According to reports out of Thailand, Southeast Asia might be preparing to implement a Schengen-style visa policy, which might boost travel and the region’s overall economy.

Thailand is leading the charge on a visa scheme meant to boost travel throughout Southeast Asia.

The nation is promoting a cooperative visa agreement with its five bordering countries, similar to the Schengen zone.

If this plan is implemented, Thailand may become more accessible to Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos.

According to recent reports from local media, Thailand’s prime minister came up with this idea to improve the country’s chances of accomplishing its audacious target of drawing 80 million tourists yearly by 2027.

What would this proposed Southeast Asian Schengen-style visa system entail? According to reports, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is leading the initiative to create this combined visa program, which aims to attract wealthy travelers from far-off areas.

It is said that the talks with the presidents of neighboring countries went well. Together, these six countries hosted around 70 million tourists in the past year, with Thailand and Malaysia accounting for the majority of those visits.

Thailand is facing economic difficulties as a result of decreased exports and a diminishing industrial sector. Its reliance on tourism, which accounts for around 12% of its GDP and employs 20% of its labor force, has been crucial.

The other nations positioned to take part in the Schengen-style agreement would probably profit from the anticipated spike in tourism in a comparable way.

European visitors can currently enter Thailand without a visa for a maximum of 30 days; extensions are available for a fee and are restricted to specific areas.

Comparably, Vietnam permits a 45-day stay without a visa, Malaysia grants a 90-day visa, Cambodia and Laos grant 30-day e-visas or visas upon arrival. In order to enter Myanmar, visitors from Europe must apply online for a 28-day tourist visa.

Experts in travel from the region advise that any new program should include 90-day visas so that visitors can extend their stays in any nation.

But given the region’s complex political environment, bilateral agreements may be difficult to obtain and the implementation process may be difficult in Southeast Asia.

What additional changes has Thailand made to accords pertaining to international visas?

Recently, Australian travelers will no longer need a visa, according to plans announced by Thai authorities. It is anticipated that this deal will strengthen trade relations and promote tourism between the two nations, however no precise date has been disclosed.

A mutual permanent visa-free entrance arrangement was implemented in March between China and Thailand, enabling people of both countries to visit each other for up to 30 days at a time. Travel reservations from both nations have increased dramatically since it was implemented.

This policy came after an identical one in November 2023 that allowed Indian tourists to enter Thailand without a visa. These encouraging achievements can open the door for future talks about visa regulations.

An impressive increase in foreign visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2024—more than nine million—shows that these strategies are paying off for Thailand.

With around 1.7 million arrivals, Chinese tourists made up the majority, followed by travelers from Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India.