THAILAND: Delaying ETA and tourist fee until 2025

Thailand announced in December that it would pilot a new Electronic Travel Authorisation in December 2025 and introduce it fully in June 2025.

The introduction of the free ETA would also have heralded the return of the Thai Travel Tax of ฿300 (AU$13) to be paid online prior to arrival in Thailand. The revived Travel Tax depended on Thai Cabinet approval.

A new date for the introduction of the ETA has not been announced

Mandatory

Completing the ETA before arrival will be mandatory for all visitors entitled to visa-free travel to Thailand. That covers around 100 ‘visa-waiver’ countries, including Australia, Canada, China, most of Europe, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, the USA, and the United Kingdom.

The ETA is not multi-entry. You must complete an application each time you enter Thailand. Those eligible for an ETA can also use the automated passport gates at immigration control at Thai airports.

Visa-free entry

The new 60 days visa free entry for tourists and business travellers, introduced in July 2024 remains. Previously, you could only get 30 days, with the option to extend for an additional 30 days on arrival.

In the recent overhaul of its visa system, Thailand introduced a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) visa with a five-year validity. The DTV allows you, your spouse, and your children multiple entry for cumulative stays of 180 days, although this can be extended by another 180 days. The DTV also has some financial provisions that require you to provide proof of holding 500,000 (AU$21.530) for the duration of your stay.

2PAXfly Takeout

It looks like the world is moving to ETA-type arrangements, although the terms are slightly different for different countries. Australia has an ETA, as do Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam, among many others. If you are not eligible for an E Visa through ETA, then many countries have a visa-on-arrival arrangement.

For most travel these days, Australians do not need to queue up to apply for a visa or, even scarier, post their passports to an embassy to have a stamp or sticker applied.

Just a note of caution – make sure you use the official application site for the country involved. Don’t be suckered into some private operators who will charge you additional fees or not even deliver a legitimate ETA.