Nigeria missing as Thailand expands visa-free entry scheme to 93 countries

Nigeria did not make the list of the 93 countries selected by Thailand to grant its visa waiver scheme.

Information for the country’s embassy website show that African countries among the 93 countries selected include Mauritius, Morocco and South Africa, while countries eligible for visa on arrival include Ethiopia, Namibia, Seychelles, Tunisia.

According to the country’s Ministry of Interior, the new decision is a significant increase from the previous 57 regions, with visitors now able to stay up to 60 days. This new policy aims to boost tourism and make travel to Thailand more convenient for visitors from various countries, VisaGuide.World reports.

As reported in June, a new visa category, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), will also be introduced on 15 July. This visa will target digital nomads, freelancers, and visitors interested in learning skills such as cooking and martial arts. It will allow holders to stay for up to 180 days and will be valid for five years.

Related News

Furthermore, visiting students who earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in Thailand can stay for one year after graduation to seek employment, travel, or conduct other activities.

Foreign arrivals in Thailand until 7 July 2024 increased by 35 percent compared to last year’s figures, reaching 18.2 million visitors and generating revenue of 858 billion baht (S$31.8 billion). As a result, destinations such as China, Malaysia, and India have been the top sources of tourists this year.

Previous data by Thailand authorities revealed that during the first three months of this year alone, Thailand recorded 9.4 million foreign tourists, contributing an estimated 454.6 billion baht ($12.4 billion) to the economy. At the same time, the country is targeting a record of 40 million visitors in 2024, aiming to match pre-pandemic levels of pre-pandemic.

Expansion of visa-free entry and introduction of new visa categories are part of Thailand’s strategy to boost its tourism industry and attract more international visitors.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.