Thailand offers free tourist visas for citizens from 21 nations
Thailand has extended its free tourist visa programme for another six months, but only for nationals of 21 countries. The extension means that until 31 August 2017 no fees will be applied to passport holders from these nations when they apply for single-entry tourist visas at Thai embassies and consulates.
The 21 countries include China, Taiwan, India and Saudi Arabia as well as Andorra, Romania, Papua New Guinea and Cyprus. When the programme was initially launched at the beginning of last December, tourist visas for 60-day entries were free for nationals of all countries.
The Ministry of Tourism originally proposed continuing the free visas for all promotion, but when the official statement was released earlier this week it was limited to the 21 countries. Citizens of these nations are also eligible to apply for visa-exempt entry when they arrive at official immigration checkpoints.
These normally cost THB2,000 and give stays of up to 15 days in Thailand. For the life of the current promotion, this fee has been halved to THB1,000. Visitors from the UK, the US, Australia and another 50-plus nations do not need visas at all if they fly to Thailand and are staying less than 30 days.
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