Do I Need A Visa?

[Trebor]

I am a bit confused regarding the government ruling on No Visa Fee's

I am visiting Thailand on April 16th for two months. Do I need to apply for a visa?

[SeanMoran]

For two months, yes.

[Trebor]

OK. Thanks for that.

[SeanMoran]

OK. Thanks for that.

Wait until April Fool's Day or a little bit later if you can. Apparently Tourist Visas are going to be free for a single entry 60 day visa once more after that.

[thaiphoon]

Thai immigration requirements require travellers to hold a valid visa or an air ticket out of the country within 30 days of arrival. Given your travel plans you will need a visa or your airline may refuse you boarding. As said, apply for tourist visa before you travel. The visa fee is waived after 1st April, but some honorary consulates may levy an admin charge. Believe you are in the UK; you can apply by post. Single entry visa will give you 60 day permission to stay on entry, which can be extended for a further 30 days at Thai immigration if required (fee 1,900 baht).

http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/downloads-and-visas.aspx

[Trebor]

Thank you for all the information.

One other thing I forgot to mention, I will be leaving Thailand on day 61. Do you think I will be able to get away with a 60 day visa?

[SeanMoran]

Thank you for all the information.

One other thing I forgot to mention, I will be leaving Thailand on day 61. Do you think I will be able to get away with a 60 day visa?

It might incur a penalty for overstay, which you might want to avoid if the permission to stay stamped in your passport is dated the day before you leave. In this instance, the smoothest way to be sure that you're not going to overstay might be to sacrifice another 1,900 baht and another couple of passport photos down at the immigration office (rather than a border run for 15 days more) for an extra 30 days, even though you're only looking for one or two.

The double-entry tourist visas are priced normally in Perth, Au, (only single-entry will be free again in April) where I come from, but even then, you'd need to leave the country on day 60 and that will be costly, moreso than a trip to the local immigration office with 1,900 baht in your pocket. It's a lot of work for one day overstay, and that's apparently only 500 baht penalty, (unless last nights reports of overstay fines now 1,000 was correct) but it looks untidy on your passport.

[thaiphoon]

Check your days. The day of entry into Thailand counts as day 1. If leaving on day 61 you are on one overstay (fine 500 baht a day) but the fine is not charged if leaving by air in first 24 hours of overstay. There will be a small overstay stamp put in your passport but it will not prevent future entry or obtaining another visa. Be aware there is a risk of detention if caught up in a police check before arriving at the the airport, as on overstay, albeit small. If more than 61 days would suggest obtaining 30 day extension from Thai immigration for peace of mind.

[Trebor]

Thanks again for the info.

As I will be travelling with my wife I think I will go down the safe route and get the appropriate visa.