ASEAN to simplify visa procedures
During the East Asia Summit on tourism, trade and travel held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 30, ASEAN member states have agreed on the implementation of a common visa for non-ASEAN arrivals within 5 years.
During the East Asia Summit on tourism, trade, and travel held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 30, 2025, ASEAN member states reaffirmed their commitment to implementing a common visa for non-ASEAN arrivals within a five-year timeframe. This initiative aims to simplify travel for international tourists and enhance regional integration.
The proposal is reminiscent of the Schengen Agreement, which facilitates a borderless travel zone among 27 European countries. Since 2012, Thailand and Cambodia have offered a single visa for non-ASEAN tourists, a model that has now expanded to include Laos and Vietnam. As of late 2024, travelers can easily access these countries under this unified visa scheme.
Furthermore, ASEAN is advancing several initiatives related to intra-ASEAN visas and the widespread implementation of e-visas. As of 2025, Cambodia has fully established its e-visa system, while Myanmar's e-visa program has seen significant uptake since its launch in March 2023. This move towards digital visa processing is expected to streamline travel experiences across the region.
The East Asia Summit on tourism, trade, and travel is taking place amid growing recognition of tourism's potential to enhance economic growth and job creation within the ASEAN community. All participating countries acknowledge the tourism sector's significant impact and are committed to upgrading visa procedures to further stimulate tourism development in the coming years.
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