Thais Down The Visa-free List

[george]

Thais down the visa-free list

Citizens of Finland, Denmark and the United States have the greatest freedom to travel without visas, according to a study by the Swiss firm Henley & Partners AG.

Thais rank way down the list of citizens able to visit countries without visas. Finns, Danes and Americans can go to 130 countries without a visa - Thais can go to just 29.

Singaporeans can go to 122 different countries without visas, and Malaysians can visit 120.

Even Saudi Arabians can go to two more countries than Thai citizens. Below Thais on the list are Iranians, Iraqis, Chinese and, at the bottom, Afghanis, who can go to just 12 countries without a visa.

Here is the list of main countries and the number of countries which citizens can visit without obtaining visas, compiled by the Swiss firm on its website.

Finland (130)

Denmark (130)

United States (130)

Ireland (129)

Sweden (129)

Germany (129)

United Kingdom (128)

Italy (128)

France (128)

Japan (128)

Spain (127)

Norway (127)

Switzerland (127)

Belgium (127)

Netherlands (126)

Luxembourg (125)

Austria (125)

Canada (125)

New Zealand (125)

Portugal (123)

Singapore (122)

Malaysia (120)

Iceland (120)

Greece (120)

Australia (120)

Liechtenstein (116)

South Korea (115)

Hong Kong (110)

Chile (109)

Israel (104)

Hungary (101)

Argentina (101)

Brazil (99)

Mexico (98)

Croatia (84)

Romania (73)

South Africa (65)

St. Kitts & Nevis (62)

Dominica (52)

Turkey (52)

Taiwan (42)

United Arab Emirates (35)

Russian Federation (35)

Serbia and Montenegro (32)

Saudi Arabia (31)

Thailand (29)

India (25)

Bosnia and Herzegowina (25)

Egypt (24)

Jordan (21)

China (18)

North Korea 18)

Pakistan (17)

Iraq (15)

Iran (14)

Afghanistan (12)

Source: www.henleyglobal.com/visa_restrictions.htm

[sriracha john]

Perhaps and easier method of viewing an individual country's world ranking.

btw, Thailand is ranked #137th in the world... (Tied)...

"Countries and territories of the world, ranked according to how many other states their citizens can visit without requiring a visa. The list is from a study compiled by Henley & Partners AG of Zurich."

1. Finland, 130.

(tie) Denmark, 130.

(tie) United States, 130.

4. Germany, 129.

(tie) Ireland, 129.

(tie) Sweden, 129.

7. Britain, 128.

(tie) France, 128.

(tie) Italy, 128.

(tie) Japan, 128.

11. Belgium, 127.

(tie) Norway, 127.

(tie) Spain, 127.

(tie) Switzerland, 127.

15. Netherlands, 126.

16. Austria, 125.

(tie) Canada, 125.

(tie) Luxembourg, 125.

(tie) New Zealand, 125.

20. Portugal, 123.

21. Singapore, 122.

22. Australia, 120.

(tie) Greece, 120.

(tie) Iceland, 120.

(tie) Malaysia, 120.

26. Liechtenstein, 116.

27. South Korea, 115.

(tie) Malta, 115.

29. Cyprus, 113.

30. Hong Kong, 110.

31. Chile, 109.

(tie) San Marino, 109.

33. Monaco, 108.

34. Poland, 106.

35. Slovenia, 105.

36. Israel, 104.

37. Argentina, 101.

(tie) Brunei, 101.

(tie) Hungary, 101.

40. Andorra, 99.

(tie) Brazil, 99.

(tie) Uruguay, 99.

43. Czech Republic, 98.

(tie) Mexico, 98.

45. Slovakia, 97.

46. Costa Rica, 95.

47. Lithuania, 94.

48. Venezuela, 92.

49. Estonia, 91.

(tie) Latvia, 91.

51. Vatican City, 87.

52. Croatia, 84.

53. Bolivia, 83.

(tie) Bulgaria, 83.

55. Guatemala, 82.

(tie) Panama, 82.

(tie) Paraguay, 82.

58. El Salvador, 81.

59. Honduras, 80.

60. Nicaragua, 75.

61. Romania, 73

62. Barbados, 71.

(tie) Bahamas, 71.

(tie) Macau, 71.

65. Trinidad and Tobago, 66.

66. South Africa, 65.

67. St.Vincent and Grenadines, 64.

68. St.Lucia, 63.

(tie) Antigua and Barbuda, 63.

70. St. Kitts-Nevis, 62.

71. Grenada, 60.

72. Belize, 58.

73. Jamaica, 57.

74. Solomon Islands, 54.

75. Guyana, 53.

(tie) Gambia, 53.

77. Dominica, 52.

(tie) Mauritius, 52.

(tie) Seychelles, 52.

(tie) Turkey, 52.

81. Lesotho, 51.

82. Tuvalu, 50.

83. Kiribati, 49.

(tie) Western Samoa, 49.

85. Botswana, 48.

(tie) Malawi, 48.

87. Fiji, 47.

(tie) Sierra Leone, 47.

(tie) Vanuatu, 47.

90. Kenya, 46.

(tie) Maldives, 46.

(tie) Swaziland, 46.

(tie) Tonga, 46.

94. Ghana, 45.

(tie) Zambia, 45.

96. Nauru, 44.

97. Taiwan, 42.

98. Ecuador, 41.

(tie) Namibia, 41.

(tie) Papua New Guinea, 41.

(tie) Peru, 41.

(tie) Tanzania, 41.

(tie) Zimbabwe, 41.

104. Suriname, 40.

105. Kuwait, 39.

(tie) Mauritania, 39.

(tie) Uganda, 39.

108. Bahrain, 38.

(tie) Mali, 38.

(tie) Tunisia, 38.

111. Guinea, 37.

(tie) Ivory Coast, 37.

(tie) Niger, 37.

(tie) Qatar, 37.

(tie) Senegal, 37.

116. Benin, 36.

(tie) Cape Verde, 36.

(tie) Marshall Islands, 36.

(tie) Oman, 36.

120. Burkina Faso, 35.

(tie) Nigeria, 35.

(tie) Russia, 35.

(tie) Togo, 35.

(tie) United Arab Emirates, 35.

125. Guinea-Bissau, 33.

(tie) Micronesia, 33.

(tie) Philippines, 33.

128. Belarus, 32.

(tie) Colombia, 32.

(tie) Palau Islands, 32.

(tie) Serbia-Montenegro, 32.

(tie) Ukraine, 32.

133. Liberia, 31.

(tie) Macedonia, 31.

(tie) Saudi Arabia, 31.

136. Morocco, 30.

137. Indonesia, 29.

(tie) Moldova, 29.

(tie) Thailand, 29.

140. Azerbaijan, 28.

(tie) Bangladesh, 28.

(tie) Central African Republic, 28.

(tie) Georgia, 28.

(tie) Kazakhstan, 28.

(tie) Kyrgyzstan, 28.

146. Armenia, 27.

(tie) Chad, 27.

(tie) Congo Brazzaville, 27.

(tie) Cuba, 27.

(tie) Tajikistan, 27.

151. Cameroon, 26.

152. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 25.

(tie) Dominican Republic, 25.

(tie) India, 25.

(tie) Madagascar, 25.

156. Egypt, 24.

(tie) Gabon, 24.

(tie) Mongolia, 24.

(tie) Uzbekistan, 24.

160. Algeria, 23.

(tie) Rwanda, 23.

162. Haiti, 22.

(tie) Mozambique, 22.

(tie) Sao Tome and Principe, 22.

(tie) Sri Lanka, 22.

166. East Timor, 21.

(tie) Jordan, 21.

168. Comores Islands, 20.

(tie) Equatorial Guinea, 20.

(tie) Eritrea, 20.

(tie) Laos, 20.

(tie) Nepal, 20.

173. Angola, 19.

(tie) Bhutan, 19.

(tie) Djibouti, 19.

(tie) Libya, 19.

(tie) Turkmenistan, 19.

178. Burundi, 18.

(tie) China, 18.

(tie) Ethiopia, 18.

(tie) North Korea, 18.

(tie) Vietnam, 18.

(tie) Yemen, 18.

184. Albania, 17.

(tie) Cambodia, 17.

(tie) Lebanon, 17.

(tie) Pakistan, 17.

(tie) Sudan, 17.

189. Congo, 16.

(tie) Syria, 16.

191. Iraq, 15.

(tie) Myanmar, 15.

(tie) Somalia, 15.

194. Iran, 14.

195. Afghanistan, 12.

It also includes all 195 countries surveyed...

Hopefully it's not taking up too much space...

[AsiaWolfie]

for a reason, Denmark will probably be in a much lower position of the ranking very soon....

[Rinrada]

United States (130)***

Ireland (129)

Sweden (129)

Germany (129)

United Kingdom (128)**

So what are the 2 countries that "we"have annoyed..?

[midas]

It is possible that one of those countries is Turkey ...............

For some unknown reason, citizens from a number of European countries

don't require a Visa to enter Turkey whereas British subjects

do require one ? I have no idea why this is the case -would be

interested to know why if anyone knows ?

[chuchok]

There is a very good reason why Thailand is so far down the list.

[Erwin1011]

There is a very good reason why Thailand is so far down the list.

Kindly show us the light in telling us what this very good reason might be in your honest opinion?

[chuchok]

There is a very good reason why Thailand is so far down the list.

Kindly show us the light in telling us what this very good reason might be in your honest opinion?

They overstay.

[Rinrada]

It is possible that one of those countries is Turkey ...............

For some unknown reason, citizens from a number of European countries

don't require a Visa to enter Turkey whereas British subjects

do require one ? I have no idea why this is the case -would be

interested to know why if anyone knows ?

Might be something to do with a certain Mr Lawrence (Lor-lance) blowing up their wee trains in Saudia Arabia a few years ago ....so Turkey is one...whats the other?

[sonthaya]

There is a very good reason why Thailand is so far down the list.

Kindly show us the light in telling us what this very good reason might be in your honest opinion?

They overstay.

I have been told that the visa problem for Thai in Europe is the large number of young women working in the sex industry.

[chuchok]

There is a very good reason why Thailand is so far down the list.

Kindly show us the light in telling us what this very good reason might be in your honest opinion?

They overstay.

I have been told that the visa problem for Thai in Europe is the large number of young women working in the sex industry.

I'm sure that is also a reason.A customs/Immigration guy that I know told me that of the race of people that were most likley to overstay, the Thais were near the top of the list.(For NZ)

[marquess]

Thais down the visa-free list

Citizens of Finland, Denmark and the United States have the greatest freedom to travel without visas, according to a study by the Swiss firm Henley & Partners AG.

Thais rank way down the list of citizens able to visit countries without visas. Finns, Danes and Americans can go to 130 countries without a visa - Thais can go to just 29.

Singaporeans can go to 122 different countries without visas, and Malaysians can visit 120.

Even Saudi Arabians can go to two more countries than Thai citizens. Below Thais on the list are Iranians, Iraqis, Chinese and, at the bottom, Afghanis, who can go to just 12 countries without a visa.

Here is the list of main countries and the number of countries which citizens can visit without obtaining visas, compiled by the Swiss firm on its website.

Finland (130)

Denmark (130)

United States (130)

Ireland (129)

Sweden (129)

Germany (129)

United Kingdom (128)

Italy (128)

France (128)

Japan (128)

Spain (127)

Norway (127)

Switzerland (127)

Belgium (127)

Netherlands (126)

Luxembourg (125)

Austria (125)

Canada (125)

New Zealand (125)

Portugal (123)

Singapore (122)

Malaysia (120)

Iceland (120)

Greece (120)

Australia (120)

Liechtenstein (116)

South Korea (115)

Hong Kong (110)

Chile (109)

Israel (104)

Hungary (101)

Argentina (101)

Brazil (99)

Mexico (98)

Croatia (84)

Romania (73)

South Africa (65)

St. Kitts & Nevis (62)

Dominica (52)

Turkey (52)

Taiwan (42)

United Arab Emirates (35)

Russian Federation (35)

Serbia and Montenegro (32)

Saudi Arabia (31)

Thailand (29)

India (25)

Bosnia and Herzegowina (25)

Egypt (24)

Jordan (21)

China (18)

North Korea 18)

Pakistan (17)

Iraq (15)

Iran (14)

Afghanistan (12)

Source: www.henleyglobal.com/visa_restrictions.htm

Well I have very little sympathy, there should be recipricol agreements, ie. you can't get a decent visa to live here, despite being married and having children. Then it should be the same for any Thai living in America or England. Until they change their xenophobic laws!

[sriracha john]

There is a very good reason why Thailand is so far down the list.

Kindly show us the light in telling us what this very good reason might be in your honest opinion?

They overstay.

Succinct Post of the Day

[griser]

Thais down the visa-free list

Well I have very little sympathy, there should be recipricol agreements, ie. you can't get a decent visa to live here, despite being married and having children. Then it should be the same for any Thai living in America or England. Until they change their xenophobic laws!

I second that motion, Thai's should have the same chance of getting a visa (in the same manner) in the west as falangs do of getting one here.

Greg

[womble]

Totally disagree,

We should set an example (as we do) and use strict but fair immigration rules. Overstayers should be treated far more harshly though and as for the illegals well...........

In general immigrants get a very good deal in UK, we treat them fairly and they get equal rights, Thailand is light years away for such treatment for foriegners and it really holds the country back, not to mention it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Ok the shin sale is suspect to say the least, but using the nationlist card is not the way to bring down Thaksin, I hate it when people use these tacticts to further political ambitions. The most dangerous politicians ALWAYS use nationalistic rhetoric.

[Thaiboxer]

I've always looked at the visa issue this way: It's MUCH harder to get into the US legally, but once you're in and you get that green card, you're ok. You can buy land, hold all but a few jobs, etc, etc.

Getting into Thailand is MUCH easier than getting into the US, but once you're here, it's harder to stay...even for those like me who are married to a Thai national and have kids (we have a son). I can understand Thailand's strict laws against foreigners buying land since it's a small country and the land would be bought up by rich farangs in no time, but if you're here for a legitimate reason, there should be no major hoops for you to jump through in order to stay.

[slimdog]

There is a very good reason why Thailand is so far down the list.

Kindly show us the light in telling us what this very good reason might be in your honest opinion?

They overstay.

Unlike many of the foreigners who visit Thailand.

[marquess]

There is a very good reason why Thailand is so far down the list.

Kindly show us the light in telling us what this very good reason might be in your honest opinion?

They overstay.

Unlike many of the foreigners who visit Thailand.

The big difference is, that if you over stay here, you get caught, your deported, no appeal! Moreover there is no unemployment benefit or freehousing to be had. Therefore it is more likey that Thais will overstay for economic reasons, whilst a farang is likely to overstay because of the stupid visa system. I have been married for six years here, and was on overstay for three days, before heading to Australia.

[phuketsiam]

It is possible that one of those countries is Turkey ...............

For some unknown reason, citizens from a number of European countries

don't require a Visa to enter Turkey whereas British subjects

do require one ? I have no idea why this is the case -would be

interested to know why if anyone knows ?

maybe something to do with Cyprus

Thais down the visa-free list

Citizens of Finland, Denmark and the United States have the greatest freedom to travel without visas, according to a study by the Swiss firm Henley & Partners AG.

Thais rank way down the list of citizens able to visit countries without visas. Finns, Danes and Americans can go to 130 countries without a visa - Thais can go to just 29.

Singaporeans can go to 122 different countries without visas, and Malaysians can visit 120.

Even Saudi Arabians can go to two more countries than Thai citizens. Below Thais on the list are Iranians, Iraqis, Chinese and, at the bottom, Afghanis, who can go to just 12 countries without a visa.

Here is the list of main countries and the number of countries which citizens can visit without obtaining visas, compiled by the Swiss firm on its website.

Finland (130)

Denmark (130)

United States (130)

Ireland (129)

Sweden (129)

Germany (129)

United Kingdom (128)

Italy (128)

France (128)

Japan (128)

Spain (127)

Norway (127)

Switzerland (127)

Belgium (127)

Netherlands (126)

Luxembourg (125)

Austria (125)

Canada (125)

New Zealand (125)

Portugal (123)

Singapore (122)

Malaysia (120)

Iceland (120)

Greece (120)

Australia (120)

Liechtenstein (116)

South Korea (115)

Hong Kong (110)

Chile (109)

Israel (104)

Hungary (101)

Argentina (101)

Brazil (99)

Mexico (98)

Croatia (84)

Romania (73)

South Africa (65)

St. Kitts & Nevis (62)

Dominica (52)

Turkey (52)

Taiwan (42)

United Arab Emirates (35)

Russian Federation (35)

Serbia and Montenegro (32)

Saudi Arabia (31)

Thailand (29)

India (25)

Bosnia and Herzegowina (25)

Egypt (24)

Jordan (21)

China (18)

North Korea 18)

Pakistan (17)

Iraq (15)

Iran (14)

Afghanistan (12)

Source: www.henleyglobal.com/visa_restrictions.htm

Well I have very little sympathy, there should be recipricol agreements, ie. you can't get a decent visa to live here, despite being married and having children. Then it should be the same for any Thai living in America or England. Until they change their xenophobic laws!

I agree with that, will never happen though

[sierra01]

It is possible that one of those countries is Turkey ...............

For some unknown reason, citizens from a number of European countries

don't require a Visa to enter Turkey whereas British subjects

do require one ? I have no idea why this is the case -would be

interested to know why if anyone knows ?

I've only been to Turkey once, when the lira was 1300/£1, 18 years ago, and I didn't need a visa then. Maybe it's changed since then.

[Rinrada]

It is possible that one of those countries is Turkey ...............

For some unknown reason, citizens from a number of European countries

don't require a Visa to enter Turkey whereas British subjects

do require one ? I have no idea why this is the case -would be

interested to know why if anyone knows ?

I've only been to Turkey once, when the lira was 1300/£1, 18 years ago, and I didn't need a visa then. Maybe it's changed since then.

Looks like it........

GENERAL VISA INFORMATION FOR BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS

British and Irish passport holders travelling to Turkey require a visa.

Visas can be obtained at the port of entry in Turkey or from the Turkish Consulate General in London or Turkish Diplomatic Missions in other countries.

Sticker type visas are issued at the port of entry and allow staying in Turkey for up to 90 days. It costs £10 for UK and €10 for Irish passport holders. If there is more than one person travelling on the same passport, each individual is liable to pay the visa fee. This type of visa does not permit to engage in paid or unpaid employment.

Those who wish to obtain entry visa from the Turkish Consulate in London should apply to the Consulate General. Visa fee is £40 and should be paid by postal order or cash only. A passport size picture should also be submitted during application.

It is advisable to have a minimum of six months validity on your passport from the date of your entry into Turkey.

Travel document holders need to apply to the Consulate General in person with his/her travel document with a validity of at least one year, a passport size photo, fully filled application form, latest bank statement, a reference letter from his/her employer or school. The fee is 40 pounds sterling. All visas for travel document holders are single entry.

For more information or to make an appointment for a Visa application, please contact Turkish Consulate General in London.

So now its confirmed TKee is on the "we dont want you without a visa list... "...so again whats the OTHER one........

[sierra01]

It is possible that one of those countries is Turkey ...............

For some unknown reason, citizens from a number of European countries

don't require a Visa to enter Turkey whereas British subjects

do require one ? I have no idea why this is the case -would be

interested to know why if anyone knows ?

I've only been to Turkey once, when the lira was 1300/£1, 18 years ago, and I didn't need a visa then. Maybe it's changed since then.

Looks like it........

GENERAL VISA INFORMATION FOR BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS

British and Irish passport holders travelling to Turkey require a visa.

Visas can be obtained at the port of entry in Turkey or from the Turkish Consulate General in London or Turkish Diplomatic Missions in other countries.

Sticker type visas are issued at the port of entry and allow staying in Turkey for up to 90 days. It costs £10 for UK and €10 for Irish passport holders. If there is more than one person travelling on the same passport, each individual is liable to pay the visa fee. This type of visa does not permit to engage in paid or unpaid employment.

Those who wish to obtain entry visa from the Turkish Consulate in London should apply to the Consulate General. Visa fee is £40 and should be paid by postal order or cash only. A passport size picture should also be submitted during application.

It is advisable to have a minimum of six months validity on your passport from the date of your entry into Turkey.

Travel document holders need to apply to the Consulate General in person with his/her travel document with a validity of at least one year, a passport size photo, fully filled application form, latest bank statement, a reference letter from his/her employer or school. The fee is 40 pounds sterling. All visas for travel document holders are single entry.

For more information or to make an appointment for a Visa application, please contact Turkish Consulate General in London.

So now its confirmed TKee is on the "we dont want you without a visa list... "...so again whats the OTHER one........

That's visa on arrival, same as coming to LOS, though Turkey give you 90 days and LOS only 30?

To my way of thinking visa free is not having to get a visa before you travel, the only true visa free countries for the Brits are other EU members....or am I wrong!

[andyfletch]

That's visa on arrival, same as coming to LOS, though Turkey give you 90 days and LOS only 30?

To my way of thinking visa free is not having to get a visa before you travel, the only true visa free countries for the Brits are other EU members....or am I wrong!

And some commonwealth countries too, eg HK, Malaysia

What is missing here though is a concrete definition of a "visa". As I understand it those of us who arrive at DM and get a 30 day entry stamp do not have a visa, those who trundle off to the Thai embassy/consulate in their country of origin with the required paperwork and get a sticker in their passport ( of whatever sort) do.

[sierra01]

So are we any closer to finding out who the two countries are that want to make life difficult for the Brits? Maybe wrong but don't we need a visa before travel to Russia?

[midas]

Yes UK passport holders defianately need a visa for Russia

- but most countries do.

Russia is a very unique case though. I doubt if there would be

many countries that have visa free status with Russia now

- even incuding some of the old USSR states.....

because of the terrorist problems from Chechnya.

Not only do you need the visa to enter- but they

have this ' registration ' system which is a pain in

the a**e whereby you have to register your visa

everywhere you travel. It involves big dollars

as well - Russia is not such a cheap place to travel around in !

[sierra01]

Hasn't Thailand just signed an agreement to do with visas with Russia, citizens of both countries don't need them now or something?

[midas]

You are correct sierra ! Thailand has done extremely well to negotiate this arrangement

with Russia and as far as I know, they are the only country to do so !

I am an APEC cardholder and Russia is a member of APEC. But even

we cardholder's dont get any concessions our entry requirements

to Russia. As I said in my previous post, it's not just applying

for the Visa itself which involves quite a bit of preparation because

they still need a letter of " invitation " from a sponsoring organisation

in Russia. But apart from that there is the registration process

once you get there and move around.

Thailand passport holders will save an enormous amount of money

on avoiding the registration process because at each location you visit, you can only

use certain approved " agents " who charge whatever they can get away with !

I'm sure it must be a huge disincentive to many would be travelers

to Russia.

[Rinrada]

How many Thais would you recon actually wish to go to Russia...eh...C"mon?

[Phil Conners]

Well I have very little sympathy, there should be recipricol agreements, ie. you can't get a decent visa to live here, despite being married and having children. Then it should be the same for any Thai living in America or England. Until they change their xenophobic laws!

I've always looked at the visa issue this way: It's MUCH harder to get into the US legally, but once you're in and you get that green card, you're ok. You can buy land, hold all but a few jobs, etc, etc.

Getting into Thailand is MUCH easier than getting into the US, but once you're here, it's harder to stay...even for those like me who are married to a Thai national and have kids (we have a son). I can understand Thailand's strict laws against foreigners buying land since it's a small country and the land would be bought up by rich farangs in no time, but if you're here for a legitimate reason, there should be no major hoops for you to jump through in order to stay.

What? My country is a 1/20th of the size of Thailand and anyone can buy as much land as they like. This protectionism bull is a leftover from the stoneage.

[Patsycat]

For Brits and Irish another country is Kenya. I've just come back from there. Don't know why.