Thailand Slashes Visa Free Stays for Mauritian Travellers Down to 15 Days

Mauritian travellers to Thailand will see their visa-free stay slashed from 30 days to just 15 days following a tightening of immigration rules by the Thai government.

The measure, which was approved by the Thai Cabinet on 19 May, forms part of a broader crackdown on immigration policy.

Authorities stated the decision was driven by an increase in cases of visa overstays, illegal employment, and criminal activities involving certain foreign visitors.

Mauritius is among the nations hardest hit by the revisions, alongside the Seychelles and the Maldives.

The sweeping policy changes will impact several other nationalities:

• Visa on Arrival: Travellers from countries including India, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia will now be subject to a visa-on-arrival regime.
• Reduced Stays: Visitors from 54 countries and territories—including the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Germany, Australia, and South Africa—will see their visa-free stays cut from 60 days down to 30 days.

This tightening of border controls marks a significant shift in direction for Thailand.

It reverses the easing of restrictions introduced in 2024, which were originally implemented to boost tourism recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: Defi Media