After extending visa-free stays to 60 days to attract tourists, Thailand may be backtracking. The reason? Abuses reported by the authorities. A measure yet to be confirmed, but one that could impact many travelers.
Thailand may soon reverse one of the key measures in its relaxation of entry requirements for foreign tourists.
According to the Bangkok Post, reported by Bloomberg, the Thai government is considering reducing the visa-free stay for eligible travelers from 93 countries from 60 days to 30 days.
However, this measure has not yet been officially adopted, and no implementation date has yet been announced.
A look back at a policy to attract tourists
Until July 2024, Thailand offered a 30-day visa exemption to visitors from many countries, including the European states, the USA, the UK, Australia and Japan.
In an effort to revitalize its tourism sector after the COVID-19 crisis, the Land of Smiles decided on July 15 to extend this visa-free period to 60 days for travellers from 93 countries. The aim was to encourage longer stays and attract more international visitors.
However, several months after this extension, some voices are being raised to denounce certain undesirable effects… According to the Thai authorities, this flexibility has been misused by some foreigners to engage in illegal activities, such as undeclared employment or unauthorized commercial operations.
A project under discussion, but no confirmed implementation
In response to these concerns, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sorawong Thienthong, indicated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders had agreed, “in principle”, to return to a 30-day visa-free stay.
However, no official announcement has yet been made regarding the implementation of this measure.
The Thai government thus seems to be wavering between the desire to preserve its tourist appeal and the need to better control certain abusive practices. The possible introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and the introduction of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), to replace the TM6 immigration form, could be avenues to be explored by the Thai authorities.
If the reduction in the length of visa-free stays is confirmed, it could have an impact on many international travelers planning extended stays in Thailand…
Visa extension, electronic visa… what are the potential solutions for travelers to Thailand?
Should the reduction in the visa-free stay to 30 days be officially adopted, travelers wishing to stay longer in Thailand will have several options.
It would normally still be possible to extend their visa waiver in Thailand for a further 30 days, subject to a fee and an application to the local immigration authorities.
On the other hand, obtaining an electronic visa (e-Visa) could become a preferred alternative for those wishing to stay longer as soon as they arrive. This system, already in place for various types of visa in many countries, enables visitors to apply online for a visa before their departure. The e-Visa would thus offer a legal and supervised solution, while enabling the Thai authorities to better control incoming flows.
Which nationalities would be affected by this reduction in the duration of visa-free stays in Thailand?
If the visa-free stay is reduced to 30 days, travelers from the following 93 countries currently benefiting from a 60-day visa waiver in Thailand will be affected:
- 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
