Thai tourism officials are proposing that the current extension of the 30 day visa exemption program, available for arrivals from over 50 countries, could be extended up to the end of this year.
The visa exemption program is also known as the ‘visa waiver’.
On October 1, 2022, the Thai government announced that it would extend the 30 day visa exemption to 45 days. Recipients could also apply for an extension for another 30 days if they visited an immigration office, completed the paperwork and paid 1,900 baht.
An extension was also granted for passengers able to apply for visa-on-arrival. Usually they were granted 15 days but that was also extended, to 30 days, and could then apply for an additional 15 days if they visited a Thai immigration office before their first 30 day visa lapsed.
Both extension were due to finish on March 31 this year.
But both the Tourism and Sports minister and the TAT are proposing that the extended stays should be continued until at least the end of this year. The matter should be discussed at next Tuesday’s cabinet meeting and would have a lot of support from the Thai tourism and hospitality industry.
Here’s a list of countries that can have current visa exemption rights in Thailand, and can arrive, up to March 31, and be granted an automatic stay of 45 days.
