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The Thai government announced the worldwide implementation of the electronic visa (e-Visa) system across 94 Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General.
Key Points:
Background: The Thai government stated that their current policies are focused on a system-wide visa restructuring. The e-Visa initiative aligns with the government’s priority to revitalize Thailand’s image and international confidence while promoting the country as a global hub for tourism, business and international exchange. The e-Visa attempts to balance the desire to enhance services to facilitate greater travel while improving security by increasing the effectiveness of screening processes, reducing paperwork and integrating databases with other relevant agencies.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Thai government provided further details for the implementation of the new electronic travel authorization (ETA) system.
Additional Information: Once the system is launched, applications are expected to be available via the existing e-visa platform; however, the official channel has not yet been announced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet released all pertinent details, and the start date remains tentative, with further changes to the applicable visa types possible. BAL will continue to monitor developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.
The Thai government announced a new facial recognition technology to streamline passenger identification and reduce wait times.
Additional Information: Passport holders from Hong Kong or Singapore are able to access the new system immediately. The system does not apply to holders of long-term visas. Passengers can complete biometric enrollment at airline counters or self-check-in kiosks, where facial data will be captured alongside passport scans. This data will be registered once with a single use consent.
BAL Analysis: Passengers should be able to move more efficiently through check-in, baggage handling, security and immigration with the new system. The government is expected to announce at a later date which nationalities will be exempted from completing biometric checks. BAL will continue to monitor developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.
The Thai government announced a new law amending the civil and commercial code No. 24 to recognize marriage equality.
Additional Information: King Maha Vajiralongkorn signed the marriage equality bill into law, making Thailand the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. BAL will continue to monitor developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the timeline for implementation of the electronic travel authorization (ETA) system.
Additional Information: All visa-exempt travelers will be required to hold an approved ETA before arriving in Thailand, whether arriving by air, land or sea. The ETA is expected to be free of charge and grant single-entry capabilities via automated gates at immigration checkpoints using a QR code. Holders of diplomatic passports, official passports, U.N. Laissez-Passer and Border Pass users, as well as nationals of Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia, will be exempt from the ETA.
BAL Analysis: The Thai cabinet has tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies to update and align their internal regulations and implement measures to promote tourism and stimulate Thailand’s economy. The government hopes to implement the ETA system for travelers entering the country under the visa exemption regime, similar to South Korea’s K-ETA or the United Kingdom’s new ETA system, which is expanding in phases.
The Thai cabinet approved new measures to promote tourism and stimulate Thailand’s economy, including a new Destination Thailand Visa category.
Additional Information: The new Destination Thailand Visa has received cabinet approval but is pending official implementation by the Thai Immigration Bureau. Once implemented, the new category will be tailored to foreign nationals who wish to travel for longer-term tourism and remote work, including highly skilled foreign nationals and digital nomads. Currently, tourist visas allow for a 60-day stay and a single 30-day extension. The new visa category will allow for up to a 180-day stay per entry. The visa will cost 10,000 THB (about US$272) and be valid for five years. Individuals may also be able to extend their stay for an additional 180 days and change visa types within the country.
BAL Analysis: The cabinet has tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies to update and align their internal regulations and implement these measures to promote tourism and stimulate Thailand’s economy. BAL will provide further updates and confirm the official commencement and detailed procedural guidelines for the Destination Thailand Visa once available.
The Thai cabinet approved an extension of the visa-free policy that allows Indian and Taiwanese tourists to enter Thailand for 30 days without a visa.
Key Points:
Additional Information: BAL previously reported the initial approval of this policy by the Ministry of Interior. The original policy allowed eligible passport holders or individuals with valid documents from India and Taiwan to visit Thailand for tourism purposes visa-free from Nov. 10, 2023, to May 10, 2024.
BAL Analysis: The extension is part of a wider government policy to boost tourism and facilitate additional cross-border travel and economic development.
The Thai government is introducing several new immigration initiatives designed to increase tourism and spur economic growth.
Additional Information: Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated that the move for a joint visa program between the six nations would promote seamless mobility across the Southeast Asian countries, streamline tourist entry and boost tourism spending.
BAL Analysis: Thailand’s economic growth has slowed recently due to weaker demand and tourism. The tourism-reliant country has recently created several policy updates to reopen after strict pandemic restrictions. These policies are also part of a wider government strategy to facilitate entry and boost investment from international business interests.
The Thai cabinet extended a policy that allows Japanese tourists to enter Thailand for 30 days without a visa including for business visits.
Additional Information: Immigration officials stated that visa holders are allowed an extension for an additional 30 days and can convert to a nonimmigrant B visa for work authorization if desired.
BAL Analysis: The visa exemption policy is part of a wider government strategy to facilitate entry and boost investment from Japanese business interests. BAL will continue following this matter and will provide more information as it becomes available.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Thai cabinet approved a new policy that allows Indian and Taiwanese tourists to enter Thailand for 30 days without a visa.
BAL Analysis: The new policy is part of a wider government effort to boost tourism during the high season. BAL will continue following this matter and will provide more information as it becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group