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Can I change a 30-day VOA to a long-term tourist visa after arriving in Thailand?

Visa on Arrival Tourist Visa Visa Exempt Immigration Rules Visa Extensions COVID-19 Visa Policies

Nov 27, 2021

3 years ago

Alain ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Visa question: can I change a 30 day VOA (exemption visa) to a long term tourist visa after arrival?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The consensus from the community suggests that you cannot convert a 30-day Visa on Arrival (VOA) or a visa-exempt entry into a long-term tourist visa while in Thailand. The standard procedure for those on visa exemption allows for 30 days of stay, with a possible 30-day extension at an immigration office. There are suggestions around utilizing certain agents for help with visas, but this approach carries risks, and it's noted that the current immigration climate may not support such activities. For those needing to stay longer, alternatives may include obtaining the relevant visa from a Thai embassy instead.

Hannah ******************

more information please I need my visa sorted out asap ... I'm in Bangkok but going to Hua Hin on the 2nd December ... cell ... ++447946426301 ... Mr Kevin Monaghan I'm from Scotland

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01 ... Mr Kevin Monaghan I'm from Scotland

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Peter *********

Yes

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Mani ******

Yes you can

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Bob ********

I origially went to Thailand 24 yrs. ago on a visa exempt basis and obtained a Non 0 Imm Visa (retirement/ext) from there.

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Ian *********

@Robert *******

agree I believe you can get non o visa in thailand

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Ian *********

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Ian *********

Message James miller or Robert Jackson both will give you good advice both on this forum and fb

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Chris ***********

The comments make me laugh. ANYTHING can be done here. It only matters what agent you have and how deep you put your hand in your pocket. Easy.

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Chris ***********

Victor Cayu yes but she is in Nong Bua Lam Phu where I live

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

@Chris **********

the agents aren't even issuing visas right now because there's been a shuffle of senior staff at every immigration office so everything illicit has been put on hold.

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Ian *********

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

something must be happening if agents who are helping people get visas cannot atm when they are being issued to people that do it themselves

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Ian *********

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

is it not immigration that issue the visa ! The agent just hands over the tea money

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

the agents are refusing customers and telling them it's not possible right now

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Chris ***********

to my mind the system works perfectly. I get expedited service,don't fill out any docs just sign and pay

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Chris ***********

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Ian *********

@Chris **********

of course Ive heard of many people that have used agents mostly for not having the required funds,the visa is legal how you get it is not IF your caught out you have a BIG problem,

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Ian *********

Because IF you get caught without the required funds in the Thai bank (yes the chances are slim) you will be deemed to have no visa and face the consequences ie blacklisted,which has happened to few people I know someone personally who got caught after six years useing an agent,àt his age he will now never see his family again,if anyone wants to take that chance that's fine

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Todd *********

what would the problem be exactly? Yes, of course i want to 'take the chance'. Why would any smart money person tie up 800k for no apparent reason. 800k at 5% pays you 40k baht annually. That's more than covers 14k visa and leaves 26k for your bar tab. Not exactly rocket science

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Ian *********

Agree TILL something goes wrong,which it doesn't very often But do you really want to take that chance unless you don't have the funds

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Chris ***********

bro you get an agent that works regularly with the staff at a particular location. The agent knows these people, knows what to expect and knows how to grease the skids. The agents already knows the costs of "everything" You don't get surprises in the end. Everyone goes away happy.

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Chris ***********

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Kool *******

You can not get any kind of tourist visa inside Thailand.

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Alain ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Our situation is the following

I'm on a EU passport, no visa or pass yet, flying to BKK on Dec 12.

Wife cambodian passport, EU residence card, wants to remain 6 months in Thailand to deliver a baby in June.

Both with flexible tickets , with an official return date Dec 31 that can be modified.

I think we can get 30days + 30d extension fairly easily.

I intend to fly back and forth a couple of times but my wife won't, as we rented a house and her relatives will stay with her until June. Not sure we have the time to get a "real" visa before departure in 2 weeks time

Suggestions welcome!

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Jeremy ********

@Alain **********

Cambodia is open that’s always an alternative

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Jeremy ********

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Jeremy ********

Not in country…however, the Covid extension has turned into a long term extension for many many many people, so after you buy your first 30 day extension at your local immigration office pray to the Covid deities that the 60 day Covid extension goes on forever…good luck buy lots of Red Fanta to appease the gods…

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Keven ****

@Jeremy *******

You actually took the time to find a picture...

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Jeremy ********

it’s the beginning of appeasing the Covid extension gods for many more extensions

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Jeremy ********

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Todd *********

@Jeremy *******

true enough lol

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Todd *********

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Charles ********

Visa on arrival and visa exempt are not the same thing.

There is no such thing as a long term tourist visa.

If you come via visa exempt its 30 days plus an extention of 30 days. On a case by cases basis you might be able to switch to certain visa in country.

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Stéfan ********

@Charles *******

the elite visa is basically a glorified tourist visa. Based on the length of the process, one could certainly obtain one s long as they get an extension.

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Stéfan ********

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Garrett ***********

No

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Garrett ***********

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