Thailand Visa Dramas (return Flight > 30days)

[jimbo77]

Hi,

I am an Australian planning on flying into Thailand, then traveling into Lao, Vietnam and Cambodia (all overland) then finally flying back to Thailand before heading home.

The total length of my trip is 68 days. I have booked a return flight to Phuket.

Here are some questions:

1. Can i just get a 30 day visa on arrival into Thailand?

2. Will this be a problem because i do not have a return flight that falls within that 30 days?

3. If it is going to be a problem, will it be with my airline, Jetstar or with the Thai immigration officials?

4. What other alternatives are there for visas that allow a double entry visa for a total of 68 days?

Thank you for reading and hopefully replying!

JAMES

[wadsy]

You can get a tourist visa in Australia before you come, (takes about 7-10 days if you post the application to a consulate and costs about $45AUD) Its good for 60 days which you can then extend for another 30 days in Thailand by applying for an extension of stay at a Thai Immigration office. The extension will cost you another 1900 baht. OR you can get the 30 day visa exempt stamp on arrival in Thailand BUT you will have to make a visa run or leave the country every 30 days - in your case twice to get a new entry stamp. Really, a tourist visa before you come would save you some time and probably money if you can apply for one there .

[konangrit]

Hi,

I am an Australian planning on flying into Thailand, then traveling into Lao, Vietnam and Cambodia (all overland) then finally flying back to Thailand before heading home.

The total length of my trip is 68 days. I have booked a return flight to Phuket.

Here are some questions:

1. Can i just get a 30 day visa on arrival into Thailand?

2. Will this be a problem because i do not have a return flight that falls within that 30 days?

3. If it is going to be a problem, will it be with my airline, Jetstar or with the Thai immigration officials?

4. What other alternatives are there for visas that allow a double entry visa for a total of 68 days?

Thank you for reading and hopefully replying!

JAMES

1. Yes

2. The date shouldn't matter as long as you have a return ticket.

3. Airline, they won't let you fly without an onward ticket. I've never been asked by immigration for an onward ticket when entering on 30 day on arrival, but they could if they wanted to.

4. If you're only entering Thailand twice, both for less than 30 days then you don't need a visa. If you want to to be safe you could simply apply for a single entry tourist visa before. Unless you're intending on spending more than 30 days in Thailand on your second entry you won't need a double entry.

Personally I'd prefer to get a tourist visa before hand as it doesn't cost much and gives you more flexibility if you change your plans. You won't have any worries about being allowed to board then either.

Edited November 30, 2006 by konangrit

[lopburi3]

The problem could be the airline. I would get a single entry tourist visa just to be safe from the whims of a disgruntled check in person and use that for flight to Thailand/first entry. Your second (or more) entry should be fine on an entry without visa stamp

[gizzy78]

I have a similar problem and have been given a number of different answers. I fly into Bangkok, then travel overland to Laos (about 3 weeks later...<30days anyway), Cambodia, Vietnam etc etc, around to india then fly from Delhi into Bangkok (transit) then home. My flights into and out of Bangkok are greater than 60 days apart. I have been informed by the travel agent that I need to get a single entry 90 day tourist visa. I have called the consulate who said the 90 day visa is a non-immigrant visa - of which I don't need to show any documents or intinerary! However, looking at the requirements for this - I don't qualify. Thinking this was strange, a friend called and was informed that I should get a 60 day tourist visa.

I'm soooo confused, can anyone help? Is the 60 tourist visa fine since I won't be re-entering Thailand on my trip home?

[konangrit]

The travel agent was wrong, it's a single entry tourist visa (60 days). You'll be fine with one of those.

[lopburi3]

A tourist visa provides a stay of 60 days for you and is what you should have for initial entry. The visa that provides 90 day stay is non immigrant and not used for tourist travel.

[londonthai]

should not be any problem with an open ticket neighter airline nor emmigration. The travel agent tries to play safe with you because you asked them directly - but they don't have any experience.

if you really want to be sure what their internal regulations are talk to the jet star and not to the travel agent. I heard a bad story from my friend about Biman (Bangladeshi airline) not allowing to board him without the return ticket - but they are exeptional airline in every sense.

[thaihome]

Again, people are confused between the validity (use by date) of a visa and the permission to stay entry stamp the visa gives you.

A normal single entry tourist visa is valid for 90 days from issue, you must enter Thailand within 90 days. When you enter, you will be given a 60 day permission to stay entry stamp.

A single entry Non Imm Visa , "O" or "B", is valid for 90 days from issue, you get a 90 day permission to stay entry stamp when arrive.

There are many variations of the above as far as number of entries and validity. Permission to stay entry stamps on each entry do not vary.

This is all explained in the pinned threads at the top of this forum

TH

[lopburi3]

Permission to stay entry stamps do vary as some countries normally get 60 days on a tourist visa and others get 30 days. Same visa-different passport-different policy.

[jimbo77]

firstly I'd just like to say thanks for all the answers, even though im sure all these questions have been asked a million times before (possibly a FAQ sticky is needed?).

I think I am going to play it safe and get a 60day single entry tourist visa from the Thai embassy before I go. I will be crossing into Lao overland after 2 weeks.

Finally when I re-enter Thailand I will just get the visa-exemption 30days to allow me to spend a couple of days in Thailand before flying back to Australia.

If there are any issues with me doing this please let me know

cheers

JAMES