Can Irish and British travelers enter Thailand with a VOA and then re-enter for a 60-day tourist visa after visiting Cambodia?

Jan 4, 2024
a year ago
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
2 travellers, 1 Irish passport 1 British. If we enter with a VOA, then travel to Cambodia for a month can we re enter and get a 60 day tourist visa ? If so is it better to book to go to Cambodia in advance or wait until we are in Thailand ?TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Two travelers with an Irish and British passport inquired about entering Thailand with a Visa on Arrival (VOA) and then traveling to Cambodia before re-entering Thailand for a 60-day tourist visa. Responses clarified that neither passport qualifies for a VOA, but they can enter Thailand under visa exemption for 30 days. It is recommended that they apply for a 60-day tourist visa at a Thai embassy, possibly in the UK, before their trip or while in Cambodia.
Lyndon ************
Apply for your 60 day visa in the UK

Arrive in Thailand visa exempt, don't give them the visa.

Use the visa when you next enter Thailand

Edit - this will only work, if the visa hasn't been approved when you enter Thailand, such as with a late application
Andreas *********
@Lyndon ***********
this is not possible. Immigration at the airport will see on the central computer that she has been issued a tourist visa, and they will insist she gets stamped in on it. She cannot just ask for a visa-exempt entry when she already holds a valid visa
Lyndon ************
@Andreas ********
that's not my experience. When did you try this? Have you a source you can reference, stating the visa must be used on the next entry? Many thanks
Andreas *********
@Lyndon ***********
because when you hold a VALID visa, Immigration will NEVER issue any other category of entry. You cannot legally hold two different visa or two stay permits at the same time
Lyndon ************
@Andreas ********
thanks for coming back to me. Yes, my mistake, if it has already been approved, you have to enter with it. However if it hasn't been approved when you enter, say a late application, then it can be approved while you are in Thailand, and you can use on the next visit.
Andreas *********
@Lyndon ***********
we have reports from many visa advice groups on this matter. Why you don't ask Tod Daniels?
John ************
If you have a 60 day visa in your passport at Thai immigration they will not allow visa-exempt entry. They will stamp your 60 day visa.
Lyndon ************
@John ***********
an evisa, which is what you get these days from the UK, isn't in your passport.
John ************
@Lyndon ***********
Wasn't aware. Times are-a-changin'. I'll be interested in how this evolves. I'm wondering if immigration computer shows you received a tourist visa.
Andreas *********
@John ***********
don't need to wonder 🙂 matey. A tourist visa that has already been issued will pop up on the computer after the passport scan
Lyndon ************
@John ***********
Evisa started 4+ years ago for most Thai consulates/embassies
John ************
@Lyndon ***********
It's been awhile since I used to get tourist visas. Now I have non-imm O visa.
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lyndon ***********
thank you so much for your reply. Might be a stupid question but other than convenience is there any benefit from getting the 60 day tourist visa over extending a visa exempt for 30 days ?
Jo **********
Joe ******
@Rosanna ****
60 day Tourist Visa is cheaper (around 1'000THB depending on the exchange rate) and less hassle to get then entering Thailand on Visa Exempt, then travel and hang around the immigration office to extend your visa exempt for 30 days for 1'900THB
Lyndon ************
@Rosanna ****
depends how long you want to stay. Both can get one 30 day extension for 1900THB. The extension process is very simple.
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lyndon ***********
the reason it’s a bit complicated is that I’m hoping to relocate to SE Asia. It’s been about 7 years since I’ve been to that part of the world, so want to travel again so I can get a feel for it x
Brett **********
@Rosanna ****
maybe look at a multi entry tourist visa instead. The visa is valid for 6 months from issue and you can enter up to 60 days on it each time I'm those 6 months (and extend by 30, so technically you could get 9 months
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brett *********
not sure if you know the answer, but if I got this visa could I apply for an education visa while I’m there ?
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brett *********
this sounds ideal thank you so much, will look into it now x
Brett **********
@Rosanna ****
yes, if you are planning on travelling around a bit in the area I think that will be your most hassle free way of doing it and can all be done online before you go.
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brett *********
thank you, this has really saved me a lot of time and effort ! X
Lyndon ************
@Rosanna ****
then do the leg work in the UK, get the TR60 and keep it in your pocket, so to speak. It will save you time applying for one in a neighbouring country to Thailand, which can take a few days before you return to Thailand. Also note that you are allowed only two visa exempt land crossings into Thailand per calendar year, tourist visas crossing land borders don't get counted in that, neither does flying in. Extend each entry by 30 days. Find a more suitable long term visa that you can meet the requirements for, if needed.
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lyndon ***********
thank you so much for taking the time to reply, very kind and useful x
Nigel **************
@Rosanna ****
one gives u 60 days and one gives u 90 days
Nigel **************
I suggest you get the 60 day tourist visa for Thailand online from the Thai embassy in London. Both from same embassy and enter Thailand using that. Then u can go to Cambodia after your 60 days or extend your tourist visa for another 30 in Thailand. Then go to Cambodia.
Del ******
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel *************
thank you so much for your reply, that’s so useful to know as I didn’t realise you could extend the tourist visa for another 30 days x
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks, do you know if there is a certain amount of times I can re enter Thailand in a specific time period ?
Graham ******
@Rosanna ****
Without a Visa andif you qualify for Visa Exempt you are limited to two land (and sea) border entries per calendar year
Nigel **************
@Rosanna ****
u can but then u have to leave the country after your 90 days
Brandon ************
You cannot get Visa on arrival with those passports. You can get Visa exempt which is 30 days each time you enter Thailand. The only way to get a tourist visa is to apply for one. So if you go to the Thai embassy in Cambodia and apply for a tourist visa while you're there, you might be able to enter Thailand with a tourist visa.
Del ******
@Brandon ***********
tourist visa requires you to apply from you country or residence with the concerned country embassy that you plan to visit , if I’m not mistaken !
Del ******
Good to know
Brandon ************
@Del *****
Only certain embassies require you to be a resident there to apply for a visa. Cambodia is not one of those.
Noel **********
@Brandon ***********
great knowledge as usual. Just want to add that it seems either difficult or impossible to obtain a Thai METV in Cambodia, as the agents I’ve spoken to seem to suggest only a SETV is possible. Am I mis-informed?
Brandon ************
@Noel *********
there are a few visa types, Non-OA visa, and multiple entry tourist visa, that you can ONLY apply for in your home country.
Noel **********
@Brandon ***********
yes I meant the METV. What, if any, is the reasoning behind only being able to apply for this in your home country?!
Brandon ************
@Noel *********
you'd have to ask the MFA that question.
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thank you so much for your reply. So if I re enter on an exempt again, can I extend for another 30 days or is it better to just apply for a 60 day tourist visa ? Sorry for all the questions So much has changed since I’ve been and it’s very overwhelming now !
Brandon ************
@Rosanna ****
you can do either one. Each visa exempt entry can be extended one time for 30 days.
Rosanna *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
amazing thank you so much for your help x
Andreas *********
@Rosanna ****
you cannot apply for a 60-days tourist visa inside Thailand
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