This Weekly Update was originally posted on December 3, 2021. For the most recent update, click here.
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Travel Restrictions from Africa
Thailand imposes travel restrictions on arrivals from Africa. To prevent and control the spread of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant, travelers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe are not permitted to travel to Thailand. For Thai and foreign nationals who wish to travel, you may contact the nearest Thai Embassy for a special permit to enter Thailand.
For travelers from other African countries, they will no longer be eligible to enter Thailand under the Sandbox programme. However, they will be allowed to enter Thailand under a 14-day quarantine requirement. During the 14 days, they must only remain in their room and undergo 3 RT-PCR tests on Day 0-1, 5-6, and 12-13, respectively.
RT-PCR Test Still Required Upon Arrival
With the new Omicron COVID-19 variant, the plan to replace the RT-PCR test with the Antigen test kit (ATK) upon arrival has been delayed. At this time, when applying for the Thailand Pass, the travelers are still required to submit a Test and Go hotel confirmation letter which includes one-night accommodation and one-time RT-PCR test upon arrival.
Test and Go for Children
- Travelers 12-17 years of age who are traveling with parents under the Test and Go scheme are not required to be vaccinated but must have a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours before traveling. Those unaccompanied travelers must get vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine and must have a negative RT-PCR test result.
- Travelers 6-11 years of age who are traveling with parents under the Test and Go scheme are not required to be vaccinated but must have a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours before traveling.
- Travelers under 6 years of age who are traveling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before traveling are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result and can have a saliva test upon arrival.
Thailand Pass Application Updates
The Thailand Pass system is currently experiencing delays in the issuance of Thailand Pass QR codes. For travelers who have already submitted an application for Thailand Pass, it is recommended to contact Thailand Pass support through the LINE mobile app and send a message to @ThaiConsular or email [email protected] Do not submit more than two applications to avoid any delay or problem.
For faster approval, it is highly recommended to submit your Vaccination Certificate QR code if it is available.
How to Get 60-Day Visa Extension in Thailand
The Thai Immigration Bureau extended the deadline for the COVID extension applications to January 25, 2022. For foreigners who are currently in Thailand, regardless of your visa type or category, you are allowed to request a 60-day COVID extension at any immigration office. The extension of stay will commence on the date of application. Please note that this extension of stay is not automatic, you must apply for this at your local immigration office and it will be at the discretion of the officer to approve the application.
Book your Test and Go Hotel
You may book these hotels through Agoda.com (accredited by the Ministry of Public Health and Tourism Authority of Thailand) and you will receive a 1-page confirmation letter which states that the hotel accommodation, airport transfer and RT-PCR COVID test are included in the reservation. Please make sure you have chosen the Quarantine Package or the Test and Go Package of the Hotel.
To book your Test and Go hotel, please go to: https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/test-and-go-thailand-quarantine-free-hotels
What is the Best COVID Insurance for Thailand
Based on experience, the common problem for Thailand Pass applications being rejected is that some insurance policies are not properly worded. Your COVID 19 insurance must expressly state that it covers up to 50,000 USD medical expenses including COVID 19. To purchase the most reliable and, based on our experience, insurance that has never had any problem in the Thailand Pass application, please click the link below:
https://www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance
AXA Insurance Thailand offers the best COVID-19 travel insurance that produces a 1-page certificate of insurance. The 1-page Certificate of Insurance that you will receive from AXA will have complete details that Thai authorities recommended and is specifically issued for the Thailand Pass.
Apply for Thailand Pass as Early and Easy as Possible
The Thailand Pass system is required for both Thai and foreign nationals. It is free-of-charge to obtain a Thailand Pass.
Travelers must also be aware that proper preparation is the key to their Thailand Pass application. Please do your application at least 2 to 3 weeks before your departure date. Don’t leave it for the last minute.
In case when you are experiencing difficulty with the Thailand Pass system, you could also avail the professional services of Siam Legal International, a law firm in Thailand that will help you in your Thailand Pass registration and therefore make it easy for you to get to the Land of Smiles.
Siam Legal Visa and Thailand Pass Assistance
Package 1: 200 USD (Visa + Thailand Pass)
- Online Visa Consultation
- Extensive checklist of required documents
- Assistance in Thai e-visa application (non-immigrant O marriage visa and 60-day TR visa)
- Assistance in Thailand Pass application
- 3 to 4 weeks process
- Available in the US, UK, and Canada visa applications only
Package 2: 100 USD (Thailand Pass)
- Consultation with our Immigration Specialist
- Extensive checklist of required documents
- Assistance in Thailand Pass application (including Visa holders and Visa Exemption)
- 5 to 7 days process
- Available for Thai and foreign nationals
