Thailand Considers Visa Waivers for Colombia, Mexico, Uzbekistan
A proposal for 15-day visa exemptions, aimed at addressing processing delays and a 30% drop in Latin American arrivals, will be presented to Thailand's visa policy committee on 9 November.
Proposed Visa Exemptions for Three Countries
Thailand is evaluating a plan to grant 15-day visa exemptions to travellers from Colombia, Mexico, and Uzbekistan. This initiative seeks to alleviate existing visa processing bottlenecks and attract a greater number of long-haul visitors, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul stated on Monday that his ministry plans to submit a formal proposal to the national visa policy committee on 9 November. The move comes as the Thai tourism sector aims to simplify entry procedures and enhance its appeal to international markets.
Addressing Declining Latin American Arrivals
The consideration of visa waivers follows growing concerns over delays in visa processing, which have reportedly disrupted Thailand's long-haul tourism, particularly from Latin America. Reports indicate that passenger show-up rates on some flights from the region have fallen by 20% to 30%.
Emirates, for instance, lodged a complaint with the Tourism Authority of Thailand after numerous passengers from Mexico missed flights due to not receiving their visas in time. Minister Surasak confirmed the ministry is actively seeking a lasting solution to these persistent visa delays affecting Mexico and other Latin American markets.
Impact on Uzbek Travellers and Regional Competition
Visa procedures have also affected arrivals from Uzbekistan, as noted by Chiravadee Khunsub, Deputy Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand for international markets across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa.
Previously, Uzbek travellers were required to apply for Thai e-visas through the Royal Thai Embassy in Russia, a process that Uzbek travel agents found cumbersome. This complexity led some travellers to cancel their planned holidays to Thailand, opting instead for competing destinations, including Vietnam, which offers more straightforward entry requirements.
Thailand's Tourism Targets and Future Outlook
Thailand welcomed over 32 million tourists last year, positioning it as Southeast Asia's second most visited country, behind Malaysia, which recorded 42 million arrivals. However, the nation has seen 24.4 million foreign tourist arrivals between 1 January and 17 October this year, a 4.12% decrease year-on-year, placing it behind its 2026 target of 33 million tourists.
The proposed visa exemption aims to streamline entry, minimise travel plan disruptions, and rebuild confidence among international tour operators and airline partners. This strategic adjustment could help Thailand regain momentum and compete more effectively with regional rivals for long-haul visitors.
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