Answered2 years ago
How does a tourist visa differ from an exempt stamp during immigration in Thailand?
Does it make a difference during the contact with a immigration officer if we are on a tourist visa vs exempt stamp ?
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around whether there is a difference when dealing with immigration officers in Thailand based on entering with a tourist visa compared to a visa exemption stamp. Most participants suggest that while there can be varying perceptions, the crucial factor tends to be the individual's travel history rather than the type of visa. Some argue that having a tourist visa may improve the likelihood of entry as it confirms pre-arranged permission, while others contend that immigration officers primarily check stay history and may judge cases based on overall behavior rather than specific visa status.
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Andrew ***********
Ok I was taken aside last time entering on visa exempt told to get a visa next time I will be home for a months work in UK and intend on coming back with a tourist visa issued from uk I hope this is what they meant when telling me next time get a visa visa exempt are of no cost tourist visa around£40 obviously they are looking for payment some shape or form
Bart **************
@Andrew **********
I think they don't bother about a few bucks. It's just to cover the time the embassy spends on the application. I think the advice to get a visa has a different purpose: protection against refusal. If the embassy checks your travel history upfront and decides to not give you a visa, you won't fly to Thailand and come out very disappointed. If they instead give you the visa, it means you have permission to enter. It isn't always honored by immigrations (some embassies don't fully understand their responsibility in this and give out visas too easily) but this is how it is supposed to with and it is why the advice to apply for a visa is sound.
Dennis *********
don't even understand the question. if you coming visa exempt you have no stamp for the immigration officer to even look at, and they give you the stamp assuming they allow you in. if you have a tourist visa, you already have the stamp in your passport.
Bart **************
@Dennis ********
no, if you have a visa you still get a stamp. You either have a sticker in your passport or the visa is electronic in which case they see it on their screen instead. In both cases you get an entry stamp.
Alan ********
Yes
Kool *******
Just because you bought a tourist visa from a Thai embassy/consulate does not automatically mean immigration will let you into the country. The fees are not refundable so the embassy doesn't care.
Bart **************
The contact? The conversation might not be much different, assuming your travel history is fine.
Unlike what most of others in this group are telling you though, having a visa makes ALL the difference with regards to your likelihood of getting in. Without a visa the check whether you have not already stayed enough time in Thailand as a tourist comes on the IO. With a visa this check comes on the embassy. The visa means: you have permission to enter the country.
Immigrations officers can still deny entry, like a security officer at an Ed Sheeran concert being able to refuse entry if you show up with a chain saw around your neck. But they're not supposed to refuse entry based on travel history. That check has been done. That's why immigrations officers tell people who approach the end of their reasonable time in the country as a tourist to get a visa: it's so that you know upfront whether you can enter. Why would they advise this if it made no difference and your likelihood of getting refused were the same?
There are some severe misconceptions with the established crew in this group and this unfortunately is one.
Unlike what most of others in this group are telling you though, having a visa makes ALL the difference with regards to your likelihood of getting in. Without a visa the check whether you have not already stayed enough time in Thailand as a tourist comes on the IO. With a visa this check comes on the embassy. The visa means: you have permission to enter the country.
Immigrations officers can still deny entry, like a security officer at an Ed Sheeran concert being able to refuse entry if you show up with a chain saw around your neck. But they're not supposed to refuse entry based on travel history. That check has been done. That's why immigrations officers tell people who approach the end of their reasonable time in the country as a tourist to get a visa: it's so that you know upfront whether you can enter. Why would they advise this if it made no difference and your likelihood of getting refused were the same?
There are some severe misconceptions with the established crew in this group and this unfortunately is one.
Duncanc **********
Yes
Bob *********
No difference, they are looking at total number of days you stayed in Thailand during the year and how many times you left for a day and came right back.
Bart **************
@Bob ********
this is checked by the embassy if you have a visa. With an exempt entry the check comes on immigrations. Though overall speaking the odds of entering may indeed look similar, if you focus on passing immigrations only, having a visa makes all the difference.
Man *****
No
Robbie *****
If you have a tourist visa they don’t even look at you, only looking for visa dodgers getting exempt stamps 😛😛
Bart **************
@Robbie ****
that's because the embassy looked at you. They're indeed not supposed to overrule their colleague's decisions left right and center. They do it, but rarely.
Jo **********
@Robbie ****
totally incorrect I had 12 visa exempts in one year never got one question because I don’t abuse the systemBig****
OP@Jo *********
Actually 12 visa exempts in one year seems like you abused the system to the extreme level. Anyway what do you mean by not abusing the system?Jo **********
@Big****
well I would come in 10 days and leave for 10 days. I was working in Singapore and a resident in Singapore. Frequent visitor not abuse. Abuse is staying the whole 60 days then getting an extension for 30 days. Then leave for a day and repeatBig****
OP@Robbie ****
What makes you think that?Bart **************
@Big****
well isn't is obvious that if you ask permission upfront from a body legitimized to give you that, and you then get it, that your odds of entering are then not anywhere near the case you enter without pre-arranged permission? The two scenarios could not be more dissimilar.Robbie *****
@Big****
I’m a visa dodger 😛Robbie *****
I did over 2 years including Covid visas. But I would say with all the stamps in my passport I could do. Stay out 3 months, get a tourist visa 60 + 30 and you could do 2 x 60 + 30 both land and that would be max. Go Bangkok airport and they be pulling you up after 180 days.
Big****
OP@Robbie ****
how many visas you have within one year?Jim ********
@Robbie ****
that’s what people seem to think for some reason. People with previous overstays think that if they get a tourist visa nobody will notice 🤣🤣🤣Bart **************
@Jim *******
but that's true right, a visa means that you have been given permission to enter. Let's assume that if you have a ban they'll not give you entry permission (in the form of a visa).Jim ********
@Bart *************
I can categorically say I am speaking from experience here. I personally know someone who obtained a tourist visa for this very reason and was interviewed for 4 hours at suvarnabhumi airport as the IO wasn’t happy with the overstay stamps in his passport. A visa does not guarantee entry is all I’m saying and if you beg to differ that is fineBig****
OP@Jim *******
because usually before you get a visa you need to send different documents and then they need to approve them while the stamp doesn't require any of that.Bart **************
@Jim *******
there's no myth there Jim, the myth is what you are saying. It's a stubborn, strong myth, that unfortunately the entire established crew in this group has come to believe in. Not good.Big****
OP@Graham *****
They don't see them but they are aware that you sent documents and the embassy approved them.Jim ********
@Big****
it’s a myth. Regardless of visa or no visa if the IO on arrival wants to pick fault with your history then he/she will
Graham ******
@Big****
Immigration does not see any of the documentation submitted for a visa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does
John **********
Not really. They look more at your history
Bart **************
@John *********
immigrations is not supposed to refuse people who have already received permission to enter from a qualified body. They can, but they would rarely do that. Shouldn't that be obvious? 🤷
John **********
@Bart *************
the people that issue visas are not connected to immigration and I don't think they can access your immigration history. Having a visa will improve your chances but is no guarantee.Bart **************
@John *********
now that's the big misconception here that I want to address. Of course they are connected. Both are branches of the Thai government, both are involved with entry of foreigners into the country and yes OF COURSE embassies can see your travel history. It is actually the embassies, not immigrations, which is the primary body to determine entry eligibility. And a visa is nothing less than entry permission. De facto immigrations is handling most of the entry requests now, with the majority qualifying for exemption or for visa on arrival, but the default case of entering a foreign country is still that you go to that country's embassy and ask permission (i.e. apply for a visa).
Yes, it can still be overruled. Will it? No. That really isn't supposed to happen. I know excesses have occurred but a visa does more than only "improve" your chances; it means that you have permission to enter.
Jo **********
no difference. There looking at other things like stay history and even the way your dressed.
Christian ***********
@Jo *********
i’ve heard similar things before in post, but I was wondering if you could clarify what you mean by the way you are dressed? Is it best to dress casual or dress more conservatively or are they looking for something in particular?Jo **********
@Richard *******
no that graphic is just to show. just need collar shirt and long pants jeansBig****
OP@Richard *******
yes and Hawaiian shirt
Richard ********
@Jo *********
need tie ?Jo **********
@Christian **********
yes conservatively long jeans, button dress shirt. if you look classy they will think you have money and leave you alone. Wearing a tank top, shorts etc will get you a problemJo **********
@Big****
not elegant but not gross 🤮. Dress niceBig****
OP@Jo *********
If you wear elegant clothes you don't look like a tourist but like a guy who is working here and this is not good too if you are on a tourist visaChristian ***********
@Jo *********
OK I see. That makes perfect sense. Thank you!
Andy ************
More info required
Lynnette *******
Make a difference for what?
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