Corporate Immigration update — Thailand’s new visa measures

Santa Fe publication date

17 July 2024

Overview

The Thai government has announced several new visa measures to boost the economy and investment and attract highly skilled labour.

Who will be affected?

These new visa measures will impact remote workers or freelancers, participants in cultural activities, tourists, short-term business travelers and non-immigrant ED visa holders.

Background

The government has announced the following visa measures.

• Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): This is a new type of visa for long-term tourist, remote work, i.e. high skilled labour, freelancers, remote workers, and participants of activities, e.g. Muay Thai courses, Thai cooking classes, sports training, medical treatment, seminars, music festivals, etc. The DTV is valid for 5 years with a 180-day period of stay in Thailand per each entry.
• Visa Exemption (60 days): Allow nationals from 93 countries and territories to enter Thailand on visa exemption for tourism and short-term business engagements for a period of not exceeding 60 days. 93 countries and territories are Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea (ROK), Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkiye, Ukraine, UAE, UK, USA, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
• Visa on arrival (VOA): Allow nationals from 31 countries and territories to apply for VOA for a tourism purpose, for a period of not exceeding 15 days. 31 countries and territories are Armenia, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, Mexico, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Taiwan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and Venezuela.
• Non-immigrant ED visa holders: A non-immigrant ED visa holders who are enrolling in a bachelor’s degree or above can extend their visas for one year after graduation. If they find a job, they can convert their visa to non-Immigrant B within Thailand.

Impact

These measures have many impacts as follows.

• Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): A specific visa type is created for long-term tourists, remote workers and participants of various activities with a longer period of stay in Thailand.
• Visa Exemption (60 days): Nationals of 93 countries and territories can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days for tourism and short-term business purpose without having to apply for a visa.
• Visa on arrival (VOA): Nationals from 31 countries and territories can apply for VOA at the immigration checkpoints upon their arrival in Thailand. This will allow them to stay in Thailand for 15 days for tourism purposes.
• Non-immigrant ED visa holders: Previously, non-immigrant ED visa holders could not extend their stay in Thailand after graduation. This measure will allow them to stay in Thailand for one year to seek employment or to travel within Thailand.

Date of implementation

15 July 2024

Santa Fe recommendation

Proper planning and understanding of the terms and conditions are essential for seamless travel under these new measures. Our team is available for any further guidance or queries regarding these changes.

Contact us

Please get in touch with us for further information or clarification:

Rachaneekorn Wangsuekul
Relocation Manager
Santa Fe Relocation
rachaneekorn.wangsuekul@santaferelo.com

Robert Day
Group Head of Immigration Operations
Santa Fe Relocation
robert.day@santaferelo.com

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