The Thai government is soon to announce new visa measures designed to promote tourism and stimulate Thailand’s economy.1, 2 The effective date is anticipated to be announced by mid-July or early August 2024.
Why this matters
Overall, these measures aim to enhance the appeal of Thailand as a place to visit and live and work.
The “Destination Thailand Visa” will enhance opportunities for digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term travellers seeking to live and work in Thailand.
Also, the nationals of more countries will soon benefit from the broader eligibility and options of staying in Thailand conferred by new measures for the “Visa on Arrival” and “60-day Visa Exemption.”
They will also help facilitate – from a process perspective – entry and exit of foreign travellers from the noted countries, reducing queues at immigration points of entry and obviating, in some cases, the need to secure visa extensions.
Highlights
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): This new five-year visa will grant a period of stay of up to 180 days per visit, with multiple re-entries, to digital nomads, remote workers, and those participating in activities such as traditional Thai martial arts (Muay Thai), Thai cooking classes, sports training, medical treatment, seminars, and music events, etc., and will include the spouse and dependent children of the DTV holder.
- Thailand's New 60-day Visa Exemption: The stay of tourists and short-term business visitors will be extended to up to 60 days (from 30 days), and the exemption list will be expanded from 57 to 93 countries, including Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.
- Increased Visa on Arrival (VOA) Eligibility: The list of countries whose travellers will be eligible for VOA – which allows stays for up to 15 days for tourism purposes – will be expanded from 19 to 31 countries, including Armenia, Ethiopia, and Paraguay.
More Details
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
- Attracts skilled workers, contributing to the local economy and fostering a community of long-term residents.
- Five-year validity (multiple entry, with up to 180 days allowed for each period of stay) for a visa fee of 10,000 Thai baht.
- Requirements and conditions, i.e. financial and employment criteria, are currently being finalized.
- Financial evidence, such as a supporter or guarantor with a credit limit of at least 500,000 Thai baht, will be required.
- Not yet available for application; more details and announcements anticipated soon.
60-day Visa Exemption
- Allows foreign nationals of 93 countries to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa (visa exemption) for purposes of tourism and short-term business engagements.
- Eligible countries: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.
- This measure is expected to reduce long queues at immigration and the need for visa extensions.
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
- Nationals from 31 countries will soon be able to apply for a VOA at immigration checkpoints, for a period not exceeding 15 days, for the purpose of tourism.
- Eligible countries: Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Bolivia, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, Mexico, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Taiwan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Venezuela.
KPMG Insights
The details of the specific requirements and qualifications for the DTV are currently under discussion and awaiting finalization by the authorities.
As the rules are in flux, it is recommended that questions about eligibility, securing the appropriate documentation to support applications, making applications, and next steps be directed to the traveller’s usual immigration counsel or a member of the Immigration team with KPMG in Thailand (see the Contacts section).
We, KPMG in Thailand, are continuing to monitor developments and will provide further updates once the measures are finalized.
Contacts
Additional Resources
Footnotes
1 The Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department, Office of the Prime Minister, “Visa Facilitation Measures to Stimulate Thailand’s Economy and Tourism.”
2 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand, “Summary of Weekly Press Briefing by Director-General of Department of Information/Spokesperson of MFA.”
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THB 1 = EUR 0.025
THB 1 = USD 0.027
THB 1 = GBP 0.021
THB 1 = AUD 0.04
THB 1 = JPY 4.3645
Source: www.xe.com
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Thailand.
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