Thailand fully adopts e-Visa from January 2025, making the visa application process simpler, faster and more accessible for foreign travelers.
Thailand takes a significant step in modernizing its entry procedures by expanding its electronic visa system (e-Visa) worldwide. From 1ᵉʳ January 2025, foreign nationals from all over the world will be able to apply for an e-Visa via the official website www.thaievisa.go.th.
This initiative, announced on December 17, 2024 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, at the “Kick-off THAI E-VISA: Apply, Anywhere, Anytime” event, marks the imminent completion of the implementation of the e-Visa system in all 94 Thai embassies and consulates general. This development aims to simplify and speed up the visa application process, making it entirely digital.
Minister Sangiampongsa emphasized that this development is part of the government’s policy to restructure the visa system to facilitate the entry of various types of visitors, be they tourists, businessmen, students, digital nomads or investors. The aim is to reinforce Thailand’s image as a welcoming destination and consolidate its position as a global hub for tourism, business and international trade.
A phased expansion of e-Visa
The e-Visa system offers a number of benefits, including reduced paperwork, more efficient entry control and better integration of databases with the relevant agencies. This comprehensive transition to a digital platform aims to eliminate unnecessary complexities and facilitate travel, in alignment with Thailand’s vision to simplify all aspects of travel to the country.
The Thai e-Visa system was first launched in 2019 as part of a pilot program, aimed at simplifying procedures for applicants in a few selected diplomatic missions, especially in some European countries. Gradually extended, it notably saw a recent expansion in October 2024, covering 59 embassies and consulates.
These steps have enabled the system to be tested and fine-tuned before its full roll-out scheduled for January 2025, notably in India, Pakistan, Laos and even Kuwait.
93 visa-free countries in Thailand
In parallel with the expansion of the e-Visa system, Thailand continues to enhance its attractiveness by granting a 60-day visa waiver to nationals of 93 countries since July 15, 2024, facilitating short-term tourist and business stays.
This reflects the country’s commitment to simplifying visitor entry, while exploring new initiatives, such as the possible introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in 2025. This ETA could offer an even faster and more flexible way to travel, although the precise modalities and date of entry into force have yet to be formalized.
Visa-exempt travelers from the following countries could be concerned by this future ETA for entry into Thailand:
- Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.
