Thailand had introduced temporary VISA exempt for a period of 60 days for India and 92 other countries. This allowed Indians to visit hassle-free, but it changes from 11th November, 2024. Now all VISA exempt travellers will need an ETA to enter Thailand.

From December 1, 2024, an exciting change will take place: all visa-exempt travelers, including those from India, will need to secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before embarking on their journey to Thailand. This new system, introduced by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promises to make the entry process smoother while helping the authorities monitor foreign visitors more efficiently.

The rollout will start with a pilot phase, and by June 2025, the ETA system will be fully integrated with Thailand’s e-Visa services, creating a unified and seamless experience for travelers. The entire process will be conducted online, from submitting personal details to receiving the ETA approval, which will be issued as a QR code for faster clearance at immigration. And the best part? It’s free!

So, what exactly is changing? Every visa-exempt traveler will need to apply for an ETA before each trip to Thailand. Once approved, visitors can enjoy up to 60 days in the country, with an option to extend their stay by an additional 30 days.

However, some things remain the same. Despite the ease of the new ETA system, travelers still need to be mindful of their stay limits. The system will monitor visa-exempt nationals closely, and overstaying could lead to fines or penalties. Plus, even with a valid ETA, immigration officers at the border still hold the final authority to grant or deny entry.

As Thailand gears up for this new era of travel, visitors can expect a streamlined, tech-savvy approach to entry, making future trips more convenient while keeping essential rules in place.