Thailand is considering visa-free entry for travellers from Mexico, Colombia and Uzbekistan, and later reports add Belarus. Nothing has been approved yet. The proposal went to the Visa Policy Committee on 9 November 2026, and the reports disagree on whether the stay would be 15 days or 30. Explera DMC Thailand explains what is confirmed and what agents should do until a decision is published.
Explera handles ground arrangements as a Thailand DMC for travel agents. Its Thai company, Explera DMC Co., Ltd., holds TAT licence 14/05119, the Tourism Business Licence issued by the Department of Tourism, and the group is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and a member of ASTA (900408341). Write to b2b@explera.co.th.
What was proposed, and why?
On 27 October Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said his ministry would ask the Visa Policy Committee, at its meeting on 9 November, to approve a 15-day visa exemption for Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan. The reason was visa delays. Emirates had complained to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) of 20 to 30 passengers per flight from Mexico not showing up because their Thai visas had not arrived in time, and Khaosod English reported that delays had cut show-up rates on some Latin American flights by up to 30%. For Uzbekistan, TAT said travellers had to apply for e-visas through the Royal Thai Embassy in Russia, and some Uzbek agencies moved their packages to Vietnam.
These three markets lost their visa-free entry on 15 September 2026, when the 60-day exemption ended and the new 30-day, 15-day and Visa on Arrival lists took effect. Our guide to the 15 September visa exemption change explains those lists. Belarus is in a different position: it was given Visa on Arrival under the same notifications.
Is it 15 days or 30 days?
The sources do not agree. The minister's proposal was for 15 days. On 31 October the National Tourism Policy Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, agreed in principle to send a TAT proposal on to the visa committee, and Nation Thailand reported that one as stays of up to 30 days for Mexico and Colombia. The government's announcement the same day added Belarus and Uzbekistan to the list of countries under consideration. So two committees have now seen two versions, and only the Visa Policy Committee can settle it.
Do not tell clients either number yet. If the exemption is approved, it will normally still need Cabinet approval and a notification in the Royal Gazette before it applies at the border, as happened with the 15 September change. At the time of writing we had found no published result from the 9 November meeting.
What should agents do now?
Keep working to today's rules. Clients from Mexico, Colombia and Uzbekistan need a Thai visa before they fly, so build the e-Visa lead time into every booking and do not issue tickets until the visa is granted. Ask clients to apply as soon as dates are fixed, and check the visa before departure, not at the airport. A Thailand DMC can hold hotel space and services while the visa is processed, but cannot speed the visa up.
If you sell to these markets, keep short Bangkok stopovers in your range. A 15-day limit would suit a week in Bangkok and the beaches but not a long tour, while 30 days would allow most itineraries. Our FIT packages team can quote both lengths, and the rest of what we do is on our Thailand DMC services page. Our market pages for Mexico, Colombia and Uzbekistan explain how we work with agencies there.
Next steps
Send us your dates and group sizes for these markets through our contact page. The trade desk replies within 24 hours, and we will tell you when the committee's decision and any Royal Gazette notification are published.
Sources
- Nation Thailand: 15-day visa exemption proposed for Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan
- Khaosod English: Visa delays cut Latin American arrivals by up to 30%, minister eyes visa-free entry
- Nation Thailand: Thailand backs visa exemption review for two Latin American nations
Frequently asked questions
Can Mexican and Colombian clients enter Thailand without a visa now?
No. Since 15 September 2026 they need a visa before travel. The visa-free proposal has not been approved, so the current rules apply until a change is published in the Royal Gazette.
How long would the visa-free stay be?
That is not settled. The Tourism Ministry proposed 15 days, while reporting on the National Tourism Policy Committee meeting of 31 October described up to 30 days for Mexico and Colombia. Wait for the Visa Policy Committee's decision before quoting a length.
Does the proposal include Belarus?
Reports after the 31 October meeting list Belarus with Mexico, Colombia and Uzbekistan. Belarusian travellers can already use Visa on Arrival, so for them the change would be from Visa on Arrival to an exemption.
When could the change take effect?
No date has been announced. After committee approval it would normally need Cabinet approval and a Royal Gazette notification. Keep the e-Visa lead time in your bookings until then.
