Answered3 years ago

Can I get a visa exemption upon arrival in Bangkok and purchase a 30 day visa extension the same day?

Thai Visa Exemption Visa Rules for British Passport Holders Visa Extension in Thailand Arrival Procedures in Bangkok Immigration Advice for Expats

Deborah *****

asked Jan 1, 2024

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Hi, I am currently in Da Nang, Vietnam where there is no Thai embassy and consulate. Would it be possible to get a visa exemption when I arrive at the airport in Bangkok and then purchase a 30 day visa extension on the same day from the airport? Any advice is welcome! (I hold a British passport btw). Thank you and happy new year! 🙂

Answer summary

A British passport holder can arrive in Bangkok on a visa exemption for 30 days. However, they cannot purchase a 30-day visa extension at the airport. Extensions must be obtained at local immigration offices after arrival in Thailand.

8 repliesnewest first

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James ********

I believe that the OP has the answers needed for her question.

We wish her success in returning to Thailand.

Comments Closed

3 years ago

Tod *********

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗼𝗸

Totally not a problem to arrive on a 30 day visa exempt entry. Now keep in mind, when you go to stamp they can see your previous history in SO whether you get questioned or not depends entirely on your previous entry/stay history

BUT

yes you can show up without having bought a visa as a brit and get stamped in FREE for 30 days on a visa exempt entry

𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝟯𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁?

That would be NO 😕

You cannot get a 30 day extension at an airport, you get extensions to entry stamps at immigration offices that serve the area where you stay in thailand for 1900baht.

So if you're going to fly in visa exempt, you're going to wait until you get where you're going here and THEN go to the immigration office and apply for a 30 day extension 🙂

3 years ago

Deborah *****

@Tod ********

going straight to the islands and don’t want to have to go back to Bangkok to get an extension

3 years ago

John ********

@Deborah ****

extension can be done on islands with an io ...

3 years ago

Serge ********

@Deborah ****

so it might be better option to fly first to HCMC or Ha Noi to apply for a Thai visa

Deborah *****

good to know 🙏🏽🙏🏽

Bryan *********

Hanoi you will wait 1-2 weeks for a visa there. They are very slow and are insanely picky about all your paperwork.

3 years ago

Tod *********

Just an aside, IF you do have an extensive entry/stay history to thailand, about all you can do is have the 3 proofz

proof of 20K baht or the equivalent in CASH

proof of onward travel in the number of days you'll get stamped in for

proof of lodging (at least for a week)

IF they're going to pull you aside, question you about your entry history and possibly deny you entry, they'll ask for onward travel FIRST and showing them that you're flying out in 30 days (the number of days you get on a visa exempt entry) is about the only thing that might sway them from shipping you back out on your dime 😕 /

Sincerely good luck with it, safe travels

3 years ago