Australians and travellers from 92 other visa-exempt countries heased to Thailand will need to submit an ‘electronic travel authorisation’ or ETA ahead of their flight, under a new system being introduced by the Thai government.

The Thai ETA will be mandatory for visitors who enjoy visa-free travel to Thailand: an extensive list of almost 100 ‘visa waiver’ countries including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA, Singapore, China and Hong Kong, along with most European nations.

The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the program “will be an important tool for screening and tracking the movement of foreigners entering Thailand.”

The Thai ETA is similar in concept to the USA’s ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) and the forthcoming European, UK and Japanese equivalents.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the ETA will be introduced in a ‘pilot phase’ by December 2024, ahead of a full launch by June 2025.

ETA applications will be submitted online through the government’s official Thai e-Visa  website.

A new ETA application will be required for each visit to Thailand – unlike ETAs from several other countries, which remain valid for multiple entries across several years – although the Thai ETA is expected to be free of charge.

Once approved, ETA holders will be able to use automated passport gates at immigration checkpoints.

Visa-free stays extended

Since July 2024, tourists and business travellers from visa-free countries have been permitted to stay in Thailand for as many as 60 days, up from the previous 30-day limit – with the option to extend this by a further 30 days once they arrive in Thailand.

Thailand has added a new visa for remote workers and digital nomads, as well as people visiting for approved activities such as Muay Thai and Thai cooking classes, for a period of up to five years.

This new Destination Thailand Visa, or DTV, is available for 10,000 Baht (AUD$430) and requires proof of holding no less than 500,000 Baht (AUD $21,530) for the duration of stay.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand notes the DTV extends to the holder’s spouse and dependent children, entitling them to “a five-year stay with multiple entries for cumulative stays not exceeding 180 days, which can be extended for another 180 days.”

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