30 Day Tourist Visa Exemption

wowpow · October 27, 2005

I cannot find anywhere that lists all the rules and common practice advice and so I have had a go. I would be very gratefull for any advice on omissions or how to make this draft more clear and simple. I intend to combine it with a Tourist Visa application explanation.

"There seems to be much mis-information and rumour around regarding the requirements for foreigners to visit Thailand. Even Thai Govenment Enbassy websites can be incorrect.

Most people coming for holidays get either a “30 Days Tourist Visa Exemption” on arrival at Immigration or “A Tourist Visa” from a Thai Embassy or Consulate outside Thailand. I am attempting a definitive clear and comprehensive list of what is needed, what are the rules and how it actually works.

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THAILAND

30 DAYS TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION

FOR 30 COUNTRIES

PASSPORT HOLDERS FROM THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE

COUNTRIES

1 Australia 2 Austria 3 Belgium 4 Brazil 5 Bahrain 6 Brunei 7 Canada 8 Denmark 9 Finland

10 France 11 Germany 12 Greece 13 Hong Kong 14 Indonesia 15 Ireland 16 Israel 17 Italy

18 Japan 19 South Korea 20 Kuwait 21 Luxembourg 22 Malaysia 23 Netherlands 24 New Zealand 25 Norway 26 Peru 27 Philippines 28 Portugal 29 Qatar 30 Singapore 31 Spain

32 South Africa 33 Sweden 34 Switzerland 35 Turkey 36 United Arab Emirates 37 U.K.

38 U.S.A 39 Vietnam

Technically this is not a VIsa. A Visa on Arrival is a different permission.

This permission is granted at the desk of an immigration checkpoint when entering Thailand.

It is granted for 30 days maximum and that includes the day of arrival and departure.

Extension of 10 days, sometimes 15 can be applied for at an Immigration office. Fee 1900 baht and it is usually required to apply during the last week that the permission is valid.

Black typeface is the condition and the blue comments on how it usually works.

October 2005

CONDITIONS;

a) The visit must be for tourist reasons only.

This permission cannot be changed to a Visa after arrival. Any work, including voluntary unpaid, requires a work permit.

A Passport or valid travel documents (not I.D. card) must be current and valid for 6 months from the date of entry.

The 6 months requirement seems to be applied erratically. Recently a tourist was jailed overnight and then flown back home, at her expense, as she did not have the required 6 months.

c) An instrument of means of living expenses of B10,000 per person and B20,000 per family.

This is invariably ignored by the officials. A U.K. Consul said that if asked then just show a credit card.

d) Must arrive through an Immigration checkpoint. Can arrive by air, land or sea.

e) Must have confirmed AIR ticket to leave Thailand within the 30 days

Immigration invariably ignore this rule but your airline may not let you board - see below.***

f) Applicants of scruffy hippy unkempt appearance may be refused.

g) Yellow Fever. An International Health Certificate showing that you have been vaccinated is required if you have been to a declared Yellow Fever infected area.

h) All permissions are at the discretion of the Immigration Officer.

For further information, please contact your local Embassy or Consulate or

The Office of Immigration Bureau

Soi Suan Plu, Off Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120. phone 02 873 3101

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TICKETS TO LEAVE THAILAND ***

This is a requirement but Immigration are not known to enforce it. There is a problem in that airlines are required by most countries to ensure that their passengers comply with any requirements to enter their destination country. Some require that you have a ticket out of Thailand during the 30 days or they will not let you board.

Check with your airline and if they will not allow you to travel you should get a Tourist Visa from a Thai Embassy, get a ticket to depart Thailand within the 30 days - possibly a return which can have it’s date altered or a budget airline e-ticket.

MULTIPLE USE

You can leave Thailand and then re-enter and get another 30 days any number of times as long as you comply with the conditions. Several travel agencies have Visa run coaches to convenient borders.

OVERSTAY

If you stay longer than you have permission you may get into big trouble if stopped by the local Police. It is usual for them to jail you and bring you before a magistrate. See www.thaivisa.com for horror stories.

If you make it to the airport things are pretty simple. For one day there is no problem. Over one day you will be fined B200 a day, including the first day and your overstay is often stamped in your passport.

LINKS:

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/th_visa.htm

http://www.thaivisa.com/313.0.html

http://www.thailand-uk.com/thaiemb.html

http://www.imm.police.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php

http://www.thaiembdc.org/