New Visa Measures to Revitalize Travel and Tourism in Thailand
Thailand introduced new Visa measures to revive its travel and tourism sector. The new measures came into effect on 15th July, 2024 which gives a 60-day exemption from Visa requirements, Visa on Arrival schemes, Destination Thailand Visa, and student visas.
While the previous list was for 57 countries, it now consists 93 countries and territories. The provision of a visa waiver will help the visiting individuals for a time period of 1 to 60 days for the reasons of tourism and short-term business. Besides their stay period, an additional 30 days could be added, which could be extended to their stay at the Immigration Office. It includes these countries and territories: 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, Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, 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, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Province of China, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
The new Destination Thailand Visa will be for remote workers, digital nomads, freelancers, and people visiting various activities, including Muay Thai courses, Thai cooking classes, sports training, receiving medical treatments, attending seminars, and music festivals. This also includes spouses and dependent children of DTV holders. Applicants are required to prove funds or be guaranteed a sum of at least 500,000 Baht for their stay. The DTV is 10,000 Baht, allowing a five-year stay with multiple entries and a cumulative stay of up to 180 days, which is then extendable for another 180 days.
Thailand is currently implementing new policies to attract foreign students. Still, it is also the process of lengthening its student visa, or Non-Immigrant ED Plus, to a year for foreign students pursuing higher education. The program allows them to stay in the country within that period, be able to search for jobs and change their status to Non-Immigrant B upon getting the job, all while not leaving the country.
These comprehensive visa measures pursue a diversity of visitors and rejuvenate Thai tourism by offering new opportunities for prospective visitors and long-term residents.
