FAQ for Non-Thais wishing to enter Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic

FAQ for Non-Thai National wishing to enter Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic

1) Can I apply for a visa to enter Thailand?

  • As one of the Countries listed for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival, U.S. Passport Holders are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period not exceeding 30 days on each visit (In process of being extended to 45 days by the government of Thailand) or 15-day stays if arriving by land-crossing. However please note that with the visa exemption scheme, travelers still need to obtain the Certificate of Entry (COE) in order to enter Thailand. Please check here for more information.
  • By virtue of Section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations B.E. 2548 (2005) and Section 11 of the State Administration Act B.E. 2534 (1991), entry to Thailand is permitted for persons on the exempted list. Please check https://thaiembdc.org/visas/ for more information and application procedures.

 

2) I already have a visa or re-entry permit. Do I still need to fill in the online application for Certificate of Entry?

  • Yes, it is required aside from visas and re-entry permits. All foreign nationals wishing to enter the Kingdom of Thailand must obtain the Certificate of Entry from the Embassy/ Consulates-General prior to entering the Kingdom. You may wish to apply for the Certificate of Entry online here.

 

3) Flights to Thailand?

  • The Notification of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand on Conditions for Aircraft Permission to Enter Thailand (No.2) dated 2 July B.E. 2563 (2020) suspends all commercial flights from entering the airport in Thailand, except for certain circumstances
  • At present, certain air operators are permitted to operate semi-commercial flights to Thailand, and the list of air operators participating in the semi-commercial flights’ program can be found here
  • The approved visa applicant is permitted to enter Thailand only by a repatriation flight organized by the Royal Thai Embassy and the Royal Thai Consulates-General, or semi-commercial flight listed in the link above.
    Click here for details of repatriation flights.

 

4) Do I have to be quarantined once entering Thailand?

  • Non-Thai nationals are subject to the measures under communicable disease law, including at least 7 or 10 days quarantine at the Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ). The period of quarantine depends on the vaccination of the applicants and the applicant must make arrangements for the Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) at his/her own expense. More information, including a list of permitted hotels (in Thai), can be found at http://hsscovid.com/ or Royal Thai Embassy’s website.

 

5) Should I book a flight ticket or ASQ first?

  • It depends on flight and ASQ availability as well as ASQ and airline’s policy.
  • To reserve a room at many ASQs, applicant is required to submit proof of flight reservation or flight ticket.

*** Please make sure that the arrival date matches with ASQ reservation***.

 

6) What should I do if the ASQs are fully booked?

  • All non-Thai passengers must have confirmed ASQ reservation before entering the Kingdom. Due to the high demand and limited number of ASQ facilities, the applicant is advised to reserve ASQ facilities at his/her earliest convenience.

 

7) How can I check repatriation flight schedules?

 

 8) What is a turnaround time for the process of obtaining visa and COE?

  • It is strongly recommended that the applicant spares at least 15 working days before the travel date to apply for visa and COE.
  • After filling in online application and uploading required documents, the applicant is required to mail the original documents, including Passport, Two passport-size photographs, other required reference, visa fee, and return envelope to the Embassy/ Consulates-General.

 

9) If I fail to submit some documents online or would like to add some documents for additional consideration, what can I do?

  • The applicant must first contact the Embassy or Consulates-General through emails (as below) to retrieve his/her personal link to upload additional documents.

The Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.
Email: visa@thaiembdc.org

The Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles
Email: visa@thaiconsulatela.org

The Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago
Email: visa@thaiconsulatechicago.org

The Royal Thai Consulate-General, New York
Email: info@thaicgny.com

 

  • In the case that the Embassy / Consulates-General requests additional documents, the applicant may submit them through that channel.

 

10) What type of COVID test is needed?

  • Upon checking in at the departure airport, the approved applicant is required to present a medical certificate with a laboratory result using RT-PCR test indicating that COVID -19 is not detected. Such COVID-19 test result must be issued no more than 72 hours before departure.

 

11) What should I do if I change my flight?

  • The applicant with a regular US passport MUST contact the Embassy by sending an email to consularpr@thaiembdc.org to request the access to upload a new air ticket + a new ASQ reservation through his/her application at least 5 working days before the departure date, in order to obtain a revised COE.
  • Please note that if the applicant fails to inform the embassy /Consulates-General of the change in advance, the applicant will risk boarding denial.
  • Diplomat/Official/UNLP passport holders who wish to change the flight or ASQ and need a new COE should text to 202-431-0882 stating the subject as DCIO – request for change of COE and request the new COE and state your Full name

 

12) If you have additional questions regarding visa or certificate of entry, please direct your questions to:

The Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.
Email: visa@thaiembdc.org

The Royal Thai Consulate-General, Los Angeles
Email: visa@thaiconsulatela.org

The Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago
Email: visa@thaiconsulatechicago.org

The Royal Thai Consulate-General, New York
Email: info@thaicgny.com