george

VIDEO UPDATE: Significant Changes to Thai Visa Policies: From June 1, Thailand will expand visa-free entry to 93 countries, extend stays to 60 days, and increase visa-on-arrival countries to 31. New five-year visas for digital nomads and others will be introduced, with reduced health insurance requirements for retirees.

Yes, but max 2 times per year, 60 days entry per time.

Several posts regarding taxes has been removed. Use the tax threads for taxes. This thread is for new visa issues ONLY. Off topic posts will be removed without notice.

Yes, if they let you in. Max 2 border entries per year...

You WILL get 60 days instead of 30 days visa exemption on entry.

Several off topic posts were removed, as this is a very important topic and we don't want any clutter in here. No banter OR off topics in this thread. Off topic posts will be removed without warning. Thanks!

"doing a complete review of the entire non-immigrant Visa system", is exactly what they will do, reducing the number of NON-Immigrant categories.

Check your mobile browser setting if you can choose between mobile view and desktop view. I can do that in Chrome on iPhone. What broswer are you using on your Xiaomi?

All countries allowed visa exemption 30 days will get 60 days from June.

You will receive a 60-day stamp, yes. It's not 100% clear if this will be enforced exactly by June, 1, but we have to expect so, according to the announcement.

Not yet announced by The Immigration Bureau , the announcement was done by MFA just yesterday after the cabinet meeting. Immigration is normally not fast with policy updates, so watch this space for updates when it happens.

UPDATE: Thailand makes sweeping changes for foreign travellers in record tourism bid Changes will be made for digital nomads, students and retirees BANGKOK: -- Thailand's government has announced sweeping changes to tourism in the country. Tourism is a key driver of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy and a big source of employment. The country said on Tuesday it had approved longer visa stay periods for tourists, postgraduate students and remote workers, and better visa conditions for retirees, in a move to boost its crucial tourism sector as its economy stutters. Starting in June, Thailand will allow travelers from 93 countries to stay for periods of 60 days, up from the current 57 nations, while more will also be eligible for visas on arrival, government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke told reporters. Foreign students will be permitted to stay for an additional year upon graduation, while insurance requirements for foreigners seeking to retire in Thailand will be relaxed, he added. The new measures come as part of an effort to boost visitors, especially from its main and fastest-growing markets, by extending stay limits to 60 days from 30 days for on-arrival visas. The validity of so-called “digital nomad” visas for self-employed, remote workers will be extended to five years, from 60 days presently, with each stay limited to 180 days. Thailand recorded 14.3 million tourists in from January to May 26 this year and is targeting a record 40 million foreign arrivals for the full year, with revenue of 3.5 trillion baht ($95.73 billion). In pre-pandemic 2019, Thailand welcomed a record 39.9 million arrivals, generating 1.91 trillion baht. -- independent.co.uk 2024-05-28

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UPDATE: BANGKOK: -– The Thai government has announced a three-phase economic stimulus plan, including easing visa rules to boost tourism and attract more foreign visitors. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on May 28, as the country faces a prolonged economic slowdown, low GDP growth, and increasing public debt. The Cabinet meeting reached a unanimous conclusion that Thailand needs to generate new income by fully accelerating tourism policies, which are considered the only economic engine that will yield rapid returns. Key points of the plan are divided into three phases for 2024-2025. The government aims to generate this short-term measures no less than 3 trillion baht (81.91 billion USD) in tourism revenue by the end of 2024. 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. -- Khao Sot 2024-05-28

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Moved to visa forum.

This visa topic continues here:

Do you have a source for this?

After nearly three decades, the pioneering messenger service ICQ will shut down on June 26th, 2024. Developed by Israeli company Mirabilis in 1996, ICQ quickly became a global phenomenon, introducing millions to real-time online communication. Its unique user identification system, based on assigned numbers instead of usernames, was a defining characteristic. ICQ's popularity peaked in the late 90s and early 2000s, boasting over 100 million users at its zenith. However, the rise of competing platforms like AIM, MSN Messenger, and later, social media giants, gradually eroded its user base. In 2010, Russian tech company Mail.ru Group, now known as VK, acquired ICQ. Despite attempts to revitalize the platform with new features and mobile versions, it failed to regain its former glory. VK's announcement of ICQ's closure came as no surprise to many, as its user base had dwindled significantly. VK encourages remaining ICQ users to transition to their other messaging platforms, VK Messenger and VK WorkSpace. While ICQ may be disappearing, its legacy as a trailblazer in online communication remains. It paved the way for the countless messaging apps we use today and will forever be remembered as a significant milestone in internet history. The closure of ICQ marks the end of an era for many who grew up using the platform. It serves as a reminder of how rapidly technology evolves and how even once-dominant platforms can become obsolete. -- ASEAN NOW 2024-05-25

Wrong. I'm flying a lot of domestic and always only show DL. Have passport with me as a backup but never been asked for it.

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