Can I enter Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa, go to Vietnam, and return on a 30-day visa exemption?

October 9, 2017
7 years ago
Hannah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi trying to phone the embassy but no luck; so don’t know if someone can help?

Me and a friend both English citezens; We have flights booked from London to Bangkok return for 78days; we are planning to go to vietnam on a return flight from Bangkok at some point during the holiday but I don’t know what would be the best time to go, as far as I understand the visa exemption for Vietnam is 15 days.

So could we come into Thailand on the 60 day tourist visa single entry and stay for around 50 days, then go to vietnam for 2 weeks and return to Thailand and stay for a week in Bangkok on a visa exemption for 30 days? I’m just worried that we wouldn’t be granted a visa exemption given that we would have just been in Thailand for 50 days or so? Would appreciate some advice and help if anyone has had any past experiences of doing this on the new visa scheme.

Alternatively we could go to Thailand for 30 days on visa exemption, then go to vietnam by getting a visa for vietnam for 4 weeks then return to Thailand on another visa exemption for a week or so? Don’t know again if this would be allowed..

Any feedback is appreciated 😎😌
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user asks if they can enter Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa, stay for about 50 days, travel to Vietnam for 15 days, and then return to Thailand using the 30-day visa exemption rule. Responses from the community confirm that this travel plan is viable, explaining that the user can return to Thailand on a visa exemption after their trip to Vietnam without needing to renew their visa. Additional advice includes ensuring proof of onward travel to Vietnam when flying from the UK.
Hannah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wouldn’t it be easier to just get the tourist 60day one before we fly out- think that’s only 25pounds and saves the hassle of going to an office whilst over there. So as far as you know you can leave on a tourist visa and leg it expire whilst we are in Vietnam and return on a visa exemption for 30 days- do Yu know of other people who have done this or only you?:)
Graham *********
5 times a year...
Graham *********
I am not retired here...I go in and out all the time
Hannah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oh fair enough :) if you’ve lived there for 25 years why would you need a tourist visa though haha?
Graham *********
when you leave thailand the tourist visa is cancelled...don't worry you will be ok

..I am 25 years in thailand so I no the ropes..lol
Andrew *******
Yes, this is the best/easiest/cheapest option. I assume the last word "extension" in the above post should have read "exemption".

Your single-entry tourist visa is used as soon as you enter the country. There's really no issue with either of the two options you said in your original post. You can stop worrying about it. :)
Graham *********
you can fly out of uk..with out a visa..you get 30 days on arrival....you could then extend your trip by 30 days at any immigration office..1900 bhat....so that's 60 days....go to Vietnam. ..15 days...return to thailand for 30 days...then you can do another 30 day extension. ...
Graham *********
not a problem..enjoy your trip
Hannah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Awesome thanks for the help :)
Graham *********
I just done the same...6o.in thailand.went to loas. 7 days.back to thaila got 30 days
Graham *********
that's it...no.problem
Hannah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cool so what your saying is that we don’t have to renew our 60 day visa for Thailand we can just fly to vietnam and come back to Thailand for a week on visa exemption 30 days with no hassle? 😊
Andrew *******
Yes, you don't have to (and can't) "renew" your visa. Everything with your original plan is fine.
Graham *********
you have the correct visa for thailand..so can return no problem
Graham *********
that's not a problem...
Hannah *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
OKay thanks but would we be able to fly from england if we have proof of onward travel to vietnam within 60 days? The thing I’m worried about is after Vietnam being let back into Thailand on a visa exempt visa because they will have seen on our passport that we would have just stayed there for 50days or so?
Graham *********
I did with British airways. ..said no correct visa no fly
Steve *******
Your only problem might be boarding your flight in the UK, the SETV gets you a 60 day stay but your return flights are in 78 days. You may well need to show proof of onward travel within 60 days or 30 if you want to come visa exempt.
Graham *********
you have a visa for 60 days....you can leave thailand....any time.....if you get 15 days in Vietnam. ..you can then return to thailand and get 30 days....so it's 60+15.+30....for your trip....you can even gerry another 30 days extension at immigration...
Andrew *******
Either option is fine. Though it wouldn't hurt to book your Vietnam flight (or at least make a reservation) before your flight to Thailand, in case the airline ask when you check in (immigration almost certainly won't, though of course they can).
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