Live in Thailand for 4 months(UK citizen): best plan for visa?

[HappyDazed]

What is the best(effort/cost) visa plan for a UK citizen to live in Thailand for 4 months?

I'm not intending to leave Thailand during the trip, but I'm guessing I will have to cross a border or two at some point to stay as long as 4 months.

Another thing which may be relevant, I already have a 30 day tourist visa from last year, stamped( 11 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 )....just in case there is a limit.

Link to pricing for pre-arrival visas from the Thai embassy in the UK: http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/76

[elviajero]

• A Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV).

You will be granted 60 days on entry which can be extended by 30 days for 1,900 baht at an immigration office.

At the end of the 90 days you can do a border hop (not all borders) and immediately re-enter using visa exempt entry. This will give you 30 days which can also be extended by 30 days if required.

The visa exempt entry you made in September 2015 shouldn't affect anything.

Edited May 23, 2016 by elviajero

[ubonjoe]

A single entry tourist visa would allow you to get 60 day entry on arrival that can be extended for 30 day at an immigration office for a fee of 1900 baht.

After that you could do a border hop for a visa exempt entry to get another 30 days (G7 country rule). If you needed more time you could then extend it for 30 days.

[HappyDazed]

• A Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV).
• You will be granted 60 days on entry which can be extended by 30 days for 1,900 baht at an immigration office.

That's a pre-arrival visa right ..so I have to apply before I leave?

This one?

2. Tourist (3 months validity/Up to 60 days/Single) £25

• At the end of the 90 days you can do a border hop (not all borders) and immediately re-enter using visa exempt entry. This will give you 30 days which can also be extended by 30 days if required.

Do you know which border is best if based in Bangkok?

Edited May 23, 2016 by HappyDazed

[elviajero]

That a pre-arrival visa right ..so I have to apply before I leave?

This one?

2. Tourist (3 months validity/Up to 60 days/Single) £25

Do you know which border is best if based in Bangkok?

Yes. You can get the visa in person at the Consulates or London Embassy or by post from London only.

The Cambodian border is the closest and there are several visa run companies that will take you there and back in a day.

[HappyDazed]

Many moons ago you could drop your passport off at a travel agents in Bangkok and pick it up the next day with the new visa inside, is something like this still possible?

Think they sent a motorbike taxi to the border with your passport.

Edited May 23, 2016 by HappyDazed

[elviajero]

Many moons ago you could drop your passport off at a travel agents in Bangkok and pick it up the next day with the new visa inside, is something like this still possible?

Think they sent a motorbike taxi to the border with your passport.

Not legally. You should avoid any of these dodgy agents as you are likely to end up with a fake stamp and a world of trouble if it's discovered.

[ubonjoe]

Many moons ago you could drop your passport off at a travel agents in Bangkok and pick it up the next day with the new visa inside, is something like this still possible?

Think they sent a motorbike taxi to the border with your passport.

That stopped a long long time ago since it was illegal.

[seedy]

Post discussing Illegal Activity - and Quoted replies - removed

Forum Rule -

2) You will not use ThaiVisa.com to post any material which is knowingly or can be reasonably construed as false, inaccurate, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law.

[HappyDazed]

2. Tourist (3 months validity/Up to 60 days/Single) £25

http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/76

On the application form: http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/Consular/Form/visaapplication15.pdf

It says: Estimated Date of Arrival in Thailand (NOTE: You must travel within 3 months from the date of issue)

----

Will the embassy staff use the given arrival date on the form as the start date for the visa expiry window(3 months)?

Or do they use the date when they processed the form....so I need make sure I don't apply earlier than 2-3 weeks before arrival to avoid the visa expiring before the 60 days are up?

Otherwise I could apply now...my arrival date is beginning of August.

Hope my question makes sense.

Sorry for all the questions, the embassy site isn't too clear.

Edited May 23, 2016 by HappyDazed

[Upnotover]

2. Tourist (3 months validity/Up to 60 days/Single) £25

http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/76

On the application form: http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/Consular/Form/visaapplication15.pdf

It says: Estimated Date of Arrival in Thailand (NOTE: You must travel within 3 months from the date of issue)

----

Will the embassy staff use the given arrival date on the form as the start date for the visa expiry window(3 months)?

Or do they use the date when they processed the form....so I need make sure I don't apply earlier than 2-3 weeks before arrival to avoid the visa expiring before the 60 days are up?

Otherwise I could apply now...my arrival date is beginning of August.

Hope my question makes sense.

Sorry for all the questions, the embassy site isn't too clear.

You can apply now if you want. The visa is valid for entry 90 days from the date of issue, and on entry, even on day 90, you will get 60 days permission to stay.

[elviajero]

2. Tourist (3 months validity/Up to 60 days/Single) £25

http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/76

On the application form: http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/Consular/Form/visaapplication15.pdf

It says: Estimated Date of Arrival in Thailand (NOTE: You must travel within 3 months from the date of issue)

----

Will the embassy staff use the given arrival date on the form as the start date for the visa expiry window(3 months)?

Or do they use the date when they processed the form....so I need make sure I don't apply earlier than 2-3 weeks before arrival to avoid the visa expiring before the 60 days are up?

Otherwise I could apply now...my arrival date is beginning of August.

Hope my question makes sense.

Sorry for all the questions, the embassy site isn't too clear.

The visa is valid for 3 months from the date it is issued (start date), not your travel date. It doesn't really matter when you apply or what date you give as long as it's within the 3 months of your arrival date. Just don't apply to close to departure in case of problems.

e.g. If you applied and the visa was issued on May 24th the visa would expire on August 23rd being the last day you could enter the country using the visa.

If you are traveling in early Augst you could apply now.

[gk10002000]

• A Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV).
• You will be granted 60 days on entry which can be extended by 30 days for 1,900 baht at an immigration office.

That's a pre-arrival visa right ..so I have to apply before I leave?

This one?

2. Tourist (3 months validity/Up to 60 days/Single) £25

• At the end of the 90 days you can do a border hop (not all borders) and immediately re-enter using visa exempt entry. This will give you 30 days which can also be extended by 30 days if required.

Do you know which border is best if based in Bangkok?

The last visa border hop I made was to PoiPet, one of the bigger crossings. Went in a mini van from the visa company early in the morning, had lunch at the casino at the Cambodian border. One hour later picked up the papers and back in the van and back to Bangkok.

[Suradit69]

2. Tourist (3 months validity/Up to 60 days/Single) £25

http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/76

On the application form: http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/Consular/Form/visaapplication15.pdf

It says: Estimated Date of Arrival in Thailand (NOTE: You must travel within 3 months from the date of issue)

----

Will the embassy staff use the given arrival date on the form as the start date for the visa expiry window(3 months)?

Or do they use the date when they processed the form....so I need make sure I don't apply earlier than 2-3 weeks before arrival to avoid the visa expiring before the 60 days are up?

Otherwise I could apply now...my arrival date is beginning of August.

Hope my question makes sense.

Sorry for all the questions, the embassy site isn't too clear.

"Will the embassy staff use the given arrival date on the form as the start date for the visa expiry window(3 months)?"

You get 3 months from the date the embassy/consulate issues the visa to enter the country. As long as you enter the country before the visa expires you'll get a full 60 day permission to stay in Thailand and you can still apply for a 30 day extension.

[jacksam]

As far as "border hop"....since your in bkk, just jump on cheap flight. Beats long time in a bus. Being UK you could also put hcmc on the list. Visa exempt for you. Even stay couple of days and chill.

[Caps]

As far as "border hop"....since your in bkk, just jump on cheap flight. Beats long time in a bus. Being UK you could also put hcmc on the list. Visa exempt for you. Even stay couple of days and chill.

I looked at the HCMC option but for the OP I think it will be too late for him to use, unless they extend the rights (they might have already done it) but when I last checked, about 4 weeks ago, the Visa free waiver ends on the 30th June 2016 for UK folk

[Caps]

• A Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV).
• You will be granted 60 days on entry which can be extended by 30 days for 1,900 baht at an immigration office.

That's a pre-arrival visa right ..so I have to apply before I leave?

This one?

2. Tourist (3 months validity/Up to 60 days/Single) £25

• At the end of the 90 days you can do a border hop (not all borders) and immediately re-enter using visa exempt entry. This will give you 30 days which can also be extended by 30 days if required.

Do you know which border is best if based in Bangkok?

The last visa border hop I made was to PoiPet, one of the bigger crossings. Went in a mini van from the visa company early in the morning, had lunch at the casino at the Cambodian border. One hour later picked up the papers and back in the van and back to Bangkok.

Is there anywhere on the site to get more info on the PoiPet option

Thanks

[HappyDazed]

Just noticed this when filling out the form, it seems to be saying that a letter from a Thai doctor is required for a '60-Day SETV'.
I'm hoping that it's optional, but it doesn't seem to say that anywhere...in fact, taken at face value its "REQUIRED".

2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (single entry)
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
- Visa application form completely filled out
- Two (2) recent (2 x 2 inches.) photographs of the applicant
- A letter from a doctor/hospital in Thailand (for purposes of Medical Treatment in Thailand)
- Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary

http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/45

Edited May 31, 2016 by HappyDazed

[elviajero]

Just noticed this when filling out the form, it seems to be saying that a letter from a Thai doctor is required for a '60-Day SETV'.

I'm hoping that it's optional, but it doesn't seem to say that anywhere...in fact, taken at face value its "REQUIRED".

2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (single entry)

- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months

- Visa application form completely filled out

- Two (2) recent (2 x 2 inches.) photographs of the applicant

- A letter from a doctor/hospital in Thailand (for purposes of Medical Treatment in Thailand)

- Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary

http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/45

You do not need a letter from a doctor for a SETV.

"A letter from a doctor/hospital in Thailand (for purposes of Medical Treatment in Thailand)"

Edited May 31, 2016 by elviajero

[ubonjoe]

Just noticed this when filling out the form, it seems to be saying that a letter from a Thai doctor is required for a '60-Day SETV'.

I'm hoping that it's optional, but it doesn't seem to say that anywhere...in fact, taken at face value its "REQUIRED".

2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (single entry)

- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months

- Visa application form completely filled out

- Two (2) recent (2 x 2 inches.) photographs of the applicant

- A letter from a doctor/hospital in Thailand (for purposes of Medical Treatment in Thailand)

- Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary

http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/45

Only if you are applying for the visa "(for purposes of Medical Treatment in Thailand)".

[HappyDazed]

I seen that, but it could be read in many different ways.

For eg, not just a letter from a Thai doctor but a letter making reference to specific medical treatment.

It's odd they put this in the "REQUIRED" column and it's not marked as 'optional'.

Thanks guys!

Edited May 31, 2016 by HappyDazed

[ubonjoe]

They state the visa can be issued for both purposes. The part in parentheses indicates that it is only for the medical one.

"1. REQUIREMENT

This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for Tourism and Medical Treatment purposes."

[HappyDazed]

Really great service from the London embassy. Sent off my passport and visa form and 2 days later it was returned complete with visa.

The only weird thing is that the visa doesn't say anywhere that its good for 60 days...the only indication is the price I paid(£25) which is marked on the visa.

[ubonjoe]

Really great service from the London embassy. Sent off my passport and visa form and 2 days later it was returned complete with visa.

The only weird thing is that the visa doesn't say anywhere that its good for 60 days...the only indication is the price I paid(£25) which is marked on the visa.

Visas do not show the number of days you are allowed on entry. The TR (or tourist at some locations) for visa type indicates to the officer how many days you will be allowed.