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Can I apply for a tourist visa for Thailand while I am in Vietnam if I have a UK passport?

Thai Visa RegulationsUK Passport HoldersTourist VisaRetirement VisaVisa ExemptionVisa on Arrival MisunderstandingThai Immigration Advice
Apr 19, 2023
2 years ago
Mac *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Visa advice - I have a UK Passport and am travelling to Thailand in June on Visa except . I will be in Thailand for 3 weeks going to Kula lumper for 4 days for an event then returning to Thailand for 4 weeks then heading to Vietnam for 30 to 45 days before retuning to Thailand .

Im then wanting to stay in Thailand for a longer time as im considering retiring there, but want to be really sure before I spend money on a retirement visa .

Should I or can I apply for a tourist visa while in Vietnam to give me a 60 day tourist visa for returning to Thailand ? By which time I should hopefully have an idea if I want to apply for a retirement visa .

I was previously in Thailand in December and loved the country but didn’t find an area I felt I would settle in .

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A UK passport holder can enter Thailand under the visa exemption rule, receiving a 30-day stamp upon arrival. It is confirmed that UK citizens do not qualify for a visa on arrival, which is available to select countries only. If planning to extend stay, the individual can apply for a tourist visa while in Vietnam, allowing for a stay of 60 days upon re-entry to Thailand. There is a possibility of extending this tourist visa by 30 days from within Thailand. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the visa types available to UK passport holders and provides insights into preparing for a potential retirement visa in the future.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Christopher *************
Why don't you get a retirement visa before you leave the UK (multi entry) from thai embassy in London, cost peanuts and if you decide not to retire to Thailand after just use it to come to Thailand for a year when you want and then let it lapse after
2 years ago
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Reidar **********
Judging by these comments, some people should never leave their front gate. Lived in SE Asia over 24 years, always avoided expats and foreigners like the "Plaigh".
2 years ago
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Thomas *********
Apply directly to the Official Royal Thai Embassy Portal very easy for a Non-O multi entry visa. Here's the link:
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2 years ago
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Stéfan ********
Side note for Vietnam: 30 days is the max for a tourist visa. A longer stay will mean a border bounce.
2 years ago
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Mac *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for replies.

Correction is the 30 days visa exempt I would use when I first arrive.

Im still a rookie to the termology .
2 years ago
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Jorge *****
Uk same as european passport
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Jorge ****
 no such thing as European passport. Europe is not a country and does not issue passports.
2 years ago
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Graham ******
@Jorge ****
 There is no EU passport, they are all country specific and not all have the same entry rights (e.g. Cyprus, Malta, Bulgaria & Romania)
2 years ago
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Graham ******
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Graham ******
With a UK passport you'd get a 30 day visa exempt stamp on entry (not VOA) and each entry from your travels you'd get the same (but only twice in a calendar year with land entries). A 60 day tourist visa is a good idea to get everything sorted should you choose to do the retirement visa. This gives you 90 days with the single extension you are allowed. If possible get a Thai bank account on your first entry if possible to save you time later.
2 years ago
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Mac *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 thanks that's great info
2 years ago
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Mac *******
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David ***********
@Brandon ***********
 you are so wrong UK personnel do get a visa on arrival, I suggest you get your facts right and stop giving out wrong information
2 years ago
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Ricky ******
@David **********
 You haven't got a clue buddy. Visa exempt is not a visa. Clue in the name.
2 years ago
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Chris *********************
Brandon Thurkettle could be another Billy bull Brown 🤔
2 years ago
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Chris *********************
If you know you know 😄
2 years ago
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Chris *********************
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Steve ********
@David **********
 Hey buddy, take some friendly advice and STFU, you really have zero idea what you are talking about 😂
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@David **********
 you should get your facts straight before questioning a mod. Just because you think you got visa on arrival doesn't mean you did.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@David **********
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@David **********
 Could you please show me the UK on this list? Visa on arrival means when your arrive in Thailand you go to the Visa on Arrival desk, fill out an application for a visa, pay 2000₿ and get stamped in for 14 days. How many times have your done this with your UK passport??
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Bob **********
@David **********
 his facts are right
2 years ago
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Chris *********************
@David **********
 not visa on arrival look at Brandon's reply
2 years ago
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David ***********
@Chris ********************
 I been in and out of Thailand many times and got my visa on arrival and my friends come over twice a year and get a visa on a arrival
2 years ago
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Chris *********************
@David **********
 are you Billy Brown, under cover 😄 🤣 😂
2 years ago
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James *********
@Chris ********************
 Billy's many things, but not usually snarky
2 years ago
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Lisa ********************
@David **********
 it's not called Visa on Arrival, that's something completely different that you have to pay for. Coming from UK it's a visa exemption. Common mistake though.
2 years ago
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Chris *********************
@David **********
 haha daft lad ,iv lived here 12 years ,I'm in and out for work uk passport holders get now 30 days visa exempt not a visa
2 years ago
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Roberto *********
@David **********
 You don't get a visa, you get an entry stamp. I think it's you who needs to get his facts straight and stop spreading misinformation. You're a classic example of Pope's "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing"
2 years ago
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Andy ********
@David **********
 Brandon is correct in what he says. UK passport holders get a 30 day entry stamp on arrival not a visa on arrival. Its different
2 years ago
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Andy ********
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Alistair **********
@David **********
 did the UK change its spelling, cos I can't see it on the Visa on Arrival list
2 years ago
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Jorge *****
@David **********
 which information is he giving? He is asking instead of giving
2 years ago
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Jorge *****
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Lisa ********************
You get visa exemption of 30 days when you arrive in Thailand. Unless you are staying longer than 30 days each time, no visa required. Visa exempt can be extended by 30 days at local Thail immigration office.
2 years ago
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Phil ********
Yes & yes.

Check their website for details.

Cheers
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
First of all, if you have a UK passport you do not qualify for visa on arrival. That's only available to a few countries who apply and pay for a 14 day visa when they arrive to Thailand.

You qualify for visa exempt, which means no visa at all.

If you want to get a tourist visa to Thailand while you're in Vietnam you need to check the website of the Thai consulates in Vietnam. I believe there are two and at least one requires an appointment if you want to apply for a visa. Their websites will have all of the requirements and how long the process will take from when you go there to apply and give them your passport to how long until you'll get it back with the visa.
2 years ago
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Malcolm *********
@Brandon ***********
 there is no such thing as a UK passport - it is a British Passport.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Malcolm ********
 mine says "European Union" on it and under that "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" - it doesn't say British anywhere.
2 years ago
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Malcolm *********
@John *********
 hi John, i had just put my handbag away - the new passports say British Passport, the UK government website calls them British Passports, the consulates all them British Passports. Your passport, although still legal (guessing) is a legacy of the pre-Brexit times.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Malcolm ********
 unfortunately so. Brexit was a huge mistake. My passport is good for a few years yet, hopefully that's long enough for Scotland to become independent and for me to get a Scottish passport. I never refer to myself as British, on official forms requiring my citizenship I always put UK.
2 years ago
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Malcolm *********
@John *********
 😄 we have similar thoughts😄
2 years ago
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Malcolm *********
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Malcolm *******
@Malcolm ********
 FFS take a day off .
2 years ago
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Malcolm *********
@Malcolm ******
 I was having a wonderful day until I saw everyone swinging handbags on this post so just joined in - no harm done.
2 years ago
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Malcolm *********
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Brandon ************
@Malcolm ********
 the OP said UK passport so I did too
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Mac *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thanks
2 years ago
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Mac *******
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