Visa On Arrival At Phuket Airport

[CaptaiNHangoveR 0]

Hi, anyone has any experience with obtaining visa on arrival at Phukett international airport at the night hours? I have to go there from Kuching (Malaysia) and there is no Thai conslutae here.. The problem is that I will arrive around 8:45 pm and when I arrived at Phukett airport last time in such an hour (with tourist visa obtained in advance), the "Visa on arrival" was closed. I should be completely eligible to obtain it and know all the requirements..

Thx a lot for any replies..

[mossy 0]

Here's the English language telephone helpline at Thai immigration:

+66 02 141 9889

Hope that helps

[jkzero 1]

I came in on a flight from KL that arrived after 9.30pm. I cant imagine that every Australian on that plane (and there were plenty!) had a visa prior to arriving as they are all elligible for a free 30 day visa on arrival.. Shouldnt be a problem if you a eligible, I thought they just did visa's at passport control.

[stevenl 32476]

Maybe because australians are not eligable for visa on arrival but for visa exempt entry?

[LivinLOS 6849]

Yeah not to confuse visa on arrival with visa exempt stamp..

I didnt realize they closed the visa desk, seems crazy with people flying in not to have immigration on hand for all arrivals ?!?!

[jkzero 1]

sorry, i thought visa on arrival is same as what australians get.. i cant answer questipn then, i thought all the same.

[CaptaiNHangoveR 0]

Seems crazy indeed, but that's how it was last time and that's why I started this topic. I suppose they would do it at the checkpoint, but somehow can't stop thinking about that:)

Thx for replies..

[LivinLOS 6849]

So the guys who everyone reports to, to do overstay, and also to stamp in.. They dont have the authority to do visa on arrivals ??

[katabeachbum 64]

Seems crazy indeed, but that's how it was last time and that's why I started this topic. I suppose they would do it at the checkpoint, but somehow can't stop thinking about that:)

Thx for replies..

I am having problems understanding your needs.

If you last time had a tourist visa when you arrived LOS, you just state visa number on entry card and Imm grant you 60 days.

If you dont have visa when you arrive, your option is a visa excempt stamp 30/14 days for most nationals.

Visa on arrival is for those (few) nationalities not granted visa excempt on arrival

[petercallen 95]

Seems crazy indeed, but that's how it was last time and that's why I started this topic. I suppose they would do it at the checkpoint, but somehow can't stop thinking about that:)

Thx for replies..

I am having problems understanding your needs.

If you last time had a tourist visa when you arrived LOS, you just state visa number on entry card and Imm grant you 60 days.

If you dont have visa when you arrive, your option is a visa excempt stamp 30/14 days for most nationals.

Visa on arrival is for those (few) nationalities not granted visa excempt on arrival

You certainly got that right

[stevenl 32476]

Seems crazy indeed, but that's how it was last time and that's why I started this topic. I suppose they would do it at the checkpoint, but somehow can't stop thinking about that:)

Thx for replies..

I am having problems understanding your needs.

If you last time had a tourist visa when you arrived LOS, you just state visa number on entry card and Imm grant you 60 days.

If you dont have visa when you arrive, your option is a visa excempt stamp 30/14 days for most nationals.

Visa on arrival is for those (few) nationalities not granted visa excempt on arrival

Op's questions seems pretty clear to me:

he needs visa (so from non-eligible visa exempt country), can't obtain in advance like last time and is afraid visa on arrival will be closed when he arrives.

[LivinLOS 6849]

Agreed...

But that begs the question, does immigration at the airport ever really close ?? I mean they have to process overstay, stamp people in.. I just assumed that meant it was always open ??

[stevenl 32476]

I think visa on arrival has limited opening hours but am not sure.

Better ask in visa forum, there somebody will know.

[CaptaiNHangoveR 0]

The immigration officers stamping the passports had been there last time, when we arrived at 12:30 in the morning. However, the "Visa on arrival" desk was not operating. And yes, I'm citizen of one of those "few" countries and as such I'm not eligible for visa exemption..

[Jimi007 1653]

How far away is the closest Thai Consulate to you? It sounds like you may want to make an overnight stop there on your way, and get a tourist visa, just to be safe. Or can't you just do it by post? Good luck!