Thailand entry requirements during Covid-19 [up to date]

How to enter Thailand during Covid-19. All you need to know right now.

Before the emergence of the novel virus, it is quite straightforward to enter Thailand from most countries. However, things have changed in recent times. Entering the Land of Smiles now requires compliance to the following conditions.

Note: This post will be updated as further rules are released.

Various types of visas are currently permissible to gain entry into Thailand by foreigners, including the visa exemptions used by many tourists before now. However, regardless of your entry choice, getting a Certificate of Entry (CoE) is non-negotiable. The certificate can be secured from the Thai embassy or consulate in your country of origin. Also, foreigners have to meet the following conditions:

Covid-19 test result showing negative and not less than 48 hours prior to the flight departure.
Get a booking from an approved Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotel.
Health insurance having at least $100,000 medical cover without Covid-19 exclusion.
A doctor-issued "fit-to-fly certificate."
Register using the ThailandPlus mobile application

Bear in mind that the requirements are tentative. In other words, it can change at any time. Hence, we will update as at when necessary. For those who have any questions, feel free to drop your comment below.

Traveling to Thailand requires reaching out to the local Thai embassy or consulate in your origin country. At the embassy, you can request the Certificate of Entry (CoE). It is strongly advised to contact the consulate or the embassy as soon as possible. This is because the embassy gives the most accurate details and requirements to gain entry into Thailand. With the right information, you can quickly get an approved CoE. Before you can get to, it's pertinent to undertake the following processes:

Get a reservation at ASQ quarantine hotel.
Book a flight.
Get a travel health insurance
A doctor-issued "fit-to-fly certificate."
Submit a request for a Certificate of Entry – advisably, you should apply at least 15 days before your flight departure.

Due to the upfront financial commitment, you should reach out to a Thai embassy.

Take note: Even though this guide is kept up to date as much as possible, it is strongly recommended to visit the closest Thai embassy or consulate. Some rules apply differently in various embassies in different nations. Hence, getting in touch with the embassy officers is the smartest way to have reliable information.

Regardless of the visa or visa-exemption used for entry into Thailand, every foreigner needs to possess travel health insurance having a minimum coverage of $1,000,000 without exclusion for the novel virus. Also, the insurance plan should cover the whole duration in Thailand. Before now, many travel insurance and travel medical insurance plans come with exclusions for pandemics. However, in recent years, travelers can easily find insurance plans that cover coronavirus pandemics.

Check out Covid insurance for entry of Thailand to find Thailand travel medical insurance policies that include coronavirus.

The old repatriation flight and the charter flights were the only available flights during the first few months of COVID-19. Fortunately, several commercial flights are now available to book. Here is a spreadsheet containing a list of available flights by airline. From there, you can book a flight directly from the airline.

Take note: While the compiler's identity remains unknown, it is connected to those available on Thai embassy and consulate websites.

Presently, anyone entering Thailand must quarantine at a hotel approved by the government for 14 days. As a part of the State Quarantine program, the Thai nationals get to quarantine freely. Contrarily, non-Thai citizens need to pay and stay at an approved Alternative State Quarantine Hotel.

For those who belong to the approved lists to enter Thailand but are non-Thai nationals, it is mandatory to book a space at an approved Alternative State Quarantine Hotel. Every foreigner is required to stay in the hotel for 14 days.

For a 14-day stay package at ASQ, the cost ranges from 35,000 Baht to 150,000 Baht. Every hotel in Bangkok belongs to the ASQ program, while hotels in other regions are referred to as the Alternative Local Quarantine.

Visit Agoda to book ASQ complete packages, including the cost for 15 nights, three meals daily, transfer to the hotel from the airport, and two COVID tests.

A Certificate of Entry (Coe) is mandatory for every foreigner who wants to enter Thailand. However, you need to book the flight, quarantine hotel, and travel insurance before applying for CoE. Advisably, you should submit a request for CoE at least 15 working days prior to your flight.

Visit https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ to submit your application for CoE. Bear in mind that the local Thai embassy or consulate will process your application. Hence, it is recommended to start the processing by putting a call through to the consulate. Learn the process by watching the video below. Meanwhile, it is pertinent to upload the following documents:

A confirmation receipt of ASQ booking
A passport
A receipt of your air ticket with evidence of payment.
Evidence of travel medical insurance meeting the minimum requirement.
• The most recent bank statement with at least $700 for a single person or $1,500 per family.

The most recent rule allows any nationality to enter Thailand. As long as you can meet the requirements and secure the Certificate of Entry, any foreigner is allowed into the country.

Currently, there is no release concerning allowances or exemption for people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. In other words, you will undergo the quarantine period as a foreigner in Thailand, regardless of the vaccine. Perhaps, a new development regarding vaccine and quarantine will emerge in the nearest future – and this page will be updated accordingly.

Ideally, Thailand can be entered without a visa for individuals from most Western countries and nationalities from many East Asia regions. Also, they will receive a 30-day entry stamp. During the pandemic, such allowance was suspended. However, since December 7, 2020, normalcy has returned.

Due to the 14-day quarantine period, there has been an extension of the 30-day visa-exemptions to 45 days. Thus, travelers get 30 days, starting from the end of their quarantine. This exemption remains active till September 30, 2021. For those who would like a longer period, foreigners can extend their visa-exemption for extra 30 days at the cost of 1,900 Baht. Simply visit the immigration office in Thailand.

Bear in mind that visa-on-arrival (VOA) differs from visa-exempt entry. Only certain countries demand the use of VOA. Besides, it is currently suspended.

A new prolonged stay visa for the country's reopening for limited tourism during the pandemic was approved by the cabinet on September 16. After a release from the Royal Gazette, the new development is expected to become a law in the future. It is likely that the first arrivals under the visa will come in during early October.

The visa will last for 90 days and cost 2000 Baht. However, users can extend twice for 90 days each at an extra cost of 2000 Baht for each extension. Alternatively, it is recommended to pay for a 270-day visa at 6000 Baht. An essential part of the visa is that you are not allowed to leave the country during the duration. Nevertheless, it is a more affordable and convenient option compared to the standard Multiple Entry Tourist Visa.

According to an update on September 24, 2020, it appears that foreigners need to apply for the visa via an authorized agent. Such personnel charges 10,000 Baht as a non-refundable application fee. Hence, the total cost of the visa may worth 12,000 Baht. Endeavor to inquire about your local Thai embassy or consulate to learn more about the development.

An RT-PCR test result showing that you are COVID negative before boarding a flight to Thailand must be shown. The result must be gotten a maximum of two to three days prior to flight time, depending on your Thai consulate. Furthermore, a second test is required after reaching Thailand and an additional test during your quarantine period.

A fit-to-fly certificate from a doctor showing that you are healthy enough to fly might be required before entering Thailand. This differs from the COVID test result. The certification is essentially to show that you won't collapse as a flight passenger.

A fit-to-fly certificate must be a letterhead with a doctor's signature and medical license number. Also, it must be issued within 48 to 72 hours before the flight. You are advised to reconfirm the requirements by contacting your local embassy.

Prior to leaving, a declaration form might be given for you to fill. Currently, it remains to be known who needs to use the declaration form. However, it is recommendable to do it. The form is available for download on Los Angeles Thai Consulate's website.

Foreigners are still required to download the ThailandPlus mobile app prior to their trip as of January 14, 2021. After collecting the Certificate of Entry, you need to register it on the app. Afterward, generate a QR code that you would be asked to provide on arrival in Thailand.

Aside from the standard TM6 arrival and departure card, every foreigner in Thailand needs to complete the T.8 health form upon arrival. Download the form freely here. Alternatively, you will receive a copy alongside TM6 during your flight or when you reach Thailand.

There have been talks about the Travel Bubbles. This includes regions where tourists are allowed into but can only visit certain designated places. For instance, as a visitor to Phuket, you can only stay on the island. Presently, no travel bubble exists in Thailand. You'll be updated if there is ever any change.

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