Hello

I'm planning to move to Thailand for about 2-3 months starting from January 2013.

My first time travelling to Thailand so I have a few questions regarding the visa.

I am from Poland, 24 yo.

I understand that I can fly in to Thailand and stay for 30 days without arranging for any visas beforehand. is that correct?

If I want to stay longer I then apply for a visa.

From what I gather the common tourist visa is the one for 60 days which can be extended to 90.

Can I apply for it as soon as I arrive in Bangkok or even before coming to Thailand?

thanks for all the help.

You apply for a Tourist Visa before departing.

60 days and can be extended at Immigration by a further 30 days.

It's best that you apply for it at your local Thai Embassy or Consulate in Poland. Failing that you will need to exit Thailand and get one from a neighbouring country,

You can fly to Thailand without a visa, but then must have a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days of arrival or the airline can refuse you boarding. That is why in your situation it is best to get a tourist visa before coming to thailand.

ok, makes sense. thank you.

Also, if I apply for a visa in Poland will it have a specific start date?

I would want it to start at the end of Jan, and not earlier.

The Visa is valid from the date it is issued.

Don't apply too early.

It should be valid for 3 months from date of issue.

This means you must enter Thailand within 3 months of Visa issue.

You can only get a 15 day visa on arrival (you must apply and pay for it) in Thailand so it would be much better to obtain a tourist visa prior to travel.

Edited December 11, 201213 yr by lopburi3
remove invalid information

ok, how long is the issue time usually?

By looking at the flight dates, lets say I want to arrive on the 21 of January.

When do you think I should apply for a visa?

You can only get a 15 day visa on arrival (you must apply and pay for it) in Thailand so it would be much better to obtain a tourist visa prior to travel.

I am not so sure Lop.

Please be advised that as of August 11, 2011 Polish passport holders can travel to Thailand as a tourist stay up to 30 days without obtaining a visa.

http://www.thaiembassy.pl/?visa,1

So how many days before departure do you think I should be applying?

Most consulates accept Tourist visa applications in the morning and issue them the following afternoon if you go in person. May want to check with your local Thai consulate though. Make sure you also check their website for the endless number of Thai public holidays which they usually observe.

You should apply for a tourist visa at the Honorary Consulate in Portland. Portland has been very friendly , fast and efficient in the past. A single enty visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and will allow you one entry into Thaialnd. It will coost you $40. You will get 60 days permission to stay upon entry and that can be extended at immigration for 30 days, cost 1900 baht. Double and triple entry visas are also avaiable. They are valid for 6 months from the date of issued. Cost $80 and $120 repsectively. You can get up to 180 (double) or 270 days (triple) in Thailand If you purchase a double or triple entry visa you should get it just prior to leaving the US to get the maximum number of days. Here's the info on Portland, you can do it by mail, but since you live there?

Visa application porcedures, Portland Oregon.doc

You should apply for a tourist visa at the Honorary Consulate in Portland. Portland has been very friendly , fast and efficient in the past. A single enty visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and will allow you one entry into Thaialnd. It will coost you $40. You will get 60 days permission to stay upon entry and that can be extended at immigration for 30 days, cost 1900 baht. Double and triple entry visas are also avaiable. They are valid for 6 months from the date of issued. Cost $80 and $120 repsectively. You can get up to 180 (double) or 270 days (triple) in Thailand If you purchase a double or triple entry visa you should get it just prior to leaving the US to get the maximum number of days. Here's the info on Portland, you can do it by mail, but since you live there?

Visa application porcedures, Portland Oregon.doc

OP is in Poland/Europe, hence he can apply in Warsaw.

The visas, double entry possible, from there are valid only 3 month from date of issue.

OOPS! Never could spell, now I can't read. Single entry visa info still applies, do it in Warsaw. Disregard my post about Portland Conuslate unless you are moving there before you come to Thailand

You can only get a 15 day visa on arrival (you must apply and pay for it) in Thailand so it would be much better to obtain a tourist visa prior to travel.

I am not so sure Lop.

Please be advised that as of August 11, 2011 Polish passport holders can travel to Thailand as a tourist stay up to 30 days without obtaining a visa.

http://www.thaiembassy.pl/?visa,1

You are correct - MFA failed to put in proper position on website visa exempt list and still has them listed for visa on arrival (which should not be available and has been removed from immigration entry allowed listing of September 2011).

you can apply anytime now,

if your applying for a visa by post safer to do it as soon as possible incase there's a problem.

just be clear, the visa is valid for 3 months for me to enter Thailand, and then I have 60 days before/if I want to extend it.

The 'clock' on the 60 days only starts from the moment I arrive in Thailand, not from the date of issue - correct?

Thank you for all the help.

Yes. The 60 days start on the day you enter.