New travel rules: Thailand’s ETA to shake up visa-free visitors

[webfact]

Thailand is tightening its borders with a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, set to launch between December this year and June 2025. This system will be mandatory for all visa-exempt foreigners entering the country by air, land, or sea.

 

Though not technically a visa, the ETA will act as a computerised security check, similar to the ETIAS programme for Schengen countries. It’s designed to enhance security, curb illegal migration, and monitor health risks.

 

Foreign visitors will receive email confirmation of their ETA approval, usually within 24 hours. However, the fine print is still a mystery. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to reveal exactly what documents will be required, though it’s likely travellers will need to show proof of accommodation and outbound travel, much like systems in Malaysia and Cambodia.

 

Currently, Thailand offers a 60-day visa-exempt entry for citizens of 93 countries. This can be extended to 90 days at a local immigration office, and foreigners can use a border run to reset the clock – a loophole many use indefinitely. But with the new ETA system, it’s unclear if restrictions will be introduced to limit these back-to-back entries.

The ETA is expected to be free and will be issued via the government’s e-portal, www.thaievisa.go.th. Once approved, travellers can pass through electronic immigration gates using a QR code. The system will also run checks on criminal records and passport authenticity, potentially avoiding confrontations at immigration desks, reported Pattaya Mail.

ORIGINAL STORY: Aussies now need an ETA to enter Thailand

 

Australians planning a getaway to Thailand will soon have an extra step to complete before boarding their flight. The Thai government is introducing a mandatory electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which must be obtained ahead of travel.

 

This new system, introduced by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is designed to enhance the screening and tracking of foreigners entering the country.

 

“The ETA will be an important tool for screening and tracking the movement of foreigners entering Thailand.”

 

The Thai ETA is required for travellers from nearly 100 visa-waiver countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and most European nations. It’s a system similar to the USA’s ESTA and the upcoming travel authorisation systems in Europe, the UK, and Japan.

 

Scheduled for a pilot launch by December this year, with a full roll-out by June 2025, ETA applications will be processed online via the official Thai e-Visa website. Unlike other countries’ ETAs, which may allow multiple entries over several years, the Thai ETA must be applied for each time a visitor plans to enter Thailand. However, it’s expected to be free of charge.

Once approved, ETA holders will benefit from the convenience of automated passport gates at immigration checkpoints. This comes alongside the recent extension of stay for tourists and business travellers from visa-free countries, who can now enjoy up to 60 days in Thailand, with the possibility to extend for another 30 days upon arrival.

 

In addition, Thailand introduced the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), tailored for remote workers, digital nomads, and visitors attending approved activities. Priced at 10,000 baht (430 Aussie dollars), this visa allows a stay of up to five years, provided applicants can prove they have at least 500,000 baht for the duration of their stay.

 

The DTV also covers the holder’s spouse and dependent children, offering them a five-year stay with multiple entries, extendable by another 180 days, reported Executive Traveller.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 
Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-09-06

 

 

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[mokwit]

Glitchfest incoming.

[recom273]

Can that run on windows 95?

[mran66]

New idea to boost tourism revenues? 

[SpanishExpat]

Malaysia doesn’t require that in detail! Yeah you have to fill it out, but no need to upload any documents, so you can fill out any random accommodation and just the date when you leave again. Takes 2-3min.

I also can use the Egates there with my passport and without pysical contact to immigration officers.

 

 

Just hoping Thailand doesn’t <deleted> this up like they usually do by over-complicating it.

[lordgrinz]

5 minutes ago, SpanishExpat said:

Just hoping Thailand doesn’t <deleted> this up like they usually do by over-complicating it.

 

That's a foregone conclusion.

[ikke1959]

How about people who like to travel around?? They have book all accommodations before??? Great for tourists, more paperwork and hussle .. Tourists will flock in again, no visa anymore but we introduce something different, but almost same

[hotchilli]

Forever tweaking the system.... 

[fresher]

So long as they keep it simple, I think this is a reasonable development. It needs to be free of payment and upload hassles.

[Hawaiian]

13 minutes ago, mran66 said:

New idea to boost tourism revenues? 

I think it will most likely have the opposite effect, especially for return visitors.

[ian carman]

So no checking of fingerprints on arrival 

[cjinchiangrai]

Whatever, as long as it is easy to process.

 

If they want to get things under control, start with arresting agents.

[ashkale]

Suspect it will be a digital TM6 and probably have a "small" fee each time you apply🙂

[mokwit]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

applications will be processed online via the official Thai e-Visa website.

doom loop

[terryofcrete]

Free ? For how long ! 

[Hakuna Matata]

10 minutes ago, ian carman said:

So no checking of fingerprints on arrival 

 

Only the police clearance and criminal record report from your home country's police and FBI.

[mokwit]

7 minutes ago, terryofcrete said:

Free ? For how long ! 

Until they work out what a simple way it will be to levy a "tourist tax".

[Satcommlee]

Interesting, so this could impact a lot of people staying long term without the right visa, now instead of getting warning at immigration, they won't even let you on the plane...

[Scouse123]

So, I suppose us on long term extensions are not part of all this?

[CLW]

2 minutes ago, Satcommlee said:

Interesting, so this could impact a lot of people staying long term without the right visa, now instead of getting warning at immigration, they won't even let you on the plane...

I'd rather let an electronic system decide and have clarity before travelling than be at the mercy of an immigration officer that probably had a bad day 

[mokwit]

Just now, Scouse123 said:

So, I suppose us on long term extensions are not part of all this?

I'm sure they have something coming for us. Was to have been a revamp of Non Imm due in Sept - still the same Interior Minister in charge.

[proton]

Another pain in the ass to put people off, to go with taxing us and new visas with no clear rules in force, TM30's and the pointless 90 day report to tell them the same information. This is not going to work seamlessly now is it, seems to take them years to do that.

[mokwit]

Just now, CLW said:

I'd rather let an electronic system decide and have clarity before travelling than be at the mercy of an immigration officer that probably had a bad day 

You can argue the toss with an IO, if the system rejects you like the 90 day report has twice rejected me, who you gonna call?

[khunpeer]

30 minutes ago, SpanishExpat said:

Malaysia doesn’t require that in detail! Yeah you have to fill it out, but no need to upload any documents, so you can fill out any random accommodation and just the date when you leave again. Takes 2-3min.

I also can use the Egates there with my passport and without pysical contact to immigration officers.

 

 

Just hoping Thailand doesn’t <deleted> this up like they usually do by over-complicating it.

they're specialists in that! 😉

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

The noose is tightening around the technology and computer-phobic farangs.

[khunjeff]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

it’s likely travellers will need to show proof of accommodation and outbound travel, much like systems in Malaysia and Cambodia

 

The Cambodia e-visa application (they don't have an ETA, though they now have an electronic arrival card) doesn't require any of that. It has a field to upload proof of accommodation, but you can just leave it blank.

 

[proton]

2 minutes ago, mokwit said:

You can argue the toss with an IO, if the system rejects you like the 90 day report has twice rejected me, who you gonna call?

 

Visa agent busters? 

[DFPhuket]

If this online submission can be done in less than 5 minutes, as is the case for neighboring countries, and then allow you to walk off the plane and go through the e-Gates instead of standing in a queue, I'm all for it. It has worked great for me in Malaysia and Singapore. 

[Lopburikid]

21 minutes ago, fresher said:

So long as they keep it simple, I think this is a reasonable development. It needs to be free of payment and upload hassles.

I read on Thai Visa it was free. If you go online to fill the form it quotes Visa or debit card $6 .

 

[malibukid]

good guys in bad guys out