The Thailand Special Tourist Visa (STV) was introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to promote long-term tourism. It allowed foreign nationals to enter Thailand for extended stays under strict health protocols and with longer permitted durations than standard tourist visas.
🛂 What Is the STV?
The Special Tourist Visa (STV) was created for tourists who wanted to stay in Thailand longer than the normal 30 or 60 days. It was exclusively for tourism purposes and required pre-approval before entry.
📅 Visa Duration and Extensions
- Initial stay: 90 days (including quarantine period)
- Extensions: Up to 2 extensions of 90 days each
- Total stay: Maximum 270 days (3 x 90 days)
Extensions must be made in person at a local Thai Immigration Bureau.
It’s important to note that the STV cannot be converted to another visa type such as a non-immigrant (O, B, ED, etc.) visa once inside Thailand.
📌 STV Scheme Validity
The original STV program was scheduled to end on September 30, 2022. However, some Thai embassies and consulates may still issue STVs depending on local consular policy.
🔄 Alternatives to the STV in 2025
If the STV is no longer available in your country, you may still apply for:
- Standard 60-day Tourist Visa (SETV) – issued by most Thai consulates
- Visa Exemption (30 days) – for eligible nationalities
- Thai visa extensions – for those already inside Thailand
📞 Need Help Applying?
If you’re unsure whether you can apply for an STV or SETV, we recommend contacting your local Thai embassy or contacting our team for visa advice tailored to your situation.
At Thai Visa Express, we’ve helped thousands of tourists and expats navigate changing visa rules. You can also explore more articles on our Thailand Essentials blog.
