If you even landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport during peak hours, you know the immigration queues can sometimes take over an hour to clear. Fortunately, Thailand is taking a major step to speed up arrivals. The Thai government has officially expanded its automated passport control gates (eGates) to 31 new nationalities, bringing the total number of eligible passports to 33.
The expansion aims to process upo to 53% of all international arrivals automatically, significantly cutting down wait times and easing airport congestion.
Here is everything you need to know about the new Suvarnabhumi eGate rules, the requirements to use them, and the complete list eligible countries.
Who Can Use the New eGates? (The 4 Golden Rules)
While the expansion is fantastic news for frequent travelers, simply holding a passport from an eligible country does not guarantee you can skip the manual line. To use the automated entry gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport, you must meet all of the following conditions:
#1 You must be from an eligible country:
You must hold an e-Passport (biometric passport) from one of the 33 approved nations.
#2 You must have visited Thailand before:
The automated gates reply on facial recognition and fingerprint data. If this is your first time visiting Thailand, your biometric data isn’t in the system yet, and you must use a standard staffed counter.
#3 You must be entering Visa-Free:
Currently, the eGates are only configured for travelers entering under Thailand’s 30-day visa exemption program. If you are entering on a specific visa, you must see an immigration officer to ensure you entry is stamped with the correct visa status.
#4 You must complete the TDA:
You are required to submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before your arrival.
Note: Departing Thailand is much easier. Anyone with a biometric passport, regardless of nationality, can use the automated gates when leaving the country.
Thailand’s New Immigration Updates (September 2026)
The Full List of 33 Eligible Nationalities
Previously, only Thai, Singaporean and Hong Kong passport holders could use the arrival eGates. Following the August 2026 expansion, the Immigration Bureau selected 31 additional countries based on entry-refusal statistics, security screens, and the Henley Passport Index.
Here are the 33 nationalities currently permited to use the automated arrival gates.
Asia Pacific:
Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea
Europe:
Austria, Belgium, Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Middle East:
United Arab Emirates
Pro-Tip: Ensure you have your hotel booking and return flight details accessible on your phone, as immigration officers frequently perform random spot-checks immediately after you pass through the eGate.
Immigration Hack!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use the eGates if I have a new passport?
No, if you renewed your passport since you last visit to Thailand, your biometric link to your new passport number has not been established, You will need to use the manual counter for your first entry on the new passport.
Do the automated gates stamp my passport?
The automated gates do not stamp your passport. Instead, the system will issue a printed control slip confirming your legal entry date and permitted stay.
Will this be rolled out to other Thai airports?
Currently, tis specific 33-country expansion is focused on Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to alleviate severe bottlenecks. However, as the system proves successful, it is expected to be integrated into other major international hubs.
