This article will allow you to understand how to obtain Thailand Certificate of Entry or COE during Covid-19.
As travelling is every human being’s right and a way for other to relax and enjoy their time by experiencing and discovering other country’s tradition and culture.
People travel for leisure purposes. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic started, a lot of travel bans and travel restrictions to almost all of the countries around the world was placed, and Thailand did not hold back regarding this matter.
Like many other countries, Thailand have made several travel restrictions and placed numerous rules to follow for its tourists and the like.
Although it may seem complicated now, but the requirement to travel or return to Thailand is quite straightforward.
For this content, we will guide you on how you can acquire the Thailand Certificate of Entry or also known as COE in order to enter Thailand.
Continue scrolling down to get more information about Thailand COE.
Table of Content
- What is a Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)?
- Who are eligible to apply for the Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)?
- What are the requirements for the Thailand Certificate of Entry?
- Steps on how to apply for the Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)?
- Validity and Timeframe in Obtaining Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)
- Preparing for travel after acquiring Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)
- Conclusion
1. What is a Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)?
The Thai Embassies and Consulates around the world issued a Letter which is the Thailand Certificate of Entry or COE to allow those who hold foreign visas and eligible travelers to enter Thailand.
Travelling to Thailand with the support of the COE is only valid for flights to Thailand such as Commercial Flights, Repatriation Flights, or Chartered Flights.
The Letter or the COE needs to be presented to the airline ground crew upon departure and to the immigration officer in Thailand.
You may access the COE online website/portal of the respective Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate of your country in order to apply.
2. Who are eligible to apply for the Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)?
The following are those who are permitted to apply for a valid visa to Thailand and Certificate of Entry (COE) in order to enter Thailand.
- Foreigners whose are spouses (holding a Thai Marriage visa), parents or children of Thai nationals
- Foreigners who have a Certificate of Permanent Residence
- Foreigner nationals with valid work permit or letter of confirmation to work (WP3) from the relevant Thai government agency, and their spouse and children
- Foreigner who are students of formal educational establishments in Thailand as approved by Thai authorities, and their parents
- Foreigner in need of medical treatment in Thailand, except for treatment of COVID-19, including their accompanying persons
- Diplomats, officials of international organizations, and their family members
- Holders of Non-Immigrant visa Category OA/OX Retirement Visa
- Holders of APEC Business card or Thai Elite Visa
- Holders of Special Tourist Visa (STV) Or Tourist Visa (TR) selected countries only
- Holders of Non-Immigrant visa for Business purpose, ownership of condominium or investment
- Holders of Non-Immigrant O retirement visa
- Passport holders of Countries under Visa Exemption Program (you may check the Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate in your country if you qualify for the Visa Exemption Program)
3. What are the requirements for the Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)?
Only those who are eligible to enter Thailand as listed above are allowed to apply for the Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE).
It is mandatory that the applicant should acquire a Thai Visa before applying for the Certificate of Entry (COE).
Upon acquiring the visa, the applicant should prepare copies of the following for the Certificate of Entry application:
- Passport
- Valid Thai Visa such as Tourist Visa, Non-Immigrant Visa, or extension of stay with a re-entry permit. Some countries are not required to have visa since Thailand and some countries have Visa Exemption bilateral agreement in place.
- COVID-19 Travel Insurance for Thailand Policy covering treatment and medical expenses related to COVID-19 with a minimum coverage of $100,000.
- Confirmed Flight Booking
- Confirmed Alternative State Quarantine hotel booking or SHA+ Hotels in Phuket
4. Steps on how to apply for the Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)
Follow these steps in order to apply for the Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE).
Note that you may only apply for the COE at the respective Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate in your country.
First Step: Visit COE online portal/website (https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/) fill in application form and upload passport information page.
The Thai Embassy/Consulate-General takes 3 working days to process the application.
Second Step: The Applicant can check the result of application on website. They will be contacted by email if the Embassy requires more documents.
The applicants who are pre-approved passengers can then buy flight tickets and book their ASQ or SHA+ hotels.
Copy of the flight ticket and the ASQ hotel or SHA+ Hotel booking confirmation has to be uploaded in order to get the COE. Please check the status of your application after 1-3 working days.
For Sandbox Program applicant, the applicant is subjected to 1-3 times of COVID-19 RT-PCR tests depending on the duration of their stay at their own expense.
The cost, up to 100 us dollars per test, may be collected upon entry or by the hotel.
Third Step: When the COE has been approved, the applicants can check their status online and click to download their COE.
They may print it or show the photo of the COE at the boarding gate or the Airline Ground Staff.
5. Validity and Timeframe in Obtaining Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)
The frequently asked question regarding the Thailand Certificate of Entry is “how long is it valid?” and “how many days do I have to wait in order to obtain it?”
The answer is simple, for the validity, the COE will specifically state your flight date of departure and arrival, so it is only valid for the intended date of travel to Thailand.
In case of flight changes or changes to your date of travel, you have to re-apply a new Certificate of Entry with the new flight details and ASQ hotel details.
We advise that you should apply for the COE at least 15 working days before your travel date.
It is also a must to apply for a valid visa (if you are not exempted) before applying for COE.
6. Preparing for travel after acquiring Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE)
Upon acquiring the Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE) you must prepare the following documents and present it to the Airline Ground Staff and Immigration Officer in Thailand:
- Certificate of Entry (COE)
- Valid visa in your passport
- Declaration Form
- Medical Certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID -19 is not detected. The COVID test must be by the RT-PCR method, the test must be conducted within 72 hours before departure. Some airlines do not accept home kit tests so please check specific requirements with the airlines you are traveling with.
- Copy of Travel insurance policy that covers COVID and no less than 100,000 USD. (The policy must cover the whole duration of your stay or the duration of your visa. Please print the insurance certificate and all pages of the terms and conditions on the COVID-19 coverage and medical benefits. You may be refused to board the flight if you could not show that the insurance meets this requirement.)
- Copy of confirmed ASQ hotel booking or SHA+ Hotel Booking
- Flight itinerary
- T8 Form Questionnaire
- You must download “Thailand Plus” Application on your mobile phone
Conclusion
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is quite severe to our daily life and the life we have known.
However, Siam Attorney now offers the service of Thailand Certificate of Entry (COE) acquisition.
It will be hard for some to adjust on the drastic changes that occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic but it is important that we understand such rules, regulations, and restrictions are placed in order to protect us and the people around us.
While it may seem complicated, but travelling back to Thailand is quite a straight forward process.
If you have read this content properly it is guaranteed you will have a clearer understanding on how you can return and travel to Thailand.
Consult with us by sending an email to support@siam-attorney.com or contact us via Whatsapp +66 (0) 95 750 0888, or LINE: siam.attorneyOur team of professional individuals will be willing and ready to assist you with your plans to return to Thailand.
