Siam Legal International

Visa Exemption Reduced

Starting May 2010 to March 2011, all those who applied for a tourist visa at respected Thai embassies and consulates are exempted from visa fees. Likewise, this also applies to those who acquired a visa on arrival on immigration checkpoints. However, this covers foreigners who are entering Thailand for pleasure and leisure. The fee exemption does not cover other entry purposes in the Land of Smiles.

Under Thailand's visa exemption lists, certain nationalities are permitted to enter the country and remain for a maximum of 30 days without a visa. The only requirement that they need to show is the visa exemption stamp. However, recent changes have reduced the total authorized period of stay to 15 days. This is something that every foreigner should know since this may expose them to unnecessary immigration-related problems such as overstaying. Penalties for overstaying amount to THB 500 to THB 20,000. One could be also imprisoned.

Currently, the visa exemption covers the citizens of the following countries:

Despite of the shorter period of stay for those who availed the benefits of the Thailand visa exemption, tourists are nonetheless spared from paying application fees.