Answereda year ago
Can US citizens enter Thailand without a visa for a one-week vacation after an online tourist visa rejection?
My husband and I just applied for the online tourist visa. We are coming in 2 weeks for a 1 week vacation. They rejected our visas because the pictures I uploaded weren’t good enough. It was a huge pain in the butt. My question is can we just show up with our documents and get in? We are from the US and paid the $40 each already
Answer summary
The poster and their husband, US citizens, experienced a rejection of their online tourist visa application due to poor photograph quality. They are wondering if they can still enter Thailand with their documentation despite this rejection. Comments clarify that US citizens generally do not require a visa for stays less than 60 days and will receive a visa exemption stamp upon arrival. Advice includes the possibility of previous confusion regarding the nature of their application and suggests they do not need a visa for their planned week-long visit.
71 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Paul ****
You don’t need to apply for a tourist visa with a stubborn Embassy. You will be granted 60 days visa exemption upon arrival
Nongnuch ********
@Paul ***
you will not be "granted a 60 days visa on arrival" . . .this is complete hogwash. A visa-exempt entry will grant you a stamp that says "admitted until" a date 60 days away from the day of entry. This is a "stay permit" and not a visa, and most of all it is not a "visa on arrival"Paul ****
@Nongnuch *******
ok HagridPaul ****
@Lynnette ******
I insisted? There’s no point talking to youLynnette *******
@Paul ***
several people, other than me, had to tell you were wrong after you insisted being wrong was irrelevant. Go rant at them.Paul ****
@Lynnette ******
pathetic is that I need to repeat that it’s not visa on arrival, with wasn’t even the point in my post, and that it was just wording, which I already corrected. Yes Sir Lynette it’s not visa on arrival I’ve genuinely tried to answer that they don’t need a visa then used wrong wording in my post saying “arrival” twice which should already trigger something in you instead of you happy trolling users that do mistakes while writing. You happy?Lynnette *******
@Paul ***
why do so many guys find it hard to just accept they are wrong or made an error. . is it arrogance or stupidity? Or maybe both. Then use name calling to make themselves feel better, just pathetic.Lynnette *******
@Paul ***
they won't get visa on arrival. They will be given an entry with NO visa.Paul ****
@Lynnette ******
whatever you name it either way they don’t need to apply beforehand for visiting 1 weekNongnuch ********
@Paul ***
oh and it DOES matter how you call it, because this is a VISA ADVICE group and we don't like people giving WRONG adviceLynnette *******
@James *********
FB glitch. Reply wasn't meant for you. 😆
James **********
@Lynnette ******
uh? You talking to me?Lynnette *******
@James *********
it does matter. One is an entry exempt of any visa the other is something relevant to a few countries, who must pay for a visa when they enter : Visa On Arrival. 2 different things.Lynnette *******
@Paul ***
It's not me naming it how I like. It's correcting your mistake. You shouldn't be giving incorrect information to people who are yet to travel.
Jay *****
@Paul ***
visa exemption is just what it say exempt of a visa which translates to no visa on arrivalPaul ****
@James *********
then call it visa exemption and not a NO visa.James **********
@Paul ***
it does matter what you call it.Paul ****
@Lynnette ******
what are you saying it’s on the way to the officers and there is list of countries that need visa on arrival on a big banner where’s the time or money wasted 😂 it’s NOT visa on arrival it wasn’t my point at all name it as you like it doesn’t matter
Graham ******
@Lynnette ******
and money ;)Lynnette *******
@Paul ***
it's not visa on arrival, if they turn up and follow signs for "visa on arrival" like you say, they'll be wasting their time.
Bob **********
@Lynnette ******
they will get a 60 day exemption stamp for free and they can extend that for 30 moreLynnette *******
@Bob *********
that's what I said. No visa. It's exempt entry because a visa is not needed. I already said they can extend this.
Jon *****
A little bit of research would have avoided all this.
Timothy *******
@Jon ****
Yes I think they call it Google
Holger **************
@Timothy ******
Not that easy ..maybe Google lead them to the scam sideJon *****
@Holger *************
Ever considered reading reviews and taking time to deal with legitimate companies and sites, It's not that hard. They must be the last people on earth that don't know that a TDAC is free of charge. They seem to ask questions on Facebook after they have been ripped off or made a mistake. If they had asked first. People would probably be better off.Jon *****
@Timothy ******
indeed it is 👍
James ********
You don’t need one
Ralph *******
You may have been doing the TDAC. This is just the arrival card and there is no fee.
If it was the TDAC and you paid a fee then you have gone to a scamming site.
If it was the TDAC and you paid a fee then you have gone to a scamming site.
Graham ******
@Ralph ******
no photos with the TDACNongnuch ********
@Ralph ******
your assumptions are wrong . . . . . they applied for the single entry 60 days tourist visa, paid the 40 USD application fee and got rejectedRalph *******
@Nongnuch *******
That information wasn’t available at the time I posted.Nongnuch ********
@Ralph ******
well, the threadstarter could not have applied for the TDAC and confused it with the application to a E-Visa online tourist visa, because the TDAC form doesn't ask you to upload any pictures. The threadstarter 100% meant they applied for the E-Visa tourist visa. However, I agree some readers in the groups are confusing the TDAC with applying for a visa, although the intro of the TDAC form explicitly warns everyone that this is NOT an application for a visa.Ralph *******
@Nongnuch *******
Yes. And how often have you seen posts saying they are applying for a visa but in fact they mean TDAC?Nongnuch ********
@Ralph ******
??? really?? The question says, they applied for the tourist visa (single entry 60-days tourist visa).The question, as of now, is as the following: "My husband and I just applied for the online tourist visa. We are coming in 2 weeks for a 1 week vacation. They rejected our visas because the pictures I uploaded weren’t good enough. It was a huge pain in the butt. My question is can we just show up with our documents and get in? We are from the US and paid the $40 each already" . . . . . . . . so, at some point the text was changed?
Michael ********
@Ralph ******
exactly what i was thinking
Rich *****
@Michael *******
, you don’t require a photo for that.Ralph *******
@Rich ****
True.Ralph *******
What visa were you applying for? You don’t need a visa if you are visiting for 60 days or less.
Adrian ******
a U.S. citizen generally does not need a visa for a tourist vacation to Thailand if the stay is less than 60 days. You will receive a 60-day visa exemption stamp upon arrival
Jay *******
No visa needed for one week. You're good for 60 days like the previous post says
Ryan **********
If you’re from the United States, you do not need a visa to enter you get 60 days upon arrival
Graham ******
US passports get a 60 day Visa Exempt stamp on arrival
Diane ********
@Graham *****
I got 30 day they are cracking down on this
Jared ********
@Graham *****
you sure about that??? They changed it back to 30 from my understanding
Paul *****************
@Jared *******
....nopeGraham ******
@Jared *******
No they only talked about itJay *****
@Graham *****
currently Thai immigration is cracking down on visa exemptions and border runs just an FYIRalph *******
@Jay ****
Cracking down on repeated exemptions. Still fine for genuine tourists.
Dennis *********
@Jay ****
for first time entering the country?? The OP said they were coming for a short vacation, nothing about an extended stay or a border runJay *****
@Dennis ********
you will be fineGraham ******
@Jay ****
I know
James ********
@Graham *****
Correct. Why apply for visa. I call bs on this one.
Jim ********
@James *******
I wouldn’t call BS. Some people think that’s what they have to do 🤷♂️
Corey **************
@James *******
maybe not bs, she just didn't know. No reason to be an arse.Dennis *********
@Corey *************
some people can’t help themselves.
Magnus ******************
@James *******
A visa its much betterGraham ******
@Magnus *****************
different Embassies have different requirements so what worked with one will likely not work with allMagnus ******************
@Ralph ******
Nope you have wrong! They accept 90 days when you make 60 days tourist visa. I help a friend last week with a Visa.Ralph *******
@Magnus *****************
I don’t think that’s the case. Your onward ticket must be within the visa period. You have to supply proof of this when you make the visa application. No, I’m not a newbie. Been coming to Thailand for 10 years.
Magnus ******************
@Ralph ******
for immigration its tuesend times better if you have a really visa. Yes with visa you can have ticket back about 90 days. I think you are a Newbie in Thailand. I have already stay 28 years.Nongnuch ********
@Magnus *****************
not true. The E-Visa application requirements of most Thai Embassies worldwide read that you need to show 20,000 THB in your bank account since 3 months. That is NEW! And the requirement to carry at least 20,000 THB or equivalent in another currency IN CASH on you when you want to enter Thailand, is required on ANY visa from ANY foreigner. CHECK - E-Visa Online system, since February 2025Ralph *******
@Magnus *****************
A visa still doesn’t guarantee anything. Immigration can still choose to refuse entry. Have an onward ticket dated 90 days after entry is still not valid on a 60 day visa. Otherwise it would be valid on a 60 day exemption.
The proof of onward travel is provided when you apply for the visa as is proof of funds.
Magnus ******************
@Ralph ******
A Visa its a Visa. Thats show immigration thats you have correkt paper. And you can bee sure they not denied entrance to the Kingdom. With a Visa you can have your ticket back from Thailand in 90 days. Whit out only 60 days. With a Visa you dont need take cash with to the border. Whit out you need *****
baht to show if they ask. If you have multiple entrance you dont need to worry if you do a border run. You can stay up to 8 months legally in Thailand if you handle a multiple entrance Visa correkt...Ralph *******
@Magnus *****************
Why is it better?Magnus ******************
@Todd ********
Nope
Todd *********
@Magnus *****************
it’s irrelevant
Garrett ***********
You sure they rejected it? Normally if there's a problem they tell what to fix.
Corey **************
@Garrett **********
after the 60 days, you can get an extra 39, correct? Then after that, take a quick trip out of the country, then redo the whole process - is this right?Todd *********
@Corey *************
yes. It’s 30 not 39Corey **************
@Todd ********
yep, sorry, fat finger... That damn 0 is too close to the 0 😁Activity
28 joined28
people
Related
25Can I enter Thailand without a visa after staying for 60 days previously?
855942mo
What tourist visa should US citizens apply for when visiting Thailand and does leaving for Laos reset their stay?
1.6k1451y
What visa do US citizens need for a trip to Thailand longer than 30 days with side trips to Vietnam and Cambodia?
7.9k471252y
How can I inquire about my pending 60-day tourist visa application for Thailand?
2.2k1992y
Is it still possible to get a tourist visa for Thailand as a walk-in in Penang, Malaysia, or is the eVisa now mandatory?
1.6k692y
Is my two-week-old bank statement sufficient for applying for a 60-day tourist visa to Thailand?
2.1k14152y
What are the visa requirements for US citizens traveling to Thailand from Vietnam?
4.6k27592y
Should I apply for a multi-entry visa if I plan to stay in Thailand for 86 days and visit neighboring countries?
945633y
What are the visa options for a Canadian passport holder traveling to Thailand for 3 months?
1.1k583y
What are the best options for extending my stay in Thailand beyond 75 days?
1.7k13104y
Can I re-enter Thailand on a visa exempt basis after leaving with a single entry tourist visa?
1.1k3144y
Do I need to apply for an e-visa for a 30-day tourist entry to Thailand from the USA?
1.4k994y
Can I return to Thailand in October on a tourist visa after staying for 3 weeks in March?
913494y
What should I do if my tourist visa application in Shanghai is stuck during the lockdown?
2.1k19104y
Should I choose visa exemption or a tourist visa for my trip to Phuket?
3.5k29304y
What are the instructions and requirements for securing a tourist visa to Thailand from the USA?
1.7k13105y
Can I enter Thailand with a one-way ticket and extend my stay without a tourist visa?
4.5k39365y
Can I apply for a tourist visa in Thailand without a return flight?
1.6k8196y
Why was my tourist exemption denied for entry into Thailand from the Netherlands?
2k16136y
Will my parents face issues entering Thailand with a 30-day visa exemption for a 45-day stay?
3.4k21477y
Is Ho Chi Minh City a good place to apply for an ED visa for studying Thai and what are the requirements for proof of onward travel?
41427y
What are the fees and potential issues for an Australian citizen getting a Laos tourist visa and re-entering Thailand?
1.5k9117y
How can I extend my stay in Thailand beyond the 30-day visa exemption as a British citizen?
1.8k1588y
Do US Citizens Need a Visa to Enter Thailand with a Layover in Korea?
6.3k51658y
Can we enter Thailand on a one-way ticket and apply for a visa extension after arrival?
35518y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served