Another Visa Question!

[bsmulligan]

I am going to Manila on January 8 and plan to stay there for a couple of months and then work my way up to Thailand. I was thinking that I should get my 60 day Tourist Visa when I am in Manila, from what I have read I can enter Thailand anytime within 3 months of issue of visa.

How can I extend this for as long as possible once the 60 days finishes? I would obviously prefer the least expensive way and also the one which will ensure I can stay as long as possible.

I am new to this website and would appreciate some advice, I will ensure that I contribute to the forum as much as possible in future.

Regards

[Mahout Angrit]

from what I have read I can enter Thailand anytime within 3 months of issue of visa.

Correct

How can I extend this for as long as possible once the 60 days finishes? I would obviously prefer the least expensive way and also the one which will ensure I can stay as long as possible.

A tourist visa is extendable in country at any immigration office before the 60 days expires and will be for an additional period of 30 days once only. (technically at the discretion of the immigration officer). Costs B1900 and a couple of passport photos.

Edited December 10, 2007 by Mahout Angrit

[Crossy]

Manilla is NOT a friendly embassy, unless things have changed significantly in recent months I doubt they'll issue even a tourist visa

[jonniebkk]

Manilla is NOT a friendly embassy, unless things have changed significantly in recent months I doubt they'll issue even a tourist visa

Very true...this has been the case for years and I doubt it has changed. They have a list of requirements as long as your arm for getting a tourist visa...no matter what country you are from...be it Bangladesh or USA. In practice, you can just about forget getting any type of visa from this embassy for onward travel to Thailand.

Best plan would be just to enter on a 30-day entry stamp if you qualify or get the visa on arrival if you don't. Once in Thailand, if you want to stay longer than 30 days, do a visa run to Penang. You should be able to get a tourist visa there, which will give you another 60 days.

In the alternative, you could get your Thai tourist visa from your home country BEFORE coming to Asia or visit Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Penang before arriving in Thailand. Pick up your visa from one of these places and then you have your 60 days in Thailand.

[bsmulligan]

Well maybe it will be best just to get the visa on the way after working my way up from the Philippines. I know that some of the visa regulations have changed recently (or are changing soon).

Should I be ok entering without an onward ticket or will I need to buy one before I enter?

[Mahout Angrit]

Should I be ok entering without an onward ticket or will I need to buy one before I enter?

If you have a visa you are OK, if you intend to enter on a visa free entry stamp you would be advised to have one just in case you are asked.