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.

The Thai government has extended its COVID-19 state of emergency until Jan. 31, 2022, and modified its entry requirements.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals who are stranded in Thailand and cannot leave because of COVID-19 restrictions can apply for a 60-day visa extension until Jan. 25, 2022.
    • The extension is not automatically granted and will be approved at the discretion of the adjudicating officer.
  • Beginning Dec. 16, individuals arriving in Thailand via the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes can take an antigen test upon arrival instead of a PCR test.
    • Individuals using the Test & Go scheme only need to book transport to a quarantine hotel and an antigen test. A room booking is not required before entering the country.
    • Individuals arriving through the Sandbox scheme only have to book a quarantine hotel room for five days.

Additional Information: To enter the country on or after Nov. 1, travelers must have a valid visa or re-entry permit, a 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: 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.

The Thai government has expanded its quarantine exemption scheme and updated its list of countries exempt from its quarantine requirement.

Key Points:

  • As of Nov. 1, fully vaccinated air travelers from Australia, Canada, China, India, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S. and 56 other countries are exempt from the mandatory quarantine.
  • Eligible travelers must still have a confirmation and receipt of a one-night booking in an approved quarantine facility to wait in until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result from a post-arrival PCR test.

Additional Information: To enter the country travelers must have a valid visa or re-entry permit (except for those who will be eligible to apply for a waiver visa national at the Bangkok airport), a COE or Thailand Pass, proof of vaccination (if applicable), COVID-19 health insurance, flight confirmation, confirmation of an Alternative State Quarantine hotel booking (if applicable) and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

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 © 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 – HIGH

The Thai government has announced that it will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from 46 countries and change its Certificate of Entry (COE) procedure.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Nov. 1, travelers who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health or the World Health Organisation no less than 14 days before their travel date  and have been in Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, the U.S., the United Kingdom, and 40 other countries for at least 21 days can enter the country without having to quarantine.
  • The COE procedure for Thailand will be replaced with the Thailand Pass on Nov. 1.
    • Travelers must register their travel details at the Thailand Pass website at least seven days before traveling to Thailand.
    • Travelers who already have a COE are not required to use the Thailand Pass.
  • For the Sandbox Schemes, travelers must arrive through the International Airports of Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui, U-Tapao or Buriram.

Additional Information: To enter the country on or after Nov. 1 travelers must have a valid visa or re-entry permit, a COE or Thailand Pass, proof of vaccination (if applicable), COVID-19 health insurance, flight confirmation, confirmation of an Alternative State Quarantine hotel booking (if applicable) and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

BAL Analysis: Travel to Thailand will be more widely available on Nov. 1. Individuals should note that the Thailand Pass is replacing the COE and must be used to enter the country. 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 announced that fully vaccinated Thai citizens can request for a vaccination passport for international travel.

Key Points:

  • As of Oct 18, Thai citizens can request for a vaccine passport via the Mor Prom application.
  • After registering through the application, users can select their delivery preference by email for a digital copy, postal delivery or self-pickup.
  • The vaccination passport is designed to make it easier for Thai citizens to travel to countries that require vaccination proof.

Additional Information: Payments for the vaccination passports can be made in-person or by e-payment with internet banking.

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 © 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 reduced its quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers from 14 days to seven days.

Key Points:

  • Individuals who have received the last applicable dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before traveling and who have submitted their vaccination certificate at the Thai Embassy must quarantine for seven days at a designated hotel.
  • Individuals who are not fully vaccinated and who are traveling to Thailand by air must quarantine for ten days at a designated hotel.
  • Individuals who are not fully vaccinated and who are traveling to Thailand by land must quarantine for 14 days at a designated hotel.

Additional Information: To enter the country, travelers must have a valid visa or re-entry permit, a Certificate of Entry issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or consulate, COVID-19 health insurance, confirmation of an Alternative State Quarantine hotel booking and a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of departure. The vaccination must be approved by the World Health Organization or the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand to be valid.

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. 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 granted another 60-day visa extension to foreign nationals who are unable to leave Thailand because of COVID-related travel restrictions.

Key Points:

  • All categories of visa holders are eligible for a 60-day visa extension if applicants meet specific COVID-19 related requirements.
  • The window for visa extensions has been extended from Sept. 27 to Nov. 26.
  • For those living in Bangkok, extension applications can be filed at the Immigration Bureau in Cheang Wattana. For those living outside of Bangkok, applications can be filed at Provincial Immigration Offices located throughout the country.

BAL Analysis: The 60-day visa extension helps foreigners with soon expiring visas to stay in the country legally. 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.

 

The Thai government recently extended the State Emergency Decree that was set to end on July 31 and granted another 60-day visa extension for many foreign nationals.

Key Points:

  • The State Emergency decree has been extended until Sept. 30. All provisions under the decree remain in place.
  • All visa categories are eligible for a 60-day COVID visa extension if an applicant meets specific COVID-19-related requirements.
  • The window for visa extensions will be open until Sept. 27.

BAL Analysis: The COVID-19 virus, including variants, continues to spread in many countries across the region. The 60-day visa extension helps foreigners with soon-expiring visas to stay in the country legally. 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.

The Thai government introduced the Phuket Sandbox Scheme on July 1 to allow Thai nationals and foreigners the ability to enter Phuket from low- and medium-risk countries.

Pre-arrival requirements:

  • Travelers must reside in a country on the low- or medium-risk countries list for at least 21 days before traveling to Phuket.
  • Travelers must have received the last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before travel.
  • Travelers must have a vaccine certificate, valid visa, certificate of entry, COVID-19 health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $100,000 per traveler, a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of departure, a 14-day hotel booking and a receipt of advanced payment for COVID-19 testing in Phuket.

Post-arrival requirements:

  • Travelers on direct flights to Phuket are subject to health screening and Immigration and Customs procedures at the point of entry. Travelers on transit flights to Phuket are subject to two health screenings and Immigration and Customs procedures.
  • Travelers must install the ThailandPlus application and MorChana tracing application for contact tracing purposes.
  • Travelers must undergo pre-paid PCR tests as determined by Thai health authorities depending on the length of stay in Thailand.
    • If the test results are negative, individuals can go anywhere in Phuket but must return to their pre-booked hotel every night.
  • All travelers must stay in Phuket for 14 days before they can travel to other parts of Thailand.

BAL Analysis: The Phuket Sandbox Scheme is subject to change as the epidemiological situation evolves. 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.