Can I enter Thailand under the 30-day visa exemption and later activate a 60-day tourist visa?

Thailand visa rules 30-day visa exemption 60-day tourist visa e-visa visa application process visa extension options

Jan 24, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone,

I have a rather complex visa question and I'm hoping you can advise. I'm applying for 60 days tourist visa but I may not receive it by the time of my departure flight, so I'm thinking of entering Thailand under the 30-day visa exception. However, once I'll have the 60-day visa, will it mean that I will automatically be able to stay in Thailand for 60 days? Or will I need to go to the local embassy and register there somehow? Or will it cause any other admin issues

Hope I'm making sense but totally understand if I'm not lol

Thanks so much for any advice ✨

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is inquiring about entering Thailand under the 30-day visa exemption while awaiting a 60-day tourist visa. They want to know if once the 60-day visa is received, it will automatically permit them to stay for an additional 60 days or if they would need to undertake additional procedures such as leaving and re-entering Thailand. The conversation highlights that those entering without a visa exemption must ensure they have the proper visas, and there may be administrative steps to take to activate the longer visa.

Barbora ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

@Lloyd *******

@James *******

Thanks a lot everyone! And sorry for confusion but I'm Slovak so I should be allowed to enter without visa. And yes I'm applying for e-visa, but leaving and re-entering is what I was hoping to avoid, so do you know if there's any other way to extend my stay once I'm there? Or will I just have to leave within 45 days?

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Barbora **********

totally will get in on a 45 day visa exempt entry and you can extend that ONE time for 30 more days at the immigration office for 1900baht

Unfortunately for you, if you do get the eVisa approved after you enter there is no way to use it INSIDE the country and as Lloyd stated you will need to exit/re-enter, by land or air to activate it and get the 60 days a tourist visa allows you.

2 years ago

Barbora ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Right, now I get it. I guess in this case it makes more sense to extend the visa exemption rather than exiting/re-entering, as I'm not planning to stay over 60 days anyway. Thanks very much for clarifying!

2 years ago

Reply to

Barbora ***********

James ********

@Barbora **********

well we sure got your passport nation wrong 😱. Thanks for your clarification.

That's WHY we ask that Members state their passport nation when submitting a Post.

It's often not stated, leaving us to second guessing.

2 years ago

Reply to

James ********

Tod *********

@Barbora **********

what is your nationality? Your profile shows you're from Montenegro and people with that passport have to BUY a visa to get in to thailand, can't show up without any visa and get in free

2 years ago

Lloyd ********

Guessing you are applying for an e-visa, so if that arrives after you have entered Thailand you would have to leave and re-enter to activate it.

2 years ago

Reply to

Lloyd ********

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