New Regulations on Entry to Thailand & Application for Certificate of Entry (updated on 1 October 2020)
*WE DO NOT ACCEPT VISA/COE APPLICATIONS BY POST. ALL POSTAL APPLICATIONS WILL BE REJECTED*
WICHTIGER HINWEIS
UM NACH THAILAND EINREISEN ZU DÜRFEN, THAIS UND NON-THAIS BENÖTIGEN AUSNAHMSLOS EINE EINREISEBESCHEINIGUNG (COE).
UPDATED REGULATIONS ON ENTRY TO THAILAND
(as of 1 October 2020)
FÜR DIE DEUTSCHE VERSION KLICKEN SIE HIER (Allgemeine Informationen) & KLICKEN SIE HIER (Für eine Checkliste mit den für den Antrag auf Einreisebescheinigung (COE) erforderlichen Unterlagen)
1. Who can enter Thailand?
2. How to travel to Thailand?
3. Are travellers subject to a 14-day quarantine?
4. What documents are required for entry to Thailand?
5. How to apply for the Certificate of Entry (COE)?
6. Download important documents
1. Categories of persons permitted to enter Thailand
In accordance with the Regulation issued under Section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations B.E. 2548 (2005), as amended, the following persons are permitted to enter Thailand:
(1) Thai nationals (for more information please visit www.thaiembassy.at/th/repat)
(2) Persons with exemption or persons being considered, permitted or invited by the Prime Minister, or the head of responsible persons accountable for resolving state of emergency issues to enter the Kingdom, pertaining to necessity. Such consideration, permission or invitation may be subject to specified conditions and time limits.
(3) Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under International organizations, or representatives of foreign government performing their duties in the Kingdom, or persons of other international agencies as permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pertaining to necessity, including their spouse, parents, or children.
(4) Carriers of necessary goods, subject to immediate return after completion.
(5) Crew members who are required to travel into the Kingdom on a mission, and have a specified date and time for return.
(6) Non-Thai nationals who are spouses, parents, or children of Thai nationals.
(7) Non-Thai nationals who hold a Certificate of Residence, including their spouses and children.
(8) Non-Thai nationals who have work permit or have been granted permission to work in the Kingdom in accordance with Thai laws, including their spouses and children, or foreign workers who have been granted exemption from the government to temporarily stay in the Kingdom and permitted to work through their employers or licensees who are permitted to bring in foreign workers to work in the Kingdom.
(9) Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including their parents or guardians, excluding students of non-formal educational institutions in accordance with the law on Private schools and of other similar private educational institutions.
(10) Non-Thai nationals who are in need of medical treatment in Thailand, and their accompanying persons. However, this shall not include medical treatment for COVID–19.
(11) Non-Thai nationals who have been granted permission to enter into the Kingdom under special arrangements between Thai government agencies and other countries, or persons or groups of persons who have been granted permission by the Prime Minister upon the submission for consider after the examination and review by the Ad Hoc Committee for the Consideration of the Relaxation of the Enforcement of Measures to Present and Suppress the Spread of the Communicable Disease Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), and shall comply with disease prevention measures determined by the Ad Hoc Committee.
UPDATE: LONG-STAY TRAVELLERS & HOLDERS OF "B" VISA
- LATEST UPDATE: As from 9 October 2020, holders of Non-Immigrant "B" Visa are permitted to enter Thailand under exempted Category (11).
- Non-Thai nationals eligible for Non-Immigrant "B" Visa may apply for the Certificate of Entry (COE) together with their visa applications.
- Information on required documents for Non-Immigrant "B" Visa application can be found here: https://thaiembassy.at/en/consular-services.html
- As from 29 September 2020, the following non-Thai nationals are permitted to enter Thailand under exempted Category (11):
- 1) Holders of Non-Immigrant ‘O-A’ (Long Stay) Visa;
- 2) Holders of Non-Immigrant ‘O-X’ (Long Stay) Visa (applicable only for nationals of Japan, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada and United States); or
- 3) Holders of APEC Card (from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and China).
- Applicants for Non-Immigrant ‘O-A’ (Long Stay) Visa must submit their application together with the application for the Certificate of Entry (COEs) ONLINE – see process below.
ARE TOURISTS ALLOWED TO ENTER THAILAND?
- The Royal Thai Government has recently announced its plan to allow tourists from low-risk areas to apply for a Special Tourist Visa (STV) and a COE for entering Thailand under exempted Category (11), subject to specific requirements.
- The new rule entered into force on 1 October 2020 and will last until 30 September 2021. Kindly note that, at present, travellers from Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia are not qualified for the STV as these three countries are not classified by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand as "low-risk" areas (as of 15 October 2020).
IMPORTANT NOTICE
- Kindly note that, during COVID-19 situation, the Royal Thai Embassy will accept visa application *BY APPOINTMENT ONLY*.
- Kindly note also that visa exemption and visa on arrival schemes are currently suspended. Those non-Thai nationals wishing to enter Thailand must have valid visas or re-entry permit.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand issued the Notification on Conditions for Aircraft Permission to Enter Thailand (No.2), on 2 July 2020, stipulating that aircraft carrying persons shall be banned from entering into the airport in Thailand, except:
(1) State or military aircraft;
(2) Emergency landing flights;
(3) Technical landing flights without disembarkation;
(4) Humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights;
(5) Repatriation flights;
(6) Cargo flights;
(7) Passengers flights carrying certain categories of persons permitted to enter Thailand.
FLIGHT UPDATE
- At present, certain air operators are permitted to operate semi-commercial flights to Thailand in October 2020, including Austrian Airlines (VIE-BKK: OS025); Emirates (DXB-BKK: EK384); Qatar Airways (DOH-BKK: QR 830 & QR836); Etihad Airways (AUH-BKK: EY406); Lufthansa (FRA-BKK: LH772); Swiss Air (ZRH-BKK: LX180); EVA Air (TPE-BKK: BR211); Singapore Airlines; KLM; Air France; Cathay Pacific; and Thai Airways.
- Before booking flights to Thailand with the abovementioned air operators, travellers should ensure that they fall within the 10 categories of non-Thai nationals permitted to enter Thailand. Please note that having plane tickets does not guarantee entry to Thailand. To enter Thailand, non-Thai travellers must have all the required documents mentioned in point 4 below.
All non-Thai nationals are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at:
- Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) facility
Click HERE for the current list of approved ASQ facilities.
Reservation must be made directly with one of the Government-approved ASQ facilities at the travellers’ own expenses.
- Alternative Hospital Quarantine (AHQ) facility (for Category (10))
The list of certified AHQ facilities can be found here (in Thai only):
http://www.hsscovid.com/files/Alternative%20Hospital%20Quarantine.pdf
http://www.hsscovid.com/files/Alternative%20Hospital%20Quarantine2.pdf
- Organizational Quarantine (OQ) facility (for Categories (3) and (9)).
Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter Thailand must present the following documents at check-in counter in the country of origin and at immigration control in Thailand:
- Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Embassy (see application process below)
- Valid visa or re-entry permit (for visa application process, please refer to https://thaiembassy.at/en/consular-services.html)
- Health insurance policy which covers treatment and medical expenses in relation to COVID-19, with a minimum coverage of 100,000 USD (except for diplomats and representatives of foreign governments or international organizations) Travellers are advised to purchase their health insurance which meets Thailand's entry criteria here: http://covid19.tgia.org/
- Medical Certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected, using RT-PCR method, which has been certified or issued no more than 72 hours before departure
- Fit to Fly Health Certificate, which has been certified or issued no more than 72 hours before departure
- Confirmation of Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotel booking (or AHQ/OQ confirmation) for a 14-day quarantine
**The travellers should avoid crowded or high-risk places at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand and they must wear masks while travelling**
5. How to apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE)
Non-Thai nationals who resides in Austria, Slovakia, or Slovenia, may apply for a Certificate of Entry (ONLINE) with the Royal Thai Embassy in Vienna. Those residing in other countries should submit their applications with their respective Royal Thai Embassies.
***Please submit your COE application at least 2 weeks before your scheduled departure***
To apply, please:
(1) Prepare documents in accordance with the checklist of required documents HERE
(2) Complete an online application form via https://forms.gle/HiHvt3aoXvCLiYtU8
(3) Submit all the required documents via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with subject “COE application: followed by your full name”
- The Embassy will reject the application if all the required documents are not submitted in accordance with the checklist and reserves the right to request additional documents, as necessary.
- If a visa is required, please submit your visa application and required documents together with your COE application.
- You will be informed of the outcome of the application by email.
- For documents required for a visa application, please refer to https://thaiembassy.at/en/consular-services.html
(4) If your COE application is successful, the Embassy will send the COE to you via email. If a visa is also required, the Embassy will contact you to schedule an appointment to submit your visa application at the Embassy in person.
(5) There is no fee for the application for a COE, but normal visa fees will apply (if visa application is submitted).
- List of Alternative State Quarantine hotels: CLICK HERE (please note that the list is regularly updated on http://hsscovid.com/)
- Checklist of documents for application for Certificate of Entry: CLICK HERE
- Declaration Form – download HERE (needed for all applications, except for diplomats and representatives of foreign governments or international organizations who need a different form – download HERE)
***The information provided here is subject to change without prior notice***
