Coming to LOS on visa-on-arrival from US for 34 days?

[buddha02]

My Thai wife's niece and her American husband (both US citizens) are arriving in Bangkok from the US on Nov. 26 and returning Dec. 30. They will get a visa-on-arrival at the airport but will stay for 34 days. My understanding is that this is only good for 30 days, so can they extend for another 4 days or can they just pay for overstay for 4 days at the airport when they leave? Is it necessary to exit Thailand by 30 days to return for another 4 days? Sorry, I've been a permanent resident for the past 20 years and have no knowledge of this stuff. Anyone in the know?

[jackdd]

They can extend it at the immigration for another 30 days for 1900thb

[elviajero]

It would be better to get a Single Entry Touriat Visa  before leaving the US. That would give them 60 days on entry and avoid the need for an extension of stay.

 

They should also know that the airline might insist on an onward flight out of Thailand within 30 days, if they travel without a visa.

[BritTim]

Incidentally, the term for receiving 30 days on entry is "visa exempt entry". Thai has a "visa on arrival" system for some nationalities, but it is unrelated to visa exempt entry, and use of the correct term can avoid confusion.

[jeab1980]

I might have been tempted to pay the overstay fine but as that would be 2k you might as well just apply for an extension ar Immigration 10 bht cheaper lol and a bit less hassle (maybe depends on which immigration office.) Remember if they are staying with you,  to report an alien (s) staying in your housev by way of tm30's or they will, or may be fined which again is depending on which immigration office they go to for extension.

Change of mind here less hassle pay the overstay lol

[Maestro]

The general rule is that one should get the correct visa for the purpose of the trip to Thailand. For the scenario that you describe, the correct visa is the single-entry tourist visa. Your relatives have plenty of time to get this visa.

[alex8912]

If they are stopped by police for ANY reason in their 4 day overstay it will most likely be a big headache with a fine attached to it.  Another poster also pointed out that many airlines require a ticket out of the country for both of them  by their 30 th day here and this could prevent them from boarding in the USA or they will have to purchase two tickets ( this happens with many airlines )  the day they are leaving. 

Only 2 real good answers here get the single entry visa in USA now or if in Bangkok or wherever they stay they will have to extend it for 1900 baht and waste at least a 1/2 day of their trip. 

[Phuket Man]

For a stay of 35 days (not 34) they need a Visa.

Without one they could be denied entry to the flight.

[elviajero]

19 hours ago, jeab1980 said:

I might have been tempted to pay the overstay fine but as that would be 2k you might as well just apply for an extension ar Immigration 10 bht cheaper lol and a bit less hassle (maybe depends on which immigration office.) 

 

Change of mind here less hassle pay the overstay lol

It's over a month before they are travelling so it would be far less hassle to sling an application for a Tourist Visa in the post. They only cost $40!

 

Why would you recommend someone to deliberately overstay, get an overstay stamp in their passport, and be fined 2,000 baht? They also risk being 'shaken down", or worse arrested, drained, prosecuted, fined, deported and banned if they are caught on overstay.

 

If they arrive under visa exemption the best option would be an extension of stay. Last resort is risking an overstay.

[ubonjoe]

Baiting and bickering posts have been removed. Time to end it.