Answered4 years ago

Can I enter Thailand on Visa Exemption and then use a Tourist Visa later for an extended stay?

Thai tourist visa Visa exemption Visa procedures Immigration rules BORDER BOUNCE Chiang Mai

Lucija *********

asked Nov 7, 2022

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Hey everyone. I am from Europe (Slovenia), going to Thailand on Nov 23d. I just started the e-visa process and I am a little bit lost. 

I wanted to spend just a little bit over 2 months in Chiang Mai and then 2 months in Koh Phangan. I wanna check if the option I wanna use is ok:

I wanna apply for tourist visa now but use the visa option later. They would confirm my visa now, but I would use it when I go out and come back in beginning of February.

So can I:

1. First come to Thailand on visa examption (45+30days).

2. Do a trip to Singapore.

3. Come back in on tourist visa (that was issued now) and stay for 60 days

?

Answer summary

A Slovenian expat plans to spend over four months in Thailand, first on a Visa Exemption and later on a Tourist Visa. They want to know if they can apply for the Tourist Visa in advance but use it only after a trip to Singapore. Responses suggest that as a Slovenian, they can utilize Visa Exemption for an initial stay and later do a quick border run for a new entry stamp. However, there are reminders regarding the expected use of the Tourist Visa and its validity period.

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Wannikea *********

The visa you apply for has a validity of 90 days from issue date, you’d need enter Thailand before that 90 days.

4 years ago

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

James gave you some ideas, but to answer your question as asked:

Technically if you have a visa you are expected to use it when entering Thailand.

Based on the old process of a big visa being glued to a page in your passport, it would be almost impossible to not use it. But now that they are an email, it's likely possible for you to do what you plan. You just need to be ready to explain to immigration why you didn't use your visa when you entered the first time (if they ask)

4 years ago

James ********

4 years ago

James ********

Forget about getting a Thai Tourist Visa BEFORE you fly to Thailand.

As you are from Slovenia you are eligible for the VISA EXEMPT ENTRY into Thailand...

Gets you 45 days stamp plus one 30 day extension of stay from your local Thai immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.

That equals 45 + 30 = 75 days...

Plan to do a quick BORDER BOUNCE during the end of the 30 day extension of stay and reenter Thailand with a new 45 day stamp.

That is the simple way to stay as planned.

4 years ago

Lucija *********

@James *******

Hey! Thank you for your answer.

1. When border bouncing, is 3 days in another country enough? And they don't complicate when you are doing those border runs and go in on visa exemption again?

2. I will need to have some kind of onward travel secured when entering back to Thailand for the first 30 days, right? Is bus ticket enough?

3. Why did you mean by putting emphasis on "before" in your sentance "Forget about getting a Thai Tourist Visa BEFORE you fly to Thailand."?

Is there a possibility to get visa while I am there or?

4 years ago

Lucija *********

How much do those border-run service companies usually cost? And which borders do you recommend?

However, I would still love to visit Singapore in between anyways. But it is possible that I get my tourist visa in Slovenia now and use it when I fly back in to Thailand from Singapore? So I use tourist visa that I would get now in Slovenia for that second entry in Thailand?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Lucija ********

google visa run and the city you'll be in when you're in thailand.

4 years ago

James ********

@Lucija ********

BORDER BOUNCE is usually done the same day using a commercial border run service company in many parts of Thailand. NO need to stay outside Thailand if you choose the land border crossing carefully... that's why it's good to have a commercial border run service company provide you with the travel to, crossing and return to Thailand same day.

No need to show proof of your travel when you ENTER Thailand via border bounce...

It's your choice whether you want to apply for the Thai tourist visa before you fly to Thailand...

4 years ago