Thailand Is Now Open To Long-Term Tourists As Special Visa Is Officially In Effect

Special Tourist Visa is here


After weeks of talking about Thailand’s Special Tourist Visa since it was approved by the House in the mid-September, the visa is now officially in effect as announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 30th September.

Image credit: TTRweekly

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also confirmed the announcement on Thursday and welcomed back foreigners who are eligible to apply for the new visa to Thailand.

The first tourist group with the Special Tourist Visa (STV) will arrive in Phuket from China within this month, said the TAT. 


The requirements


Image credit: The Nation Thailand

The gazette announced that foreigners who want to apply for the new visa should meet the requirements as follow:

  • Be a foreigner from low-risk countries, as categorised by the Health Ministry, who wants to apply for a long-term stay in Thailand. 
  • Follow the safety guideline and be under quarantine in a designated faculty for at least 14 days.
  • Provide evidence of place to a residence during the visit, including proof of payment for a chosen quarantine place and proof of payment for accommodation.
  • Proof of health and accident insurance policy that covers your time in Thailand with insurance for medical expenses of not less than ฿40,000 for outpatient treatment and not less than ฿400,000 for inpatient treatment.

You can read the full and detailed translation of the requirements written in the gazette at The National Thailand.


Low-risk countries


According to Thailand’s COVID centre, here’s the list of low-risk countries: New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan, and Hong Kong. 

We suggest everyone double-checking with their local Thai embassies to make sure if your country is eligible to apply for the Special Tourist Visa (STV).


7-day quarantine might happen


Image credit: Bangkok Post

All tourists who enter Thailand under the new visa scheme will still have to go through a 2-week quarantine in designated hotels or hospitals to make sure they’re free of COVID-19. 

The government might possibly shorten the quarantine period to just 7 days if all visitors who arrive in October are clear of the virus.

Let’s hope this plan will go smoothly.


Featured image adapted from: Mladen Antonov/AFP via Getty Images

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Eddie Jirayu: