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Thailand visa for Uzbek citizens is going to change on 15 September 2026 when Thailand stops the 60-day visa exemption system for Uzbek passport holders. This change comes after a government check of entry rules that replaces the old 60-day system with smaller 30-day and 15-day exemptions and a shorter Visa on Arrival list. Uzbekistan is not part of Thailand’s 30-day or 15-day exemption groups and it is also not on the updated Visa on Arrival list. Uzbek citizens who want to take a vacation, in Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi or other Thai places will therefore have to get the visa before they leave which means planning ahead is very important.
Thailand is making a major change to its visa policy for ordinary passport holders, and Uzbek citizens are among the travellers affected.
From 15 September 2026, Thailand will end the broad 60-day visa exemption scheme that had covered 93 countries and territories. The country will instead operate a more limited system built around 30-day visa exemptions, a 15-day visa exemption for two countries, and a much smaller Visa on Arrival list.
For Uzbek travellers, the change is particularly important.
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Uzbekistan does not appear on Thailand’s new 30-day visa-exemption list. It is also absent from the new 15-day visa-exemption group and from the three-country Visa on Arrival list. This means ordinary Uzbek passport holders will no longer be able to rely on visa-free entry or Visa on Arrival for tourism under the revised framework. They will need to obtain the appropriate Thai visa before travelling.
The change reverses a policy that had been welcomed by both countries.
Thailand introduced a 60-day visa exemption for Uzbek nationals from 15 July 2024. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the measure as part of efforts to promote people-to-people links, tourism and wider economic cooperation between the two countries.
The policy therefore lasted for just over two years before Thailand moved to a new framework.
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For travellers, the practical message is simple: Uzbek citizens planning to visit Thailand after 15 September should arrange their visa before departure rather than expecting to enter under the former visa-free system.
Thailand’s new system follows a Cabinet decision to review its visa exemption and Visa on Arrival arrangements.
On 19 May 2026, the Thai Cabinet approved a major revision. The government decided to end the 60-day visa exemption scheme covering 93 countries and territories. It also decided to reduce the number of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival and create a new 15-day exemption category.
The Thai government later provided additional details in July.
The government explained that the review was based on several considerations, including national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity and the need to reduce overlapping visa privileges. It also highlighted the convenience created by Thailand’s electronic visa system.
The revised framework was subsequently confirmed by Thailand’s Tourism Authority after the relevant announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August.
The new measures take effect on 15 September 2026.
This is therefore not simply an administrative update on a website. It is a formal change to Thailand’s entry framework.
Under the revised system, ordinary passport holders from 60 countries and territories will receive visa-free entry for tourism for stays of up to 30 days.
The official list includes countries such as Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States and several European countries.
Uzbekistan is not on the list.
That omission is important because Uzbekistan had previously been part of the 93-country 60-day exemption framework.
The new system therefore does not simply shorten the Uzbek entitlement from 60 days to 30 days. Instead, ordinary Uzbek passport holders lose the visa exemption entirely under the new framework.
The second major point is that Uzbek travellers will not be able to replace the lost visa-free privilege with Visa on Arrival.
Thailand has also reduced the number of nationalities eligible for Visa on Arrival.
The new official framework gives Visa on Arrival access to only three countries:
Uzbekistan is not included.
This is a significant difference from the previous arrangement.
Under the July 2024 framework, Uzbekistan appeared among the 31 countries and territories whose nationals could apply for Visa on Arrival for tourism. Thailand’s earlier official information listed Uzbekistan among those eligible for a stay of up to 15 days under that system.
The new policy removes that option.
As a result, Uzbek travellers cannot simply arrive at a Thai airport and expect to secure a Visa on Arrival after 15 September.
The decision is part of a wider review of Thailand’s border and visa system.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Cabinet’s May decision would introduce a more differentiated framework. Instead of one broad 60-day exemption applying to 93 countries and territories, Thailand would apply different arrangements according to nationality.
The Thai government later explained that the policy review was designed to close potential gaps in the system, prevent misuse of visa privileges and reduce overlapping categories.
The government also referred to the principle of “one country, one privilege” when describing the revised system.
The government said the changes were intended to balance tourism facilitation with security, economic interests and international relations.
This matters because Thailand is not abandoning visa facilitation altogether.
Instead, it is moving from a broad model to a more targeted one.
The new framework still allows 60 countries and territories to enter visa-free for up to 30 days. Seychelles and Mauritius receive a separate 15-day exemption. Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia receive Visa on Arrival access. Bilateral agreements also remain in force for countries covered by them.
The policy is therefore better understood as a restructuring of Thailand’s visa system, rather than a general move towards tighter entry requirements for everyone.
The current change is particularly notable because the visa-free arrangement between Thailand and Uzbekistan is relatively recent.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in July 2024 that Thailand had granted 60-day visa exemption for Uzbek nationals from 15 July 2024. The ministry linked the decision to stronger people-to-people connections and broader cooperation in tourism, trade and investment.
Uzbekistan was already becoming a more important market for Thailand.
Thailand’s foreign ministry stated in 2024 that Uzbekistan was Thailand’s second-largest trading partner in Central Asia. It also highlighted the potential created by Uzbekistan’s growing economy and population.
The two countries also see each other as gateways to wider regions.
Thailand views Uzbekistan as a gateway to Central Asia, while Thailand can provide Uzbekistan with access to Southeast Asia. This makes tourism and aviation links more significant than simple holiday traffic.
The visa-free decision therefore supported a broader relationship.
It reduced one barrier to travel and helped make Thailand easier to sell to Uzbek holidaymakers.
Official Thai tourism figures show that the Uzbek market had been growing.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand reported that 41,173 Uzbek visitors arrived in Thailand between 1 January and 28 October 2025, representing a 37 per cent increase year on year.
TAT also reported that more than 80 per cent of Uzbek visitors were first-time travellers.
The agency said Uzbek visitors were mainly families and couples, with demand focused on beaches, nature and wellness.
The most popular destinations included Phuket, Bangkok, Chon Buri and Krabi. TAT also said Uzbek travellers commonly used tour operators and travelled around major holidays, including New Year and Novruz.
These figures provide important context.
Thailand was not changing the visa rules for a stagnant market. It was changing them after the Uzbek visitor market had shown significant growth.
TAT had projected Uzbek arrivals to reach 50,000 in 2025.
No official Thai source reviewed for this article has published a quantified forecast for how the September 2026 visa change will affect Uzbek arrivals.
That distinction is important.
It would be incorrect to claim that arrivals will rise or fall by a specific percentage without an official forecast.
What can be established is that the Uzbek market had been expanding before the new restrictions were announced.
Visa access is only one part of international tourism.
Air connectivity has also been improving between the two countries.
In November 2025, TAT welcomed the first Centrum Air Tashkent–Phuket flight. The airline operated an Airbus A321 with 186 seats, and the inaugural service arrived with a 95 per cent load factor.
The new Phuket service followed the launch of Centrum Air’s Tashkent–Bangkok service in July 2025.
TAT said the Tashkent–Phuket route operated twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Fridays, giving Uzbek and Central Asian travellers direct access to Phuket and the wider Andaman region.
This development is important because it shows that Thailand’s tourism sector was simultaneously working to improve access from Central Asia while its visa policy was becoming more restrictive for Uzbek ordinary passport holders.
Thailand Airways has also maintained a connection between Uzbekistan and Thailand.
Uzbekistan Airways’ own official information announced in July 2024 that Uzbek citizens could travel to Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days and highlighted flights to Bangkok and Phuket.
The airline’s current website continues to provide destination and travel-document information for passengers, underlining the importance of checking entry rules before flying.
The most important practical change is the need to plan ahead.
From 15 September, an ordinary Uzbek passport holder travelling to Thailand for tourism will need the appropriate visa because Uzbekistan is not included in the new 30-day visa exemption, 15-day exemption or Visa on Arrival categories.
Thailand’s official e-Visa platform provides the main online route for visa applications.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched worldwide access to its e-Visa system from 1 January 2025. The system is available through Thailand’s official e-Visa website.
The official platform sets out a six-step process:
Travellers should not wait until the day before departure.
Visa approval is not automatic. Thailand’s official e-Visa system states that applications are subject to approval and that an embassy or consulate may request an interview or additional documents. It also states that submitting an application does not necessarily mean that a visa will be granted.
For Uzbek travellers, this makes advance preparation especially important.
Travellers should also distinguish between different types of travel.
A tourist travelling for a holiday may require a tourist visa. Someone travelling for business, study, work, family reasons or another purpose may require a different category.
Thailand’s official e-Visa platform lists separate categories covering tourism, transit, work and business, study, media, religious activities, research, family stays, medical treatment, long-term residence and other purposes.
The correct visa therefore depends on the purpose of the journey.
Travellers should use the official Thai e-Visa eligibility and application system rather than relying on social-media posts or third-party visa claims.
Thailand’s policy review also included transitional provisions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in May that foreigners who were already in Thailand under the existing visa exemption arrangements, or who planned to travel before the new framework became effective, could remain until the expiry of their permitted period of stay.
The Thai government later confirmed that foreigners entering Thailand under the old measures before the new announcements became effective would retain their remaining entitlement under the previous rules.
This is important for Uzbek visitors who are already legally in Thailand.
The September 15 change does not mean that an existing lawful period of stay suddenly becomes invalid.
However, travellers should always follow the entry stamp and permitted-stay date issued by Thai immigration.
The change primarily affects the conditions under which future entries can be made.
The new visa policy needs to be viewed against Thailand’s wider tourism strategy.
Thailand remains highly dependent on international tourism and continues to invest heavily in destination promotion, connectivity and visitor spending.
In June 2026, the Tourism Authority of Thailand said the country had welcomed more than 14 million international visitors by 2 June 2026, generating around 679 billion baht in tourism revenue. TAT was pursuing a quality-led strategy and projected 33 million international arrivals and tourism revenue of around 2.65 trillion baht for 2026.
The strategy is increasingly focused on value rather than simply visitor volume.
TAT has described the direction as “Value over Volume”, with greater emphasis on wellness, meaningful travel, sustainability and stronger economic benefits for destinations and communities.
This helps explain why the visa review is taking place alongside continued tourism promotion.
Thailand wants international visitors.
But it is also seeking a more controlled entry framework.
The government has therefore retained substantial visa-free access for selected markets while removing the broad 60-day exemption.
Thailand’s government has linked the visa review to the management of foreign visitors and immigration controls.
The Cabinet decision in May cited security, economic interests, reciprocity and the reduction of overlapping privileges.
In July, the Thai government said authorities would also strengthen the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or TDAC, and improve information sharing between agencies.
The objective is to support screening and risk assessment before and during foreign visitors’ entry and stay.
This shows that the visa change is part of a wider digital and administrative approach.
Thailand is not simply changing the number of days visitors can remain.
It is also strengthening how foreign traveller information is collected and assessed.
For travellers, this makes accurate documentation increasingly important.
The economic impact of the new rule will depend partly on how travellers and tourism businesses respond.
For Thailand, the Uzbek market is smaller than its largest source markets, but it has shown growth.
TAT’s figure of 41,173 Uzbek arrivals in the first ten months of 2025 demonstrates that the market had become meaningful enough to receive targeted tourism and aviation attention.
Uzbek travellers also have specific destination preferences.
TAT reported strong interest in Phuket, Bangkok, Chon Buri and Krabi, as well as beach, nature and wellness experiences.
That means the impact of the visa change can extend beyond airlines.
Hotels, tour operators, destination businesses, attractions, restaurants and other visitor-facing businesses serving Uzbek travellers will need to adapt their booking and customer-information processes.
Travel agencies will also need to communicate the new visa requirements clearly.
The change creates an additional administrative stage for travellers who previously could enter without obtaining a visa.
However, no official Thai authority has published a specific estimate of lost Uzbek tourism revenue or a forecast for a fall in Uzbek arrivals because of the new rules.
Such figures should therefore not be invented.
Thailand’s tourism policy is increasingly centred on attracting visitors who contribute greater economic value and encouraging spending across a wider range of destinations.
TAT’s 2026 strategy focuses on wellness, cultural experiences, gastronomy, sustainability and meaningful travel.
The agency has also been working to spread visitor flows beyond Thailand’s most established destinations.
The approach is relevant to the Uzbek market.
TAT has identified Uzbek visitors as travellers who often favour family and couple holidays, beaches, nature and wellness.
Those interests fit several of Thailand’s priority tourism products.
The challenge is therefore not a lack of alignment between the Uzbek market and Thailand’s tourism offer.
The immediate issue is the additional visa requirement.
Whether the market continues growing will depend on how effectively airlines, tour operators and tourism authorities communicate the new rules and maintain convenient travel options.
Air connectivity gives Thailand a strong platform for maintaining travel demand from Uzbekistan.
The Tashkent–Bangkok and Tashkent–Phuket links developed during the period of visa-free travel.
The launch of the Tashkent–Phuket route in 2025 demonstrated airline confidence in demand from Uzbekistan and Central Asia. TAT reported a 95 per cent load factor on the inaugural flight.
Direct flights reduce the complexity of international travel.
But when a visa becomes mandatory, the travel journey changes.
Passengers must consider the visa process before purchasing or using a ticket.
Airlines and travel agencies may therefore have a greater role in reminding passengers about documentation requirements.
This is particularly important because a passenger who arrives at an airport without the required documentation may face serious travel disruption.
Uzbekistan Airways previously highlighted the importance of visa rules when promoting Thailand after the 2024 visa exemption was introduced. Its official passenger information now provides travel-document resources for international destinations.
Thailand’s relationship with Uzbekistan extends beyond tourism.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry has described Uzbekistan as an important economic partner in Central Asia and highlighted cooperation in areas including agriculture, textiles and tourism.
The same official statement noted that Thailand sees Uzbekistan as a gateway to Central Asia, while Thailand can act as a gateway for Uzbekistan to Southeast Asia.
This makes tourism an important part of wider people-to-people relations.
The end of the 60-day exemption does not end those relationships.
It does, however, change one of the practical tools used to facilitate travel.
Thailand’s new approach is more selective.
Countries that remain on the 30-day exemption list retain relatively easy access, while Uzbekistan moves into the visa-required category for ordinary passport tourism travel.
The wider bilateral relationship therefore continues, but the travel process becomes more formal.
The most important development is that the policy is no longer merely a Cabinet proposal.
Thailand’s Tourism Authority confirmed that the related Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and that the revised framework will take effect on 15 September.
Thailand’s Department of Consular Affairs also published its updated summary on 1 September.
The official info-graphic confirms the revised categories for ordinary passport holders and states that the measures become effective from 15 September 2026.
The new official framework shows:
For Uzbek ordinary passport holders, the conclusion is therefore clear.
The previous 60-day visa-free arrangement ends on 15 September.
Uzbek travellers planning a trip after the policy takes effect should check the official Thai requirements before making final travel arrangements.
The key steps are straightforward.
First, confirm that the traveller holds an ordinary Uzbek passport and identify the purpose of the trip.
Second, check the applicable visa category through Thailand’s official e-Visa system.
Third, prepare the required documents.
Fourth, submit the application online and allow sufficient processing time.
Fifth, wait for the official confirmation before travelling.
Thailand’s e-Visa platform provides the online application process and warns that additional documents or an interview may be requested.
Travellers should also check their airline’s documentation requirements before departure.
Visa rules can change, and airline check-in staff may need evidence that passengers meet Thailand’s entry requirements.
Using official sources is therefore essential.
The new policy should not be described as Thailand shutting out Uzbek tourists.
That would be inaccurate.
Thailand continues to welcome international visitors and retains visa-free access for 60 countries and territories under its new framework.
It also continues to operate its e-Visa system worldwide.
The policy change is specifically about which nationalities qualify for visa exemption and Visa on Arrival, not about banning Uzbek travellers.
There is also no official announcement reviewed here saying that Thailand is ending flights from Uzbekistan.
Indeed, the existing air links and the growth of the Uzbek visitor market demonstrate the continuing travel relationship between the two countries.
The correct description is therefore more precise:
Thailand is ending visa-free and Visa on Arrival access for ordinary Uzbek passport holders under its revised entry framework from 15 September 2026.
The next phase will show whether the Uzbek market can maintain its growth momentum under the new visa system.
Before the policy change, Thailand had several advantages in the Uzbek market.
Visitor numbers were rising.
TAT had identified clear traveller segments.
Direct flights had expanded.
Phuket had gained a new direct connection.
And the 2024 visa exemption had reduced entry friction.
The new visa requirement removes one of those advantages.
But Thailand retains a strong tourism product and continues to invest in international connectivity and targeted marketing.
The official tourism strategy for 2026 places emphasis on quality-led growth, wellness, meaningful experiences and higher-value travel.
For Uzbek travellers, the result will be a more formal pre-travel process.
For Thailand, the policy represents a move towards a more selective visa system.
The long-term outcome will depend on how effectively the country balances immigration controls with the convenience that international tourists expect.
For now, the immediate deadline is clear.
15 September 2026 marks the end of visa-free entry for ordinary Uzbek passport holders under Thailand’s former 60-day exemption scheme.
Travellers planning a Thai holiday after that date should obtain the appropriate visa before departure and verify the latest official requirements through Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and e-Visa system.
The Thailand visa for Uzbek citizens will change sharply from 15 September 2026. The Thailand visa no longer allows a 60‑day visa‑free route that began in July 2024. Uzbekistan is not on Thailand’s 30‑day or 15‑day exemption lists nor is it in the revised Visa on Arrival group. Therefore the Thailand visa, for Uzbek citizens must be secured before departure. Uzbek travellers should check the Thailand visa requirements before booking or flying. Thailand wants a controlled targeted entry system while still growing tourism. With Uzbek arrivals rising and direct flights the Thailand visa change will test how much travel demand exists between the two countries.
[Source:- Trend News Agency]
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