Why choose an e-visa over the 60-day exemption?

[Jack1988]

12 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I never stated 2 border runs per year.

That rule was removed earlier this year. 

to me is better to come with a visa first, just not to burn one visa exemption already

[DrJack54]

35 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

to me is better to come with a visa first, just not to burn one visa exemption already

I see it opposite.

If someone is flying into Thailand then why waste having tourist visa.

All depends on history in Thailand 

[Phillip9]

16 hours ago, Jack1988 said:

to me is better to come with a visa first, just not to burn one visa exemption already

You don't get any set number of hassle free visa exemptions to burn.  The longer you have been in Thailand recently, the more likely you are to have trouble entering visa exempt.

[madisongy]

So I guess the good news is that entering visa exempt is now valid for 60 days.   So my 80 day trip will only require the 30 day extension.  For planning purposes of our next trip, is the marriage extension still 60 days?  We would extend our next stay by a month if that's the case.

 

I have had the airline hassles in the past since my stay is longer than 60.  I've used Onwardticket and that worked.   If I were to apply for the evisa, could I also apply for the extension online at the same time to avoid the hassles with the airlines??   Or would I still have to use an alternative method, and then head up to Laksi to get the 30 day?

 

Finally, saw an article that led me to believe that even if qualified for visa exempt, I would still have to get the evisa.  Is this article incorrect?

 

https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/sg/news/thailand-announces-eta-for-singapore-92-other-countries-from-december-1-2024/

 

Thanks in advance.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, madisongy said:

For planning purposes of our next trip, is the marriage extension still 60 days?  We would extend our next stay by a month if that's the case.

Yes you could obtain a 60 day extension to visit wife. So 60+60. 

4 minutes ago, madisongy said:

If I were to apply for the evisa, could I also apply for the extension online at the same time to avoid the hassles with the airlines??   Or would I still have to use an alternative method, and then head up to Laksi to get the 30 day?

Yes and no.

Having a tourist eVisa the airline will no ask for onward flight.

No you can not apply for extension prior to entering Thailand. 

6 minutes ago, madisongy said:

Finally, saw an article that led me to believe that even if qualified for visa exempt, I would still have to get the evisa.  Is this article incorrect?

Incorrect.

6 minutes ago, madisongy said:

Thailand Makes ETA Mandatory For Singaporeans, Other Visa-Free Travellers

ETA has been announced to commence some time in the future.

Ignore it for now. 

[madisongy]

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes you could obtain a 60 day extension to visit wife. So 60+60. 

Yes and no.

Having a tourist eVisa the airline will no ask for onward flight.

No you can not apply for extension prior to entering Thailand. 

Incorrect.

ETA has been announced to commence some time in the future.

Ignore it for now. 

Cannot thank you enough DrJack54.  I'm only there once or twice a year, the rules always change, and you've always provided me with accurate and important information....such as the onwardticket on my last trip.   I may try that evisa just to avoid the hassle as you indicated in an earlier post......would you happen to know the cost?

Any advantage at immigration in Bkk with the evisa?

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, madisongy said:

I may try that evisa just to avoid the hassle as you indicated in an earlier post......would you happen to know the cost?

onwardticket.com is ~16usd.

You can opt to buy one on the spot if hassle from airline.

Just step aside on book on phone.

Obviously requires internet.

 

Read reports that airlines have softened onward flight in that if you can show return flight past the 60 allowing for plan to obtain 30 day extension that's acceptable.

Someone might confirm that.

Is your return with same airline as departure flight. 

 

Aside: visiting twice a year you have no need for tourist eVisa. 

Especially as exempt and tourist visa provide 60 days.

 

In the future if/when ETA becomes a requirement it will be interesting to see what if any flight details are required. 

[madisongy]

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

onwardticket.com is ~16usd.

You can opt to buy one on the spot if hassle from airline.

Just step aside on book on phone.

Obviously requires internet.

 

Read reports that airlines have softened onward flight in that if you can show return flight past the 60 allowing for plan to obtain 30 day extension that's acceptable.

Someone might confirm that.

Is your return with same airline as departure flight. 

 

Aside: visiting twice a year you have no need for tourist eVisa. 

Especially as exempt and tourist visa provide 60 days.

 

In the future if/when ETA becomes a requirement it will be interesting to see what if any flight details are required. 

Thanks.   Yeah, exactly what you advised on the onwardticket for my last trip...step aside, order, show to airline.  Worked like a charm and 16 bux.  Apparently evisa is $82.   

 

We had zero hassles flying with JAL.  Last time we flew Discover, and they would not let it go, so got the onwardticket.   This March, we're flying Singapore, and yes, that's both ways.

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, madisongy said:

   This March, we're flying Singapore, and yes, that's both ways.

You should not have an issue.

 

Just for others: you can ask to see supervisor and suggest happy to sign waiver 

[Chivas]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

onwardticket.com is ~16usd.

You can opt to buy one on the spot if hassle from airline.

Just step aside on book on phone.

Obviously requires internet.

 

Read reports that airlines have softened onward flight in that if you can show return flight past the 60 allowing for plan to obtain 30 day extension that's acceptable.

Someone might confirm that.

Is your return with same airline as departure flight. 

 

Aside: visiting twice a year you have no need for tourist eVisa. 

Especially as exempt and tourist visa provide 60 days.

 

In the future if/when ETA becomes a requirement it will be interesting to see what if any flight details are required. 

 

Dr Jack

I have a new supplier of onwards tickets which are only $7 as long as you dont want it immediately......it said will be sent within 12 hours but 3 hours later it arrived

Very similar style as to what I had used previously......China Eastern ground handling at Gatwick actually asked me how long I was staying as return ticket was longer than 60 days

I knew the onward ticket was dated 6th February so immediately responded....I was about to get phone out but she said no problem sir

Heres the link might be useful to some

 

https://onwardflights.com

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, Chivas said:

I have a new supplier of onwards tickets which are only $7 as long as you dont want it immediately.

Thinking that's the point. 

Most of the time I suggest it as a backup comfort thing that if airline is demanding onward flight you can step away and obtain ticket instantly.

Some folk might even step away and book cheapest throw away "real flight" 

I once went through a dry run with one of the cheaper agents and found after filling in all fields the price increased.

I only type that company name as several reports on AN of it working smoothly.

I'm sure the other agents also no issue. 

[Chivas]

20 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Thinking that's the point. 

Most of the time I suggest it as a backup comfort thing that if airline is demanding onward flight you can step away and obtain ticket instantly.

Some folk might even step away and book cheapest throw away "real flight" 

I once went through a dry run with one of the cheaper agents and found after filling in all fields the price increased.

I only type that company name as several reports on AN of it working smoothly.

I'm sure the other agents also no issue. 

 

Thats the 4th time I've used any of these type of "tickets"

I've been applying for it around 24 hours before wheels up knowing that the email will land no problem

 

Problem is if you're forced to do it by walking away from check in you "probably" wont get it immediately and you end up having to buy a real ticket

[DrJack54]

Onward flight often comes up in various topics.

A good explanation of options posted by @treetops in another thread 

https://www.visatraveler.com/blog/proof-of-onward-travel/

[StayinThailand2much]

On 12/24/2024 at 3:24 PM, Bvor said:

But IO want to hang onto their xenophobic power trips and agent alliances - a debacle contrary to MFA directives and a hindrance to accessing more tourist dollar.   

 

Spot on. IOs at Arrival enjoy their power games, while IOs at Departure are very friendly. Nuff said...

[Chivas]

18 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Spot on. IOs at Arrival enjoy their power games, while IOs at Departure are very friendly. Nuff said...

 

Never been my experience in an extensive arrival count

I have been asked twice recently "no visa" but purely polite conversation.

Certainly never ever been asked to show tickets hotel booking cash etc etc