Thailand weighs 15-day visa-free entry for Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan: what applies until 9 November

Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports says it will ask the government's Visa Policy Committee to let travellers from Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan visit visa-free for up to 15 days. The ministry plans to table the proposal at the committee's meeting on 9 November 2026. All three countries lost visa-free entry on 15 September 2026, when Thailand cut its visa exemption list from 93 to 60 countries and territories. Since then, airlines and tour operators have reported travellers missing flights because their visas did not arrive in time.

This is a proposal, not a rule change. Until a decision is officially announced and in force, Colombian, Mexican and Uzbek ordinary passport holders still need a Thai visa before they travel. This guide covers what was announced, what applies today, and how to plan a trip either way.

Last reviewed: 28 October 2026. Checked against Royal Thai Embassy pages (Mexico City, Lima, Moscow and Doha) and published reports of the ministry's announcement.

What was announced

On 27 October 2026, The Nation reported that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing a proposal for a 15-day visa exemption for nationals of Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan. According to the report:

• The proposal will go to the Visa Policy Committee meeting on 9 November.
• The minister described it as a long-term fix for chronic visa delays affecting Mexico and other Latin American markets.
• Emirates had complained to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) that 20 to 30 passengers per flight from Mexico were not showing up because their Thai visas had not arrived in time.
• TAT's deputy governor for Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa said Mexican and Colombian tourists have often been unable to travel on their planned dates because of slow visa approvals.
• For Uzbekistan, she said travellers faced complicated e-visa procedures handled through the Royal Thai Embassy in Russia. As a result, some travel agents have switched Thailand packages to destinations such as Vietnam.
• The committee still has to weigh security and economic factors. The ministry said it will push for exemptions for countries it considers low security risks.

No date for implementation was given. Even if the committee agrees, a new visa exemption normally needs to be formally published before border officers can apply it. Treat any "visa-free from…" claim with caution until the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Royal Thai Embassy or the Immigration Bureau confirms it.

Why these three countries need a visa right now

Thailand's revised visa exemption scheme took effect on 15 September 2026. Under it, 60 countries and territories get up to 30 days visa-free, while a few others have separate 14-, 15- or 90-day arrangements. Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan were among the countries removed from the old 60-day list.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Mexico City says that since 15 September 2026, Mexican ordinary passport holders must get a Thai visa "regardless of the purpose of their travel". The rules come from Ministry of Interior notifications published on 31 August 2026. The current list published by the Royal Thai Embassy in Doha does not include Colombia, Mexico or Uzbekistan in any visa-exempt group.

For comparison, the 15-day visa-free group currently contains only Seychelles and Mauritius. If the proposal is approved, Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan would join that shorter tier, not the 30-day tier.

How to apply for a Thai visa today

For all three nationalities, applications go through Thailand's official e-Visa platform, thaievisa.go.th. The process differs slightly depending on which embassy covers the country you live in.

Residents of Mexico

• The Royal Thai Embassy in Mexico City handles Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti and Belize. You do not need to send your passport or original documents to the embassy.
• Apply at least one month before you plan to enter Thailand.
• The embassy lists detailed document requirements. These include a summary of where you will stay, booking confirmations covering every night of the stay, a full round-trip flight itinerary from the airline or a booking platform (travel-agency itineraries are not accepted), and three months of bank statements.
• An application that needs more than two modifications may be cancelled, and visa fees are not refunded. Check every name field carefully.
• The tourist visa normally allows 60 days per entry, and you can apply in person at a Thai immigration office for an extension of up to 30 days.

Residents of Colombia

• Colombia comes under the Royal Thai Embassy in Lima, Peru. All applications are made online through thaievisa.go.th.
• The embassy says processing takes up to 10 business days, plus up to 5 more business days if it asks for extra documents.
• If requested documents are not submitted within 45 days, the application is cancelled and the fee is not refunded.
• The Lima embassy's page also says travellers must show a passport valid for at least six months, a copy of the visa and an International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever on arrival in Thailand. Have your certificate ready.

Residents of Uzbekistan

• Residents of Uzbekistan apply through thaievisa.go.th, but the Royal Thai Embassy in Moscow handles the application.
• Online payment is not available. After you submit, you receive a confirmation with a QR code, and the fee must be paid in cash (US dollars) at the embassy in Moscow within 14 days. A representative can pay for you. The embassy does not accept US dollar notes issued before 2009 or notes in poor condition.
• Processing usually takes 14 business days after payment, and some cases can take another 4–6 weeks. The embassy recommends applying about one month before departure.

What to do if your trip is coming up

1. Don't book on the strength of the proposal. If you are travelling before an exemption is officially in force, apply for a visa now.
2. Apply early. Allow at least a month, and more if your application goes through Moscow.
3. Use exact details. Embassies cannot edit applications. A typo can mean a new application and a second fee.
4. Print your e-Visa. The Mexico City and Moscow embassies both say the e-Visa must be printed and shown to the airline and to Thai immigration.
5. Complete the TDAC. Everyone entering Thailand must fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within three days before arrival at tdac.immigration.go.th.
6. Carry supporting documents. Officers may ask for onward tickets, accommodation bookings or proof of funds of at least THB 20,000 per person. Digital copies are acceptable.
7. Plan the arrival. Long-haul arrivals often land at busy times. Some travellers arrange airport fast-track assistance or set up a Thailand eSIM before landing so they can reach their hotel or ride app straight away. Neither is required, but both can make a long trip easier.

If the 15-day exemption is approved

If the committee approves the proposal and it is formally published, travellers from these three countries could arrive without a visa for stays of up to 15 days. Expect the usual exemption conditions to apply. Under the current scheme, the Doha embassy lists a passport valid for at least six months, possible checks for THB 20,000 in funds, a limit of two visa-exempt entries by land or sea per calendar year, and extensions only at the discretion of Thai Immigration.

Fifteen days is short. If you plan to stay longer, for example to combine Bangkok with the islands or the north, a tourist visa giving 60 days per entry may still be the better choice even after an exemption arrives. We will update this guide once the 9 November meeting produces an official outcome.

Quick checklist

• Check your nationality's current status on thaievisa.go.th or your Royal Thai Embassy's website
• Apply at least one month ahead (longer via Moscow)
• Gather accommodation, flight and three months of bank statement evidence
• Print the e-Visa and keep a digital copy
• Complete the TDAC within three days of arrival
• Colombian residents: carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate
• Watch for an official announcement after 9 November before relying on visa-free entry

Sources

• The Nation, "Tourism Ministry proposes 15-day visa waiver for 3 nations" (27 October 2026): https://www.nationthailand.com/news/policy/40072772
• The Star, "Thailand proposes 15-day visa-free entry for travellers from three countries" (27 October 2026): https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/10/27/thailand-proposes-15-day-visa-free-entry-for-travellers-from-three-countries
• Royal Thai Embassy, Mexico City, Visa (updated 2 October 2026): https://mexico.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/visa
• Royal Thai Embassy, Lima, Applying for a visa: https://lima.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/applying-for-a-visa-at-the-royal-thai-embassy-in-l
• Royal Thai Embassy, Moscow, E-Visa application procedures (updated 8 October 2026): https://moscow.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/e-visa-application-procedures
• Royal Thai Embassy, Doha, Tourist visa exemption and visa on arrival: https://doha.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/tourist-visa-exemption-visa-on-arrival
• Thailand e-Visa official website: https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

Image: Arrivals hall at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok. Photo by Exec8, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Editorial note: Foreigner's Thailand is an independent editorial guide, not a visa agency or law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice. Visa rules can change at short notice. Always confirm your entry requirements with Thai Immigration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your nearest Royal Thai Embassy before you travel.