Visa-Free Entry to Thailand Approved for 93 Countries
As part of its mission to boost tourism, the Thai government rolled out new updates to its visa-free entry policy in May of 2024, allowing more people than ever to enter Thailand without a visa . These new changes have expanded the number of countries whose citizens can now enter Thailand without a visa from 57 to 93 nations.?
Citizens from these countries can stay in the Kingdom for up to 60 days, which is doubled from the old 30 days. Many new countries have been included, and several temporary visa exemption schemes have been made permanent.?
This is all part of the Thai government’s plan to further propel the country’s tourism economy, which also includes adding new countries to Thailand’s visa-on-arrival program and the new Destination Thailand Visa. They hope these announcements will help them hit their goal of attracting 40 million tourists into the country by the end of 2024.
If you are hoping to visit Thailand for a short time, but were daunted by the visa application process, your country may now be eligible for visa-free entry.
Updated List of Countries Eligible for Visa-Free Travel to Thailand
As of now, if you are a citizen from any of the following countries, you will be allowed to fly to Thailand without a visa. Present your passport from one of these countries at immigration, and the officer will put a "visa-exempt" stamp into it that will act as your travel document.
What Do I Need to Bring With Me?
Being from any of these eligible countries isn’t enough; as with all Thai visas , you also need to provide additional documentation to be allowed in even on the visa exemption scheme. While you usually only need a passport (with no less than 6 months validity remaining), an immigration officer may ask you for the following items to be presented on arrival:
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While not strictly required, it’s recommended that you apply for traveler’s health insurance in case of a medical emergency. It’s important to note that even if you are entitled to free healthcare in your home country, foreigners cannot receive free healthcare in Thailand, so traveler’s insurance provides peace of mind.?
Extending a Visa-Free Entry
Visa-free stays in Thailand are numbered and eventually, you will need to find a way to extend your stay or return home. To extend your visa exemption period, you need to request it from an immigration officer and there is no guarantee it will be granted to you. Furthermore, these extensions are usually only given to those who cannot leave due to travel disruptions or a medical emergency.
If successful, an extension will grant you an additional 7 days or 30 days of stay in the country.?
Long-Term Visas in Thailand
If you find that 60 days isn’t enough in the Land of Smiles, Thailand offers a variety of visas allowing you to stay in the country long-term without having to deal with immigration or leave the country every 60 days.?
Some visas you can consider include:
Contact Siam Legal
If you've got any further questions about visa exemption in Thailand or any Thai immigration procedures, contact Siam Legal. We've been helping travelers from across the globe resolve their visa issues for over 20 years, so our multicultural team of professionals has the experience to ensure you have the knowledge and assistance you need to make your trip to Thailand smooth and successful. Our team also has the expertise to guide you through applying for long-term THai visas if needed or provide advice on how to lengthen your stay for shorter terms.
If you have any questions about the visa exemption programs or are looking to apply for a Thai visa, then contact Siam Legal today to get started.?