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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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.
Hello, Siva.
You and your friend can enter Thailand through either the Thailand Visa Exemption Scheme or with the Visa on Arrival. It all depends on how long you both intend to remain in the country.
For immigration-related questions, we recommend that you join the community here to learn more about how to enter Thailand: https://howtoenterthailand.com/