Various Visa Changes

[davidge]

 

From what I can see:

more countries added to Visa Exempt and Visa Exempt extended to 60 days;

more countries added to Visa on Arrival;

reduction of insurance for Non O-A but only for applications for 3 months - maybe??;

more countries to use e-Visa system.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2800891/new-visa-promotions-retiree-insurance-reduced

New visa promotions, retiree insurance reduced

Digital nomads, boxers, learner chefs can get 5-year visas

The cabinet approved a raft of new new visa promotions to attract more tourists on Tuesday, including visa-free and visa-on-arrival schemes and longer stays for students, and a reduced level of compulsory health insurance for retirees.

The Foreign Ministry proposed the measures to attract as many visitors as possible because the national economy depended heavily on tourism, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said.

He said the number of countries eligible for visa-free entry would increase from 57 to 93. The 36 new countries included Albania, Cambodia, China, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Romania, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan.

 

Visitors' stays under this scheme were also extended to 60 days, the government spokesman said. 

 

The cabinet also approved visa-on-arrival for 31 countries, up from 19 countries previously.

Visitors who want to work and also visit tourist destinations will be able to get five-year visas valid for stays up to 180 days, extendable for another 180 days. They were previously entitled to only two stays of 30 days each, the government spokesman said.

"This measure targets digital nomads, remote workers and freelancers... as well as those who want to learn Muay Thai and Thai cuisine. They can both learn and tour places," Mr Chai said.

Foreign students of higher education could stay for one year after graduation, instead of being required to leave the country immediately finishing their course.

"They can find work during the extended period, especially in the fields that we need," the spokesman said. There were about 40,000 such foreign students in the country, he said.

The above-mentioned measures will take effect on Saturday, June 1.

- Retirement -

Visitors aged  50 years or more who want long-stay visas are currently required to have health insurance coverage worth 3 million baht.

Under the cabinet's resolution on Tuesday, each long-stay visa applicant in this age group is required to have health cover of only 440,000 baht - 400,000 baht for inpatient treatment and 40,000 baht for outpatient cover.

This is effective for long-stay applicants from September to December, Mr Chai said.

The cabinet also approved the expansion of e-visa application services at Thai consulates and embassies from 47 to 94 locations, commencing in September, the spokesman said.

 

As always we have to wait for full details and for publication in Royal Gazette. Reports in other publications give slightly different detail on some of these. Eg maybe the insurance reduction will be gradually implemented over 3 months rather than only being for 3 months.

Also, there’s a new visa for digital nomads, students allowed to stay for a year after their course.

Digital nomad details from Khaosod English:

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) eligibility and benefits:

Skilled foreign talent, digital nomads, freelancers, and those engaging in activities such as learning Muay Thai, cooking, sports training, medical treatment, seminars, and arts and music events.
Spouses and legal children (under 20) of DTV holders.
Proof of financial support or a guarantee of at least 500,000 baht for the duration of stay.
DTV allows a stay of up to 180 days, with a visa fee of 10,000 baht, valid for 5 years. The stay can be extended once for another 180 days with an additional fee of 10,000 baht.

[Thomaz73]

15 minutes ago, davidge said:

Digital nomads, boxers, learner chefs can get 5-year visas

Interesting, thanks. Wonder what sort of visa that might be. Details to come I'm sure. Along with a lot of confusion

[davidge]

10 minutes ago, Thomaz73 said:

Interesting, thanks. Wonder what sort of visa that might be. Details to come I'm sure. Along with a lot of confusion

I did add details to the end of my post from Khaosod 

[Farangkie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaEnvfZ_B3w

.

Edited May 28, 2024 by Farangkie

[Leo_Bia]

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/tourism/2024/05/28/thailand-eases-visa-rules-to-boost-economy-urgently/

Short-term measures:

Visa exemption for tourists, business visitors, and short-term workers from 93 countries (up from 57), allowing stays of up to 60 days.
Expansion of Visa on Arrival (VOA) to 31 countries (up from 19).
Introduction of a new visa category, Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), for foreigners seeking to stay in Thailand for an extended period and work remotely (workcation).

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) eligibility and benefits:

Skilled foreign talent, digital nomads, freelancers, and those engaging in activities such as learning Muay Thai, cooking, sports training, medical treatment, seminars, and arts and music events.
Spouses and legal children (under 20) of DTV holders.
Proof of financial support or a guarantee of at least 500,000 baht for the duration of stay.
DTV allows a stay of up to 180 days, with a visa fee of 10,000 baht, valid for 5 years. The stay can be extended once for another 180 days with an additional fee of 10,000 baht.
Improved benefits for foreign students:

Foreign students pursuing bachelor’s degrees or higher with a Non-Immigrant Visa (ED) will have an easier time finding work and staying in Thailand after graduation.
Extended stay of 1 year after graduation for job hunting, traveling, or other activities, with certification from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.

Medium-term measures:

It will be implemented from September to December 2024.

Restructuring and reducing the number of Non-Immigrant visa categories from 17 to 7, starting in September 2024.
Adjusting the criteria and conditions for the Long Stay visa for elderly people who wish to spend their retirement in Thailand, starting in September 2024.
Reducing the health insurance requirement for Non-Immigrant visa (O-A) from 3,000,000 baht to pre-COVID-19 levels: 40,000 baht for outpatients and 400,000 baht for inpatients.
Expanding the e-Visa service from 47 to 94 Thai embassies, consulates, and trade and economic offices worldwide by December 2024.
 

Long-term measures:

It will be fully implemented by June 2025.

Developing an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for foreign nationals eligible for visa exemption.
Using technology and innovation to enhance the screening of foreign nationals by integrating data with the Immigration Bureau.
Government spokesperson Chai Wacharong stated that while these measures to facilitate tourism will result in a loss of approximately 12.3 billion baht (335.7 million USD) in government revenue annually, the expected return from increased tourism, estimated at 800 billion to 1 trillion baht (21.8 – 27.3 billion USD), led the Cabinet to approve the measures

 

 

[Tarpon]

As a Swede I'm eligible for a 30 day Visa exempt at the moment, hopefully I will not need to get a visa before my next trip. I cross my fingers that this new RULES apply to Swedes too...

[davidge]

12 minutes ago, Tarpon said:

As a Swede I'm eligible for a 30 day Visa exempt at the moment, hopefully I will not need to get a visa before my next trip. I cross my fingers that this new rules apply to Swedes too...

It sounds as if all Visa Exempt will be 60 days but, yes, we need to wait for clarification to be sure.

[Mick Pattaya]

2 hours ago, davidge said:

It sounds as if all Visa Exempt will be 60 days but, yes, we need to wait for clarification to be sure.

This seems to have come out of the blue?.

Usually, there's some TAT guy who airs such possibilities, starts debates & occasional panic in the public, then the cabinet goes back & forth for a week or two and then finally the tourism minister lays out the proposal, always with the caveat of checking out the final details in the Gazette.

[stickyfingers]

Typical as just paid and got my Thai tourist visa for 60 x days!! Although easier and cheaper to get an e-visa online here in the UK than doing battle with soi 5 immigration dept there!!

[Gonetothedogs]

Had my multi entry tourist Visa approved last week too. Prefer to have the Visa rather than rely on the 30 now 60 days exempt after being questioned at the airport last year 

Edited May 28, 2024 by Gonetothedogs

[davidge]

6 minutes ago, Mick Pattaya said:

This seems to have come out of the blue?.

Usually, there's some TAT guy who airs such possibilities, starts debates & occasional panic in the public, then the cabinet goes back & forth for a week or two and then finally the tourism minister lays out the proposal, always with the caveat of checking out the final details in the Gazette.

There have been rumours going around for a few weeks.

[Thomaz73]

6 minutes ago, Mick Pattaya said:

This seems to have come out of the blue?.

Usually, there's some TAT guy who airs such possibilities

In fairness TAT did so months ago. But given the silence since then, I'm surprised as well. 

[LarsRickyMan]

That DTV sounds like a game changer for yearly stays if it comes to fruition. Staying long term under 50 has always limited a large segment from being able to spend money in LOS long term, if that truly is the goal of all this. 

[MilanoMila]

2 hours ago, davidge said:

It sounds as if all Visa Exempt will be 60 days but, yes, we need to wait for clarification to be sure.

That's a world first.  60 days visa on arrival sounds great for tourists to enjoy the sights without feeling rushed 

[davidge]

2 minutes ago, MilanoMila said:

That's a world first.  60 days visa on arrival sounds great for tourists to enjoy the sights without feeling rushed 

Visa Exempt. Visa on Arrival is different and a different set of countries are eligible.

[cheetzie]

7 minutes ago, davidge said:

Visa Exempt. Visa on Arrival is different and a different set of countries are eligible.

Yep, one of the proposals, still yet to be confirmed via the Royal Gazette, is the Visa Exempt on arrival scheme. For UK passport holders, we had 45 days just after Covid to encourage tourists in, but then it went back to 30. 

Edited May 28, 2024 by cheetzie

[Kandinski]

9 minutes ago, MilanoMila said:

That's a world first.  60 days visa on arrival sounds great for tourists to enjoy the sights without feeling rushed 

Will interesting to follow the statistics if any impact on the economy but at least it should ease pressure on the immigration a bit

[Joeleg]

This must be most innovative Visa of any country. No pretences what so ever.  

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) eligibility and benefits:

Skilled foreign talent, digital nomads, freelancers, and those engaging in activities such as learning Muay Thai, cooking, sports training, medical treatment, seminars, and arts and music events. 

• USD 13.7k guarantee (refundable) for 5 years. 
• USD 550 fee for 360 days in a calendar year

Basically anyone with USD 14.5k can set himself up in Thailand. 

 

Edited May 28, 2024 by Joeleg

[big shooter]

Is the government planning to tax farm and milk these new residents along with the retirees? 

[MilanoMila]

53 minutes ago, Joeleg said:

• USD 13.7k guarantee (refundable) for 5 years. 
• USD 550 fee for 360 days in a calendar year

Basically anyone with USD 14.5k can set himself up in Thailand. 

This seems way too easy to set up and live in the country for a long time. I am sure they're gonna put up more income levels somehow ...... 

Let's see what the first wave of digital social media influencers do 

[tangerinetomatoesrat]

Can't wait to see the list of countries and actual Digital Nomad visa details. I was planning to setup myself next year between Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia, mostly because of Visa reasons. But this is a godsend. Hope it actually sticks tho. Wouldn't be the first time they announced something this big then backtracked quickly.

[Gonetothedogs]

1 hour ago, Joeleg said:

This must be most innovative Visa of any country. No pretences what so ever.  

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) eligibility and benefits:

Skilled foreign talent, digital nomads, freelancers, and those engaging in activities such as learning Muay Thai, cooking, sports training, medical treatment, seminars, and arts and music events. 

• USD 13.7k guarantee (refundable) for 5 years. 
• USD 550 fee for 360 days in a calendar year

Basically anyone with USD 14.5k can set himself up in Thailand. 

 

Sloooowww down cowboy. Let’s see the details 

[Roadglide]

The DTV does sound interesting...A 5 year visa that allows you to stay for up to 180 days per year, or is that 180 days over the 5 years???

I have really been looking for this sort of visa that will allow me to come and stay for 90+ days per year without having to apply for an Evisa every year.

[particle]

2 minutes ago, Roadglide said:

The DTV does sound interesting...A 5 year visa that allows you to stay for up to 180 days per year, or is that 180 days over the 5 years???

I have really been looking for this sort of visa that will allow me to come and stay for 90+ days per year without having to apply for an Evisa every year.

If visa exempt is going to be 60 days, I guess you could do 120 with one renewal if the renewal is also 60 days, or one visa run, if so that's what I'll hopefully be doing this winter. 

[davidge]

24 minutes ago, particle said:

If visa exempt is going to be 60 days, I guess you could do 120 with one renewal if the renewal is also 60 days, or one visa run, if so that's what I'll hopefully be doing this winter. 

You can’t ‘renew’ any visa nor Visa Exempt. You can get an Extension. 

It is 99.99999999999999999999% certain that the Extension will remain at 30 days.