Key Points
- Thailand will introduce several short-term and long-term measures and changes to its immigration laws beginning on June 1, 2024
Overview
The government of Thailand introduced new visa and immigration rules for the coming months.
These changes include the following:
Short-term Measures (Effective June 1, 2024):
Visa-Free Entry (VOA for 30 days):
- New eligible countries:
- Albania
- Bhutan
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- China
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Fiji
- Georgia
- Guatemala
- India
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Laos
- Macau
- Malta
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Romania
- Russia
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV):
- For long-term tourists and remote workers (e.g., digital nomads, freelancers)
- Requirements: Financial proof of 500,000 THB, visa fee of 10,000 THB, valid for five years, stay up to 180 days per entry
- Includes dependents (spouse, children under 20)
- Must be obtained from a Thai Embassy before entry
Student Visa Improvements:
- Extend stay for graduates by one year for job search or other activities
- Allow change of visa status from education to work without leaving Thailand
Mid-term Measures (September-December 2024):
Visa Code Reduction:
- Simplify from 17 to 7 codes: Non-Immigrant B (Business), ED (Education), F (Official), M (Mass Media), O (Others), L-A (Labor), and O (L-A)
Long Stay Visa for the Elderly:
- Reduce health insurance deposit for Non-Immigrant O-A visa
- Expand eligible countries for Non-Immigrant O-X visa
Expand e-Visa Services:
- Cover all Thai embassies and consulates worldwide by December 2024
Long-term Measures (Fully Implemented by June 2025):
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA):
- For visa-exempt foreigners
- Apply for ETA before travel; use the QR code at Auto-gate upon arrival
- No fee implementation starting December 2024; complete integration by June 2025
Looking Ahead
Continue to check Thailand’s government website for the latest updates and information.
Written by: Jessie Butchley, Global Immigration Writer, Envoy Global
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand
