23 Dec, 2024
Following months of anticipation and speculation, Thai authorities have finally revealed more details about the global rollout of the country’s electronic visa (e-visa) system.
Starting January 1, 2025, the e-visa platform (www.thaievisa.go.th) will be available across 94 Thai embassies and consulates, with the aim of streamlining Thailand’s visa application process for travellers through technology.
During the announcement at the Foreign Ministry on 17 December, Worawoot Pongprapapant, Director-General of Consular Affairs, clarified a key point: the new e-visa process does not apply to tourists from 93 visa-exempt countries, who can continue entering Thailand for stays of up to 60 days without a visa.
The e-visa system primarily targets other visa categories, such as work and student visas, while maintaining visa-free entry for ASEAN nationals and travellers from countries like China, India, Australia, the UK, and the US.
The new system is designed to be user-friendly: applicants will receive their e-visa confirmation via email, which they can print and present to airlines and Thai immigration authorities upon arrival.
The 93 visa-exempt countries to Thailand include:
Albania
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bhutan
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
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
Türkiye
Ukraine
UAE
UK
USA
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
