Can UK citizens get a visa on arrival in Thailand?

@Greg *******

And I know a guy who has an extension of stay based on retirement. He thinks he renewed his visa. I don’t argue with him he can’t be convinced otherwise probably because he just threw his money at an agent and doesn’t need to know as long as he understand the limitations of what he has been issued.

@Adam *******

Exactly. I have a 2 year extension of stay based on employment.

@Stuart ********

I gave up long ago with people who think they can renew their retirement visa or stay in Thailand “one month” on a visa exempt entry. Several of them ended up overstaying. They don’t know about leap year, 31 day months versus 30 day months, or they arrived at BKK at 23:50 pm and that was day one.

@Greg *******

Of course. But an extension is not a visa.

@Greg *******

weird is more like it 😀

@Stuart ********

This is funny

@Adam *******

You can renew extension of stay based on retirement in country

@Stuart ********

I’m not arguing just pointing out the limits of semantics. If you think Thai visas can be bought that is “up to you”. Similar those who think they can renew their Retirement visa in Thailand. This thread went off the rails because of a OP UK visitor asking about his “visa on arrival”. Call it what you want. The importance is to understand the limitations of what you are issued.

@Adam *******

I give up. There doesn’t seem to be any point arguing with you.

I had a PE visa from the Thailand Elite program for 5 years it was completely free and there was no application fee.

@Stuart ********

You are not buying a visa you are paying an application fee.

@Adam *******

Thai visas, as in a visa you buy from a Thai embassy/consulate are not free. You may be confusing that fact that if you are from one of approx 56 countries you can arrive in Thailand with no visa and you get stamped in visa exempt (for free).

@Stuart ********

Sorry about the not , I corrected it. Thai Visas are free. There is an application fee that is non refundable under any circumstance. Ask anyone who applied in Laos and was given a visa marked “void”. Did they get a refund for the visa they “bought”?

@Adam *******

I’m not sure I’ve seen a more incorrect answer in my life. Visa exempt entries are extendable. Thai visas are able to be bought. There are no free Thai visas.

@Stuart ********

cheers for that.

@Ashley *******

You would get 60 days from this extension. Be aware that if you are changing from a tourist visa (exempt) to this extension they will probably date it from the day you apply and not add it on to your existing stamp.

@Ashley *******

You’ll need this stuff. Not all offices have the same requirements so it may be slightly different depending on which of the 70+ offices you use.

A copy of your passport data page (signed),

A passport photo,

Proof of filing a TM30,

A copy of your departure card (TM6) (signed)

A copy of your latest entry stamp (signed)

A copy of any previous Covid extension stamps (signed) (Phuket requires this other offices may not)

In Phuket they require the copies to be in portrait not landscape. This means the top of your passport aligns along the shorter side of the A4. Except for the Data Page where most passports are “sideways”

(Other offices may not be as pedantic)

A filled out TM7 (application form for extensions) - the form doesn’t have a space for your email or phone number but just write it on the back (page 2).

A filled out STM2 (acknowledgement that you understand the rules for overstaying)

A filled out “I don’t want to leave because of Covid form” - I have no idea if it has an official name or number.

And 1,900 baht.

The forms are available at your local office. Most have places on site or nearby that can do the copies and photos.

Many offices will give you a “under consideration” stamp requiring you to return somewhere from 5-14 days later where they will stamp for the remaining 60 days. If they do you MUST use the same office to “close out” that stamp. For example you cannot get a “under consideration” stamp from Bangkok and close that out in Chiang Mai 15 days later.

@Stuart ********

okay that’s what I meant. How long is the covid extension valid for ? What docs are required ?? Sure it will be extended . They need tourists. My opinion for what it’s worth is that it will keep operating until the Chinese are allowed back

@Ashley *******

There is no amnesty. That stopped a year ago. What you may be referring to is the “unable to travel due to covid” extension. The last date to apply for this is currently November 26th. After that no one knows if it will be extended.

@Ian ****

And getting worse. One had to call out a supervisor this year at BKK to explain to a poor girl I did not need an “onward ticket” to fly to my own country!

@Adam *******

Under the new covid rules and regs? What we used to do no longer applies

@Tod ********

I've learned all I can here thanks.

@Ian ****

Asian airlines rarely ask or don’t care. I have flown to Thailand “dozens of times” visa exempt on one way tickets.

@Del *********

that's a single entry tourist visa 🙂

any more comments

@Graham *******

or you just wanna quit while you're behind? 😛

@Graham *******

its also different check in counters at immigration or was pre covid you dont want to follow the visa on arrival signs

@Peter ********

some people have gotten away with it, but it seems many more are either denied the CofE (now called ThailandPass) or their airline denies them boarding. A changeable ticket is a much more stress reliving way to go.

@Graham *******

unfortunately semantics matter when dealing with Thai immigration matters. Visa on arrival is available for citizens of approx 15 countries, where they pay 2,000 baht at the arrival airport and are stamped in for 15 days. This visa is not extendable.

Visa exempt is for approx 56 countries where they do not pay anything, don’t have a visa but are stamped in for 30 days on arrival. They may extend this entry once by a further 30 days and it is possible to change to another form of visa in country if eligible.

Graham Castle. Visa On Arrival is 15 days, non-extendable, cost 2000 baht. Visa exempt is 30 days, extendable another 30 days, no fee. Same thing? 🤣🤣

you can get 60 days in advanced for an e visa by the Thai immigration

@Graham *******

visa on arrival is 14 or 15 days, non-extendable whereas a visa exemption is 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days. Yep...completely the same thing 🙄

@Graham *******

nope. Not same thing.

@Stuart ********

Same thing!

@Stuart ********

correct 🙂

@Peter ********

you likely won't be allowed on the plane. Need a flexible return or any cheap flight out of Thailand on day 30

@Stuart ********

what would happen if you booked a return flight 60 days ?