Thailand's revised visa-exemption and Visa on Arrival arrangements take effect today, 15 September 2026, changing the entry rules that previously allowed Sri Lankan travellers to use the broader visa-exemption scheme.
Thailand's government says the revised measures were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August following a Cabinet review of the country's visa arrangements.
The changes include ending the previous 60-day visa-exemption scheme, restructuring the 30-day tourism exemption to cover a revised list of 60 countries and territories, creating a 15-day exemption for two countries or territories, and reducing Visa on Arrival eligibility to three.
Sri Lankan ordinary-passport holders are no longer covered by the previous visa-free arrangement and should therefore obtain the appropriate visa or confirm their applicable entry category before travelling to Thailand from 15 September.
Travellers already in Thailand
Thailand has clarified that foreigners who entered under the previous visa-exemption arrangements before the new rules took effect may remain until the final date of stay recorded on their immigration stamp.
The rule change therefore does not automatically terminate the lawful stay of Sri Lankan travellers who entered Thailand under the earlier scheme before 15 September.
Tourism rules versus employment
The visa-policy change should not be confused with the newly signed Sri Lanka–Thailand labour agreements.
The revised visa-exemption measures concern tourism-related entry arrangements. Sri Lankans travelling for employment or other purposes must use the relevant visa and legal procedures applicable to that purpose.
Thailand's government said its broader review considered national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity, overlapping visa privileges and the availability of its e-Visa system.
Do not generalise allegations of criminal or immigration-rule abuse to Sri Lankan travellers as a group.
The authoritative Thai explanation lists several policy criteria for the overall visa review. The article should therefore avoid presenting alleged wrongdoing by Sri Lankan nationals as the sole established reason for the change unless an authoritative Thai source explicitly establishes that causal claim.