Thailand Opens Doors to 93 Nations with Visa-Free Travel Initiative in June 2024

Thailand Opens Doors to 93 Nations with Visa-Free Travel Initiative in June 2024

Thailand has become a visa-free country for 93 different countries, effective since June 1, 2024. As per the new policy providing visa-free status to the visitor, a 60-day allowance to stay in Thailand without the visa requirement will be given. The very aim behind this initiative is to promote tourism with increased facilitation for the public to travel for either business or vacationing.

Thailand Eases Entry Rules to Attract Visitors

Thailand will be implementing a new visa policy considered as a landmark initiative in the effort to boost tourism by simplifying entry for international visitors. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has proposed an outline that has a number of benefits, and they include:

  • More Extended Stays: The redefined policy will offer tourists from 57 countries a 60-day stay while the previous permit allowed only 30 days.
  • Waived visa requirements: Six new countries, including China and Russia, can now enter Thailand without a visa for a period of up to 60 days.
  • Visa on Arrival: The list of additions includes 17 new countries, among them Jordan, Sri Lanka, and Ecuador, with a 60-day stay.

Prime Minister Srettha is hopeful that this will result in an increase in the number of tourists from the key markets in the world.

Here is an exhaustive list of visa free countries:

  1. Andorra
  2. Argentina
  3. Australia
  4. Austria
  5. Bahrain
  6. Belgium
  7. Brazil
  8. Brunei
  9. Cambodia
  10. Canada
  11. Chile
  12. China
  13. Colombia
  14. Croatia
  15. Cuba
  16. Cyprus
  17. Czech Republic
  18. Denmark
  19. Dominica
  20. Dominican Republic
  21. Ecuador
  22. Estonia
  23. Fiji
  24. Finland
  25. France
  26. Georgia
  27. Germany
  28. Greece
  29. Guatemala
  30. Hong Kong
  31. Hungary
  32. Iceland
  33. India
  34. Indonesia
  35. Ireland
  36. Israel
  37. Italy
  38. Jamaica
  39. Japan
  40. Jordan
  41. Kazakhstan
  42. Kosovo
  43. Kuwait
  44. Laos
  45. Latvia
  46. Liechtenstein
  47. Lithuania
  48. Luxembourg
  49. Macau
  50. Malaysia
  51. Maldives
  52. Malta
  53. Mauritius
  54. Mexico
  55. Monaco
  56. Mongolia
  57. Morocco
  58. Myanmar
  59. Netherlands
  60. New Zealand
  61. Norway
  62. Oman
  63. Panama
  64. Papua New Guinea
  65. Peru
  66. Philippines
  67. Poland
  68. Portugal
  69. Qatar
  70. Romania
  71. Russia
  72. San Marino
  73. Saudi Arabia
  74. Singapore
  75. Slovakia
  76. Slovenia
  77. South Africa
  78. South Korea
  79. Spain
  80. Sri Lanka
  81. Sweden
  82. Switzerland
  83. Taiwan
  84. Trinidad and Tobago
  85. Turkey
  86. Ukraine
  87. United Arab Emirates
  88. United Kingdom
  89. United States
  90. Uruguay
  91. Uzbekistan
  92. Vanuatu
  93. Vietnam



New Visa Options

With the looming redesign of its Visa options, Thailand is now set to go greener with the launch of Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for those who want to stay long, be it for work or special interest like remote working for sports, health, and wellness. Long duration visas for digital nomads were further extended to five years for a total stay of 180 days, and the number of countries added to citizens with visa on arrival privileges is now standing at 31 from 19.

Most interestingly, the new visa-free policy, which is good for 60 days, ushers in a new dimension for long-termers. While it does allow one to stay over the prescribed six months through the techniques of "border runs" (leaving and entering Thailand again), this makes it even more complicated for the authorities. It becomes a task on its own—trying to identify the potential tax residents relying solely on the visa type and, therefore, the financial activities of such long-term visitors in the country.

The e-Visa and ETA

Thailand will be significantly expanding its e-Visa and Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) services toward streamlining the process of entry for foreign nationals. The service will be available in 94 Thai embassies, consulates, and trade offices overseas by December 2024, easing the way through documentation for travelers. In addition, by June 2025, Thailand will place an ETA system for visa-exempt foreign nationals to simplify the process of entering at ports and thus makes the overall travel experience for leisure and business visitors easier. These enhancements currently complement deciding efforts by Thailand to enhance tourism and make it easier to be reached by visitors from around the world.

Benefits of Visa Policy Changes in Thailand

Thailand's visa policy revision will enhance the tourist attractiveness and thus lead to the realization of increased tourism by making it possible for travelers to more comfortably and conveniently apply or travel to the country. These changes make it easy to travel and plan for stays, providing at the same time the needed flexibility and convenience for people under the respective groupings:

Tourism Boosts and Travel Ease

  • Long-Term Visa Exemption: It makes travel more appealing as well as predictable for tourists.
  • New Visa Types During this Period: Might attract a wider segment of travelers, including remote workers, sports professionals, and medical tourists.
  • Conduction of Visa on Arrival and E-Visa Systems: This eliminates a lot of travel planning challenges as it will be much easier for tourists to get into Thailand.

Digital NOMAD and Remote Worker

  • Special visas: Visits over periods of five years each visit ending at 180 days, which will enable flexible work from any location in the globe.
  • Location: Beautiful sceneries, exotic landscapes, cuisines, and cultures make Thailand a paradise for digital nomads.

Benefits for Medical Tourists

  • Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Long-term stays mean there is enough time for medical consultation, treatment, and recuperation without the rush of renewing a visa now and then.
  • High-quality, affordable medical care: Thailand offers high-quality, excellent medical service at relatively lower charges, thereby forming an attraction to medical tourists.

Goals by Thailand

Thailand has formulated a number of stringent targets to uplift its tourism sector and place it at par with the most world-renowned destinations. Among the bigger goals set is 80 million overseas visitors by 2027. This may be perceived as a clear commitment by Thailand to at least double its current volume of tourists and establish its place as one of the leading tourist spots.

The key strategies being put in place to achieve this include:

  • Visa policy improvement: Extending visa-free stays, making new categories, and increasing the Visa on Arrival and e-Visa systems to make it easier to travel and access more people.
  • Improved Infrastructural facilities and services: A number of investment initiatives in tourism infrastructural facilities, like airports, transportation networks, and hospitality services, are being implemented and designed to make tourists feel comfortable and enjoy their experience.
  • Variety of Attractions: Thailand showcases its rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, the affordability of living, and different activities starting from medical tourism to working remotely. All of these will help satisfy the different interests and tastes of travelers.
  • Strengthened Marketing Efforts: Stronger global marketing campaigns are being launched to sell Thailand's unique offerings and attract tourists from new and existing markets.

Leave a comment

Recent Posts

© thailand-e-visas.com

Apply eVisa