Thailand: Expansion of Visa Exemption and Visa-on-Arrival Policies Forthcoming

Update – July 25, 2024: The expansion of visa exemption and visa-on-arrival policies below went into effect on July 15, 2024. The nationals of 93 countries and territories that are eligible for the 60-day visa exemption may extend their stay for a period not exceeding 30 days and the extension application must be filed with the immigration office.  If a foreign national needs to conduct necessary, urgent or ad hoc work activities as defined by the Employment or Labor Department, they must obtain an urgent work permit (UWP) by notifying the labor registrar in person at any international airport or labor offices in Thailand. The UWP takes one business day to process and will only be valid for 15 days, which is extendible for another 15 days with a 45-day cooling off period from the time the first UWP expires.

Separately, nationals of 31 countries may now apply for visa-on-arrival for tourism purposes at immigration checkpoints upon entering Thailand for a fee of THB 2000. They will be allowed to stay in the country for up to 15 days on a single-entry basis. This type of visa does not allow work in Thailand.

June 20, 2024: The Thai government announced an expansion of visa exemption and visa-on-arrival policies which are intended to stimulate Thailand’s economy and promote tourism and which will go into effect in late June or early July, 2024. Once effective, nationals of 93 countries, up from 57 countries, will be allowed to enter and stay in Thailand without obtaining a visa for up to 60 days for tourism and business purposes. Further, once the policy is in effect, nationals of 31 countries, up from 19 countries, will be able to apply for a visa-on-arrival at immigration checkpoints upon arrival or through an online filing system up to three business days prior to arrival in Thailand. They will be allowed to enter and stay in Thailand for up to 15 days. The list of nationals eligible for visa exemptions and visas-on-arrival can be found here.