Can I apply for an e-visa before leaving the UK and activate it after entering Thailand on a visa exemption?

Jun 10, 2023
2 years ago
Jake ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can I apply for an e-visa before i leave the UK, arrive on a VoA and then activate the e-visa when my voa expires?

Looking for easiest/cheapest way to stay for hopefully around 5 months including extensions.

Any advice massively appreciated
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original question asks whether one can apply for an e-visa while still in the UK, enter Thailand on a visa exemption (VoA), and then activate the e-visa after the exemption period expires. Responses clarify that upon arrival, travelers would receive a 30-day visa exemption rather than a VoA. It's suggested to apply for a 60-day tourist visa from the UK and consider using extensions effectively to maximize stay. Various strategies for obtaining additional days in Thailand, including crossing borders for re-entry, are discussed, alongside considerations for using a multi-entry tourist visa (METV). It's also noted that applicants must apply from their home countries or countries of permanent residency.
Thomas *********
Here's the Official Royal Thai Embassy Portal link.
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You can apply here and get your visa within 15 working days. Good luck
Jake ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for all responses
Jake ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas ********
thanks. Can I apply from abroad or do I have to be in my home country?
Dave *********
@Jake **********
you apply for e visa from the country you have permanent residency not the country you are on a short stay
Graham ******
@Jake **********
You apply from the country you are currently in, if they have the eVisa sysyem which all nearby Asian countries don't have as you have to do it the old way and apply in person
Jeff ********
Three 30 day exempt two extensions will get you five months. But you'll be done for a year.
Phil ******
Yu have a current EVisa or has it expired? You can re-enter on a30dY visa exempt
Bob **********
Yes you’ll have to leave and stamp back in on your e visa
Marianne ********
Multi entry tourist visa.

60 days in, 30 days extension, go out of country, come back and get 60 more days before another 30 day extension.
Brandon ************
@Marianne *******
a little bit of a waste to do METV since you'd waste
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of it on the first entry and extension. It's pricey to waste that much of it.
Richard ******
@Brandon ***********
Sorry if it's a dumb question and been asked countless times before but, how do you get a METV without using it on your first entry?
Frank-Steven ***********
@Richard *****
By simply not showing the METV on the first entry. But what sense would that make? The METV validity starts counting from the day it is issued.
Brandon ************
@Richard *****
they wouldn't have received it from their embassy yet. Their question is what to do if they apply for a visa but didn't receive it yet when they arrive.
Marianne ********
@Brandon ***********
Pricier for sure, but also very easy.
Kool *******
If your timing is right, and with the 30 day extensions you can get, and that your evisa will be good for 90 days. After your first 60 days from the visa exempt 30 day entry stamp, and the 30 day extension for another bt1900, and the cost of getting to immigration, you still have time before your evisa expires to just leave and come back for another 60 days, and another bt1900 30 day extension, and you are almost at 5 months. You could cross and come back for another 60 days, or until your flight home, but don't try to push it past that without touring around other countries, or they can determine you're trying to stay long term as a tourist, and will tell you to get the correct visa, and refuse you entry. At that point is usually requires another tourist visa from an embassy, and then flying back instead of land border crossings.
Lisa ********************
You can apply for a 60 day tourist visa from UK. You don't get VOA, you get 30 day visa exemption at arrival in Thailand
Steve ********
You don't get a VOA, you get a 30 day free entry stamp. You then have to leave the country and re-enter to activate the tourist visa
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