Answered6 months ago
Can you be refused entry in Thailand with an e-visa (tourist)?
Has anyone been refused entry with a e-visa ( tourist)? I ask because when applying the embassy doesn’t look at your passport record. Immigration and embassies don’t seem to be connected. Or are they?
Answer summary
The discussion reveals that embassies and immigration authorities operate separately in Thailand, which may lead to confusion regarding entry rules. While having an e-visa does not guarantee entry, applicants are cautioned that immigration can deny entry based on past overstay records or suspicious travel history. Experiences shared by users indicate that immigration can access visa data linked to a passport, suggesting a level of record sharing. Ultimately, the immigration officer holding discretion plays a significant role in the entry process.
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SereneAr*********
I was almost refused with a valid tourist 60 day e-visa. I had to jump through hoops to even get that approved, showing many extra documents such as every page of my passport. I was told next time I won't be allowed in regardless of e-visa or visa exempt. I didn't have too many stamps already, know of many people with a lot more. Was decently dressed and was polite. It seems many land border officers now want to work with agents. My experience last month.
Philip ***********
Yes it's possible
Bob **********
The embassy has nothing to do with immigration
Iain *********
As with many countries (eg USA, China, UK, Ireland) Immigration is operated by a government department responsible for policing and justice and embassies are operated by a government department responsible for foreign affairs.
From many countries now you apply online to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your visa. They have outsourced the visa processing to the Bangkok offices of an Indian company called VFS.
From many countries now you apply online to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your visa. They have outsourced the visa processing to the Bangkok offices of an Indian company called VFS.
Julian *******
not connected at all.
Chris *******
Two separate entities.
Either can deny without the other being involved.
Either can deny without the other being involved.
Graham ******
You can be denied entry with any visa type as a visa does not guarantee entry but the most common visa to be denied entry with would undoubtedly be a tourist visa as it is not a non-immigrant visa
Steve *******
Embassies/Consulates and Immigration are 2 seperate Government bodies. Embassies run by the MFA and Immigration by the RTP.
Stu *****
Steve Greir that's why the rules for the same visa are different depending on where you go...
Jon *******
When applying, you need to upload the photo page of your passport, correct? This page alone would give access to either party lots of info about you and your “record.”
The embassy and immigration may work separately, but they absolutely can share information with each other about you if you come off as suspicious.
The embassy and immigration may work separately, but they absolutely can share information with each other about you if you come off as suspicious.
Siggi *******
Jon Smith you don't know Thailand 😁 even 2 neighbor.district share information or are connected
John **********
The real question is why you want to get a tourist visa? If it's because you think you will be denied entry coming in visa exempt then a tourist visa probably won't help. There's not a lot of difference between a visa exempt entry and a tourist visa entry.
Dan *******
@John *********
theres a bit of difference due to the paperwork your required to provide to screen you as a tourist vs exempt with minimal plans. You can be turned away either way based on your travel history but a tr visa gives you one more positiveMairtín **************
OP@John *********
true. Thought evisa would have a bit more guarantee of entry. But doesn’t seem to be the case. The reason, because I had a few over stays and several extensions. So I assumed it would look a bit Reb Flaggy. I was allowed in reluctantly, that’s why I ask
Ron ********
Mairtín Ó Ceallaigh you already answered your question, a couple overstays and extensions. The embassy maybe dos not care about your history but the Immigration police on the airport will. If they find you was to long in Thailand before you could be denied entry. It mostly depends on the Officer on the task.
John **********
@Mairtín *************
a tourist entry is a tourist entry, how you achieve that entry doesn't really matter. Sounds like you do need a visa so I'd find a different one that fits your requirements, or if you're flying in see if a safe entry service will help you.
Raymond *******
Over stays are bad if you haven’t had any ok
Atrustwor*********
Arrive with a visa and unless you show it immigration does not know you have it
Paul ******************
AtrustworthyJaguar I used a tourist visa this trip and the immigration officer asked to see it. I hadn't mentioned it and just showed my passport and DTAC.
This makes me think immigration can see a visa has been linked to that passport number on the computer.
Maybe some don't bother to ask to see it because they know you have it anyway?
This makes me think immigration can see a visa has been linked to that passport number on the computer.
Maybe some don't bother to ask to see it because they know you have it anyway?
Atrustwor*********
Paul Singlehurst-Ward did you enter the visa number on the TDAC Application?
I have never been asked for my visa. Even had to correct an IO because stamped me in 60 days exempt and I have the OX 5 plus 5 year visa. He didnt see it in the passport and obviously didnt look at all my stamps
I have never been asked for my visa. Even had to correct an IO because stamped me in 60 days exempt and I have the OX 5 plus 5 year visa. He didnt see it in the passport and obviously didnt look at all my stamps
Graham ******
AtrustworthyJaguar That's because it is your responsibility to present your visa to the IO on arrival. There have been many posts of people not getting the correct entry stamp just receiving a visa exempt entry which is what their passport entitles them to.
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