Thailand cuts visa-free stays for Kazakhstan citizens from 60 to 30 days: what to change in your business travel policy

Starting September 15, 2026, Kazakhstan citizens may stay in Thailand without a visa for no more than 30 days per entry, down from 60 days. That is enough for most business trips, but projects requiring a longer on-site presence will be affected.

Kazinform, citing the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Thailand, reports that the total stay must not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period. According to Lada.kz, the Thai authorities published the new rules in the official gazette on August 31. Travelers who entered or will enter the country before September 15 retain the previous allowance; the new limit applies to subsequent trips. The visa-free agreement between the two countries remains in force—only its terms have changed.

What this means for travel managers

1. Review active and planned trips. If an employee is being sent to Thailand for 30 days or longer—for installation work, an audit, or an on-site project—the visa-free allowance is no longer sufficient. A visa must be arranged before departure.
2. Track the rolling limit of 90 days in any 180-day period. Employees who travel to Thailand frequently may reach the limit sooner than expected. Track days of stay by traveler, not by individual trip.
3. Do not rely on a visa run. Leaving the country and re-entering does not reset the overall 90-day limit.
4. Update your document checklist and traveler guidance. Add the permitted length of stay and require employees to compare it with the trip plan before a ticket is purchased.

Practical tip: allow extra time for visa processing when planning, and book a return ticket that permits date changes if the project may run longer.

If this affects your work, save the post and share it with colleagues who arrange travel to Southeast Asia. How does your company track days spent abroad? Tell us in the comments.