Thailand’s Cabinet has recently approved new visa and travel measures aimed at boosting tourism and stimulating the economy. The Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, proposed these changes on May 28, 2024.
In the short term, five key changes are expected to take effect by late June or early July 2024. These changes include extending visa exemptions to 60 days for tourists and short-term business visitors from 93 countries, expanding the number of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA) from 19 to 31, introducing a new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for long-term travelers, digital nomads, and participants in cultural activities, extending digital nomad visas to five years, and making it easier for foreign postgraduate students to stay in Thailand after graduation.
Additionally, a new Visa Policy Committee will be established to refine Thailand’s entry processes and enhance immigration efficiency. In the medium term, non-immigrant visas will be streamlined, health insurance requirements will be reduced, and the e-Visa system will be expanded. In the long term, Thailand will introduce an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system to provide a more seamless entry process for international visitors.
Thailand’s popularity as a tourist destination continues to rise, with 9.4 million foreign tourists visiting in the first three months of this year. The country is targeting a record of 40 million tourists this year, close to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Additionally, tourists from India can enter Thailand without a visa until November 11, 2024, following the success of a previous waiver.