Visa advice

[saintpeter48]

I have been to Thailand many times over 17 years and have applied a few times for a tourist visa when staying for over 30 days, the rules have changed somewhat and its been quite a problem applying for a visa this time to stay for 50 days, they're asking for scans of passport, photos, documents etc, proof of funds, and what I cannot understand is they want proof of flight tickets and proof of hotel accomodation, yet why would i pay for flights and hotel if they may refuse me a visa, it doesn't make any sense!

What would your advice be, to apply for a visa on arrival or go as normal to Thailand and then leave the country for a couple of days, then go back to Thailand, any help much appreciated.

[ubonjoe]

Since you mention uploading of documents you are applying at one of the the 3 embassies using the e visa system.

Many embassies and consulates are asking for ticket out of the country and proof of accomodation to get a single entry tourist visa now.

You could get a 30 day visa exempt entry (it is not a 15 day visa on arrival) and then extend it for 30 day at a immigration office for 30 days for a fee of 1900 baht. You may need a onward to ticket within 30 days to board you flight to here though. A low cost one way ticket to any nearby country would be accepted.

 

[lamyai3]

As mentioned above, easiest option is to come in on a 30 day visa exempt entry, and then get a 30 day extension at immigration for 1900 baht. Only thing you'd need is a throwaway flight out within the first 30 days to show the airline. 

 

Entry shouldn't be a problem if your pattern of visiting makes it clear you're not trying to live here on tourist visas. 

[saintpeter48]

I've been advised by a friend that all I need to do is go on holiday as normal and before the first 30 days is up just do a visa run to get the second 30 days, does that sound sensible?

[Mr Smithy]

1 hour ago, saintpeter48 said:

I've been advised by a friend that all I need to do is go on holiday as normal and before the first 30 days is up just do a visa run to get the second 30 days, does that sound sensible?

That would work but probably more expensive than 1900 Bht for an extension from an immigration office.

[saintpeter48]

19 hours ago, Mr Smithy said:

That would work but probably more expensive than 1900 Bht for an extension from an immigration office.

Would I need an onward flight booked?

My air ticket shows that I am travelling back to UK from Bangkok after 50 day holiday.

[EricTh]

Immigration is getting difficult because there have been too many long-stayers staying in Thailand (staying more than 180 days per year) on tourist visas instead of getting the proper visa.

 

Yours is just 50 days so it should be alright.

 

 

[EricTh]

19 hours ago, Mr Smithy said:

That would work but probably more expensive than 1900 Bht for an extension from an immigration office.

How would a land border hop to a neighboring country be more expensive than 1900 baht? 

[Elmer Fudd]

18 minutes ago, EricTh said:

Why would a land border hop to neighbouring country be more expensive than 1900 baht? 

Because it costs more than 1900 for a minibus or flight out of the country and back?

[moldresistant]

6 hours ago, EricTh said:

Immigration is getting difficult because there have been too many long-stayers staying in Thailand (staying more than 180 days per year) on tourist visas instead of getting the proper visa.

 

Yours is just 50 days so it should be alright.

 

 

"Proper visa"? Proper in what sense?

 

Take the METV for example. With "proper" extensions that's more than 180 days per year - 9 months total. Go figure.

[BritTim]

If you are in the UK, consider getting a tourist visa in person from one of the honorary consulates (such as Cardiff or Hull). You make an appointment (typically by email) and they give you a single entry tourist visa while you wait with minimal requirements. That avoids all the silliness you must endure with the new online system required to apply through the London embassy.

[buick]

when i've been in a similar situation (enter visa exempt, then extend in country), i've bought a 'throwaway' ticket to satisfy the airline bringing me to thailand.  a one way ticket from DMK-SGN on thai air asia or nok air is usually less than 1,500thb.

 

if going the visa route, as far as proof of accommodation, you can check booking.com.  there are many hotel options there that offer free cancellation.  just cancel once you've recvd your visa.

[saintpeter48]

I have booked and paid for 49 nights in a good hotel and also have paid for my flight home from Bangkok to Heathrow after the 49 day holiday. I tried going down the online application route for the 60 day tourist visa and after spending 4 or 5 hours on it gave up, its a bloody nightmare doing it, they wanted scans of passport, photos and other documents, I do not have a scanner and I am not technically savvy!

I live on the south coast of England so travelling to Hull to apply is not an option, too far to travel and far too time consuming, the old system of sending passport and fee was far simpler for me!

If I apply for extension to visa on arrival, what documents do I need and is it carried out at the airport, is it straight forward and roughly how long does it take, because obviously I will have someone waiting at the airport for my onward journey to my hotel.

Thanks for any help.

[Mr Smithy]

2 hours ago, saintpeter48 said:

If I apply for extension to visa on arrival,

You do not qualify for a VOA but will be able to get a Visa Exempt entry which can only be extended at an immigration office. You will need a completed form + copies of your passport ID page, entry stamp and departure card. The cost is 1900 baht.

[Peter Denis]

2 hours ago, saintpeter48 said:

I have booked and paid for 49 nights in a good hotel ...

If I apply for extension to visa on arrival, what documents do I need and is it carried out at the airport, is it straight forward and roughly how long does it take

...

Wow, I hope these are not 49 nights in same hotel.  There is so much to see and do in Thailand, that a Hotel-booking of 3 nights is more than sufficient, and then move on to next step on the journey.

 

Re the Visa.  If it proves to difficult using the #$%^& eVisa application to apply for a single-entry Tourist Visa, or going to one of the Consulates where you can get them on the spot, you do not have to do anything.

You can simply enter Thailand pn Visa Exempt (which means without Visa) and you will be stamped in for a permission to stay of 30 days.  Since you are staying 50 days, you would need to extend that permission to stay with another 30 days, which can be done at any Immigration Office and costs 1900 THB.

 

Note: In order to board your plane to Bangkok, it is possible that the Airline wants to see a return-flight within 30 days.  Your return-flight is 50 days, so that might be excepted.  But in case it is not, prepare yourself to book an on-line 'throw-away' ticket from Thailand to a neighboring country on the spot (e.g. a one-way flight with AirAsia from HuaHIn to Kuala Lumpur costs approx 850 THB).

Same goes when you arrive in Bangkok.  Chances are very small Immigration will ask for a return flight at the end of the 30-day Visa Exempt they will provide you.  But if so, show your return-flight and in case not accepted book the cheapest throw-away ticket on-the-spot.

 

Arrival time-wise it does not matter whether you arrive Visa Exempt or on a Visa.

There is no difference in time between your scheduled flight-arrival and the moment you passed Immigration.

Depending on the time of arrival, it would be something between 45 minutes and 1,5 hour from stepping out of the plane, passing immigration, collecting your luggage and stepping out in the Arrival hall.

 

Success!