Thailand Visa Exemption (60 days) and Visa On Arrival (VOA) (15 days)

[VBF]

11 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

 

There are no forms.  You proceed to passport control and hand over your passport and your boarding pass.  Smile for the camera and provide your fingerprints, then wait for your passport back.

And when you get it back, check the "Permitted to stay" date is 60 days from when you entered including your day of entry.

IOs have been known to make mistakes - this year, before the visa-free period extended to 60 days, I had a tourist visa but the IO accidentally stamped me in for 30 days instead of 60 - oops! 

I politely pointed it out to him and he corrected it for me - smiles all round.

[Stichboypigeon]

Is there any value in paying for a £30 visa in the UK? If it's still possible 

I visit every year for 3 months. Just pay for a 60 day tourist visa and extend for 30 days at immigration for 1900 baht.

 

I'm wondering if immigration are a bit more favourable/ lenient. Particularly with an extension 

[Upnotover]

3 hours ago, daeumtnaot said:

or you really have to show a wad of cash

10,000 hardly constitutes a "wad of cash".  A card is proof of nothing.  Just tell them to take the money.

[Upnotover]

10 minutes ago, Stichboypigeon said:

Is there any value in paying for a £30 visa in the UK? If it's still possible 

I visit every year for 3 months. Just pay for a 60 day tourist visa and extend for 30 days at immigration for 1900 baht.

 

I'm wondering if immigration are a bit more favourable/ lenient. Particularly with an extension 

If you visit one time a year for 90 days then a visa is a waste of your £30.  They will extend a 60 day exempt entry without favouritism or lenience.

[Caldera]

3 hours ago, daeumtnaot said:

Hi all, 

 

My family is going to be doing a border run at the Chiang Khong - Huay Xai land border crossing.  They just had one visa exemption and this will be the second.  

 

Previous people on here said that shouldn't be a problem to get entry.  However.  someone posted on a different app that they were required to show 10,000 Baht and also a return/onward ticket to gain entry.

 

I'm wondering whether this is really true or if it's strictly applied.  Getting an onward ticket is a hassle since it requires trying to get some kind of refundable ticket.

 

If they require showing proof of funds, is credit and/or debit card sufficient or you really have to show a wad of cash?  Thanks!

 

Immigration MIGHT ask to see that money, and if they do, it needs to be cash. Same with the outbound ticket, they might ask.

 

If they really want to go to Chiang Khong, which is a questionable choice for a border run, they should definitely meet those requirements, as Immigration there seems determined to discourage people from using their border crossing for that purpose.

[daeumtnaot]

2 hours ago, Upnotover said:

10,000 hardly constitutes a "wad of cash".  A card is proof of nothing.  Just tell them to take the money.

Well if there are one adult and two children, does it need to be 30,000 baht then?  Or only 10,000 Baht? 30,000 Baht would be a fair amount of money to carry around in cash.  I never have that amount in cash.

[Caldera]

1 hour ago, daeumtnaot said:

Well if there are one adult and two children, does it need to be 30,000 baht then?  Or only 10,000 Baht? 30,000 Baht would be a fair amount of money to carry around in cash.  I never have that amount in cash.

 

The rule says "10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family", so in your example the adult should be able to show 20,000 baht in cash.

 

You never have that, many people don't have that either, but IF they ask and you don't have it, you won't get in. It would be extremely reckless to risk a denial of entry when traveling with two children. 

[daeumtnaot]

5 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

The rule says "10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family", so in your example the adult should be able to show 20,000 baht in cash.

 

You never have that, many people don't have that either, but IF they ask and you don't have it, you won't get in. It would be extremely reckless to risk a denial of entry when traveling with two children. 

Well I hope the money isn't stolen while in the guest house.

 

The proof of onward travel requirement is even more onerous.  Trying to think how we will meet that one

 

[daeumtnaot]

12 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

The rule says "10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family", so in your example the adult should be able to show 20,000 baht in cash.

 

You never have that, many people don't have that either, but IF they ask and you don't have it, you won't get in. It would be extremely reckless to risk a denial of entry when traveling with two children. 

 

 

[BrandonJT]

34 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

The rule says "10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family", so in your example the adult should be able to show 20,000 baht in cash.

 

You never have that, many people don't have that either, but IF they ask and you don't have it, you won't get in. It would be extremely reckless to risk a denial of entry when traveling with two children. 

Actually, the rule is 10,000 baht per person and 20,000 baht per family for Visa on Arrival.

For Visa Exempt it's supposed to be 20,000 baht per person, and 40,000 baht per family.  

I've never understood why the land borders were asking for 10,000 from everyone based on what the rules actually are.

[Caldera]

17 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Actually, the rule is 10,000 baht per person and 20,000 baht per family for Visa on Arrival.

For Visa Exempt it's supposed to be 20,000 baht per person, and 40,000 baht per family.  

I've never understood why the land borders were asking for 10,000 from everyone based on what the rules actually are.

 

No, they've got that right, the amounts for visa exempt are the same as for visa on arrival. The amounts you mentioned are for tourist visa entries.

 

Now obviously visa exempt gives the same permission of stay as a tourist visa (60 days) since the latest change, but that ministerial order with the financial requirements is very old and hasn't been updated. 

 

 

Source: https://rtehanoi.thaiembassy.org/th/publicservice/46327-announcement-on-the-amount-of-money-that-the-foreigners-must-possess-while-entering-into-the-kingdom-of-thailand

[treetops]

18 hours ago, daeumtnaot said:

The proof of onward travel requirement is even more onerous.  Trying to think how we will meet that one

 

https://onwardticket.com

 

or one of the similar sites offering the same service.

[Rob Browder]

On 11/19/2024 at 10:01 PM, daeumtnaot said:

Well I hope the money isn't stolen while in the guest house.

 

The proof of onward travel requirement is even more onerous.  Trying to think how we will meet that one

 

Travelers checks are acceptable.  When I was under 50, I also didn't like carrying a pile of cash around, so bought 20K Baht worth of travelers' checks for this purpose.  Bangkok Bank sells them, last time I checked.

[daeumtnaot]

On 11/21/2024 at 5:07 PM, Rob Browder said:

Travelers checks are acceptable.  When I was under 50, I also didn't like carrying a pile of cash around, so bought 20K Baht worth of travelers' checks for this purpose.  Bangkok Bank sells them, last time I checked.

Thanks all for your advice.

 

It was no problem, they only asked for an address basically. 

[daeumtnaot]

Change in topic.  I'm trying to help a Bangladeshi national.  It seems they're not eligible for visa exemption.  My friend thinks there will be a chance on Jan. 1 allowing Bangladeshis to apply for visa on arrival.  Has anyone heard of this or know where to find out?

 

According to the title of this thread, the VOA is only 15 days? 

[Upnotover]

14 minutes ago, daeumtnaot said:

Change in topic.  I'm trying to help a Bangladeshi national.  It seems they're not eligible for visa exemption.  My friend thinks there will be a chance on Jan. 1 allowing Bangladeshis to apply for visa on arrival.  Has anyone heard of this or know where to find out?

 

According to the title of this thread, the VOA is only 15 days? 

VOA is 15 days but seems not applicable.  Why do they not simply apply for a (tourist) visa?

[daeumtnaot]

28 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

VOA is 15 days but seems not applicable.  Why do they not simply apply for a (tourist) visa?

Not applicable because Bangladeshis can't get Visa on arrival?

 

Unfortunately, it seems they can't apply for a tourist visa because they are supposed to have had a bank account with a minimum amount of money in it for 6 months before the application.  This person doesn't even have a bank account!  (not sure why)

[Upnotover]

11 minutes ago, daeumtnaot said:

Not applicable because Bangladeshis can't get Visa on arrival?

 

Unfortunately, it seems they can't apply for a tourist visa because they are supposed to have had a bank account with a minimum amount of money in it for 6 months before the application.  This person doesn't even have a bank account!  (not sure why)

Let's hope they are right about Jan 1 then, seems no other possibility at this time.

[daeumtnaot]

On 11/27/2024 at 2:31 PM, Upnotover said:

Let's hope they are right about Jan 1 then, seems no other possibility at this time.

Thanks, if they were able to get a VOA as of Jan. 1st, do you know if it can be extended and for how long?

[Caldera]

4 minutes ago, daeumtnaot said:

Thanks, if they were able to get a VOA as of Jan. 1st, do you know if it can be extended and for how long?

 

An entry from a VoA can neither be extended nor can it be changed to a non-immigrant visa entry.

[daeumtnaot]

23 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

An entry from a VoA can neither be extended nor can it be changed to a non-immigrant visa entry.

OK, so now it turns out they confused VOA with e-visa.  They are saying there is an article saying that e-visa will be started for Bangladeshis starting early next year, so they will be able to apply online.

 

Does anyone know what is required to apply for e-visa?  Is it the same requirements as applying for a tourist visa at the embassy?  Or how to find out?

[VBF]

1 hour ago, daeumtnaot said:

OK, so now it turns out they confused VOA with e-visa.  They are saying there is an article saying that e-visa will be started for Bangladeshis starting early next year, so they will be able to apply online.

 

Does anyone know what is required to apply for e-visa?  Is it the same requirements as applying for a tourist visa at the embassy?  Or how to find out?

I can only reply from the UK perspective, BUT an e-visa is the generic term for ANY visa that one applies for online.

IE, to get a Tourist Visa or Non-O visa one used to send one's passport, documents and payment to the Consulate or Embassy and a visa was stamped into the passport.

 

To get an e-Visa one goes to https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ and uploads images / scans of passport and documents, pays online and submits the application.

When granted, a document containing the visa details is emailed to the applicant who prints it and presents it to the IO on arrival in Thailand.

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, daeumtnaot said:

OK, so now it turns out they confused VOA with e-visa.  They are saying there is an article saying that e-visa will be started for Bangladeshis starting early next year, so they will be able to apply online.

 

Does anyone know what is required to apply for e-visa?  Is it the same requirements as applying for a tourist visa at the embassy?  Or how to find out?

Everywhere else that has adopted the e-visa has the same or similar requirements as for an in person application.  So your friend is likely to need a bank account, preferably with some money in it.  He won't find out until he applies bearing in mind that each country can impose their own requirements over and above those stated on the e-visa website.  

[rrroberts]

I am a U.S. citizen.  I was last in Thailand in January and February on a 60 day single entry visa.  I will be in Thailand beginning on Dec 30th 2024 and leave on Feb 28 2024, 60 days.  Under the new visa rules I do not need a visa, only a stamped entry.  However, I want to travel to Cambodia for a few days and the return to Thailand.  Will I get a new 60 day entry stamp?  I will still leave on Feb 28 (have ticket), or do I need a 60 day multiple entry visa?  ETA, do I need it?

[treetops]

14 hours ago, rrroberts said:

I am a U.S. citizen.  I was last in Thailand in January and February on a 60 day single entry visa.  I will be in Thailand beginning on Dec 30th 2024 and leave on Feb 28 2024, 60 days.  Under the new visa rules I do not need a visa, only a stamped entry.  However, I want to travel to Cambodia for a few days and the return to Thailand.  Will I get a new 60 day entry stamp?  I will still leave on Feb 28 (have ticket), or do I need a 60 day multiple entry visa?  ETA, do I need it?

 

You run the risk of not getting on your flight as 30th December to 28th February is 61 days.

 

2 in December

31 in January

28 in February

 

However, if your trip to Cambodia is booked you may be able to use it as proof of onward travel, and to answer your question, yes you'll get a new 60 day stamp on your return.

[rrroberts]

Thank for the response.  It simplifies things if I can get a new 60 day stamp.   My return flight on Feb 28 is at 2:15am.  I should be going through immigration before midnight on the 27th which is day 60.  I can check into my flight beginning at 11:15pm and am usually first in line.  I am business class so security is also faster.  So I think I will be ok.  Thanks again. 

[daeumtnaot]

On 11/29/2024 at 5:53 PM, VBF said:

I can only reply from the UK perspective, BUT an e-visa is the generic term for ANY visa that one applies for online.

IE, to get a Tourist Visa or Non-O visa one used to send one's passport, documents and payment to the Consulate or Embassy and a visa was stamped into the passport.

 

To get an e-Visa one goes to https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ and uploads images / scans of passport and documents, pays online and submits the application.

When granted, a document containing the visa details is emailed to the applicant who prints it and presents it to the IO on arrival in Thailand.

OK, great.  So in this case it would probably still be a tourist visa.  And maybe the same requirements as if it were done in person at the Embassy. 

[daeumtnaot]

On 11/29/2024 at 6:01 PM, Upnotover said:

Everywhere else that has adopted the e-visa has the same or similar requirements as for an in person application.  So your friend is likely to need a bank account, preferably with some money in it.  He won't find out until he applies bearing in mind that each country can impose their own requirements over and above those stated on the e-visa website.  

OK, thank you.  As far as I can tell, it's not only that they have to have a bank account, but it has to have had a certain amount of money in it, IIRC about 600 USD or 20k Baht for the last six months and also shows that they used the bank account.

 

[VBF]

3 hours ago, daeumtnaot said:

OK, great.  So in this case it would probably still be a tourist visa.  And maybe the same requirements as if it were done in person at the Embassy. 

Bear in mind that one can no longer apply in person  at all

Look at the link I posted - the e-Visa is the only way to apply now (at least in UK)

[rrroberts]

Before Covid I was able to enter Thailand as Visa Exempt for 30 days.  I exited Thailand and returned several times and always received another 30 day stamp.  During covid, entries  seemed to get stricter, so I purchased a single entry 60 day visa through the Chicago Thai consulate.  On entry, I was asked for covid docs, hotel reservation and return flight.  After covid subsided, I always purchased a single entry visa, but was not asked for a return flight document.  The last time I was in Thailand was Jan & Feb this year for 6 weeks on this type of visa.  This trip I arrive in Thailand on Dec 30 2024.  With the new VE rules I can stay for 60 days, so no need to purchase a single entry visa.  I will have a ticket to Cambodia to show exit if asked.  It will be one way so not to look like a visa run. After several days in Cambodia I will return to Bangkok on a one way ticket for a new VE stamp.  I will have my original return to the US ticket in case I am asked to show it.  I will probably not stay more than 60 days in Thailand total.  Any holes in this plan, but want to make sure I can exit and return.