What are the current visa options for Thailand, travelling from Europe

[arminbkk]

Hello,

 

I haven't been to Thailand for over 2 years due to the Covid situation.

I plan to visit Thailand in early April, so I can finally see my kids again.

I understand that the Test & Go scheme is in place, and that the requirement to test on the 5th day will soon be cancelled,

as well as required health insurance coverage will be lowered to USD 20K.

 

Can one now (or in April) still travel to Thailand and enter on visa exempt, when travelling from Europe/Netherlands?

Or is an actual visa required? 

 

Thanks.

[BKKTRAVELER]

You can travel on visa exempt which will allow you 30 days, with an option to extend for 30 more days.

 

You can also apply for other visa types if you qualify for them once inside the country.

[MICHAELDUTCH]

Once in the Netherlands (same as me ....hallo daar )  you can also obtain other visas like
Non-O visa (marry and other) through the E-Visa system
I do that every time when me in Holland
I will get 90 days which i can extend with 60 days.
I am planning flying back to Holland on 19 march and return on 05 June

[DrJack54]

6 hours ago, arminbkk said:

 

Can one now (or in April) still travel to Thailand and enter on visa exempt

Yes. 

It would help if you indicated how long you would like to stay in Thailand to obtain best advice for your visit. 

[arminbkk]

Hello,

 

Thanks for the replies!

 

I'd like to stay there for up to two months.

So I am considering a single entry Tourist visa, that gives 60 days.

I already checked out the E-visa online, which seems doable.

Although one has to submit more documents than in the past, for just a tourist visa.

 

I am just wondering if nowadays:

- if you fly in on visa exempt, do they check the date of your return flight upon arrival (in case of

   arriving on visa exempt, but intending to extend it, so already having a return flight booked based on 60 days stay)?

- if you indicate that you plan to stay 30 days (fly in on visa exempt), or 60 days (apply for TV prior), do you have to have your accommodation(s) fully booked for the whole duration of stay, and show it upon arrival/application for TV?

- for the Thailand Pass application, do you only have to have a paid hotel reservation for the first night (day of arrival)?

- regarding the Test & Go scheme: they note that you have to be fully vaccinated; but by that do they (Thailand) mean 2 shots, or now 3, or even 4 (eg. second booster shot in Europe).

 

Any answers/advise would be greatly appreciated.

[mrwebb8825]

Unless you're 1 of the "Unvaxed" all of the shot info will be preapproved with the ThaiPass so moot point upon entry (if you're approved, you have the right docs to show at the airport)

Why don't you just give the address of your kids? No reservation required.

[ubonjoe]

11 hours ago, arminbkk said:

if you fly in on visa exempt, do they check the date of your return flight upon arrival (in case of

   arriving on visa exempt, but intending to extend it, so already having a return flight booked based on 60 days stay)?

The airline can ask to see a ticket out of the country within 30 days of arrival. It can be a one-way flight to anywhere or a temporary onward ticket (search for one online). Immigration normally do not ask to see the ticket out of the country.

 

11 hours ago, arminbkk said:

if you indicate that you plan to stay 30 days (fly in on visa exempt), or 60 days (apply for TV prior), do you have to have your accommodation(s) fully booked for the whole duration of stay, and show it upon arrival/application for TV?

No

 

11 hours ago, arminbkk said:

regarding the Test & Go scheme: they note that you have to be fully vaccinated; but by that do they (Thailand) mean 2 shots, or now 3, or even 4 (eg. second booster shot in Europe).

It only has to be 2 covid 19 vaccination shots that were done at least 2 weeks before you arrive. The have not gone as far as defining fully vaccinated as inc;idomg booster shots.

[arminbkk]

@ubonjoe thanks for the clear answers. Good point on the airline checking for return/onward flight, I had forgotten about that one.

 

@mrwebb8825 thanks for your comment. I understand that one has to have a pre-booked and paid reservation with an SHA+ hotel for the first night on the day of arrival, to be approved for a Thailand Pass, hence my question. 

I could use that address for the Tourist visa.

 

I've had two shots (Moderna) and have an International Vaccination Certificate.

 

This is the information I have on Thailand Pass (and I am aware that from 1st March onward the Day 5 hotel reservation is no longer required, and the minimum insurance coverage is lowered to USD 20,000):

 

Thailand Pass will be open for registration under the Test and Go scheme commencing from 1 February 2022 at 9am (Thailand time) onwards.
Fully vaccinated passengers travelling from all countries/territories are eligible to apply under the Test and Go scheme. Documents required for registration are as follows;
  1. Passport and Visa (if required)
  2. Certificate of Vaccination (vaccine approved by Thailand or WHO)
  3. Insurance with minimum coverage of 50,000 USD for medical expenses (not required for Thai nationals / foreign residents in Thailand can use social security or certificate from their employer)
  4. Paid Reservation Confirmation from SHA Extra+ / AQ Hotel for 2 nights (Day 1 and Day 5)
  - Day 1 hotel reservation and fee for the 1st RT-PCR test and airport transfer.
  - Day 5 hotel reservation and a fee for the 2nd RT-PCR test.
  - If you plan to stay in Thailand for less than 5 days (including departing on Day 5), only the hotel booking for Day 1 (including 1 RT-PCR test fee and airport transfer) and confirmed flight itinerary indicating the date of departure will be required

*Please be advised that the processing time for Thailand Pass is 3–7 working days. Applicants are advised to plan ahead and apply in advance for Thailand Pass at least 7 working days before their intended departure*
*Due to the process which requires verification and authentication by hotels, it is advised that travellers book their hotel accommodation directly with the hotel*