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Can I return to Thailand with a visa on arrival after my Covid extension ends?

Visa Rules Visa on Arrival Thailand Pass COVID-19 Extension U.S. Citizens in Thailand Immigration Questions

Feb 21, 2022

4 years ago

Jon *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone,

  I’m a U.S citizen residing in Thailand. My covid extension ends in March 7 and I plan to fly back home for about two weeks to visit my family. I wanted to know if I can return to Thailand with a visa on arrival and also what documents I would need to show when I return to Thailand.

Thanks in advance

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A U.S. citizen currently residing in Thailand is seeking advice on returning to Thailand after a Covid extension ends on March 7. The individual plans to visit family in the U.S. for two weeks and wants to know if they can return using a visa on arrival and what documents will be required. Suggestions from the community highlight the importance of having the correct visa for a longer stay, recommending a visa exempt entry might not be ideal, and advising to carry sufficient funds, a return flight ticket, and the Thailand Pass for re-entry.

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James ********

Suggest you get the correct visa for living in Thailand.

Are you married to a Thai?

Or the father of a Thai child?

As you are now on COVID extension...be prepared to be questioned by Thai Immigrarion upon arrival and seeking to enter visa exempt...

"Why do you stay in Thailand so long ?" You may be denied entry and returned to your flight origination city in USA/ Hawaii.

...Have 20,000 Thai baht in cash or its currency equivalent.

...a flight ticket departing Thailand at end of 30 days.

...address of your initial booked hotel/residence upon completion of Test n Go.

To seek entry visa exempt is not a wise decision.

Get the correct visa for your stay.

And you will need to have a Thailand Pass to enter Thailand.

4 years ago

Jon *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

I replied to

@Robert ******

that I would get to a visa for my current teaching position. But I will take your suggestion to get a visa first. I had a non immigrant o visa based on marriage to a Thai which I been under for eleven years now. Thank you for your time and suggestion.

4 years ago

John **********

@Jon ************

would make sense, assuming you're still married, to come in on a Non-O for that purpose. Then all you need to worry about is the extension and work permit

4 years ago

Jon *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

you’re right. This covid situation made everything so complicated. I’ll try to get a Non-O whilst in the U.S. thanks for your response.

4 years ago

Robert *******

@Jon ************

Immigration did not change rules, regulations and requirements due to covid, other then an extra Extension of Stay for those who could not travel back home.

4 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

James ********

@Jon ************

thank you for your clarification. And yes its a wise decision to get a Non B Visa for teaching before reentering Thailand.

Best wishes for a happy trip home to visit family.

Of note...there have been recent denied entry by several who were using varied visas, extensions over past two years in Thailand ... and departed Thailand for a holiday home...sought to return visa exempt and were denied entry.

4 years ago

Jon *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

Thanks again for your suggestion and wishes.

4 years ago

Reply to

Jon *************

Robert *******

Is it just me? " I’m a U.S citizen residing in Thailand. " and you go home for maximum 30 days?

4 years ago

Jon *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ******

I forgot to mention that I would change or get a visa when I return for my current job here (teacher). So I think I should get a tourist visa whilst in the U.S.?

4 years ago

Robert *******

@Jon ************

The tourist visa is good for 60 days and you can apply for the 30 day extension of stay based on tourism.

Best option is to get the Non Immigrant B visa or the Non Immigrant O visa based on marriage before you travel and extend that while inside Thailand, both can be used to obtain the work permit.

4 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

Lloyd ********

You will come back with a visa exempt, the only restriction is that the airline might want to see a return flight within 30 days.

4 years ago

Jon *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lloyd *******

Thanks for your response.

4 years ago

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