58 replies to this topic

[facer]

just to clarify, i have just cut and pasted this from the website of the Thai Consulate in Hull :

01 May 2010
TOURIST VISA FEE - TEMPORARY CONCESSION
BETWEEN 11 MAY 2010 AND 31 MARCH 2011 THE STANDARD FEE FOR TOURIST VISAS ONLY (£28 PER ENTRY) WILL BE WAIVED.
THIS CONCESSION DOES NOT APPLY TO:-
1) APPLICATIONS FOR NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS.
2) APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSIT VISAS.
ALL OTHER CONDITIONS APPLYING TO VISAS REMAIN UNCHANGED INCLUDING THE £10 FEE FOR ISSUING IN PERSON AND THE £8 POSTAL CHARGE.

I presume this just leaves the £8 return postage fee to pay, but i have e-mailed them to clarify...

[miles stewart]

it also depends on your country of origin aswell, the USA has a lot harder time than the UK for example.

there you just download the forms post them off with 1 picture,your £100 fee and within 3 days you have your 1 year multi entry visa back in your hand.

you get to self certify you have funds for your stay,no proof needed.

there should really be a pinned thread for each country to look at.

what applies to the USA has nothing to do with the UK the same like wise,what applies to the UK has nothing to do with the USA.

in the UK at the moment its a £15 admin fee for the 60 day tourist visa and still only takes 3 days from posting to getting back in your hand.

Edited by miles stewart, 26 May 2010 - 09:27 AM.

[miles stewart]

facer, on 26 May 2010 - 08:39 AM, said:

just to clarify, i have just cut and pasted this from the website of the Thai Consulate in Hull :

01 May 2010
TOURIST VISA FEE - TEMPORARY CONCESSION
BETWEEN 11 MAY 2010 AND 31 MARCH 2011 THE STANDARD FEE FOR TOURIST VISAS ONLY (£28 PER ENTRY) WILL BE WAIVED.
THIS CONCESSION DOES NOT APPLY TO:-
1) APPLICATIONS FOR NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS.
2) APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSIT VISAS.
ALL OTHER CONDITIONS APPLYING TO VISAS REMAIN UNCHANGED INCLUDING THE £10 FEE FOR ISSUING IN PERSON AND THE £8 POSTAL CHARGE.

I presume this just leaves the £8 return postage fee to pay, but i have e-mailed them to clarify...

its £15 admin fee and if you buy a prepaid self addressed registered envolope from the post office and include with you application theres no postage fee.

this is just the updated version they were free in january in the uk just pay the admin fee.

Edited by miles stewart, 26 May 2010 - 09:34 AM.

[Edge]

US-Farang, on 30 April 2010 - 03:44 AM, said:

Q: What if I want to go out of the country while my visa is still good?

You can get a "re-entry" permit if you go to an immigration office. This basically "suspends" your visa while you're out of the country (it does not extend it). Bring a passport-style photo and 1900 baht.
..............

I'm sure it used to be 1900 baht, but somewhere along the line it was reduced to 1000 for Single Re-Entry. It's still 3800 for Multiple Re-Entry.
I got one in February '10, tendered 2000 and was given 1000 back and a receipt for the 1000 paid. I've since seen it in print elsewhere.

jonerich, on 30 April 2010 - 06:14 AM, said:

..............................It Kinda suck to travel all that way and be denied entry!!!! I guess I should tell him to send his passport in the Thai embassy for a visa at least that way he would know before we left. Has anyone here entered with a felony Conviction? or Traveled with a Buddy with one?

AFAIK the Consulates do no checking prior to issue of Tourist Visas. It's highly unlikely he would have a problem entering, but remember, a Visa is only a permission to travel to a country and does not give you the right to enter that country.
Some will recall the lady from England with a previous conviction for drug dealing - in Thailand! - did not know that.

Attached Images

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[facer]

miles stewart, on 26 May 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

it also depends on your country of origin aswell, the USA has a lot harder time than the UK for example.

there you just download the forms post them off with 1 picture,your £100 fee and within 3 days you have your 1 year multi entry visa back in your hand.

you get to self certify you have funds for your stay,no proof needed.

there should really be a pinned thread for each country to look at.

what applies to the USA has nothing to do with the UK the same like wise,what applies to the UK has nothing to do with the USA.

in the UK at the moment its a £15 admin fee for the 60 day tourist visa and still only takes 3 days from posting to getting back in your hand.

Hello Miles, i'm sure you mean well but even when visa payment is required there is no admin fee...

this is the stance at least from the Thai consulate in Hull, UK...the 60 day tourist visa fees are waived and the £8 postage fee is the only one required. I have had this confirmed by the Hull consulate today...

[miles stewart]

facer, on 26 May 2010 - 04:04 PM, said:

Hello Miles, i'm sure you mean well but even when visa payment is required there is no admin fee...

this is the stance at least from the Thai consulate in Hull, UK...the 60 day tourist visa fees are waived and the £8 postage fee is the only one required. I have had this confirmed by the Hull consulate today...

hi,

my brother and his girlfriend got a 60 day single entry tourist visa from hull,there was no fee for the visa but they had to send £15 each admin fee.there was no postage fee as they sent a prepaid self sddressed registered envolople with their applications.he got the recipt back from hull with his visa and passports.

so unless they have now waived this fee aswell you will have to pay it.

i would double check and please feel free to ask in the email to them that you have been told there was a £15 admin fee in january and has this now been waived.

you will see i am correct and they did have to pay this admin fee.

you are correct about when paying for a visa there is no admin fee,i just send £100 off for my multi entry 1 year visa and the envolope to return it to me.

Edited by miles stewart, 26 May 2010 - 06:42 PM.

[facer]

miles stewart, on 26 May 2010 - 06:25 PM, said:

hi,

my brother and his girlfriend got a 60 day single entry tourist visa from hull,there was no fee for the visa but they had to send £15 each admin fee.there was no postage fee as they sent a prepaid self sddressed registered envolople with their applications.he got the recipt back from hull with his visa and passports.

so unless they have now waived this fee aswell you will have to pay it.

i would double check and please feel free to ask in the email to them that you have been told there was a £15 admin fee in january and has this now been waived.

you will see i am correct and they did have to pay this admin fee.

you are correct about when paying for a visa there is no admin fee,i just send £100 off for my multi entry 1 year visa and the envolope to return it to me.

cheers miles, thanks for the info...the transitory ambiguity is not a great suprise

[rohan3009]

Thai offer on arrival visa what are the documents required??

[DP Gumbypgh]

Just for US residents.
Two entry tourist visas (and single entry of course) are free until March 31, 2011. Just received mine today, only cost is postage. Mine was from the NY consulate and took only 8 days from mailing it to getting it back. Cost $5.60 for Priority mail with delivery confirmation to send it to the consulate plus $18.30 for prepaid Express Mail return. Total Cost $23.90.

[akuza]

great read thanks, now i gotta see if i want a 2 month visa now

[xilef]

jonerich, on 30 April 2010 - 06:14 AM, said:

Thanks for the post US-Farang great work!!! Raises an interesting question. I have a buddy that was going to come with me next trip but about 20 years ago he was arrested for (unauthorized use of a vehicle) in the states (felony). He was denied entry into Canada Before because of this,So I guess if you have a felony conviction he will be denied entry? It Kinda suck to travel all that way and be denied entry!!!! I guess I should tell him to send his passport in the Thai embassy for a visa at least that way he would know before we left. Has anyone here entered with a felony Conviction? or Traveled with a Buddy with one?

Yes. No problems at all. It's not a question that they ask when obtaining a visa on arrival.

[belgiumfrenchpower]

US-Farang, on 30 April 2010 - 03:44 AM, said:

I've seen a lot of misinformation here lately about tourist visas to Thailand, so I decided to write this. Hope it helps some.

The Thailand Tourist Visa FAQ
Written by US-Farang

While I am NOT a lawyer, a travel agent, or a visa expert, I have done extensive research over the past several months about Thai visas. I hope that you will benefit from the information I've gathered during my research. The information in this FAQ applies ONLY to people visiting Thailand as tourists and who do not plan to work/retire/marry/etc. in the kingdom.


Q: Do I need to get a visa before travelling to Thailand?

The short answer is, "probably not," but please read on because that answer doesn't cover every situation.

You do not need a visa to enter the kingdom of Thailand for tourism if ALL of these apply to you:
1) Your passport is from one of Thailand's visa-exempt nations. This includes the U.S., Canada, most of Europe, Australia, etc. You can view the current complete list at http://www.mfa.go.th...82.php?id=2490.
2) You will leave Thailand within 30 days (29 nights)
3) You will arrive through an international airport

Technically, you also need have adequate finances (10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family), a flight out within 30 days, and you cannot be ineligible for entry (HIV-positive, deported from any nation, etc.), but it's unlikely that an immigration official will ask or care.

If you meet ALL of the above criteria (as most westerners will), then you can come to Thailand without a visa and at no charge. When you arrive, you'll go through immigration at the airport and will be stamped in on visa-exempt status for 30 days. This is NOT the same thing as a visa-on-arrival. Instead, it's a permission to stay in the kingdom for up to 30 days without having to bother with getting a visa at all. This is most short-time (heh) vistors need.


Q: What if I arrive overland (not through the airport)?

If you enter the kingdom overland (bus, train, car, bicycle, roller skates, etc.), all of the above applies BUT you will only be permitted 15 days (14 nights) to stay.


Q: Can I extend my stay if I entered on a visa-exempt stamp?

Not very long. Officially, the visa-exempt entries cannot be extended. If you have a hardship, you can visit immigration and beg, though. They may give you an extension (up to 7 days), but it's up to the immigration official you talk to.


Q: What if I want to stay more than 30 days, but less than 90 days?

If you want to stay continuously (strictly for tourism still) for longer than 30 days, you will need to get a tourist visa ahead of time from an embassy or consulate outside of Thailand. Check your country's Royal Thai Embassy website for specifics, but generally you'll need to present your passport, application form, 2 passport-style photos, round-trip ticket copy, and evidence of finances. Processing times can take from a couple days (if you do it in person) to several weeks (if you use the mail), so get it done early. Not too early, though. Once the visa is issued, you'll usually only have 90 days to enter Thailand.

You'll get a tourist visa, which grants you 60 days in the kingdom. If you want to stay up to 30 days longer, though, you can get it extended without leaving the country by visiting an immigration office (it MUST be the immigration office in the province where you are staying) with a passport-style photo and 1900 baht. You can do this whenever you want. The extension is 30 days beyond your current permission to stay, not 30 days beyond when you apply for it.

Unlike the visa-exempt entries, tourist visas are not free. They cost about 1000 baht (per entry, see below) in local currency. Between May 11, 2010 and March 31, 2011, these fees are waived for single-entry tourist visas, though.


Q: What is a "multiple-entry" or "double-entry" tourist visa?

If you plan to stay mostly in Thailand, but will leave the country at least once during your stay, you might be able to get a "multiple-entry" tourist visa. This is essentially the same as getting two (or three) tourist visas (as described above). You still have to leave the country before your first entry expires, but you are allowed to re-enter Thailand on the same visa. You MUST activate your second entry before the visa expires! This may be as short as 90 days from the day the visa was issued, to check your visa to be sure! Technically, on a double-entry tourist visa, you can stay (with an exit) in Thailand for up to 6 months if you extend both entries, but keep the following in mind:
* When you pay your visa fees, you pay per entry (a triple-entry visa, if you can get it, would be about 3000 baht)
* Exiting the country for any reason closes your current entry (but see below about re-entry permission)
* You MUST use the second entry before the visa expires, and this may be less than 90 days before you first arrived.
* Some consulates (Penang, Malaysia, for example) will deny you any future tourist visas if you've extended one

Remember that you cannot apply for a tourist visa of any kind from within Thailand. You MUST apply outside of the kingdom. Technically up to triple-entry visas are allowed, but I haven't heard of anyone recently who got one. And double-entry visas can be hard to find. Generally, the further you are from Thailand, the better your chances of getting a double-entry visa. You'll probably get one if you apply at Washington, D.C., Perth, or Hull, but you probably won't if you apply at any consulate in southeast Asia. Though it's completely subject to change, the embassies at Vientiane (Laos) and Phnom Penh (Cambodia) seem to be friendlier than some other consulates. Avoid Penang, Malaysia for visas at all costs.


Q: Is there a limit to how many times I can get visa-exempt permissions?

No. There used to be a limit, but you can currently get visa-exempt entries as often as you like. Keep in mind, though, that overland visa-exempt permissions are just 15 days. This is a fairly new rule, designed to weed out folks who are working illegally in Thailand.


Q: What if I stay longer than my visa or permission allows?

Go IMMEDIATELY to your nearest immigration office, and don't break any traffic laws on the way! You will have to pay a fine of 500 baht per day (up to a maximum of 20,000 baht), but you can probably get a 1-7 day permission to leave. If you're picked up for any reason on an overstay, well, plan on some time in jail. You will not enjoy this.


Q: What if I want to go out of the country while my visa is still good?

You can get a "re-entry" permit if you go to an immigration office. This basically "suspends" your visa while you're out of the country (it does not extend it). Bring a passport-style photo and 1900 baht.


Q: Can I extend my tourist visa?

Yes, you can. A 60-day tourist visa can be extended by 30 days at any immigration office. Bring 1900 baht and a passport photo.

Note that visa-exempt entries CANNOT be extended, and visas that have been extended CANNOT be extended a second time.


Q: Can I scream at you if my visa issues don't go the way I want?

Feel free to vent. I really can't help you, though.


Q: Are tourist visas free?

There has been lots of discussion about this (thanks to unreliable reports from one website that shall remain nameless), but yes, tourist visa fees will be waived between May 11, 2010 and March 31, 2011. Consulates may still charge an administrative fee.

thank you for this informations, now is clear for what I have to do for the visa, thank's

[ronnier888]

awesome, information i have gleamed from several sources presented quickly and clearly, and you filled in the holes and my questions.

[FreeSki]

DP Gumbypgh, on 16 June 2010 - 04:49 PM, said:

Just for US residents.
Two entry tourist visas (and single entry of course) are free until March 31, 2011. Just received mine today, only cost is postage. Mine was from the NY consulate and took only 8 days from mailing it to getting it back. Cost $5.60 for Priority mail with delivery confirmation to send it to the consulate plus $18.30 for prepaid Express Mail return. Total Cost $23.90.

Awesome news! I plan to get a two entry tourist Visa for my next stay in Pattaya. I had originally planned to do a 3 month stay but I might extend my stay to 4-5 months if I can swing it The two entry tourist visa will be perfect and I will only need to do one visa run hehe

Question though, with the two entry tourist visa issued by the US, do you need to enter Thailand within 90 days of receiving it? I'm not sure on my exact arrival (likely December/Jan) so I wasn't sure if I should get it now to have it and be done with it.. or if I need to wait until I'm closer to knowing my exact departure.

[DP Gumbypgh]

FreeSki, on 19 October 2010 - 11:20 PM, said:

Awesome news! I plan to get a two entry tourist Visa for my next stay in Pattaya. I had originally planned to do a 3 month stay but I might extend my stay to 4-5 months if I can swing it The two entry tourist visa will be perfect and I will only need to do one visa run hehe

Question though, with the two entry tourist visa issued by the US, do you need to enter Thailand within 90 days of receiving it? I'm not sure on my exact arrival (likely December/Jan) so I wasn't sure if I should get it now to have it and be done with it.. or if I need to wait until I'm closer to knowing my exact departure.

Yes you do have to enter within 90 days otherwise it is not valid.
Definitely wait until you have booked your flight as they want to see a copy of your itinerary. Secondly you have to do the first border run the day before the enter before date which is three months after the issue date. You need to allow a minimum of two weeks before your departure date for processing the visa (more if there are holidays during the period)so about three weeks before your departure would be ideal, you get 60 days on entry so a border run then would give you a total of 119 days that you could extend at Jomtien for a further 30days if you needed to.

Edited by DP Gumbypgh, 20 October 2010 - 06:56 AM.

[FreeSki]

DP Gumbypgh, on 20 October 2010 - 06:55 AM, said:

Secondly you have to do the first border run the day before the enter before date which is three months after the issue date.

Lost me on this part hehe

When I enter Thailand the first 60 day period begins, correct? So if I plan to only stay 4-5 months MAX.. I should do the following

-Enter Thailand as planned
-After 58-59 days go on a visa run to Cambodia then re-enter Thailand
-After another 58-59 days either leave and go home and or go to Jomtien to file for a 30 day extension and then go home once that 30 days is up.

No need to do an extension on the first 58-59 days as I don't plan to stay a full 6 months, so put that saved 1900 baht (extension fee) towards my visa run trip

Is this correct?

Edited by FreeSki, 20 October 2010 - 08:02 PM.

[rumnee]

jonerich, on 30 April 2010 - 06:14 AM, said:

Thanks for the post US-Farang great work!!! Raises an interesting question. I have a buddy that was going to come with me next trip but about 20 years ago he was arrested for (unauthorized use of a vehicle) in the states (felony). He was denied entry into Canada Before because of this,So I guess if you have a felony conviction he will be denied entry? It Kinda suck to travel all that way and be denied entry!!!! I guess I should tell him to send his passport in the Thai embassy for a visa at least that way he would know before we left. Has anyone here entered with a felony Conviction? or Traveled with a Buddy with one?

Canada doesnt like americains if you ever had a dwi or any conviction feony or lesser crime they will denie entry to canada.the bunch of cunts fuck who would wanta go there any how

[DP Gumbypgh]

FreeSki, on 20 October 2010 - 08:01 PM, said:

Lost me on this part hehe

When I enter Thailand the first 60 day period begins, correct? So if I plan to only stay 4-5 months MAX.. I should do the following

-Enter Thailand as planned
-After 58-59 days go on a visa run to Cambodia then re-enter Thailand
-After another 58-59 days either leave and go home and or go to Jomtien to file for a 30 day extension and then go home once that 30 days is up.

No need to do an extension on the first 58-59 days as I don't plan to stay a full 6 months, so put that saved 1900 baht (extension fee) towards my visa run trip

Is this correct?

Yes as long as the enter before date is after you do your visa run. As long as you apply for the visa three weeks before you leave this will be the case.

[Looking Sir...]

Hi thanks for the info posted above, all very helpful.
I have a question though, I plan to arrive in BKK, stay 3 days then head to Vietnam and Cambodia and return 15 days later. Then another 10 days in Thailand, all completed within 30 days. My question is do I need 2 visas for this (one for each entry), or when I leave for Vietnam is it possible to not have my departure slip removed, and just leave it in my passport until i leave the country to return home? Any help would be great
Thanks

[DP Gumbypgh]

Looking Sir..., on 23 January 2011 - 11:51 PM, said:

Hi thanks for the info posted above, all very helpful.
I have a question though, I plan to arrive in BKK, stay 3 days then head to Vietnam and Cambodia and return 15 days later. Then another 10 days in Thailand, all completed within 30 days. My question is do I need 2 visas for this (one for each entry), or when I leave for Vietnam is it possible to not have my departure slip removed, and just leave it in my passport until i leave the country to return home? Any help would be great
Thanks

You do not need a visa for what you want to do. Each entry into Thailand will give you 30 days by air or 15 days if you enter by land. Enjoy your trip.

[ajb2708]

Hey, my flight to Thailand is on the 6th march, and I plan to stay for 5 months (on a gap year) - with a return ticket booked for 1st Aug.

During this time, I will most likely end up working for a Scuba Diving Centre for the majority of the trip.

Obviously I cant apply for a work visa until I've actually secured employment and applied etc.

So, which visa should I 'get', and do I need to sort anything out before I set off on the 6th march? (11 days time)

[crzsnwbdr]

I hope this pinned thread isn't really outdated, but I have a question regarding the amount of cash required upon arrival (10,000BHT).

I've come across this figure in several other websites including travel tips sites and those with similar information on obtaining visas. Now my question is, is it really required? Are they strict about it? Thailand is at the end of my two-month backpacking trip in N/SE-Asia and I don't really want to carry around ~$333 in BHT for the entire two months if I can avoid it; I would most likely just have enough to get me to the nearest ATM machine. I wonder though if ATMs are easily found somewhere between the gate and customs..

Any tips/ideas?

[Pepe Le Pew]

I've never heard of this requirement. I wouldn't worry about it. I've never had 10k on me going through immigration. Can get through that a night on walking street very easy though!

[Edge]

crzsnwbdr, on 12 April 2011 - 10:41 AM, said:

I hope this pinned thread isn't really outdated, but I have a question regarding the amount of cash required upon arrival (10,000BHT).

I've come across this figure in several other websites including travel tips sites and those with similar information on obtaining visas. Now my question is, is it really required? Are they strict about it?
........................................................................................

Pepe Le Pew, on 13 April 2011 - 11:01 AM, said:

I've never heard of this requirement. I wouldn't worry about it. I've never had 10k on me going through immigration. Can get through that a night on walking street very easy though!

I have heard of it, but I can't give a link or source, and I'm sure the majority of BMs won't have come across it and don't carry 10k on them. It may be somewhere in the Visa Regulations. I think the answer must be no, they are not strict about it.

My recollection is that approximately within the past year or so, Thai Immi' at BKK used the rule to refuse entry to a group of travellers who could not show they had the required means to support themselves and they were returned home.
My memory is weak, but I believe the group (maybe 10 or so) were from India and, not surprisingly it made the news.

[crzsnwbdr]

Pepe Le Pew, on 13 April 2011 - 11:01 AM, said:

I've never heard of this requirement. I wouldn't worry about it. I've never had 10k on me going through immigration. Can get through that a night on walking street very easy though!

Edge, on 13 April 2011 - 11:31 AM, said:

I have heard of it, but I can't give a link or source, and I'm sure the majority of BMs won't have come across it and don't carry 10k on them. It may be somewhere in the Visa Regulations. I think the answer must be no, they are not strict about it.

My recollection is that approximately within the past year or so, Thai Immi' at BKK used the rule to refuse entry to a group of travellers who could not show they had the required means to support themselves and they were returned home.
My memory is weak, but I believe the group (maybe 10 or so) were from India and, not surprisingly it made the news.

Thank you guys so much for the info. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about this the first time I read it online. I wouldn't know how to justify carrying around 10kB with me for my entire trip leading up to Bangkok. Lol~

Not to get too off topic here, but I'm sure there are plenty of ATMs in the BKK airport, as well as the downtown city, but are they readily available in Pattaya as well? How do most people get around Pattaya? Cash or credit?

Thanks again guys!