Thailand Immigration Rules during COVID-19

Thailand Immigration Rules during COVID-19

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Extension for Thai Permanent Residency, Visa-on-Arrival, Long-term Visa and Temporary Border Pass during COVID-19 State of Emergency

Due to the enactment of “Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation B.E. 2548 (2005) (“EPAES”) which took effect from March 26, 2020. Travel restrictions were implemented to control the spread of COVID-19.

The previous announcement issued on April 7, 2020 stated that Thai permanent residency (“PR”), visa-on-arrival (“VOA”), long-term visa and Temporary Border Pass (“TBP”) holders were allowed a grace-period of stay until the end of April 2020. However, due to the ongoing crisis, a new notification from the Ministry of Interior Re: Permission issued on April 21, 2020 had furthered extended the previous grace period.

This newsletter will cover the new extension and exemption regulations for Thai permanent residency (“PR”), visa-on-arrival (“VOA”), long-term visa and Temporary Border Pass (“TBP”) holders.

Thai Permanent Residency (PR)

Under Thailand’s Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), those who have been issued a PR permit (a blue book) can reside permanently in Thailand, with no need to apply for an extension of stay. If the holder wishes to leave the country, he/she must apply for a notification of leave that is valid for 1 year.

In the event that the holder cannot return to Thailand within the 1-year period (i.e. before the notification of leave expires), he/she is allowed an extension until COVID-19 pandemic has been resolved and the travel restrictions have been lifted. To this end, the holder must report to the immigration officer once he/she had returned to Thailand.

Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) & Long-term visa

Visitors with visa-on-arrival (VOA) and long-term visa may reside in Thailand until July 31, 2020. The Thai Immigration Bureau also waived the 90 days requirement to report his/her residential address to the immigration officer. There will be no additional fees or documents to be submitted to the Thai authority.

Temporary Border Pass (TBP)

Those who have been issued a TBP will be allowed to reside in Thailand until the Thai border has re-opened. Nonetheless, the TBP holder must leave Thailand within 7 days from the border reopening date, all overstay fees will be waived.

Entry Rules

Due to the enactment of the EPAES, special regulations were implemented for those that wishes to enter Thailand, the regulations are as follow.

1). Entry by Air Travel

Eligible for: Exempt individuals/professions, logistic providers, aircraft/transport personnel, diplomats, state officials, foreigners with working permit and Thai citizen.

 

  • Contact Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Thai Embassy before departure
  • Prepare the following documents
    • Medical certificate (fit-to-fly), valid for 72 hours from issuance
    • Thai Embassy verification certificate
    • Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs verification certificate
  • Temperature checks (under 37.3 °C)
  • On arrival in Thailand, download and register “AOT Airport Application”
  • Subject to mandatory 14 days state quarantine

2). Required Documents

 

 

 

 

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Thailand: Conditions on International Flights during COVID-19 Pandemic

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To flatten Thailand’s COVID-19 curve, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (“CAAT”) had imposed a ban on all international flight entering Thailand since April 3, 2020. Nevertheless, seeing the stabilization of the local cases and effective social distancing protocol for the past months, Thailand will be resuming international flight, effective from July 1, 2020.

According to CAAT’s Notification re: Conditions for International Flight Permit to Thailand, CAAT has stipulated several conditions for special flights and passenger flights inbound for Thailand.

To flatten Thailand’s COVID-19 curve, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (“CAAT”) had imposed a ban on all international flight entering Thailand since April 3, 2020. Nevertheless, seeing the stabilization of the local cases and effective social distancing protocol for the past months, Thailand will be resuming international flight, effective from July 1, 2020.

According to CAAT’s Notification re: Conditions for International Flight Permit to Thailand, CAAT has stipulated several conditions for special flights and passenger flights inbound for Thailand.

1). Special flights

The following types of aircraft are eligible for CAAT’s permission for incoming, outgoing, flyover and/or landing in Thailand:

  • State or military aircraft
  • Emergency landing aircraft
  • Technical landing aircraft (no embarking of passengers)
  • Aircraft on a humanitarian, medical or relief mission
  • Aircraft for repatriation
  • Cargo aircraft

2). Passenger Flights

For passenger aircraft to be given with CAAT’s permission, passengers or persons on board must be one of the following categories:  

  1. Thai nationals
  2. Person invited by the Thai government
  3. Non-Thai nationals, who are spouse, parents or children of a Thai national
  4. Non-Thai nationals holding a valid certificate of residence or permission for residence
  5. Non-Thai nationals holding a valid working permit, including spouse and children of the same
  6. Carriers of necessary goods (must depart immediately after the mission has been completed)
  7. Aircraft crew members (must have a complete travel itinerary)
  8. Foreign students, including parents or guardians of the same
  9. Foreign nationals seeking medical assistance/treatment in Thailand (excluding COVID-19)
  10. Diplomats, international organization representatives or foreign government representatives, including spouse, parents, or children of the same
  11. Foreign nationals with a special arrangement permitted by the Thai authorities

Passenger flights under the above conditions must also adhere to all local regulations (i.e. Thai immigration law, communicable diseases law, air navigation law, and the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation). Additionally, all passengers must comply with all COVID-19 related screening process (e.g. COVID-19 RT-PCR), as well as, 14-day state required quarantine. Please refer to our previous article on Thailand’s COVID-19 immigration rules, procedures and required documents (see: Immigration Rules)  

We will provide further updates on further regulation, tourism related travel and travel bubble as the information becomes available in the near future. For any assistance, please contact us at law@ilct.co.th.  

By:

Chart Chotiphol

Counsel/Business Development

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