Advertorial COVID-19 guide for travelers to and in Thailand

[ASEAN NOW Sales]

COVID-19 guide for travelers to and in Thailand

 

 

Are you a foreigner eager to be reunited with your Thai spouse, keen to work remotely from the pristine beaches in the country, or have any other motivation to enter Thailand during the coronavirus (COVID-19) era? Or perhaps you’re already here and find yourself stranded? Whatever your situation, you’re likely to be confused and frustrated as you navigate the latest travel alerts and warnings for Thailand. Given this, our friends at Pacific Prime Thailand hope to ease your woes by giving you everything you need to know. 

 

Visa amnesty for foreigners currently in the country

 

The Thai government has extended the visa amnesty policy until 31st October 2020 for foreigners who are unable to leave Thailand, in what is the fourth extension of the policy. It applies to all foreigners whose visas did not expire before March 26th 2020, enabling them to stay in the country without having to extend visas at an Immigration office. Foreigners are advised to direct any inquiries to the Immigration Bureau via their hotline 1178.

 

In addition to this, foreigners are advised to remain wary of agents who claim they can offer visa solutions that seem too good to be true. While there are some genuine agents out there, who can be a lifesaver when dealing with bureaucracy, there has also been a rise in the number of scam agents during these uncertain and difficult times, preying on vulnerable and anxious foreigners.  

 

Thailand travel and entry restrictions 

 

With that said, what about foreigners who are stranded outside Thailand? It’s advisable to check directly with your local Thai embassy or consulate, as each country may have slightly different rules and procedures. Moreover, the list continually changes as the pandemic develops. For your reference, the Thai Embassy in London stipulates the following groups of foreigners are currently allowed to enter Thailand:

 

• Diplomats and officials of international organizations
• Work permit holders, those going to work, or those going for business 
• Family members of Thai nationals (spouse/children)
• Medical tourists
• Students in formal education at schools or university level
• Certificate of Residence holders
• Long stay visa holders (Non-Immigrant O-A/O-X)
• Elite card holders
• Property owners in Thailand 

 

Proposals for a new Special Tourist Visa (STV) for long-stay travelers

 

Despite being a tourism-reliant country, Thailand’s borders are shut for tourists. To revive the industry, while maintaining COVID-19 control, the country officially announced the Special Tourist Visa (STV) for long-stay visitors. This visa will be a single-entry one, valid for 90 days, and can be extended twice, each for a further 90 days. It costs THB 2,000 per 90-day period and can’t be changed to other types of visas. As a minimum, visa-holders must:

 

• Come from a country with lower COVID-19 infection rates. 
• Have proof of their long-term residence in Thailand. 
• Secure health and accident coverage that covers the period of their stay in Thailand, with a coverage level of at least THB 400,000 for inpatient and physician services, as well as THB 40,000 for outpatient services. 
• Secure an adequate health insurance plan that covers COVID-19, with a coverage level of at least USD 100,000. 
• Undergo quarantine for 14 days in an alternative state facility or hospital at their own expense. 

 

What’s more, according to the Thailand Long Stay Company, a visa agency authorized to assist applicants with the STV, there are a host of other conditions that applicants must satisfy, for instance arriving in the country on a chartered flight, obtaining a “Fit to Fly” certificate, as well as testing negative for COVID-19. Furthermore, the new visa has been met with delays since it was first announced, making it an unrealistic option for most leisure travelers. 

 

In fact, a group of 120 STV-holders from China was due to land in Phuket on October 8th. However, this has since been delayed to October 26th, as Phuket authorities wanted them to come after the city’s annual Vegetarian Festival comes to an end on October 25th. Additionally, another group of 120 STV-holders from China is due to land in Bangkok on October 20th. 

 

Steps needed for travelers eligible to travel to Thailand 

 

As things stand currently, those who are eligible to enter Thailand fall into two categories: already have a valid visa and don’t have a valid visa. The former category will need to obtain a “Certificate of Entry” (COE) from a local Thai embassy or consulate, while the latter category will need to apply for both the visa and COE. In order to obtain a COE, applicants will need to do a number of things like:

 

• Secure an adequate health insurance plan that covers COVID-19, with a coverage level of at least USD 100,000. 
• Test negative for COVID-19 prior to departing.
• Obtain a “Fit to Fly” certificate.
• Undergo quarantine for 14 days in an alternative state facility or hospital at their own expense. 

 

Follow support groups online to learn from other people’s experiences 

 

Given the hoops that foreigners have to jump through, there have been many support groups on Facebook like “Thai Expats Stranded Overseas due to COVID-19 Restrictions”, where foreigners share their struggles in dealing with Thai entry restrictions. It can be a useful resource for those going through a similar experience - a place to get insider tips and advice. But remember to take these tips and advice with a pinch of salt. 

 

Don’t meet the eligibility criteria to enter Thailand? For instance, those of you who’ve got an unmarried partner in Thailand? In that case, follow “Love is not tourism Thailand”. They’re a group campaigning for the Thai authorities to allow unmarried partners of Thai nationals to enter the country using photos, messages, passport stamps, and other evidence of a genuine relationship. 

 

Looking to apply for a Thai COE? Pacific Prime is a leading health insurance broker, with over two decades of working with expats. Whether you’re looking for Thailand COVID-19 health insurance plans, Thailand Long-stay visa insurance, or any other expat health insurance plan in the country, you can get in touch with them for expert advice or plan comparison.