Answered5 years ago

Are Special Tourist Visas still available for Thailand, or should I opt for a regular TR Visa?

Special Tourist Visa (STV)TR Visa Visa Extensions Thailand Immigration Rules Visa Options for Expats COVID-19 Impact on Visas

Christopher *********

asked Aug 7, 2021

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Hi, I'm an American currently in NY and was hoping to get back into Thailand beginning of October. I want to stay as long as possible.

Are Special Tourist Visas with 90days + 90days + 90days still available?

Or is my only choice a regular TR Visa + extensions? And how many days would that give me in total?

Any advice or insights appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer summary

The Special Tourist Visa (STV), which allowed multiple 90-day extensions, is no longer available as the enabling law expires on September 30. Currently, the best option for a longer stay would be the TR Tourist Visa, which grants 60 days on arrival plus a possible 30-day extension, totaling 90 days. There may still be options for COVID extensions or converting to another visa, but these depend on regulations at the time of entry.

5 repliesnewest first

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Kevin ***********

@James *******

The 45 days is scheduled to end 30 September. Do you feel it will be extended if quarantine is extended?

5 years ago

James ********

@Kevin **********

frankly... No. Is it possible that it could be extended...Yes .

But I sense an effort by Thai immigration to get back to the normal process of Thai visas and extensions.

We are seeing that from reports of expats who have been granted one more COVID extension with caveat to be prepared to leave Thailand

And with that let's put the Crystal Ball aside and close commenting.

5 years ago

Tod *********

I'd say even if you can get one (seeing as the program stops Sept 30th) the STV is about the WORST choice of a visa you could pick. There is NO option to convert it to anything else inside the country SO even if you could get it and even if you could wring the time you're allotted on it out of it you'd have to leave when it and the extensions run out

5 years ago

James ********

STV visas are no longer available... The Thai law enabling them expires September 30.

Visa exempt on arrival entry into Thailand gets you 45 days plus added 30 days extension for 1900 Thai baht at Thai immigration office and = 75 days stay in Thailand.

Look at other visa options when in Thailand is Ed Visa.

As

@Robert ********

stated the TR Tourist visa gives you 60 days on arrival plus added 30 extension = 90 days max.

Watch for news updates in coming weeks and months ahead about the COVID situation.

5 years ago

Robert *********

TR + Extensions give you a total of 90 days After that you can apply for Covid extensions if they are still being offered, or you can convert your TR visa to another sort based on different criteria. Not convert exactly, but apply for a different visa.

5 years ago