Thailand Visa Exemption (May 2024)


Thailand Visa Exemption

Thailand Visa Exemption

As of May 2024, Thailand has successfully extended its Thailand Visa Exemption Scheme to 5 countries in Asia in an attempt to further increase traffic to the Kingdom.

What is the Thailand Visa Exemption Scheme?

The Visa Exemption Scheme allows tourists to enter Thailand without the need to apply for a visa beforehand and stay in the country for a total of 30 days.

If you’re traveling to Thailand by air, there is no entry limit. But if you’re entering Thailand by land or sea border, then you’ll be limited to doing so only twice a year. However, Malaysian citizens are an exception to this regulation, as they are granted unlimited entry to Thailand whichever way they choose to enter the country.

Why is the Thai government doing this?

By extending the Thailand Visa Exemption Scheme for these countries, the Thai government is attempting to return tourism and revenue levels to pre-COVID numbers. Thus far data has shown that the reduced immigration restrictions have led to more visitors from the affected countries and more money being spent in Thailand. 

As such, it is likely that the government will enact similar policies in the future to other countries beyond these new additions, and may make temporary visa exemption policies permanent.

Countries with Extended Visa Exemption Agreements

If you hold a passport from one of the following Asian countries, you are now eligible to enter Thailand through the Visa Exemption Scheme for the given time period:

Country Extension Period Start Date End Date
China 30 Days 1 March 2024 Indefinite
India 30 Days 11 May 2024 11 November 2024
Kazakhstan 30 Days 18 April, 2024 Indefinite
Russia 60 Days 1 May 2024 31 July 2024
Taiwan 30 Days 11 May 2024 11 November 2024

If you wish to stay in Thailand longer, you can request an extension at the nearest Thai immigration office, which will grant you an additional 7 days. Note that you can only do this once per entry.

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8 Comments

  1. Fülöp Andreas
    July 11, 2024
    Reply

    Hello,i would like to ask a question.As Hungarian citizen,can i stay 30 or 60 yays in Thailand without visa or any restrictions?
    Thank you very much in advance!
    Kind regards

    • July 12, 2024

      Hello, Fülöp Andreas.

      Citizens of Hungary are eligible to enter Thailand through the Visa Exemption Scheme and remain in the country for a total of 60 days with the new immigration update that was announced in May.

      For immigration-related questions, we recommend that you join the community here to learn more about how to enter Thailand: https://howtoenterthailand.com/

  2. Ariatne Mustafa
    July 10, 2024
    Reply

    Good evening, I am from Bolivia, I plan to go to Thailand next month, I want to know the requirements for the visa, and if I can process it upon arriving in the country, greetings in advance
    Atte:
    Ariatne Mustafa

    • July 12, 2024

      Hello, Ariatne Mustafa.

      As a citizen of Bolivia, you may enter Thailand with the Visa on Arrival and remain in the country for a total of 15 days. However, if you intend to stay longer in the country, it is advised that you apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa, which will allow you to remain in the country for a total of 60 days.

      For immigration-related questions, we recommend that you join the community here to learn more about how to enter Thailand: https://howtoenterthailand.com/

  3. Chris
    July 9, 2024
    Reply

    Hi there,

    I am traveling from Australia to Thailand for 3 weeks this month. I just wanted to check if there is anything that needs to be done prior to traveling for the Visa exemption as we intend to stay for less than 30 days. Or does this just get sorted once we land in Thailand?
    Thanks

  4. Siva
    July 4, 2024
    Reply

    Hi, i am an Indian national and my friend, China national will visit Thailand from 10th to 13th July 2024. May i ask if we will be categorized under Visa on Exemption or Visa on Arrival? Thank you.