Do I need an e-visa if I have a US passport and have been to Thailand frequently?

@Tony *******

not last week for me

@Darren ********

Thailand only operate e-gates for departures, all arrivals still have to do face 2 face and receive a stamp in the passport.

@Kelima ************

VISA ACQUIRED AT THE CONSULATE VS VISA ACQUIRED AT THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE VS. EXTENSION OF STAY: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?

I noticed a lot of confusion about acquiring a visa outside of Thailand, vs. acquiring a visa inside Thailand, vs. acquiring an extension of stay. Each is different, and advice given about one does not apply to the others.

ACQUIRING A VISA OUTSIDE OF THAILAND.

A visa can be purchased at the local Thai consulate for numerous reasons. These reasons include tourism, being married to a Thai or foreign national, being retired, employment, or other reasons. *FOR MOST VISAS*, once these visas have been issued, a person must enter Thailand within 90 days. On entry, they will be stamped in for the period that depends on the visa class.

Embassies and Consulates now all use the eVisa system, an e-mail would be generated with the visa information.

The local Thai embassies and consulates are overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

ACQUIRING A VISA INSIDE THAILAND.

A visa can also be purchased at the local Thai immigration office for numerous reasons. These reasons may include employment, marriage, retirement, or other reasons. In-country visas are NOT sold for tourism or for being a trailing spouse to a retired person. These visas are “ZERO ENTRY” stamps, and allow a person to stay for 90 days.

Immigration offices are overseen by the Royal Thai Police.

ACQUIRING AN EXTENSION OF STAY

To stay longer in Thailand, a person may acquire an extension of stay. An extension of stay allows a person to stay in Thailand with the same “rights” as the original visa that was used to enter Thailand, with some exceptions. Extension of stays *generally* allow a person to stay one year. The requirements to acquire an extension of stay may be different then acquiring an in-country visa.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER:

*** a visa does NOT guarantee entry!

*** visa-exempt entries will get you stamped in for 60 days. However, you cannot make indefinite touristic or visa-exempt entries. At some point or the other, after having done a few visa-exempt entries, you will be refused entry.

A foreigner may decide to enter Thailand for one purpose, but decide to change the purpose. Here’s an example:

1. A foreigner may decide to enter Thailand on a single entry tourist visa (acquired in the e-visa system of a Thai embassy consulate), and stamped in for 60 days. Tourist visas are employment prohibited.

2. The foreigner likes Thailand, and decides to stay for another 30 days. They apply for, and receive, a 30-days Extension of Stay Based on Tourism at the local immigration office.

3. While in Thailand, they get a job offer. The foreigner *CAN NOT* go from a 30 Day Extension of Stay Based on Tourism to a One Year Extension of Stay Based on Employment, because the Tourist Visa they entered on forbids employment.

4. To legally work in Thailand without leaving Thailand, the foreigner and their employer goes to the local immigration office and acquire an In-Country Non-B Visa Based on Employment. This allows the foreigner to stay in Thailand for an additional 90 days from the date the visa was issued.

5. The employer decides the foreigner should continue working at the end of the 90 days. The employer acquires a One Year Extension of Stay Based on Employment, allowing the foreigner to stay in Thailand for a year.

6. The foreigner works for the employer for many years, becomes old, and decides to retire. The foreigner and the employer cancel the One Year Extension of Stay Based on Employment, and the foreigner acquires a One Year Extension of Stay Based on Retirement on the same day, to continue living in Thailand.

@Kelima ************

perhaps a bit less risky but a visa doesn't guarantee entry

@Kool ******

As the basis for visas is not cheating the system and collecting money you really couldn't be more wrong...

@Kelima ************

also if pulled aside have:

1.฿20,000 in cash

2. Accommodation confirmation

3. Proof of onward travel.

Also if questioned maintain you are a tourist and haven't seen/explored Thailand as yet

@Kelima ************

I doubt it takes a long time. But I don't have any person experience. It's just a guarantee. You can also just try doing it yourself with the 3 proofs so it's not easy for them to deny you entry. If you make it difficult they will likely just give you a warning if you haven't received one already.



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