Thailand Extends Visa-Free Stay for Maldivians to 30 Days Starting September 15

Maldivians traveling to Thailand can now enjoy an extended visa-free stay of up to 30 days, effective from September 15. This decision follows a policy review by the Thai government to adjust the duration of visa exemptions for various nationalities. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Thai government officially gazetted these changes on August 31. The updated policy comes after an initial announcement in July stating that changes would take effect 15 days after being formally gazetted. Earlier in 2024, Thailand implemented a broad visa-exemption scheme allowing citizens of specific countries to stay for 60 days. However, the government subsequently reduced this period—setting it at 15 days for some nations and 30 for others—as a measure to prevent the misuse of exemptions and combat the rise of transnational crimes, including scams. This crackdown saw visa-free stays for citizens of 93 countries slashed to just 15 days. The restoration of a longer stay for Maldivian travelers is the result of high-level diplomatic engagement. On June 29, Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam held a telephone conversation with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to discuss the impact of the shortened visa period on Maldivian citizens. Following these discussions, the Thai government reviewed its stance and decided to increase the visa-free allowance for Maldivians from 15 to 30 days. Thailand remains one of the most popular holiday and medical travel destinations for Maldivians. The extension of the visa-free period is expected to facilitate easier travel and longer visits for those traveling to the neighboring country for leisure or essential services.