Thailand ends Visa Free Travel for the Americas

[Undaunted]

Thailand Ends Visa Free Travel for the Americas: ETA Now Required for U.S., Brazil, Canada, Dominica and More

by Travel and Tour World

September 18, 2024

Starting December 1, 2024, Thailand Ends Visa-Free Travel for the Americas: ETA Now Required for U.S., Brazil, Canada, and More, requiring travelers from several American countries to secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before their trip. This move ends their previous visa-free access as Thailand aims to strengthen immigration controls and border security with this new regulation, which impacts citizens from the Americas who previously entered the country without any pre-travel documentation.

Countries in the Americas Affected by the New Requirement

Thailand will now require an ETA from travelers in the following American countries:

Brazil
Canada
Colombia
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Guatemala
Jamaica
Panama
Peru
Trinidad and Tobago
United States
Uruguay

Travelers from these countries will no longer enjoy visa-free travel and must apply for an ETA before entering Thailand.

Thailand’s Rising Popularity Among American Tourists

Thailand has seen a surge in visitors from the Americas in recent years, especially from cities like New York, Toronto, São Paulo, and Bogotá. The new ETA system will maintain the ease of travel for these tourists while introducing an extra layer of security.

How the ETA Works

Thailand will require an ETA from all travelers entering by air, sea, or land. The system launches as a pilot program on December 1, 2024, and becomes fully operational by June 2025. Travelers can apply for their ETA online through Thailand’s official e-Visa portal, with the process being fully digital and free of charge.

The ETA allows a single entry into Thailand and is valid for 60 days. Travelers can also apply for a one-time extension of 30 days, making the ETA convenient for longer trips.

Why Thailand Introduced the ETA

Thailand introduced the ETA to:

* Strengthen border security and curb illegal immigration
* Streamline immigration procedures for all travelers
* Implement automated clearance gates for faster entry using QR codes

Thailand’s goal is to ensure smooth, secure travel for visitors from countries like the United States, Brazil, and Canada while maintaining strict border controls.

Impact on American Travelers

With over 1 million visitors from the United States in recent years, Thailand continues to attract tourists from the Americas. Travelers from the United States, Brazil, Canada, and other countries in the Americas who previously enjoyed visa-free entry must now apply for an ETA. Visitors must secure their ETA online before traveling and present it upon arrival. Thailand will impose penalties on those who fail to secure an ETA or overstay their visa, emphasizing the importance of compliance with the new rules.

Countries Exempt from the ETA

Citizens of Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia will continue to enjoy visa-free access to Thailand without needing an ETA. However, all travelers from the American countries listed above must comply with the new ETA requirement starting December 2024.

Enhancing Convenience and Security for American Travelers

Thailand’s decision to require an ETA from travelers in the Americas marks a shift in its immigration policy. Tourists from cities like New York, Rio de Janeiro, Havana, and Montevideo will no longer enter visa-free but will benefit from added security and convenience. Thailand seeks to modernize its border management while maintaining a welcoming environment for tourists and residents.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news ... -and-more/

[Gaybutton]

I wonder why countries such as Mexico, Paraguay, Belize, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, etc. are not on the list. I don't understand the criteria Thailand is using to decide which countries to include and which not to include.

[Daleinpattaya]

I assume this does not include those of us residing in Thailand with a retirement visa when we travel out of the country and return.

[Gaybutton]

I assume this does not include those of us residing in Thailand with a retirement visa when we travel out of the country and return.

I wouldn't assume anything when it comes to dealing with immigration. I would say it probably wouldn't include retirement visa holders, provided they travel out of Thailand with a re-entry permit, but I would suggest checking with immigration first to make sure, no matter what the news articles say.

[Jun]

Whilst the UK is not yet on this ETA list, I'm quite glad that my next trip to Thailand involves arriving before Dec 1.

I'm not sure where this website got the information from. Presumably there ought to be an official announcement ? Also, what was wrong with the idea of testing the ETA on ONE country, then once it's proven to work, roll it out to others ?

I presume an ETA is not a visa, but let's not get into that.

It OUGHT to be some kind of quick and efficient web based system, with minimal information required.
I believe the European one will cost Eur 7 and be valid for 3 years.

I suspect Thailand will have a clunky website, they will request lots of information they already have and lots of other information they don't need. Then, they will probably request it for every trip.
Finally, when the "computer says no", there will be an option to phone an agency, pay a fee (bribe) & then your authorisation which was stuck will suddenly be approved. Well, that's how it worked with the "Thai Pass".

For those of us who visit regularly, they have everything they need to know about us already.

[christianpfc]

The headline is misleading. The fact on which it is based is: Travelers who enter Thailand on visa exempt require a ETA from 1dec2024. I will do my best not to be in the first weeks of ETA and let other travelers figure out the details and intricacies and responsible agency fix the bugs.

That explains why some countries from the Americas are not in the list, those countries who needed to apply for a visa still do (and I assume who has a visa does not need an ETA).

[topjohn5]

Argentina is one of 5 countries with 90-day visa-free access...it's an agreement with the Thai government and Thai citizens can come here for 90 days as well.

[Gaybutton]

Argentina

Do you live in Argentina? As an aside, several years ago I spent several days in Buenos Aires. Among my memories are the greatest steaks I've ever had and, believe it or not, the greatest pizza I've ever had.

[2lz2p]

The headline is misleading. The fact on which it is based is: Travelers who enter Thailand on visa exempt require a ETA from 1dec2024. I will do my best not to be in the first weeks of ETA and let other travelers figure out the details and intricacies and responsible agency fix the bugs.

That explains why some countries from the Americas are not in the list, those countries who needed to apply for a visa still do (and I assume who has a visa does not need an ETA).

Although I expect the ETA to probably come about, it apparently will not start to roll out on 1 December 2024. I don't have the link, but I did see a subsequent article that said implementation was being delayed until sometime in 2025 due to a need for relevant government agencies to coordinate the process.

As to Argentine steaks, my experience has been in the USA - Washington DC. There was a place in Houston Texas, but when I first dined there and mentioned my experience in DC, I was quickly informed their restaurant was Nicaraguan. Both were excellent steak houses. That said, there is an Argentine Steak House in Pattaya - the old Bruno's location in Jomtien.

A few months ago, I noticed it while driving by and mentioned it to my companion from Canada who was with me and lived in the area. He quickly told me they were very very expensive - e.g., 2,000 baht for a hamburger with steaks considerably higher. At that news, I lost all desire to give it a try. I mentioned I didn't expect it to survive at those prices.

BUT, based on this thread, I did a Google search and was gratified to see they have apparently substantially lowered their prices - still pricey, but I now think it may be worth a visit - especially if they are as good as the place I went to in DC or as the experience GB mentions. For those interested: El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse Website - https://th.elgaucho.asia/menu/butcher-shop Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ElGauchoThailand/

[Gaybutton]

For those interested: El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse Website - https://th.elgaucho.asia/menu/butcher-shop Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ElGauchoThailand/

In my opinion there hasn't been a good steakhouse in Pattaya since Manhattan's fired their gay manager and the restaurant went downhill from there and didn't take long to fail. Unfortunately, at the prices I'm seeing on the El Gaucho web site menu, especially if those are lowered prices, I won't be a regular no matter how good it is. At those prices I'm more likely to be a "never".

Ok, let's not forget we have a separate forum for restaurant reviews, so anything further about where to get a good steak, Pattaya, Bangkok, or wherever at reasonable, affordable prices belongs on that forum.