Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exempt if my 60-day visa doesn't arrive on time?

Jan 7, 2024
2 years ago
Terri ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
We applied for a 60 day visa on 23rd December at the Thai Embassy Rome ( flight departing from Cyprus).

We are due to fly to Bangkok on 15th January,but have not heard anything regarding our E visa.

If 60 day visa does not arrive in time,would I still be able to fly into Thailand on the 30 day visa exempt and extend when I arrive or would they look at my flight details and see that I am not due to leave until 29th Feb ( which is over 30 days) and therefore refuse entry . The other possibility would be to fly to Singapore for a few days before the 30 days are up and then re enter again on visa exempt. Is this an option or would I need a visa to re enter? Thanks
600
views
13
all likes
10
replies
4
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user applied for a 60-day visa but hasn't received it before their flight to Thailand. They are wondering if they can enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exempt and extend their stay or if they need to fly to another country before re-entering. Comments suggest that it's possible to extend the visa exempt entry by 30 days, but they may need to show proof of an onward flight. Additionally, if the user holds a Cyprus passport, they may only qualify for a Visa on Arrival instead of a visa exempt entry.
Henrik *****
Don’t worry, the embassies will issue the tourist visa as close as possibel to the departuredate as possibel, to the benefit of the tourist.

If choosing visa excempt, the you just buy a cheap onwardticket out of Thailand within the visa excempt period.
Like
Reply
Terri ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
Thank you
Like
Reply
Reply to
Terri ***********
Reply
Stuart *********
You don’t mention your nationality. If you hold a Cyprus passport then you can’t get a visa exempt entry you could only get a Visa on Arrival which would cost 2,000 baht for a 15 day entry stamp.
Like
Reply
Terri ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Sorry,we have a British Passport,but are departing from Cyprus via Istanbul for Bangkok
Like
Reply
Stuart *********
@Terri **********
Then you can enter exempt. If the visa arrives after you’ve entered you’d need to exit Thailand and re-enter to activate it.
Like
Reply
Terri ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
I didn't know that I would have to leave and re enter.

Would it be easier to just extend my stay at immigration after entering with visa exempt?
Like
Reply
Stuart *********
@Terri **********
Depends where you are in Thailand. A border bounce might be a cheaper option than an extension but probably not unless you’re near a border crossing.
Like
Reply
Terri ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Like
Reply
Reply to
Terri ***********
Reply
David *******
You can extend the Visa Exempt entry by another 30 days at an immigration office without a problem. You might have an issue at check-in with the airline insisting on a flight out of Thailand within 30 days. Some check and some don’t.

If they make a fuss you can say you intend to visit Singapore or somewhere else nearby and be prepared, if necessary, to book the flight there and then.

Thai immigration won’t be a problem.
Like
Reply
Terri ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
Thank you so much for this info,it is much appreciated.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Terri ***********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.