In a strategic move to further strengthen its position as a premier destination in Southeast Asia, Thailand has extended its e-Visa services to 16 additional countries, surprisingly absent from the previous exclusive list.
In recent years, several Asian destinations have introduced a wide range of work permits, travel permits, e-visas and digital nomad visas, all in an effort to attract a greater number of international travelers and strengthen their economies.
Earlier this week the Philippines has announced measures to streamline its visa process for digital nomads, aiming to stay one step ahead of its regional competitors.
Now it’s Thailand’s turn as the government has announced the expansion of its e-Visa services to citizens of 16 new countries, bringing the total to 39.
This expanded service now covers a wider range of embassies and consulates in regions such as the Americas, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa.
New expanded e-Visa service locations in Thailand
North America: 6 cities
Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Ottawa, Vancouver and Washington DC
Europe: 20 cities
Athens, Berlin, Bern, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Munich, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Rome, Stockholm, The Hague and Vienna.
Latin America: 2 cities
Brasília and Santiago.
Asia: 19 cities
Astana, Beijing, Colombo, Dili, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Kota Bharu, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, Nanning, Penang, Phnom Penh, Qingdao, Seoul, Shanghai, Xi’an and Xiamen.
Africa: 1 city
Pretoria.
Middle East: 6 cities
Ankara, Cairo, Doha, Jeddah, Manama and Riyadh.
Oceania: 3 cities
Canberra, Sydney and Wellington.
Although e-Visas are intended to be applied for online, the “extension” to these cities serves three main purposes:
Visa processing coordination: Embassies and consulates still play an important role in processing, reviewing and approving visas behind the scenes, ensuring faster processing times.
Support for travelers: These diplomatic offices provide crucial support to travelers who may encounter technical or document verification issues during the process.
Global trust: By involving embassies and consulates, the Thai government is demonstrating its robust global diplomatic network, strengthening trust in its systems.
Other Thai visas and services
Thailand has introduced a new visa regime known as the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for digital nomads and remote workers who want to use Thailand as a temporary home base.
The DTV allows travelers to stay for up to 180 consecutive days, and is valid for five years. It is also excellent for those interested in learning traditional Thai cuisine, martial arts or similar cultural activities.
The country has also expanded its visa-free entry program to 93 countries, making it easier for travelers from these countries to visit for up to 60 days.
Last but not least, Travelers from visa-exempt countries will soon be subject to the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) systemwhich aims to better monitor visitors visiting Thailand. The ETA will be available from June 2025.
