Visa-free Thailand for Uzbekistan 2026: 9 November decision

Thailand may drop visa requirements for citizens of Uzbekistan, Mexico and Colombia. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will put the proposal to the visa committee at its meeting on 9 November, with a 15-day stay being discussed as a starting point. If the proposal is approved, visa-free entry to Thailand for Uzbekistan in 2026 will make it much easier to travel for a holiday or to view condos in Pattaya.

What the tourism ministry is proposing

Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports said the ministry is preparing a long-term fix for visa delays. At the visa committee meeting on 9 November, the ministry will ask for approval of visa-free entry for Latin American countries and other promising markets. Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan were named among them.

The committee will look at the question from two angles: security and the economy. The ministry's position is simple: if a country poses no security risks, visa-free entry should be granted to as many countries as possible. In the first stage, the permitted stay is likely to be 15 days.

Why the issue has come up now

These markets face different problems, but the result is the same: tourists want to visit Thailand, and their paperwork is not ready in time.

• Mexico and Colombia. Visas take a long time to process and are often not ready by the departure date. Emirates contacted the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT): on every flight from Mexico, 20-30 passengers fail to board because they never received their visa.

• Uzbekistan. Tourists had to apply for an e-visa through the Thai embassy in Russia. The process is complicated, and some local travel agencies stopped selling trips to Thailand and switched to Vietnam.

Visa-free entry removes this barrier and brings back visitors Thailand was losing before they even bought a ticket.

Visa-free Thailand for Uzbekistan: what it means for trips to Pattaya

For buyers from Uzbekistan, the main benefit is that viewing trips become easier. In 15 days you can comfortably see several complexes, compare districts, meet the developer and place a reservation. We explain how the purchase works for buyers from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other countries in our guide to Pattaya property for CIS citizens.

One important point: buying a condo in Thailand does not give you a visa or residence permit. Long-term stays need a separate status, and the options are covered in our section on Thailand visas. A foreigner can own a condo outright (freehold, within the 49% foreign quota) or take it on a long-term lease (leasehold). Foreigners cannot own land.

For the rental market, new visa-free countries mean new guests. Tourists from Latin America and Central Asia will add to demand for rentals in Pattaya, which is a good sign for owners who let out their condos.

If your trip is already planned

Until the committee makes its decision, the current rules apply. Our advice:

• apply for your e-visa early, do not leave it until the last few days before your flight;

• after 9 November, check what the visa committee decided and from what date the new rules will apply;

• draw up a list of properties before you travel, so you can fit all your viewings into one trip.

Our specialists will help you choose a condo to suit your budget and goals, plan viewings by district and answer your questions about the purchase. Message us and we will prepare a shortlist before you fly.