IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Thai government has updated the application process for long-term resident visas.

Key Points:

  • Individuals must now submit and receive approval for their LTR visa applications before they can apply for a work permit.
  • Once foreign nationals receive their LTR visa, they must immediately apply for their work permit through the LTR online portal. After authorities approve their work permit application, they must make an appointment with the Department of Employment to obtain their digital work permit.
  • LTR visa holders will not be allowed to begin working in Thailand until they have received their digital work permit from the Department of Employment.

Additional Information: Previously, LTR visa applicants could submit their visa and work permit applications simultaneously.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals should be aware of the LTR visa application process changes and plan accordingly. Individuals should expect increased waiting times throughout the LTR application process.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Thai government has announced that it will introduce landing fees for those traveling to the country without certain permits.

Key Points:

  • Beginning in June 2023, foreign nationals who travel to Thailand and do not hold a valid work permit or transit visa must pay a landing fee upon arrival.
  • Travelers entering the country by air must pay up to 300 THB (about US$8.70); travelers entering the country by land or sea must pay up to 150 THB.
  • Thai nationals and children under the age of two will be exempt from landing fees.
  • Travelers in transit, diplomatic or official passport holders, and foreigners holding Thai work permits will be exempt from landing fees.

Additional Information: A portion of the landing fee will be allocated to accident insurance for travelers. This insurance will cover up to 500,000 THB for health treatment resulting from an accident, as well as up to 1 million THB in compensation for accidental death while traveling in Thailand.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals should be aware of the new landing fees when entering the country and plan accordingly.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Thai government has lifted its remaining COVID-19 entry requirements.

Key Points:

  • As of Oct. 1, individuals traveling to Thailand no longer have to:
    • Obtain a Thailand Pass.
    • Have proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
    • Take COVID-19 tests upon or after arrival.
    • Purchase COVID-19 health insurance.
  • Travelers who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and do not have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken before departure must follow public health measure as communicated by Thai authorities upon arrival.

Additional Information: As of Oct. 1, visa-exempt travelers can stay in Thailand for 45 days instead of 30 days. Visa on Arrival (VOA) travelers can stay in Thailand for 30 day instead of 15 days.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Thai government has updated its requirements for obtaining the COVID-19 Thailand Pass.

Key Points:

  • As of June 1, Thai nationals no longer need register through Thailand Pass when traveling to the country.
  • Fully vaccinated foreign nationals must register through Thailand Pass and provide proof of a valid passport, vaccination certificate and health insurance covering at least US$10,000 to enter Thailand.
  • Travelers who are not fully vaccinated can enter Thailand if they register through Thailand Pass and provide proof of a valid passport, health insurance covering at least US$10,000 and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.
  • Foreign nationals will receive approval within two hours once they have submitted the required documents through Thailand Pass.

Additional Information: More information regarding the Thailand Pass is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Thai government has announced that it will relax its COVID-19 entry requirements and testing policies as of May 1, 2022.

Key Points:

  • Beginning May 1, fully vaccinated international travelers will no longer be required to undergo a PCR test when entering the country.
  • Fully vaccinated travelers must still register through Thailand Pass and provide proof of a valid passport, vaccination certificate, and health insurance covering at least US$10,000 (for non-Thai nationals) to enter Thailand.
  • Travelers who are not fully vaccinated can enter Thailand if they register through Thailand Pass and provide proof of a valid passport, vaccination certificate, and health insurance covering at least US$10,000 (for non-Thai nationals) and satisfy one of the following:
    • Upload proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.
    • Book an Alternative Quarantine (AQ) hotel room for five days and take a PCR test on the fourth or fifth day of quarantine.

Additional Information: More information regarding the Thailand Pass is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Thai government has eased its COVID-19 entry and testing requirements.

Key Points:

  • As of April 1, travelers, regardless of their vaccination status or departure country, do not need a pre-departure COVID-19 test to enter the country.
  • Thai authorities are no longer requiring individuals to have a negative PCR test that was taken within 72 hours before departure.
  • Travelers are still required to obtain a Thailand Pass QR-code before traveling to Thailand and take a PCR test on their first day of arrival until further notice.

Additional Information: Thai authorities are expected to ease other entry requirements in the coming months, including the requirement of taking a PCR test on the first day of arrival.

BAL Analysis: Entry and health requirements may change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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 has announced it will ease its COVID-19 entry requirements for those entering the country under the “Test & Go” scheme.

Key Points:

  • Beginning March. 1, travelers arriving through the “Test & Go” scheme will no longer be required to quarantine upon arrival.  To use the scheme, travelers must:
    • Take a PCR test on the first day after arrival and a rapid test on the fifth day after arrival.
    • Have proof of a prepaid one night stay in a government-approved hotel to wait for the results of the PCR test taken on the first day after arrival.
    • Have an insurance policy that covers at least $20,000.

Additional Information: Thai authorities will still require travelers to have proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure to enter Thailand. More information regarding the Thailand Pass is available here.

BAL Analysis: Travelers are reminding that entry requirements can change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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 has announced that it will resume the “Test & Go” scheme in February.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Feb. 1, fully vaccinated travelers will be able to enter Thailand under the “Test and Go” scheme.
    • Those entering under the scheme must take PCR tests on the first and fifth day of arrival and book rooms at a government-approved hotel for those nights.
    • Travelers entering the country under the scheme will be able to travel anywhere in Thailand after they receive negative test results from the first COVID test.
  • Travelers who have already applied to enter the country under the Sandbox Scheme can switch to the “Test & Go” scheme but must reapply for a new Thailand Pass on or after Feb. 1.

Additional Information: Travelers are required to have proof of prepayment for stays in government-approved hotel on day one and five of arrival until they receive their negative PCR test results. The prepayment for the first hotel must include transportation from the airport to the hotel. More information regarding the Thailand Pass is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to make travel to Thailand more difficult. Entry requirements can change with little to no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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 has suspended the “Test and Go” quarantine exemption program until further notice.

Key Points:

  • Travelers are no longer able to register under the “Test and Go” quarantine exemption program unless they are using the Phuket Sandbox scheme.
    • Travelers who were previously approved to enter the country under the program will be able to enter the country.
  • Travelers continue to be able to enter the country via the Phuket Sandbox or State Quarantine schemes.
    • Phuket Sandbox scheme. To be eligible, travelers must have received the last applicable dose of an approved COVID vaccine 14 days before intended arrival and present a vaccination certificate upon arrival. Travelers must quarantine for seven days in Phuket at a government-designated hotel or state quarantine hotel before traveling throughout the country.
    • State Quarantine scheme. Those who are fully vaccinated and have a vaccine certificate must quarantine for seven days and take two PCR tests. Travelers who are arriving by air and are not fully vaccinated or do not have a vaccine certificate must quarantine for 10 days and take two PCR tests. Travelers who are arriving by land and are not fully vaccinated or do not have a vaccine certificate must quarantine for 14 days and take two PCR tests.

BAL Analysis: The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus will make travel to Thailand more difficult in the days and weeks ahead. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 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.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Thai government has suspended its plan to reduce testing requirements for travelers arriving through the Test & Go scheme.

Key Points:

  • Travelers arriving through the Test & Go scheme will not be allowed to take an antigen test in place of a PCR test upon arrival, as was previously announced.
    • Individuals using the Test & Go scheme must book transportation to a quarantine hotel and a one night stay at a quarantine hotel in order to take a PCR test and receive the results.
  • Beginning Dec. 16, individuals arriving through the Sandbox scheme only have to book a quarantine hotel room for five days instead of seven days.

Additional Information: The Thai government had previously decided to modify its testing requirements under the Test & Go scheme. To enter the country on or after Nov. 1 travelers must have a valid visa or re-entry permit, Thailand Pass, proof of vaccination (if applicable), COVID-19 health insurance, confirmation of an Alternative State Quarantine hotel booking (if applicable) and a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of departure.

BAL Analysis: Authorities canceled the plan to allow antigen testing in light of the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 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.