Muscat: The Kingdom of Thailand has not cancelled the visa exemption for Omani citizens, starting from December 2024, confirmed the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Bangkok.
The Embassy said the information on the cancellation is visa exemption is incorrect, but Thai authorities have announced their plan to introduce an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the Sultanate of Oman, to simplify travel procedures.
All visa-exempt travelers will be required to hold an approved ETA before arriving in Thailand, whether arriving by air, land, or sea.
The ETA is expected to be free of charge and grant single-entry capabilities via automated gates at immigration checkpoints using a QR code. Holders of diplomatic passports, official passports, U.N. Laissez-Passer and Border Pass users, as well as nationals of Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia, will be exempt from the ETA.
The Thai government is undertaking several new immigration initiatives designed to increase tourism and spur economic growth.
The government recently approved an expansion of the visa-on-arrival policy to include additional countries, and the allowable stay of 30 days was extended to 60 days for tourists and short-term business travelers from 93 countries.
Authorities also announced an ETA system for visa-exempt visitors that would be integrated with e-Visa services.
Officials have now stated the ETA should be available by December 1, 2024, for an initial pilot phase, with full implementation by June 2025.
e-Visa service will be integrated with the ETA system into a single online application portal.
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