Answered6 years ago

Can I apply for Thailand's STV visa from Vietnam as a UK citizen, or switch to it after getting a regular Tourist visa?

Thailand visa rules STV visa Tourist visa Visa application Expat UK citizen

Sam *******

asked Feb 26, 2021

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I am a UK citizen in Vietnam looking to get to Thailand on the STV. A couple of months ago the embassy in Hanoi said that they could get me this visa without me having to be in my home country. Today I enquired with the HCMC embassy and they told me I must be in my home country. I asked if I could go in with a regular Tourist visa and then switch visa when I am in Thailand (as I have read many time this is possible) but HCMC just told me no I can't!

Answer summary

A UK citizen in Vietnam cannot apply for the Special Tourist Visa (STV) from abroad; it must be applied for in their home country or where they are a permanent resident. Attempting to switch from a regular Tourist visa to an STV in Thailand is also not permitted. Options include applying for a tourist visa with the possibility of extending it once in Thailand, or utilizing visa-exempt entry for a limited stay.

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Ryan ********

In order to obtain the STV you need to apply for it in your passport country or where you are a permanent resident. You can obtain a tourist visa from any embassy (there are some restrictions though) and then extend while in Thailand. (You cannot obtain the STV while in Thailand though). As a uk passport holder you could also come visa exempt and get a 45 day stay extendable by an additional 30 days (45+30). Then depending on the covid situation the govt may extend the cannot travel due to covid extensions that give you 60 days extra, or change to a different type of visa while your here. Ie ED visa.

6 years ago

Sam *******

Thanks guys

Bob **********

yes

Sam *******

Thanks, I can definitely go from Visa exempt to an new visa e.g ED visa within Thailand right?

6 years ago

Ryan ********

@Sam ******

yes. I came on a tourist visa in December and switched to an Ed visa.

Ed visa for language study gives you up to 1 year I believe.

6 years ago

Ray *****

@Sam ******

plus you can get a 30 day extension on your visa exempt, so you can have plenty of time

6 years ago

Ryan ********

they do. as you get 45 days on visa exempt. as long as you go to the school on the day you get out of quarantine it should be enough. or just go get your extension stamp as you get out of quarantine then you'll def have enough time.

6 years ago

Sam *******

@Ryan *******

So VISA EXEMPT stamps don't give me enough time?

6 years ago

Ryan ********

@S**

not specifically.

However you'll need to be in thailand before applying for the ED visa. Most schools will help you through the process (or just do it for you)

However you'll need at least 30 days left on the stamp in your passport to complete the process.

6 years ago

Sam *******

@Ryan *******

Thanks so much. So is there anywhere that has a simple step-by-step guide for what I have to do from start to finish? I've seen a few places offering bullet points but I want to know exactly what I should do, in which order, with precise timings. I need baby steps 👶

6 years ago

Greg ********

You cannot switch to STV in Thailand.

6 years ago