Sep 43 min read

Thailand “accelerating” on ETA introduction

Updated: Sep 24

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-exempt travelers will be “an important tool for screening and tracking the movement of foreigners entering Thailand”.

Since July 15, 2024, tourists and business travelers from 93 countries can stay up to 60 days visa-free in Thailand. This period can be extended by a further 30 days on site.

Last May, when announcing this extension of the visa waiver policy, the Thai authorities also revealed their intention to introduce an electronic travel authorization system for visitors eligible for this visa exemption.

Like the United States (ESTA), Canada (AVE), South Korea (K-ETA), which already have a similar system, or Israel and the United Kingdom, which will officially launch their ETA in 2025, Thailand will therefore soon impose an electronic travel authorization (ETA) on travelers entering the country under the visa exemption regime.

Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs moves forward on ETA

In charge of developing electronic travel authorization with other government bodies, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently announces that it is working on the ETA system.

In a report released after a recent meeting between Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Rangsiman Rome, Chair of the House Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy and National Reform, the Thai MFA states that it is “accelerating the implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system”.

According to Thai diplomacy, the ETA “will be an important tool for screening and tracking the movement of foreigners entering Thailand”.

What we know about ETA for visa-exempt travellers to Thailand

Here is the latest information on the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) that will soon be introduced in Thailand (to be confirmed in the coming months):

ETA should be available by December 2024 in a pilote phase;
The ETA system should be fully deployed by June 2025;
The ETA application will be submitted on the electronic visa (e-Visa) portal: www.thaievisa.go.th;
Whether arriving by air, sea or land, all visa-exempt travelers will be required to hold an approved ETA before arriving in Thailand;
The ETA should be requested for each entry into Thailand (single entry);
The ETA should be free of charge;
ETA holders will be able to use the automated gates at immigration checkpoints using the QR code on the ETA;
Holders of diplomatic passports, official passports, UN Laissez-Passer and Border Pass users will be exempt from the ETA requirement for travel to Thailand.