Thailand’s ETA will change visa-free travel for visitors
Foreigners entering Thailand (under the visa exemption regime) will need to register for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), with a trial scheduled for December 2024 and official implementation starting in June 2025.
Thailand will introduce a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-exempt foreigners starting in December 2024. While it is not a visa, this system serves as a digital security check to enhance safety and monitor health risks for those entering the country by air, land, or sea.
The Thai ETA will be required for travelers from nearly 100 visa-exempt countries, including Spain, France, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Sweden, Portugal, Italy, and more.
Currently, visitors enjoy a 60-day visa exemption, which can be extended for 30 days. However, the ETA may introduce new restrictions on repeated entries. The Thai government aims for the ETA to improve tracking and evaluation of foreigners, similar to existing systems in the U.S. and Europe.
The ETA will be processed online and is expected to be free, allowing travelers to use electronic immigration gates with a QR code once approved. Unlike other countries' ETAs, the Thai system requires a new application for each entry.
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Additionally, Thailand introduced the Thailand Destination Visa (TDV), designed for remote workers, digital nomads, and visitors participating in approved activities. Costing 10,000 baht (430 USD), this visa allows a stay of up to five years, provided applicants can show proof of having at least 500,000 baht for the duration of their stay.
The TDV also covers the spouse and dependent children of the holder, offering them a five-year stay with multiple entries, extendable for another 180 days, according to Executive Traveller.
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