Can I apply for a Tourist Visa in Phuket after arriving on a Visa on Arrival?

Education Visa Tourist Visa Visa on Arrival Thailand Visa Rules Visa Extension

July 19, 2022

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi team,

Hopefully a really easy one for you, I have tried to find out the answer but I’m just not seeing it. 

I’m heading back to Phuket soon and want to apply for an Education Visa which I understand it’s best to do once I get there. I am from New Zealand, living in Aus and if I want to apply for a 60 day Tourist Visa from here I have to post my passport to Canberra which I’d rather avoid doing again. 

I can get to Phuket on a 30 day visa on arrival, can I apply for a Tourist Visa once in Phuket? I hear it may take over 4 weeks to get an Education Visa once in Phuket so I’m worried my 30 days on arrival won’t be enough time so I need to know if I can get a Tourist Visa in Phuket?

Thanks so much for any help!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster is inquiring whether they can apply for a Tourist Visa after arriving in Phuket on a 30-day visa on arrival. They express concern about the timeline needed for an Education Visa application, which can take over 4 weeks, and mention they would prefer not to send their passport to Canberra for the Tourist Visa application. Comments clarify that a Tourist Visa cannot be obtained within Thailand, although a visa-exempt entry can be extended by 30 days at a cost of 1,900 baht.

Terary **********

You didn't ask but I will tell you anyway. An Immigration officer once told me Education Visas aren't the best option for long term stay. As such I never gotten one. I would do visa runs instead. Each visa run was 2 - 3 weeks away.

Of course if you are truly studying, that's another matter entirely.

2 years ago

Wayne *********

If you go for tr60 via Sydney apply for pre-approval online it took less than 24 hours for my OX visa then express postage to and from Sydney from Perth all less than a week. Canberra is to slow

2 years ago

Brandon ************

A lot of schools in the south charge a 20,000₿ conversion fee to gather the paperwork for you, and this is on top of all other school fees for taking classes.

You better double check with your school on the cost. This can be avoided if you get the visa before coming to Thailand.

2 years ago

Emily *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Ah I see, ok I’ll check! Thank you!

2 years ago

Reply to

Emily *********

Stuart *********

You can’t get a tourist visa within Thailand. But you can extend a visa exempt entry once for 30 days. Cost is 1,900 baht.

2 years ago

Emily *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

Oh I see, awesome! I wasn’t sure if the 30 day extension was always an option or if it was the ‘covid extension’ which I understand won’t be available after 25th July.

Ok great so I’ll arrive, apply for the Edu Visa and if I need extra time I’ll pay for a 30 day extension 😃

Cheers!

2 years ago

Reply to

Emily *********

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What is the process for extending a tourist visa in Thailand for someone arriving without a consulate application?

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