Bangkok, June 4, 2024: Thailand is gearing up to introduce easier visa regulations, additional visa categories, and extended visa-free stays of up to 60 days. These changes, set to enhance travel facilitation, are expected to be implemented by late June or early July, as stated in a government release.
The recent approval by the Thai Cabinet on May 28, 2024, of various visa and travel facilitation measures came following a proposal by the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These measures aim to boost Thailand’s economy and bolster tourism, representing the first significant overhaul of visa policies in 22 years.
The approved measures are categorized into short, medium, and long-term stages. The government’s statement highlighted that five short-term measures are anticipated to be enacted by late June or early July 2024.
The announcement of the timeframe serves to counter misinformation circulated by a UK government website and some inbound travel companies based in Bangkok. These sources prematurely highlighted the changes without emphasizing that official announcements in the Royal Gazette are requisite for their enactment. Such premature announcements led to confusion among travelers at the country’s main airports, with some assuming that the 60-day visa-free stay had already been implemented.
The short-term measures include:
Extending visa exemption for tourists and short-term business visitors to 60 days, up from the previous 30 days, for passport holders from 93 countries/territories.
Increasing the number of countries/regions eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA) from 19 to 31.
Introduction of the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for long-term travelers, such as digital nomads, allowing a stay of up to 180 days per visit on a multiple-entry basis, valid for five years. This visa encompasses participation in various cultural activities.
Enhancing the non-immigration visa to ease the travel of international students and recent graduates in Thailand, permitting them to seek employment by extending their stay for one year post-graduation.
Establishment of a “Visa Policy Committee” aimed at refining Thailand’s entry procedures and enhancing immigration efficiency.
Medium-term measures consist of:
Grouping and streamlining non-immigrant visa types.
Relaxing health insurance requirements and broadening the list of countries eligible for long-term non-immigrant visa applications.
Implementation of the e-Visa system across all embassies and consulates globally by December 2024.
A long-term measure involves the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, slated to be implemented concurrently with the e-Visa system at international airports in the country by June 2025.