Starting December 1, 2024, Thailand will introduce an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for travelers from visa-exempt countries. This new system aims to enhance the tracking of visa-exempt nationals and expedite the immigration process for eligible visitors.
By June 2025, the ETA will be fully operational and integrated with Thailand’s e-visa service into a single online application platform, VisaGuide.World reports.
ETA applications will be processed through the official Thai e-Visa website. Unlike other countries’ programs allowing multiple entries over several years, Thailand’s ETA will require new approval for each visit.
However, the ETA is expected to be free and will provide the convenience of automated passport gates at immigration checkpoints. However, details about the ETA process are still forthcoming.
As Fragomen explains, each ETA will be valid for a period of 60 days, with the possibility of extending it once for an additional 30-day period.
ETA Requirement Will Apply to Visitors From 93 Countries
Visa-exempt travelers entering Thailand by land, air, or sea will need an ETA, except nationals from Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, who are exempt from this requirement. Starting December 2024, the ETA will be necessary for visitors from the 93 visa-exempt countries listed below:
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uzbekistan
Recently, Thailand has also introduced other visa-related changes to attract diverse travelers, including professionals and digital nomads. A notable development is the new five-year “Destination Thailand Visa” (DTV) program, designed for remote workers, digital nomads, and freelancers. This visa allows multiple entries over five years, each lasting 180 days, reflecting Thailand’s adaptation to evolving work trends and its ambition to attract global talent.
Thailand Remains a Popular Destination for Travelers
Thailand continues to remain a popular destination for travelers from all over the world, attracting a large number of visitors each year.
Thailand’s target for 2025 is also to grow its tourism industry by 7.5 percent and achieve 3.4 trillion baht (about $94 billion) in revenue by 2025. This goal is 1.7 times the forecasted GDP growth for the year.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) attributes this goal to the 39 million international visitors and over 205 million domestic trips recorded. While the previous target for 2025 was 3.4 trillion baht, Prime Minister Srettha Thavis hopes to reach 3.5 trillion baht ($97 billion) in tourism revenue this year.