@Todd ********

absolutely, there are several ways... I just replied to if "$14K bank balance and no employment contract" would qualify.

@David *********

wow, here you go again, mixing things up! You need to figure out the right vocabulary for different things... Don't you read any of the replies to the comments you've made? 🤔

One more time: E-visa is NOT an "easy way to go through immigration". E-visa is the electronic system used for visa-applications.

The purposed ETA is an Electronic Travel Authorization and if/when Thailand start with ETA, it will not be optional - it will be mandatory for those who enter Thailand without visa (using visa exemption). Before they travel to Thailand they will need to apply/register their travel details online for authorization.

There will be no such thing as "if you don't have it immigration will take longer".

The plan to start using ETA in Thailand in December has been postponed though and it will not happen this year.

@David *********

you are right about them not needing a visa, but wrong in what you write after that.

The one that needs to read the full conversation seems to be you!

E-visa has been available for years (it is the electronic system used to apply for visa). What was supposed to be launched in December was ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for those who travel without visa... That has been postponed though and there are no new dates released yet.

@Guy *******

I know that the visa exemption has been extended... you miss my point - you keep repeating that they get tourist visa and they don't! They are eligible for a visa exemption, meaning they are allowed to enter without any visa. A tourist visa is something different and you apply and pay for that at/to a Thai Embassy before you travel. People keep mixing this up, hence I corrected you.

(Btw I've been to Thailand 50+ times and my first time in Thailand was 1980, even though neither yours or my travel history has no relevance in this matter.)

@Keith ********

since there is no such thing as a new "e-visa" from December 1 - how would you apply for something that doesn't exist? 🤔

@Guy *******

they don't get a visa... they are allowed to enter visa-free. 😉

No.

It is not an E-visa, it is ETA, a system for Electronic Travel Authorization (similar to what many other countries have). The introduction was planned to start for some countries in December, but it has been delayed.

@Maksym **********

ok. Obviously it varies since some embassies give you a tourist visa if you submit a return ticket within 90 days. That is why I thought it would be accepted by the immigration officers too, but I fully understand Jan Kenneths reply.

@Jan *****************

thanks for the clarification. 👍

@Jan *****************

I agree on most of what you write, but wonder if you are right about the tourist visa..?

From what I have read, they accept an onward ticket within 90 days if you have applied for a tourist visa. That this could be the main reason to actually apply for a tourist visa instead of entering on visa exemption.