Thailand Revises Visa Policy for 65 Countries and Territories

The Cabinet has approved a further revision of Thailand’s visa-exemption measures and visa privileges, as proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The objective is to ensure that travel facilitation for foreign tourists reflects the current circumstance, prevents misuse of visa privileges, and adheres to the principle of “one country, one entitlement.”
 
Under the revised measure, Thailand will withdraw the current 60-day visa exemption for 93 countries and territories. The revisions take into account economic and security considerations, international relations, and the principle of reciprocity.

Under the new measures, citizens of 59 countries and territories will be granted visa-free entry for tourism purposes for stays up to 30 days. This entitlement includes six countries – India, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and the Maldives – resulting in 27 European Union member states that will receive the same privilege. The Government expects this change to strengthen international relations, support negotiations for Schengen visa exemptions for Thai nationals, and facilitate bilateral economic agreements. 

Mauritius and Seychelles will be granted a visa-free entry exemption for tourism for stays of up to 15 days. 

Meanwhile, Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) at designated checkpoints will be available for nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia. India’s VoA will be removed to eliminate the overlapping visa privilege.

After the revision, a total of 65 countries and territories will be covered under Thailand’s various visa measures. The five related drafts will take effect 15 days after their publication in the Royal Gazette.
 
Travelers who entered Thailand before the new measures come into force will continue to be allowed to remain in the country for the remainder of their stay permitted under the previous regulations.

In addition, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system will improve its background screening and monitoring of the entry and exit of foreign nationals. The Government emphasizes that this review is not intended to discourage tourism, but rather to prevent Thailand’s visa policies from being used as an opportunity for illegal activities.

Source: PR Thai Government