Thailand may be updating its entry rules, but nothing changes for Canadian travellers.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand says its new framework, previously announced in May and slated to go into effect on 15SEP, simplifies entry rules and makes it easier to plan trips.
The update replaces Thailand's previous temporary 60-day exemption with a cleaner 30-day visa-free entry, 15‑day visa‑free entry, or Visa on Arrival, depending on nationality. Canada sits in the 30‑day group, alongside the US, UK, Australia, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and India.
Essentially, this means holidays of up to 30 days require no advance visa. Longer stays or non‑tourism travel still go through Thailand’s official e‑Visa portal at thaievisa.go.th.
“Canada is one of Thailand’s most valued long-haul markets, and this update gives Canadian travellers and the travel trade what they value most: clarity,” said Anoma Vongyai, Director of TAT’s Chicago Office, which oversees Canada.
“Thirty days visa-free comfortably covers the vast majority of Canadian holidays to Thailand, and the new framework makes planning simple and predictable — whether it is a first visit to Bangkok and the islands or a return trip to explore the north.”
There is some fine print to the changes. Any bilateral agreements in effect between Thailand and other countries still apply, and land-border entries under exemptions are capped at two per calendar year for most nationalities. Also, air arrivals aren’t subject to the land‑border limit.
Thailand welcomed more than 32 million international visitors in 2025, including 263,954 Canadians, and demand continues. Air Canada’s Vancouver–Bangkok nonstop, the only direct link between the Americas and Bangkok, now runs year‑round, with connections from Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Ottawa.
Thailand's Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan was recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the first in southern Thailand, bringing the country's total to nine.
