Answered5 months ago
What are the latest changes to visa rules for travelers to Thailand, particularly for Indians and Russians?
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Answer summary
Recent discussions indicate that there have been no official changes to the visa policies for travelers to Thailand. While modifications are anticipated, the specific timeline for implementation remains unclear, with any new rules being published in the Royal Gazette 15 days prior to coming into effect. For Indian citizens, the reversion to a 15-day Visa-On-Arrival and the requirement to apply for a 60-day tourist visa through an online system has been particularly noteworthy. The talks also reference procedural delays and the potential impact on tourism from India. Russian travelers currently may face changes to their visa status as well, but details are still pending.
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Sue **********
What is the difference between the 30 days visa exempt and the „Bilat. 30 days“ 🤷🏻♀️
Dca *****
OPSue Heimchen Bilat is short for Bilateral Visa Exemption Agreement, an Agreement among Thailand and another country where ordinary passports from both countries can make Entry into the both countries without a visa (Free Visa Exemption)
Gary ***********
Sue Heimchen in reality nothing unless the bilateral agreement between Thailand and that country ends
Немања **********
Here are the upscaled images for easier reading.
Dca *****
OPНемања Митровић Thank You!
Gary ***********
India not on the list, suppose it's too early to get hopes up though
Simon *******
@Gary **********
india will be 15 days
Greg ***********
@Gary **********
The most interesting change back to the old scheme, is happening to Indian citizens. They have to go back to the 15-days Visa-On-Arrival for 2000 Baht.
If they want to stay for 60 days, the need to apply for a tourist visa through the Thai E-Visa online system in India - and pay the fee.
Regarding this, it will have a significant impact on tourist numbers from India
Gary ***********
Greg Alexander hopefully
Dca *****
OPGreg Alexander It is also yet to be known/seen if Thai Immigration Bureau will put India or perhaps other countries onto the List of those Countries who CANNOT get a Tourist Extension of Stay and will be Denied their Request/Application of Tourist Extension of Stay
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Haydn *******
@Gary **********
my guess is if not in the list they probably won't have visa exempt entry at all. They revoked the 69 days for ALL 93 countries and set these new one. However if you look again as I just did, India is in the category for 15 days voaJohn **********
@Haydn ******
not sure the new ones have been set yet, they seemed to suggest the previous 57 countries will be reduced to 54 but that could be due to some countries currently being included in visa exempt, bilateral exempt and VoA which will no longer be the case
Russell **********
@Gary **********
India and Russia remain at 60 days by the look of itGary ***********
Russell Beaumont on those it shows India VOA and Russia 30, would be madness if they don't do something to reduce the number of Indians as that is one of the things causing a drop in higher value tourists
ED *****
So when is the exact date that will reduce to 30 days visa on arrival ?
John **********
@ED ****
read aboveED *****
@John *********
already read. So can i assume that since this is not official yet if tommorow i fly to thailand i will still get 60 days visa on arrival right ?Simon *******
ED Koh yes
Dca *****
OPED Koh Yes, the Director–General of Thailand's Department of Consular Affairs (Thailand DCA) said so himself during his Press Conference in English
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ED *****
Dca Dca bro this does not answer my question. Im in the list of the 60 days exemption. My question is if i fly to thailand tommorow , will i still get 60 days visa exemption since this announcement is not official and enforce yet
John **********
@ED ****
if you are currently entitled to a 60 day visa exempt entry you will get one up until the day any changes are implemented
Lynnette *******
ED Koh no one knows yet. Wait for it to be published in the gazette
Jerry ********
ED Koh yesterday
ED *****
Jerry Sawyer yeah. I know. Michael J fox told me in the movie at back to the future.
John **********
There's been so many people trying to post on this subject I've let this one through as it seems the most informative. Please understand nothing has changed of yet. Will it change in the future, yes but nobody knows when. When they decide on the changes, they will be published in the Royal Gazette 15 days before they come into effect. People adversely affected will have 15 days from then to apply for a visa
Luc ************
@John *********
where does the 15 day rule comes from? If its published in the Royal Gazette and it says effective from, let's say, November 1st, the what about the 15 days?Dca *****
OPLuc De Clerck it is not a rule or guideline, but that's how they themselves have worded their Draft Interior Ministry Notice ( ประกาศ กระทรวงมหาดไทย )
John **********
@Luc ***********
it was mentioned in the video. Take a look
Surya *********
@John *********
I've heard people mention two weeks wait for a 60 day tourist visa .Is that about right ?
Could be tight got some people is true.
John **********
@Surya ********
a tourist visa application is usually processed pretty quicklyDca *****
OPSurya Llwynog The process has been and will be that the Thai Prime Minister and Interior will sign such Interior Ministry Notices, but, before they can sign anything, there will now be another separate Thai Cabinet Meeting to approve such Draft Interior Ministry Notices, as Today there weren't any tabled (on the Meeting Agenda)
Also, this time around as the current Thai Prime Minister is also the Thai Interior Minister, only 1 person will be signing
Also, this time around as the current Thai Prime Minister is also the Thai Interior Minister, only 1 person will be signing
Surya *********
Dca Dca I don't read Thai
Dca *****
OPSurya Llwynog true to form, they said it was approved during the Thai Cabinet Meeting earlier today, but they didn't bother to even consider (have on the Agenda) the Draft Interior Ministry Notices, so kicking the can down the road again!
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8Surya *********
Dca Dca Ok thanks. Anytime then. When that bomba drops will be hard to miss .
Dca *****
OPSurya Llwynog Daily, sometimes even additional special publications on weekends or public holidays
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Surya *********
@John *********
Thanks . I would have expected that. Must have read the ones that went wrong for some reason.Is there a usual publication day for the Royal Gazette, ie first of month ?
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