Traveling to Thailand in 2025 will be slightly different for foreigners due to multiple updates to Thai immigration regulations. Travelers planning to visit or stay for an extended period this year should familiarize themselves with these changes to avoid complications and disruptions.
Major changes include new ways to apply for Thai visas, flight routes opening back up, and multiple changes to entry requirements. This article covers the updates that are now live or are set to take effect in 2025 and how they may impact travel plans.
The Thai E-Visa System Expanded in 2025
From January 1, 2025, the Thai E-Visa system is now available globally, whereas before it was only available in select countries. With this expansion, visitors to Thailand can apply for a Thai visa online in any country that has a Thai Embassy or Consulate. Applying remotely through the E-Visa system eliminates the need to visit the embassy in person, reducing congestion and accelerating visa processing.
An added benefit of this expansion is that Thai visa agents can also connect to the system remotely and assist applicants online regardless of their location. The system supports applications for most major Thai visas.
The New Thailand Privilege Bronze Membership
In 2024, the Thailand Privilege Program introduced a new, more cost-effective membership option for those considering a Thailand Elite Visa. This premium visa is the easiest and most rewarding way for foreigners to stay in Thailand long-term or visit frequently as it is flexible, valid for 5-20 years, and comes with a large selection of benefits and free perks.
There were four tiers of Thailand Privilege membership that provided the Elite Visa with varying durations:
- Gold (5 years)
- Platinum (10 years)
- Diamond (15 years)
- Reserve (20 years)
The new fifth option, called the Thailand Privilege Bronze membership, provides a more affordable alternative to the Gold membership. It includes the same basic benefits as the Gold membership and is valid for 5 years, but does not offer extras, such as Thailand Privilege Points.
This membership tier was created in response to the demand for a more affordable yet easy-to-get long-term Thai visa. It occupies a middle ground between the cheaper but more difficult-to-acquire DTV, and the higher tiers of Thailand Privilege which are easier to join and more rewarding but more expensive.
Direct Flights Between the US and Thailand Expected to Resume in 2025
Direct flights between the US and Thailand were discontinued in 2015 due to lax safety standards that did not meet the requirements of the US government. Starting in 2025, new direct routes are expected to be introduced thanks to Thailand improving its safety rating with the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
These new routes will allow travelers to fly directly between the US and Thailand without any stops, improving travel times and boosting tourism.
TM6 Form Returns for All Foreign Travelers, Other Planned Entry Requirements Postponed
Starting on May 1st, 2025, all non-Thai citizens must fill out and submit a digital version of the TM6 immigration form before they are granted entry to Thailand, regardless of their visa status. This will be required for all foreign travelers, including those arriving by land, sea, and air, but there will be no fee to submit the form through the digital portal.
The old paper TM6 arrival card was suspended in April of 2024, but this new version will be completely digital. The Thai Ministry of Sports and Tourism, which announced the new system, explained that it will be implemented to better screen arriving foreign citizens to fight trafficking, improve tourist safety, and address national security concerns.
However, the implementation of this new digital travel requirement is being prioritized over two other new travel requirements announced last year, which have both been postponed indefinitely.
Tourist Tax for Travelers to Thailand Delayed
A tourist tax was expected in 2025, but with the reintroduction of the TM6, the government has again delayed its implementation. It was expected to roll out in mid to late 2025, but officials at the Thai Ministry of Sports and Tourism have stated that they are putting their full focus on getting the digital TM6 up and running before setting up the tax, which was also to be handled digitally.
Before it was delayed, the plan was to have foreign visitors pay 300 baht upon arrival, with most being paid through the E-Visa system. Thai residents and holders of long-term visas are to be exempt.
Thailand’s New Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) System Also Delayed
Last year, a plan was announced for travelers entering Thailand under the visa exemption scheme to register with a new Thai Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. Similar to systems in the UK and Canada, this system was supposed to act as a pre-registration and screening tool, simplifying airport procedures and improving security measures.
Again, however, this system has been postponed indefinitely in favor of the new digital TM6 form. Thai tourism authorities also stated that implementing both digital systems at the same time would lead to neither system working properly.
Contact Siam Legal for Professional Assistance
Travelers to Thailand feeling uncertain about the new immigration changes in 2025 should contact Siam Legal International. With over 20 years of experience as a full-service law firm and visa consultancy in Thailand, our team of visa consultants has the expertise to help visitors secure their Thai visas quickly and hassle-free.
We provide comprehensive visa services, from providing knowledgeable advice to reviewing documents to handling application submission with the relevant authorities. Siam Legal takes care of the red tape so that our clients can focus on their travels without worrying about immigration challenges.
