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Answered5 years ago

How long is an STV valid for after issue if not used immediately?

John ********
asked May 1, 2021
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If I apply for an STV, how long is it valid for after issue if you don’t use it straight away ?
Answer summary
The Special Tourist Visa (STV) is valid for 90 days after issue. However, it is advised not to apply for the STV unless you plan to use it immediately, as extensions for the STV have a cutoff date, and it cannot be converted to other visa types once issued. Alternative strategies, such as entering Thailand on a visa-exempt entry and then applying for a Non-O visa, might be more advantageous.
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Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
I'm shutting this down:

1. The OP is British, but living in Singapore, and is over 50, and had Non-OA visas before, and is leaving Singapore to work remotely in a foreign country.

2. The best strategy for him would be to return to Thailand on a 45 day visa exempt, and then purchase a Non-O visa based on being over 50 inside Thailand. He can then get a one year extension of stay based on being over 50 inside Thailand.

3. The OP can not get a Non-OA visa; those visas can only be issued in the country of his passport (in this case, the UK).

4a. The OP *MAY* be able to get an STV, however the STV program was badly thought out, requires extensive documents and paperwork, and he has other strategies that are better.

4b. To get an STV (and the extension of stay), you'll need a pre-booked hotel, the tax ID number, insurance lasting through the expected length of stay. It's also not known what will happen to the STV after you enter on July 3rd.

Thanks one and all. If anyone has anything else to add that helps the OP, please send a mod a message and we'll reopen commenting.
Ellie *******
Ellie *******
STV cannot convert to any other type of visa.

If you are on board for three months before entering Thailand, your choices would be limited. Depends on your nationality, entering Thailand on visa-exempt would be easiest. It could be much easier for you to convert to some type of visa if you are eligible.
Mandee ********
Mandee ********
@John *******
-
@Ellie ******
helped me with this - see my question above yours. Very similar situation. I researched her advice and it really seems like we can enter on the visa exemption, and then apply for the non immigrant-O from there without leaving Thailand. I have decided to do this and have now applied for my COE. It has been a big relief! Thank you Ellie!
John ********
John ********
OP
@Ellie ******
I’m British.
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
1. The STV is valid for 90 days.

2. *DO NOT* get the STV, especially if you aren't planning on using it. The last day you can get an extension on it is July 3rd.

PLEASE (PLEASE!) think about getting another visa.
Abigail ******
Abigail ******
@Benjamin *****
what's bad about getting the STV?
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@Abigail *****
A lot of things are bad about the STV:

1. To get a 90 day extension of stay, you need a pre-booked, pre-paid hotel room with the owner's tax ID number, OR proof that you own a condo, OR a rental agreement.

2. You'll also need the original insurance documents for the length of time. I seen rejections where someone entered in Thailand for insurance that's good for 90 days, then they renewed the insurance, and the immigration office rejected the extension of stay.

3. You can not convert the STV to any other type of extension of stay.

4. It's unknown what will happen after September 30, the last valid date for the extension of stay for the STV; will a person be able to stay longer? Will they not be able to stay longer? We don't know..

5. It's unknown what would happen if you enter Thailand after July 3; would you only be stamped up to September 30th?
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@Abigail *****
A TR visa is a single entry tourist visa. If you want an STV, you'll have to restart the entire application. Please stay on the Single Entry Tourist Visa, it'll save you a lot of headaches in the future.
Abigail ******
Abigail ******
@Benjamin *****
it says TR. Single entry.

I had booked that long term stay because it was required on my visa application. I only asked because I was curious if I could get the STV and not actually stay at the place I booked. But at this point I will probably just use the visa I have!
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@Abigail *****
Can you check your passport and see if you have an STV or an SETV? According to your earlier post, you have an SETV (Single Entry Tourist Visa). You can not get an STV/ 90 day extension of stay based on having an STV INSIDE Thailand (unless you have an STV already).
Abigail ******
Abigail ******
@Benjamin *****
mm I did book and pay for a place through an agency that will let me cancel up to a day before. I guess to get a tax id, requires booking directly.
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@Abigail *****
For the STV? NO! The hotel *MUST BE* pre-booked, pre-paid, and the hotel's TAX ID number must be given as part of the extension of stay.

The STV should not have been called a "Special Tourist Visa", but instead a "Snowbird Visa", where people who already have long-term residency in Thailand can return.
Abigail ******
Abigail ******
@Benjamin *****
but you could prebook a hotel and then just cancel once you get there, right?
John ********
John ********
OP
@Benjamin *****
thanks . I used to be on O based on retirement, got a job and will be on an FPSO for three months so I was thinking of getting a visa in advance of the sail as will be difficult after that and then the quarantine etc . What do you recommend?

Thanks
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@John *******
>and will be on an FPSO for three months

I have no idea what that is.

>I used to be on O based on retirement,

That means you're at least 50 years old.

How long do you want to stay in Thailand?
John ********
John ********
OP
@Benjamin *****
perfect advice , thankyou as I was worried if I would have had to send my passport away for a visa . I’ll use the visa exempt route and purchase the required prerequisites before entry, unless of course anything changes in the months ahead .
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@John *******
If you're in Singapore now, you can not get a Non-OA visa. My advice would be to enter on a visa exempt, and then purchase a Non-O visa based on being over 50 while inside Thailand.
John ********
John ********
OP
@Benjamin *****
I’m in Singapore
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@John *******
Are you in the country of your passport now?
John ********
John ********
OP
@Benjamin *****
sorry , FPSO Is an oil ship being towed to Guyana .

My O visa will expire while out of country so was wondering if what visa I can get to allow me back into thailand which I can get BEFORE I sail which will be valid still 3 -4 months AFTER issue .

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