ask
Search
Ask
Answered5 years ago

Do I need to apply for a visa if my stay in Thailand exceeds the 30-day visa exemption?

Tyla ***********
asked May 5, 2022
4.6k
views
39
replies
4
likes
Hi, I’m from the UK so have visa exemption, under new May 2022 rules, for up to 30 days travel to Thailand.

We are staying for 32 days and not sure if we need to apply for a visa with it being only 2 days over the exemption period.

Can anyone advise on what to do please? We are currently debating leaving 2 days earlier to save the hassle of filling out so many forms but not sure as also heard about a 500 baht fine which could be worth paying instead?

Thanks in advance
Answer summary
A user from the UK inquired about the need for a visa when their stay in Thailand exceeds the 30-day visa exemption by two days. Several commenters advised that applying for a tourist visa beforehand or extending the visa exempt entry by 30 days at immigration is a safer option to avoid the 500 baht per day overstay fine and the risks of being stamped for overstaying, which could affect future travel. Some cautioned that airlines might deny boarding without proof of onward travel within the 30-day limit. Ultimately, applying for the visa online or opting to leave two days early were suggested as practical solutions.
39 repliesnewest first
14

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
OP
@Stuart ********
We are in Dubai travelling at the moment and have proved that we are UK residents ? I don’t understand why we can’t get it ?
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Tyla **********
I’m not sure either. It’s all electronic so it’s a bit irrelevant where you physically are, but they obviously have their rules.

You might be able to get one from here.

******************************
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
OP
@Stuart ********
it says you have to have UAE residents visa but UK get visa free entry into dubai
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
OP
@Stuart ********
I’ll try it, thank you
Gordon *******
Gordon *******
1900TB for a 30 day extension & hours sitting about in immigration or pay 1000TB (500TB Per Day) over stay charge once you get to the airport 🤷🏼‍♂️, and there won’t be a problem coming back either
Steve *******
Steve *******
Not new rules, 30 days visa exemption for UK citizens has been available for decades, best to get a tourist evisa before you leave or drop the 2 days. You'll need return/onward travel within 30 days to board your flight from the UK without a visa.
Lyndon ************
Lyndon ************
@Steve ******
I think he means the 'new rules' for entry, not requiring PCR tests etc.
Steve *******
Steve *******
@Lyndon ***********
I dont know, that's not what she posted.
Lyndon ************
Lyndon ************
@Steve ******
seemed pretty obvious, can't think of any other rules related to entry that changed in May
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
OP
Just finished our application, only took an hour🤣 Thanks for the help- will let you know the outcome
@ ***************
g
@ *******************
e
Kool *******
Kool *******
Do not worry at all. With your return ticket a few days after your visa exempt stamp, and the one time ability to apply for a 30 day extension inside Thailand, the airline isn't going to question you. They automatically assume you'll just be applying for your one time 30 day extension. That costs bt1900, so it might be cheaper to just do a two day overstay at bt1000, as it will not affect any travel in the future to Thailand.
Steve *******
Steve *******
@Kool ******
The airline certainly will be asking questions and most likely refusing boarding without return or onward travel within 30 days
Kool *******
Kool *******
@Steve ******
no they won't. It is completely legal to get your allowed 30 day extension on your visa exempt entry, and you do that from inside Thailand, after you get here. Lots of people do this and the airlines don't stop them from flying
Kool *******
Kool *******
@Stuart ********
again, those that have no return ticket are the ones having problems.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Kool ******
If you spend lots of time in travel forums then you clearly aren’t reading posts correctly. Many many times people will tell you of times when they’ve tried to board a plane only to be refused without a ticket out for the correct number of days. Regardless that you could get an extension in country. As stated you have your opinion. I have mine. I just choose not to give out false information.
David *******
David *******
@Kool ******
also incorrect return date will cause issues, they do not assume everyone will extend which is why many people book refundable ticket
Kool *******
Kool *******
@Stuart ********
I spend lots of time in them, and even moderate some. I see this addressed constantly, and 30 day extensions given constantly for long haul 30 day exempt stamps, with return tickets more than 30 days out. The ones that have problems are the ones with no return ticket.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Kool ******
You have your opinion. I’ll keep mine. Spend a little time in these travel forums and you’ll see who’s right.
Kool *******
Kool *******
@Stuart ********
you are wrong
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Kool ******
You need to spend more time reading some of the posts on these forums before giving out wrong advise. You are correct on that lots of people are allowed to board planes with either no ticket out or ones over their initial entry allowance. Most of those will be short haul trips from around South East Asia. However when talking about long haul flights it’s a different story. Legally immigration could refuse you entry (they rarely would) and because of that it’s the airline’s responsibility to return you back to where you came from. Many many times people are refused boarding unless they have a ticket out of Thailand within the initial allowance of days.

Saying “you’ll be fine” is just wrong. You might be fine, but then again you might well not be and better to be prepared beforehand with either a visa for the correct number of days, a changeable ticket or a a cheap throwaway ticket out.
John ******************
John ******************
Don’t forget the stamp on your passport over Stayer…Could affect any future visa applications really worth it
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
You are correct that you’d get 30 days visa exempt. Also that the fine for overstay is 500 baht per day.

However you could have issues trying to board your plane without a ticket out of Thailand within the 30 days. Some airlines may let you. Some won’t.

Probably a much better route is to apply for a tourist visa and just eliminate that risk. It’s £30. All online these days and you don’t need to send in your passport or anything, you just apply online and get a email approval.
Colleen *********
Colleen *********
@Stuart ********
so does this mean with a TV the onward ticket out of thailand is not required . Hard to know when I may leave if I enter on a TV and then apply for non o within thailand
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Colleen ********
no. With a TR visa your airline may insist on a onward flight within the 60 days. A coin flip. Some will some won’t. Probably less than a 50% chance that they wouldn’t but a changeable ticket eliminates that risk.
Native ****************
Native ****************
@Stuart ********
Might want to try Bestonwardtickets.com. Got fully check in Hong Kong and this ticket pass the test, so worth the investment. Safe travels
Colleen *********
Colleen *********
@Stuart ********
thank you again
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
OP
@Stuart ********
do you have a link for the visa you are mentioning please as the one we have found online requires 15 documents to upload
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
OP
Brill, thank you for all your help. Will see how we get on and get back to you if there’s any queries if that’s ok! ☺️
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Tyla **********
for sure. Let us know how you get on. Way better going down the route of getting a tourist visa than doing the overstay/not being allowed to board route. 1,000 baht is approx £23. The visa is £30. Save yourself any hassle and get the visa. If you like Thailand you could even think about changing your flight and stay 60 days 😀
Jay *******
Jay *******
@Tyla **********
****************************
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Tyla **********
As Brandon says there’s a number of times it wants you to upload stuff that seems irrelevant. The same site is used for numerous visa applications so if in doubt about a question or what to upload either upload a picture of your passport or write on a piece of paper “not applicable”, take a photo of it and upload that.
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
OP
Yep, I thought it was that website, thank you.

With travelling around the country we haven’t booked any hostels, barring a first hotel. What do we do for the additional booking confirmation if we don’t have any booked yet?
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Tyla **********
just give them your first hotel booking. That's all they want
Bobby ********
Bobby ********
@Tyla **********
****************************
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
@Tyla **********
****************************
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Tyla **********
the evisa website is used for every type of visa. They still require something for every document even if it doesn't apply to the specific visa you want. For the items that just don't make sense for a tourist visa you can usually upload something similar or just upload the photo page of passport to get past the requirement.
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
You can apply for a tourist visa before you leave. It's all done online and you'll get your visa by email. This will give you 60 days when you arrive.

Or you could go to immigration inside of Thailand and apply for a 30 day extension to your visa exempt.

If you overstay your visa you'll get a big red overstay stamp in your passport and pay 500₿ per person, per day.

It's probably not going to be an issue in the future but it's something that will always be on your record.

Also if for any reason you ever have any interaction with the police while you're on overstay, they will take you to jail and deport you and you will be banned from Thailand for 5 years. It doesn't happen often but it can.
Prieto ****
Prieto ****
@Brandon ***********
you can get a visa online? Dont you need to send your passport to the embasy?
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Prieto ***
the consulate in many countries have switched to evisa where you don't send anything in and your visa is emailed to you. You print the email and show it to immigration as you enter Thailand.

Just go to the website and click "am I eligible to apply online" to find out if you can use evisa

****************************

Activity

14 joined
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
Tyla ***********
14
people
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
...members60% approval
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8

Related

25
What is the duration of stay allowed on a Thailand METV and how can it be maximized?
5.5k151395mo
What visa options are available for expats in Thailand who frequently travel between work and staying with a Thai girlfriend?
4.3k30609mo
What are the implications of leaving Thailand on a visa-exempt entry during the new 60+30 system?
4.5k21741y
What should I consider regarding visa exemptions and border runs when flying into Thailand?
9.2k681161y
What visa should I use for scuba diving courses in Thailand, and how can I extend my stay legally?
3.3k22282y
Will I be able to re-enter Thailand on a visa exemption in 2025 after using all visa exemptions in 2024?
5.2k24512y
Do I need to apply for a visa before traveling to Thailand if my stay exceeds 30 days?
2.1k6392y
Can I save my 60-day tourist visa for a second entry to Thailand after visiting Vietnam?
8532102y
Can I obtain a multi-entry visa to stay in Thailand for 6 months by leaving and re-entering?
3.8k34253y
Can a Cypriot passport holder obtain a new Visa on Arrival in Thailand by crossing into Laos?
1.7k10203y
Is there a limit on how many times a UK citizen can visit Thailand for 30 days without a visa in a year?
2.6k18223y
Can I extend my 30-day visa exempt entry in Thailand for a total of 90 days?
1.9k11213y
What should I do after overstaying my visa in Thailand and planning to return soon?
3.6k29183y
Will I face issues re-entering Thailand after multiple visa exemptions?
5.1k40494y
What are the consequences of not filing a TM30 form for a tourist visa extension in Thailand?
10k721234y
Can I apply for an education visa in Thailand after overstaying my tourist visa by one day?
1.1k764y
As a Polish citizen needing to stay in Thailand for 90 days, what type of visa should I apply for?
2.6k23144y
Do my wife and I need 800,000 THB in a bank for a Thai Non-O visa if we get a tourist visa first?
3.6k26414y
Can I extend my stay in Thailand if I arrive late on the 30th day of my visa exemption?
1.6k7215y
Can I return to Thailand using a visa exemption if my tourist visa isn't issued on time?
992495y
What visa options are available for Americans wishing to stay in Thailand for 2 to 3 months?
3927y
What should a friend do after overstaying their visa in Thailand and wanting to re-enter?
2.1k16168y
Do I need to transfer my tourist visa to my new passport before leaving Thailand?
2.9k25179y
What are the rules for extending my stay in Thailand after multiple land border bounces?
1.1k779y
Will my visa status reset if I leave Thailand on New Year's Eve and return in 2018?
1.9k14149y

Resources

Need help with your Thai visa?