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Can You Apply for a Special Tourist Visa Inside Thailand After Arriving Visa Exempt?

Visa Rules Special Tourist Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Exempt Tourist Visa COVID Extensions

Oct 6, 2021

3 years ago

Myron **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Has anyone Flown to Thailand Visa exempt and then applied and was granted special tourist visa in Thailand or do you need to apply outside Thailand

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The consensus among users is that you cannot apply for a Special Tourist Visa (STV) while inside Thailand; applications must be made from outside the country, specifically at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country. Several comments clarify that only extensions can be granted while in Thailand, and tourist visas must be applied for before arrival. Additionally, there are discussions regarding the requirements for obtaining an STV, including background checks and the processing time, which varies by country.

James ********

No... You must get the STV visa in your home country... Nowhere else

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Eddie ******

STV does not seem to be available on London embassy webpage.

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James ********

it will be if not there yet

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Simon *********

I have had my STV accepted it is on there

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Eddie ******

@Simon ********

But not on London Embassy webpage

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Eddie ******

@Simon ********

interesting I looked today it said not available from 31st September

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Simon *********

yes initially it wasn’t but it has been extended for a year

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Simon *********

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Neil **********

The visa on arrival is for 30 days if you want to stay longer apply for a 60 or 90 day tourist visa before you arrive in Thailand

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Paul ********

A visa is to get you into a country it ends once you get stamped at immigration

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Lei *****************

My friend came in a visa exempt last July then requested for covid visa - but in my understanding she was initially given tourist visa on her first extension attempt (30days was given) then the second extension is when she got the covid visa (60days)

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Tod *********

@Lei ****************

totally nothing to do with tourist visas, those are 60 day covid extensions

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Lei *****************

i see but i suppose the application for stv is to have something legal for

‘s stay in thailand to be extended, in this case, covid visa is an option? Correct me if im wrong 😅

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Tod *********

@Lei ****************

nope, you are incorrect. They got a 30 day extension and then they applied for a 60 day covid extension, got an under consideration stamp and went back and got the 60 day extension inked in <- just like THOUSANDS of people the country over did

There is nothing at all to do with a tourist visa because you BUY tourist visas from thai consulates in other countries before you come here, you cannot get a tourist visa issued inside of thailand

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Lei *****************

ok. In my friend’s case, she arrived under visa exemption scheme (Jul 20) and is still in Thailand now under covid extension.. she will seek another extension by Nov 20.. i am sharing based from experience. Thanks and have a nice day 😉

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Tod *********

@Lei ****************

what part of your friend is here on COVID EXTENSIONS and they have nothing to do with a tourist visa do you not understand 🙁 😕

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Tod *********

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Brandon ************

@Lei ****************

an extension and visa are 2 different things. Visa exempt qualifies for a single 30 day extension which is normal.

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Lei *****************

@Brandon ***********

ok, thanks for the correction.. but after the 30 day extension, we went there for another extension and this time they consider it as extension due to covid (she got 60 days)

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Brandon ************

@Lei ****************

correct but the Covid extension could end at any time. It's risky to rely on it

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Lei *****************

@Brandon ***********

i agree but currently it’s a cheap and easy option 😂

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Lei *****************

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Pon **********

@Brandon ***********

hi what do they require for visa extension ?

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Brandon ************

@Sun ***********

it's different depending on the visa and each immigration office is different as well

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Brandon ************

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Michael ********

@Lei ****************

the 30 days was an extension not a visa

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Lei *****************

@Michael *******

oh ok thanks for the clarification 🙂 anyhow, the goal to stay in thailand legally was obtained 🙂

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Michael ********

@Lei ****************

the terminology is confusing sometimes

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Michael ********

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Benjamin ******

>was granted special tourist visa in Thailand

You can only apply for the STV in the country of your passport.

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Jaren ******

Did you have to provide a criminal background check, medical background check and all of that?

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James ********

yes must meet the STV visa requirements

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James ********

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Myron **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does anybody know generally how long it took to get a special tourist visa approved does it matter what type of Embassy you go through

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James ********

@Myron *********

must be your home country Thai Embassy

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Benjamin ******

@Myron *********

Depends on your country's consulate

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Myron **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

are you saying you applied for the special tourist visa in your home country but received it well in Thailand

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Benjamin ******

@Myron *********

>are you saying you applied for the special tourist visa in your home country but received it well in Thailand

No, I did not say that.

The time it requires to get a visa at your local Thai consulate depends on their workload. Some requires a few days, other require UP TO a month.

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Brandon ************

No, because it's not possible to get any kind of tourist visa in Thailand. They are only issued in other countries

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Brandon ************

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Garrett ***********

You cannot, and have never been able to, get a tourist visa inside Thailand.

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Michael ********

Outside thailand only

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Garrett ***********

You cannot get a STV inside Thailand.

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Myron **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

thank you my friend but not what I wanted to hear

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James ********

@Myron *********

sorry but it's fact. STV visa is not available inside Thailand... Only from your home country.

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Myron **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks James I appreciate the reply I was trying to think about applying for it inside Thailand because I didn't think I had much time so I was just going to get there and then apply but I have more time than I thought so I will apply in Canada

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Myron **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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Myron **********

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Garrett ***********

If you're already in Thailand are a other options than an STV. If you can't qualify for a retirement or marriage visa, there are still ED and Volunteer options, as well as the 60 day coivd extensions.

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Garrett ***********

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