Home to gorgeous islands, majestic temples, historic palaces, and wildlife sanctuaries, Thailand is one of the most visited countries. The country offers unforgettable memories. But just like any other place, it is important to know about what visa you require, and what are Covid-restrictions and entry requirements.
Whether you look forward to a family trip to Thailand or want to go for research, you must be aware of the different types of visas and their documentation.
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, our travel advice and updates will provide you with helpful information!
Thailand Entry Requirements for 2023
The following changes went into effect for all international travelers on July 1st.
- Foreigners are not required to provide proof of Covid Insurance or hotel quarantine.
- For foreign visitors entering Thailand, the Thailand Pass is also no longer mandatory.
- Vaccinated travelers are exempt from providing proof of vaccination to Thai authorities prior to arrival.
- Unvaccinated travelers (including children traveling with unvaccinated parents) must have an RT-PCR or Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK) completed 72 hours before departure for Thailand. Before traveling, no proof is required to be uploaded.
- Random checks will be conducted by airlines and Thai Immigration to ensure that travelers meet Covid prevention requirements (vaccination or Covid test).
- Do buy travel insurance when travelling to Thailand.
Is a Visa Required to Enter Thailand?
Visitors from Visa Exemption List countries are not required to obtain a Thai visa to visit Thailand for tourism purposes. The Thai Immigration Bureau will grant foreigners with Thailand tourist visa a 30-day stay in Thailand. Tourists in Thailand will be able to apply for a 30-day visa extension at any local immigration office.
With some of the smartest ideas and expert advice, you can travel to Thailand on a budget, letting you spend more days by stretching the dollar. So, if you want to stay longer or are travelling for a reason other than tourism, please be aware that the standard 60-day Tourist Visa, Thai Elite Visa, and other non-immigrant visas are available at Thai Embassies or Consulates worldwide. You can reach out to a Visa expert who will assist you through the process. They can help you understand the Thailand visa application process, documentation, and other requirements.
Documents Required for Traveling to Thailand
1. Thailand Visa and Passport
Besides visa-exempt countries, citizens from other nationalities do require a Thailand Visa. According to a recent development, from October 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, visitors will be able to stay for 30 or 45 days without the need for a Thai visa.
During this time, the length of stay per visit for passport holders of the following countries/territories who enter Thailand under a tourist Visa Exemption scheme will be 45 days: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, The Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain.
During this time, passport holders from the following countries/territories will be able to apply for a VOA (Visa On Arrival): Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu. For these countries, the visa fee of 2,000 THB will remain unchanged.
Make sure that your passport has a 6-month validity from the date of the trip.
2. Vaccination proof or COVID test
Travelers will be able to freely visit Thailand beginning October 1, 2022. Proof of Vaccination and a pre-departure COVID test are no longer required. Travelers should check with their airlines about the travel requirements if they will be transiting to a third country before arriving in Thailand.
3. Special Tourist Visa and Tourist Visa
Foreigners may also apply to a Thai embassy or consulate for a Tourist Visa. There are two types of Thailand visit visas: the standard 60-day tourist visa, which can be extended for an additional 30 days, and the 90-day Special Tourist Visa (STV), which can be extended for 90 days twice at a local immigration office. There are some requirements for the STV, but it allows a visitor to stay in Thailand for maximum period of 9 months. The Special Tourist Visa application period is set to end in September. If you are still looking for your answer, do check out our complete guide on Thailand tourist visas.
4. Travel Insurance
During Covid, insurance has become a dirty word. One of the important Thailand travel tips is to get insurance. Seasoned travelers have long recognised the value of having comprehensive Travel Insurance when traveling abroad. Travel insurance protected travelers from unforeseen events such as:
- Emergencies in medicine
- Accidents and personal injury
- Flights that were missed or delayed
- Personal property damage
- Luggage misplaced
It was one of those things that people hoped they wouldn’t need but later regretted not having. During the Pandemic, proof of insurance was required when visiting countries such as Thailand. People eventually stopped referring to insurance as “Travel Insurance” and instead referred to it as “Covid Insurance.” It was another hoop to jump through because you had to have it.
The good news is that proof of “Covid Insurance” is no longer required to enter Thailand. However, it is advised because all of the aforementioned events are still possible, and Covid has not vanished completely.
5. Hotel Booking and Proof of Address
Before entering Thailand, a foreign visitor would fill out an Arrival Card (TM6). This requirement has been temporarily removed as part of a new Thai government initiative.
Visitor does not need to provide proof of a hotel reservation before leaving their country, but they must still provide an address when passing through Passport Control in Thailand. This address could be a hotel, a home, or a friend’s place.
Beginning July 1, travelers will no longer be required to book a SHA+ hotel and submit to an RT-PCR test upon arrival. Most hotels have removed their SHA+ quarantine packages, but the SHA+ badge is still displayed on hotels.
Conclusion
Foreign requirements and restrictions for Thailand Travel may differ slightly depending on the country and traveller. For example, documents for a girls’ trip to Thailand is different from a traveller who is going for business purpose. Before making any plans or reservations, we recommend contacting your local Thai embassy or consulate.
Before making any plans or reservations, we recommend contacting your local Thai embassy or consulate.