Tourist Visa stiff income requirement being wound back

The hefty income requirement for Thailand’s Tourist Visas look like they’re being wound back following online backlash and low uptake. Previously, travellers were excited to learn they could visit a “Covid-free” Thailand, but their moods dipped after learning of the steep financial proof they needed in order to be granted under the revised Tourist Visa provisions.

Now, some embassies and consulates worldwide have have dropped the stipulation on their websites that had once listed a 500,000 baht bank account balance as a requirement for obtaining the visas. Such consulates as Los Angeles now list the requirements as being US$ 700 per person and US$ 1,500.

The London and Berlin embassies show no requirement on the websites which has signaled the news of a reversal. Such a change is expected to see more applicants for the visa, with Thailand set to see more tourists over the next few months, just in time for high season.

The income requirements are not uniform at this stage with different embassies listing different requirements around the world.

The previous requirement stated that those wishing to apply for the 60 day tourist visa had to provide bank statements in the last six months that showed the equivalent to 500,000 baht, around $16,330 US$, along with a large number of other requirements that needed to be met.

However, despite the perceived reversal of the bank account required balance, tourists must still obtain a US$100,000 Covid travel insurance policy, a Certificate of Entry, and a confirmed booking at one of Thailand’s quarantine hotels. Furthermore, such a stay at an approved hotel can start at 40,000 baht with the price only increasing from there.

In response, Thailand has been considering reducing the 14 day quarantine requirement to 10 days, citing that most Covid cases are detected within the first 5 days. That proposals will be discussed, again, this Wednesday.

SOURCE: Chiang Rai Times