On Tuesday, December 12, the cabinet approved the extension of the 30-day visa-free entry for Japanese tourists, expanding its scope to encompass Japanese individuals on business visits.
This move aims to streamline investment processes and will take effect from January 1 of the upcoming year. According to local media, the current 30-day visa-free entry exclusively caters to tourists holding Japanese passports, VisaGuide.World reports.
The extended visas include business visits as well. This particular exemption for business purposes is set to endure until December 21, 2026.
Introducing a visa waiver for Japanese nationals holding passports or travel documents seeking temporary entry for business purposes is poised to facilitate their access to Thailand.
It is anticipated to streamline processes and encourage collaboration, fostering the expansion of cooperation and the development of economic activities. The positive impact of this initiative is expected to extend beyond the individuals involved, ultimately benefiting the broader Thai economy.
Japan’s strengths and potential in various industries align closely with the sectors that the Thai government aims to promote. These include the green industry, electric vehicles, textiles, bio-industry, digital economy, infrastructure, agriculture, and human resource development. The visa waiver is thus a facilitator of business travel and a strategic move to enhance collaboration in sectors crucial to both nations, contributing to mutual economic growth and advancement.
As of November 10, 2023, Thailand has implemented a visa waiver for Indian tourists, allowing individuals holding Indian passports or travel documents a 30-day visa-free stay for leisure purposes. This initiative, effective until May 10, 2024, mirrors similar programs for Chinese and Russian tourists, reflecting Thailand’s strategic efforts to enhance tourism from key markets.
The first ten months of 2023 witnessed an 86 percent surge in Indian tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2022, totaling 1,302,483 visitors. With the introduction of the visa waiver, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects to host about 1.6 million Indian tourists in 2023, projecting a revenue of 65.6 billion Baht.
In September, Thai authorities also eased visa regulations for visitors from India and China, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who expressed a desire to expand the list of visa-exempt countries and extend the duration of stay for international travelers.
At the same time, Thailand has also announced the waiver of visa requirements for visitors from India and Taiwan starting this month, with the exemption continuing until May 2024.