Categories: Travel

Thailand introduces longer-stay visas to boost tourism & economy, ET TravelWorld

In a bid to revitalize its economy through enhanced travel and tourism, Thailand has announced new visa measures, effective from 15 July 2024. These initiatives include an extended 60-day visa exemption, Visa on Arrival (VOA) expansion, a new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for digital nomads, and extended student visas.

Thailand will now grant visa exemption to nationals of 93 countries and territories, up from the previous 57. Visitors under this scheme can stay for up to 60 days for tourism and short-term business engagements, with an option to extend for an additional 30 days at the Immigration Office.

Nationals from 31 countries and territories, up from 19 previously, can now apply for VOA at immigration checkpoints on arrival. Visitors under this scheme can stay for up to 15 days for tourism purposes, with a visa fee of 2,000 Baht. Countries newly eligible include Armenia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Paraguay, Serbia, Seychelles, Tunisia, Vanuatu, and Venezuela.

In a detailed investigation done by Delhi police, Bureau of Immigration and other security agencies, it was found that agents exploit passengers by sending them to countries offering visa-on-arrival to Indian nationals, organizing routes that facilitate illegal border crossings into destination countries. A senior officer informed that a common tactic involves sending passengers with fake Schengen visas to accessible European countries like Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan.

Thailand is introducing the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) to attract remote workers, digital nomads, and participants in various activities such as Muay Thai courses, Thai cooking classes, sports training, medical treatments, seminars, and music festivals. DTV holders, along with their spouses and dependent children, can enjoy multiple entries and a cumulative stay of up to 180 days, extendable for another 180 days. Applicants must provide proof of funds or a guarantee of not less than 500,000 Baht for the duration of their stay, with a visa fee of 10,000 Baht.Thailand has extended the stay period for foreign students of higher education, allowing them to stay for an additional year post-graduation. During this time, students can seek employment and, if hired locally, transition to a Non-Immigration B visa without leaving Thailand.

These new visa measures are expected to significantly boost Thailand’s economy by attracting more tourists, remote workers, and students, thus fostering sustainable growth in the travel and tourism sector.