Thailand Unites with Indonesia and Vietnam to Tighten Visa Rules as Southeast Asia Targets Long-Stay Visitors

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There is a rising trend towards increased oversight of migration control in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam in relation to how tourist visas are being used by foreigners visiting Southeast Asia. There is an increased focus on the issue of visa runs, unauthorised employment and foreigners using tourist visa regimes for extended purposes. The issue is especially pertinent to popular Southeast Asian destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where international tourism and longer periods of stay by foreigners account for significant tourist movement. This trend comes amid the introduction of visa-free entry, electronic visas and increased periods of stay in parts of Southeast Asia post-pandemic. While this has been instrumental in reviving the number of international visitors, it is becoming increasingly common for immigration authorities to distinguish between tourism and any other purpose that requires work authorisation. For tourists, it is now more crucial to know the period of stay in each of their destination countries.

Thailand Increases Scrutiny of Repeated Visa Runs

Thailand remains one of Southeast Asia’s most visited destinations, attracting international holidaymakers to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and its coastal islands. Its visa exemption arrangements and relatively accessible entry procedures have also made the country popular with visitors undertaking extended regional trips.

However, repeated border crossings to renew or extend tourist stays have attracted greater immigration scrutiny. A visa run generally involves leaving Thailand shortly before the permitted stay expires and returning to obtain a fresh period of admission. Although leaving and re-entering the country is not automatically unlawful, immigration officers can examine travel patterns where repeated entries suggest that an individual is effectively residing or working in Thailand without the appropriate permission.

Visitors may be asked about their accommodation, onward travel arrangements, financial resources and purpose of entry. Admission remains subject to immigration approval, even when a traveller holds a passport eligible for visa-exempt entry.

Foreign nationals planning longer holidays should therefore check the current visa exemption period, extension eligibility and entry conditions before departure. Those intending to undertake professional activities, operate a business or accept employment must establish whether their proposed activities require a separate visa and work authorisation.

Bali Strengthens Oversight of Foreign Tourist Activities

Indonesia’s tourism regulations are also relevant to visitors planning extended stays in Bali. The island attracts international travellers through its beaches, cultural attractions, wellness establishments and growing accommodation sector, with popular destinations including Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak and Uluwatu.

Indonesian immigration authorities have increased attention to foreign nationals violating the conditions of their stay. Areas of concern include unauthorised employment, commercial activities conducted without appropriate permits, overstaying and misuse of tourist visas.

The distinction between tourism and employment is particularly important for visitors who undertake professional activities while staying in Bali. A tourist visa does not automatically permit foreign nationals to work for Indonesian businesses, provide paid services locally or operate commercial ventures.

Visitors considering longer stays should examine the appropriate Indonesian visa category before travelling. Depending on the purpose of the visit, different arrangements may apply to tourism, business meetings, investment, employment and other permitted activities.

Bali also introduced a foreign tourist levy of IDR 150,000 in February 2024. This separate provincial contribution supports cultural preservation and environmental protection. International visitors should account for the payment alongside their immigration requirements when organising their journeys.

Vietnam Reviews Entry Compliance Amid Growing Tourism

Vietnam has become an increasingly prominent destination for international leisure travel, with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An and Ha Long Bay attracting visitors from across Asia, Europe and other international markets.

The country offers electronic visas and visa-exemption arrangements for eligible nationalities, making it possible for many travellers to organise visits without traditional embassy-based application procedures. However, these facilities do not remove the requirement to comply with the authorised duration and purpose of stay.

Immigration compliance remains particularly relevant for foreign nationals undertaking repeated visits or combining tourism with professional activities. Visitors intending to work, establish commercial operations or remain beyond the period permitted under their entry authorisation must obtain the appropriate immigration status.

Travellers should also distinguish between visa validity and permitted length of stay. An electronic visa may remain valid for a specified period, but the authorised duration of an individual visit is governed by the conditions stated on the visa.

Those planning to travel between Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia should check the entry requirements separately for each country. A visa or visa exemption granted by one destination does not automatically provide permission to enter another.

What Travellers Should Check Before Planning Extended Stays

The increased attention to immigration compliance makes preparation important for international visitors undertaking longer Southeast Asian itineraries.

Travellers should verify their nationality-specific entry conditions through official immigration websites, ensure that their passports meet validity requirements and retain evidence of accommodation and onward travel where applicable.

Visitors intending to work remotely, provide paid services or conduct business activities should also examine the relevant immigration and employment rules rather than assume that ordinary tourist admission covers these activities.

Southeast Asia’s Changing Approach to International Visitor Management

Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam have continued to be popular tourist destinations within the region and globally, where the respective visa policies have continued to affect holiday plans, accommodation needs, and trips to multiple countries. The increased scrutiny of multiple entries and unauthorised actions makes it clear that there is a difference between tourism policies, which allow tourists to enter a certain country and stay there for shorter periods of time, and policies which govern immigration for longer periods of time and working purposes. When it comes to tourists, the necessity is to be aware of the terms of each entry and choose the appropriate visa category prior to travel.