The Tourism Authority of Thailand has explained updated procedures and requirements for foreign tourists who are interested in applying for a new long-stay visa, the so-called Special Tourist Visa (STV), following the proposal approval by the Thai Cabinet last week.
According to the authority, only foreigners who are willing to comply with Thailand’s public health measures and to be quarantined are eligible for the STV. The following is a summary of the steps to take. Links can be found at the bottom with more in depth details, such as exact contact points.
Prior to the tourist’s arrival in the Kingdom, interested applicants are required to declare their intent to apply for the STV by emailing mandatory documents to ‘Thailand Longstay Company’. The company, which also liaises with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, will forward tourists’ documents and applications to the Thai Immigration Bureau for applicant inspection. This includes a criminal background check.
The Certificate of Entry (COE) will be issued for successful applicants after their documents are officially approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration. (Important-the CCSA has not yet stated what/if countries will be allowed to visit). The names will be forwarded to the Thai diplomatic mission in their country of origin, meanwhile, the successful applicants will then be required to conduct a medical test, in which the Fit-to-Fly Medical Certificate must be issued at least 72 hours before the departure and also states that the applicants are tested negative for the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Individual applicants are also required to choose and purchase their Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) or Alternative Local State Quarantine(ALSQ) accommodation, accommodation after the quarantine, and their preferred chartered or private flights. The copies of the proof of payment together with the Fit-to-Fly certificate must be submitted to the Thai mission before departure.
Each chartered flight to the Kingdom will bring approximately 100 people and is expected to scheduled for a total of 1 to 3 flights per week, with approximately 1,200 long-stay tourists per month.
Upon arriving in Thailand, visitors must undergo health screening from the Ministry of Public Health. The STV will be issued with a validity of 90 days in Thailand if the tourists pass all screening measures. They will immediately depart the airport to begin the strict state quarantine at their paid ASQ/ALSQ.
Once they are tested negative for Covid-19 after the 15-day quarantine, long-stay tourists will have the freedom to travel as they please around the country with a mobile application that will track their destination.
The application fee is 10,000 baht excluding 7% VAT per applicant, including service fee and applicant’s access to any special promotions from partnered hotels, insurance providers, and other businesses. This, however, does not include the airplane ticket, ASQ/ALSQ accommodation nor accommodation after the 15 days quarantine, medical and travel insurance, as well as the STV visa fee which will be another 2,000 baht paid at the Embassy or the Consulate.
The STV visa can be extended up to two times, for a 90-day extension each, with a cumulative total of 270 days. Each renewal costs 2,000 baht and its regulation will initially be in effect until September 30, 2021.
