Schengen-Style Visa for SEA Countries: Cambodia on Board with Thailand’s Plan

A meeting between Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism Huot Hak and advisors to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa took place on October 21, 2024, wherein they discussed cross-border travel. One of the more significant outcomes of this meeting was the Cambodian Minister’s support for Thailand’s “Six Countries, One Destination” visa initiative, adding another major partner to the plan.

The Thai government now plans to begin policy discussions with Cambodia on a pilot project to work out the details, test and research data, and set strategies for the initiative before expanding it to more regional partners.

What is Thailand’s “Six Countries, One Destination” Visa Initiative?

The Thai government recently proposed a Schengen-style visa zone for it and its neighbors in the region, including:

• Cambodia
• Laos 
• Malaysia 
• Myanmar 
• Thailand
• Vietnam

As with the Schengen Area in Europe, these countries would implement a tourist visa that visitors could use to freely travel between participating members. 

For example, if a traveler wished to visit Thailand and Cambodia, they would only need to apply for a single visa instead of going through the application process for both a Thai Tourist Visa and a Cambodian one. They also would not need to acquire a re-entry permit if they planned on returning to Thailand after visiting another country in the visa zone.

The Thai government is still in the process of getting partners on board with its plan, so specific details are not yet available. It is not yet clear how visitors will apply for this visa, how long it will be valid for, how much it will cost, if there will be multiple versions of this visa, and other key concerns.

Visitors can apply for the Schengen Visa from any participating nation’s embassy virtually anywhere in the world, which is valid for 90 days. There are also different types of Schengen Visa, including a business version that allows holders to conduct unpaid business activities such as meeting with partners or attending trade shows. The holder can travel freely throughout the Schengen Area and conduct these activities in each member state.

Thailand’s “Six Countries, One Destination” initiative is based off of the Schengen Visa, so features of this kind may be forthcoming once the pilot project begins and more participating nations are brought into the fold.

Why Introduce a Schengen-Style Visa for Thailand?

Like many if not most of Thailand’s immigration reforms, the goal of this new regional Thai visa program is to promote tourism. Streamlining the process of obtaining tourist visas for all of the participating members is hoped to attract more tourists who may be daunted by the region’s infamous bureaucracy and often byzantine visa procedures.

If tourists can explore multiple Southeast Asian countries without having to apply for several different visas through multiple governments and embassies, they will be more likely to choose the region as their destination. This increase in visitors is hoped to be the rising tide that raises all ships, and benefits each member state’s tourism economy while putting a bigger spotlight on the region.

On a macro scale, over time it is hoped that this initiative will also deepen ties between all member states. This regional visa program will pave the way to better transportation links and economic cooperation between Thailand and its neighbors.

What’s Next for “Six Countries, One Destination”

With Cambodia supporting Thailand’s regional visa pilot program, the “Six Countries, One Destination” initiative is beginning to pick up steam. Earlier in the year, the government of Vietnam expressed support for the program as well, so now Thailand has secured backing from two of its largest regional partners. The program was also discussed with the governments of the other proposed members, including Laos and Malaysia, and no objections were raised.

The Thai government now plans on serious policy discussions with Cambodia and Vietnam’s governments to accelerate the project. Planning is still in the early stages, but tourism is an important subject for all member states involved, so enthusiasm for the initiative remains high.

Have Questions about Thai Visas?

Until this new Schengen-style visa for Southeast Asia becomes a reality, you’ll need a visa to visit Thailand in most cases. If you have questions about a particular Thai visa or would like professional application assistance, contact Siam Legal for a consultation. We’ve been helping travelers secure visas to Thailand for over 20 years, and we can ensure you get the one you need swiftly and successfully.

Category: Thailand Visa