travelling.
Visa applications can be submitted through Thailand’s online e-Visa system. The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo does not accept visa applications in person, with applications and relevant payments required to be made online.
Travellers entering Thailand before September 15 under the existing visa-exemption arrangements will, however, be permitted to remain in the country until the end of the period already granted to them, according to the Thai Foreign Ministry.