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Maldivian travelers visiting Thailand will be able to stay for up to 30 days without a visa under revised Thai immigration rules taking effect this month.
Mariyam Adheela
Maldivian travellers at VIA before departing for international destinations -- Photo: MACL
Male’: Maldivian travelers visiting Thailand will be allowed to stay in the country for up to 30 days without a visa from September 15, following changes to Thailand’s visa exemption policy.
Maldives Foreign Ministry announced the change today, following Thailand’s formal gazette of amendments to its visa policy on August 31.
Under the new rules, Maldivian passport holders travelling to Thailand will continue to enjoy visa free entry, but the permitted stay will be 30 days.
Thailand had previously allowed Maldivian travelers to stay for up to 60 days without a visa.
The 60 day visa exemption was introduced in July 2024 for citizens of 93 countries and territories, including the Maldives.
Thailand’s Cabinet later decided to revise the scheme and reduce the visa free stay for eligible countries.
The revised measures were formally gazette on August 31 and will take effect on September 15.
The Foreign Ministry said Maldives was initially placed among countries granted only 15 days of visa free stay under an earlier revision.
Following discussions between Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on June 29, Thailand reviewed the policy again.
The decision announced on July 14 subsequently increased the visa free stay for Maldivian travellers from 15 days to 30 days.
The revised Thai visa exemption list includes the Maldives among countries eligible for visa free stays of up to 30 days.
The Foreign Ministry advised Maldivians travelling to Thailand to take note of the new rules, which will apply to arrivals from September 15.
