Maldivians granted 30-day visa-free entry to Thailand from September 15

Maldivians travelling to Thailand will be able to stay in the country visa-free for up to 30 days from 15 September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday.

The change follows revisions to Thailand’s visa policy published in the country’s Royal Gazette on 31 August. The new rules will take effect on 15 September.

In a statement informing Maldivian travellers of the change, the Foreign Ministry said Maldivian passport holders travelling to Thailand for tourism would be eligible for a visa-free stay of up to 30 days.

Thailand’s Cabinet approved changes to the country’s visa policy in May, including reducing the visa-free stay available to tourists from a number of countries.

Under the initial proposal, Maldivians were to be allowed to remain in Thailand without a visa for up to 15 days.

The Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Dr Iruthisham Adam held a telephone conversation with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow in June to discuss the proposed change.

Following discussions between the two ministers, Thailand revised the proposed duration for Maldivian travellers on 14 July, increasing it from 15 days to 30 days, according to the ministry.

Thailand introduced a 60-day visa exemption scheme in July 2024 covering passport holders from 93 countries, including the Maldives.

The new regulation will replace that arrangement and set the visa-free stay at 30 days for passport holders from 60 eligible countries, including the Maldives, from 15 September.

Thailand is among the destinations used by Maldivians for holidays, business and medical travel.