Last Update: 10 December 2024

TRAVEL CONDITIONS:

Vietnam fully reopens its borders to foreign travelers without COVID-19 restrictions.

Updated entry conditions include:

✓ A valid Passport & an e-Visa (via Click Here) if needed.

VISA conditions include: 

Travelers from the following countries and territories that are unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam are granted a 45-day stay and this is valid until 14 March 2025: Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. 

Vietnam Visa Exemption Re-entry Process:

For the re-entry visa exemption process, clients may now exit and re-enter Vietnam immediately without waiting for a specified time to return. The initial need to wait for 30 days after the first entry is no longer mandated (for a new stay of a maximum 15 days). Additionally, clients do not have to pay a visa fee for the visa exemption.

Furthermore, Vietnam will extend the validity of tourist e-visas to 90 days. The new rule will be applied to both single-entry and multiple-entry visas. 

However, citizens from the list of 80 eligible countries in Vietnam have to apply for an e-Visa.

Concerned government authority will adjust and approve the list of countries whose citizens are granted an e-visa. 

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TRAVEL CONDITIONS:

All travelers can now enter freely in the country, without any restrictions.

During the Stay:

While in Thailand, both vaccinated and unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers are advised to follow the health and safety standards. Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If tested positive, they must get the appropriate medical treatment.

Also, Thailand Public Health recommends wearing the face mask in crowded places, public transportations, and cinemas. 

VISA EXEMPTION AND BILATERAL AGREEMENT

Thailand has increased the period of visa-free stay for foreign arrivals entering the country.

For travelers from countries entitled for visa exemption, the period of stay has been extended to 45 days, and 30 days for those eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA).

The following countries eligible for visa exemption: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, The Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UAE, UK, Ukraine, and USA. 

Thailand approves 60 day visa-free entry for 93 countries starting from July 15, 2024

Since July 15, 2024, Thailand has implemented its visa-free entry scheme to include citizens from 93 countries, allowing them to stay up to 60 days without a visa.

The new visa policy extends the stay period from the previous 30 days to 60 days for visitors from 57 countries. In this new scheme, travelers from 36 other nations will now also be eligible for the 60-day stay.

Here is the full list of the 93 countries eligible for visa-free entry: Click Here

TRAVEL CONDITIONS:

Cambodia has removed all restrictions related to COVID-19 and reopened its borders to all travellers without COVID-19 quarantine. Likewise, visa-exempted countries, especially from the ASEAN regions are welcome in Cambodia.

VISAS:

Cambodia has reopened its electronic visa scheme (e-visa certificate) for foreign tourists entering the country. Visa exemptions for business people and "sponsored" persons are authorized. In addition, Cambodia has allowed the re-issuance of “Visa on Arrival” for all international travelers, by air, land, and sea.

New Cambodia e-Arrival Card Launched

Since July 01, 2024, the Cambodia e-Arrival (CeA) card will require all travelers to complete an online e-immigration form within 7 days before the intended arrival date in the country.

The online form is completely free to fill in and available on the official website or via a mobile application (Google Play or the AppStore).

How to Submit the Cambodian e-Arrival Card:

1. Registration: Travelers register by taking a photo and uploading their passport information.
2. Complete E-Arrival Card: This replaces the old paper immigration, health form, and customs declaration.
3. QR Code: After completing their application, a QR code will be generated. Travelers should save this QR code on their phones or present a printout to be submitted to immigration.

If travelers do not pre-fill the form online, several standby machines are available at immigration for visitors to fill the form upon arrival.

TRAVEL CONDITIONS:

Laos has fully reopened its borders to foreign visitors, allowing arrivals to enter the country with no requirements of COVID-19 testing and quarantine. This is applied to all visitors arriving by land, air, or water.

VISAS:

Citizens of countries that have bilateral or unilateral visa waiver agreements with Laos may now enter Laos without the need for a visa.

Citizens of countries that do not have a visa waiver agreement with Laos may now apply for visa at a Lao Embassy or Consulate abroad or via the e-Visa online system.

However, visa on arrival for all foreign nationals has resumed at the international checkpoint. Tourist visa fee is 40 US$ (except for Chinese and Vietnamese nationals). Each foreigner has to bring 1 photo (size 3cmx4cm); otherwise they have to pay 1 USD/person for taking a photo on the spot.

 Laos Extends Visa Exemptions for Selected Countries

Since July 01, 2024 and until the end of this year, Laos is offering multiple-entry visas and extending the length of stay from 30 to 60 days for travelers from the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

For arrivals from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Spain, and Greece, the visa requirement will be waived for the first visit for up to 15 days if they travel for tourism purposes.

TRAVEL CONDITIONS:

Persons authorized to enter Myanmar must comply with the following conditions:

✓ Have a passport valid for 6 months after the date of entry into Myanmar;

✓ Have a valid visa;

✓ Take an insurance covering COVID-19, online with "Myanmar insurance".

TRAVEL CONDITIONS:

Temporary Exemption of K-ETA for 27 Countries/Regions

K-ETA EXEMPTION 

In celebration of “Visit Korea Year”, K-ETA will be temporarily exempted to 27 countries/regions until December 31, 2025 (for the majority, the period of stay allowed is 90 days):

Australia, Austria, Belgium (3 months), Canada (6 months), Czech Republic, Denmark, Emirates, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands (3 months), New Zealand (3 months), Norway, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, US (including Guam).

NOTE:  All foreigners who are NOT exempted from a K-ETA must apply before entering the country.  Here is how to apply for a K-ETA. 

HOW TO OBTAIN A K-ETA

Before applying for a K-ETA, you must prepare a:

✓ Valid passport (at least 6 months)

✓ Valid e-mail address

✓ Face image photo

- For PC, image file. For mobile application, photo taken by mobile device camera during application.

✓ Credit or debit card that can be used to pay the fee (10,000KRW, approximately USD $9-10 per person)

Obtain a K-ETA approval before boarding the flight or ship – the assessment can take more than 72 hours.

Travelers can apply directly for a K-ETA by clicking here

- Each approved K-ETA allows multiple visits to the Republic of Korea within the validity period of K-ETA (3 years in general)

If you would like to know the allowed period of stay with a K-ETA, for a specific country, you can click here

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As it is so dear to us, the Phoenix Voyages team is at your disposal to prepare for your clients' future trips in Asia.   

The Phoenix Voyages Team