In a bid to boost its economy, Thailand recently announced major changes to its visa policy. After offering 45 daysthen be 30-day incomeThe country realizes that it needs a massive return of travelers to support its fragile economy. The new measures aim to attract a diverse range of visitors, from tourists and students to remote workers and retirees.
New visa policies in Thailand
From June 1, 2024, nationals of 93 countries will be able to stay in Thailand without a visa for a maximum period of 60 days (doubling visa-free stay)compared with just 57 countries previously. The main aim of this decision is to make it easier for tourists to enter the country, thereby enhancing its attractiveness as a major tourist destination. The exact list of nationalities involved is not yet known..
Update May 30, 2024 > the list of countries is known : Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, South Korea, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United States, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Uruguay, Vietnam.
Beneficiaries of the new measures
- Tourists : Nationals of 93 countries will now be able to stay for up to 60 days without needing a visa.
- Foreign students : Their stay will be extended by one year after graduation.
- Retirees : Insurance requirements will be eased, making it easier for them to settle in the country.
From June 1 visitors to #Thailand from 93 countries will be permitted to stay visa-free for 60 days, instead of the usual 30 days.
Countries eligible for visa-free entry have increased from 57 to 93. The 36 new countries included Cambodia, China, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan,... pic.twitter.com/LYwhV6HMdC
- แแแT แฐIKE (@JustMikeMcKay) May 29, 2024
The main aim of these measures is to revitalize the tourism sector and contribute to economic recovery. With over 14.3 million tourists recorded between January and May 2024, Thailand hopes to achieve a record of 40 million foreign arrivals by the end of 2024, generating 3.5 trillion baht income.
Initiatives for remote workers and digital nomads
In recognition of post-pandemic changes in working patterns, Thailand is also introducing a new visa category called " Destination Thailand Visa "which is specifically aimed at remote workers and digital nomads.
This visa will be valid for five years, with each stay limited to 180 daysThis represents a significant increase on the current 60-day limit.
Facilitating access to the Thai market
To further enhance its appeal, Thailand is also expanding the list of nationalities eligible for a visa on arrival, from 19 to 31 countries. This change is particularly aimed at attracting self-employed professionals and freelancers who want to work while enjoying the quality of life in Thailand.
Update May 30, 2024 > the list of countries is known : Armenia, Bhutan, Belarus, Bolivia, Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, Mexico, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Taiwan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela
Progressive implementation of the electronic authorization system... in 2025
In a further effort to enhance convenience for travellers, Thailand will implement a electronic travel authorization (ETA) system by December 2024, for full deployment the following year. Similar to the systems used by countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA, this new tool will simplify the entry process for visa-exempt tourists.
Fill in a file from e-Visa ThailandFrom June 2025With the introduction of the ETA, all travelers benefiting from visa exemption will be required to submit an ETA application before departure. This will streamline border controls and ensure better management of tourist flows.
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