Answered5 years ago
Is it better to apply for a visa before traveling to Thailand or use the visa on arrival option?
Hi, I am traveling to Thailand on 1st May 2022 with my wife.
Wanted to understand the visa application process, is tourist visa on arrival easy and without complications? Or should I prefer getting a visa before my travel?
We have our passports, hotel booking, return tickets, and other things required for a visa.
Please advice.
Thanks in Advance 🙏
Wanted to understand the visa application process, is tourist visa on arrival easy and without complications? Or should I prefer getting a visa before my travel?
We have our passports, hotel booking, return tickets, and other things required for a visa.
Please advice.
Thanks in Advance 🙏
Answer summary
The post discusses the visa application process for traveling to Thailand, with a specific focus on whether to apply for a visa before travel or to opt for a visa on arrival. The author, an Indian passport holder, is traveling with a wife in May 2022 and is uncertain about the complexities of the visa on arrival process versus obtaining a tourist visa in advance. Comments provide insights on the cost and validity of the visa on arrival, the required documentation such as the Thai pass and health insurance, and experiences with entry procedures at Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport.
71 repliesnewest first
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Karan ********
OPThank you everyone for valuable guidance and information.
I got my visa and Thai pass...
You guys are awesome...
I got my visa and Thai pass...
You guys are awesome...
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
well done. Now kick back and enjoy
Maxim ***********
Since you are an Indian passport holder, you should avoid entering from Suvarnabhumi, or make sure that you can call an agent to bribe your way in if you are denied entry. Some Indians and Pakistanis get quizzed heavily in Suvarhabhumi upon entry, they get ask documents after documents, and again, its at the discretion of IO which in BKK airport will give you hell a lot of the time. They are "afraid" that you might become illegal immigrant... or wtv, you know, its some kind of discrimination.
Karan ********
OP@Maxim **********
hopefully I'll pass through the checks..Tony *****
probably should have looked into this before booking and asking one week before your flight??? Maybe im just paranoid and like to plan but personally i wouldn't have booked a hotel or flight until I knew about the visa details. But everyone makes their own decisions and choices. To each their own. Also you may need to look into Covid and health insurance. Its also said to be required for entry but i've read that they don't check
Lee ******
@Tony ****
they definitely check. Thais are All About The Paperwork. Contact AXA for insurance. $90 for a 2 month $250,000 policy with no deductible, all inclusive coverage that also covers trip cancelation, late flight costs and more. So worth it. Contact your airline about other requirements. Have a great trip!Wayne *********
@Tony ****
You have to attach a copy of the policy to your thai pass application so maybe they do checkTony *****
@Wayne ********
good to know. Im going to be planning a trip soon too once prices drop alittle more on flights
Garrett ***********
Based on your profile I'll assume you're an Indian passport holder. If you choose a visa on arrival, the cost is 2000 baht and only valid for 15 days, and you cannot extend that in Thailand.
If the Thai embassy in ND is up and running, I'd try and get a single entry tourist visa (good for 60 days) before you come.
If the Thai embassy in ND is up and running, I'd try and get a single entry tourist visa (good for 60 days) before you come.
Karan ********
OP@Garrett **********
yes.. I have an Indian passport. How much time does the Thai embassy take to issue the visa? I have to travel in 1 week and will it be provided to me before that that?
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
you be lucky to travel as you not even done the thai pass yet, suggest you hurry up and applyKaran ********
OP@Wayne ********
in progress..
Jessica *****
@Garrett **********
sorry for intruding but have they started on arrival visa ?David ****************
@Jessica ****
no, still need the Thai passport. In advance
Rolf ********
when you go on the webside you find all what you have to send- scan your papers- drop and finish
Wayne *********
Do you have thai pass ? You didn't mention it
Karan ********
OP@Wayne ********
I last question, the normal visa fees is 2500 bhat / person. Who much time does it usually take for approval of visa?Wayne *********
@Karan *******
no idea I not need visa. But when I did Tr60 last year it take a week in Australia as we must send passport to thai embassy for visaKaran ********
OPThe test & Go pass suggest 1 day of quarantine. Is it mandatory?
Karan ********
OPOn it..
Karan ********
OPHotel is also SHA+
Karan ********
OPYes I have hotel booking and insurance.
Now I need to check for the PCR test.
Now I need to check for the PCR test.
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
you need to mate if you don't want to miss your flightKaran ********
OP@Wayne ********
thanks for the advice.. will get mote deep into it. And if required, will edit my booking.Wayne *********
@Karan *******
3 days ago I told you was compulsory and yet you selected no to pcrWayne *********
@Karan *******
very simple if you research and read properly and do what's required. Booking ticket and visa before you knew what was required to travel is poor researchKaran ********
OP@Wayne ********
damn... so many rules... 😅😅🥺Wayne *********
@Karan *******
so that's why it was rejected your own fault for not picking yesKaran ********
OP@Wayne ********
I had an option mentioned there to choose if I need PCR. I choose no. But I have an option to amend my booking.
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
flying into bkk you do not book pcr separate it must be part of the hotel booking same as pickup is done by the hotelWayne *********
@Karan *******
so you have booked the wrong hotel then. Because when you book the correct hotel the pcr test is included and should show that on your booking to attach to thai pass applicationKaran ********
OP@Wayne ********
BKK, suvarnabhumi AirportWayne *********
@Karan *******
where are you flying toKaran ********
OPI have received my e-visa as of today morning.
Karan ********
OP@Wayne ********
ooopps... will check into it immediatelyWayne *********
@Karan *******
if you applied again without pcr booking you will be rejected again probablyWayne *********
@Karan *******
and you have proper hotel with pcr bookings and insurance?Karan ********
OP@Wayne ********
applied again according to this.Wayne *********
Thai pass site blocked for May until 29th April your option is to try for 30th April with current rules and fly in on the 1st as can use pass for up to 7 days after
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
visa is useless if you don't have thai passKaran ********
OPSo is the Thai pass mandatory or not?
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
if you apply before 1st of May yes it isKaran ********
OP@Wayne ********
PCR test mandatory even If double dose vaccinated?Wayne *********
@Karan *******
maybe rejected because you didn't pick proper hotel sha plus plus with pcr testsKaran ********
OP@Wayne ********
I applied for the pass but it got rejected due to some hotel booking. Now that I am trying to apply, 1st May is not an option at all to apply.
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
if your still sorting this out you be lucky to fly on the first.Wayne *********
@Karan *******
of course it is you will not be allowed on the plane with out itKaran ********
OPHopefully the new rule will be passed before we arrive there.
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
if you have everything they require insurance vaccination certificate etc should be no issueKaran ********
OPHopefully they will not be rejected.
Karan ********
OP@Wayne ********
thanks. I have applied for the Thai pass and visa as wellWayne *********
@Karan *******
if approved it will be 1st of MayWayne *********
@Karan *******
bit of an update for May 1st but obviously not offical until posted in royal gazette and also not until 1st of May which means you either do pass before and do hotel or you wait until 1st May and apply for pass which gives you time to get insurance that’s required to applyWayne *********
@Karan *******
hotel booking is part of the Thai pass. Look into it I believe you can book the hotel in Pattaya but it must be sha plus plus hotel and approved transport is my understanding. The site gives you a list of the hotels you MUST useWayne *********
@Karan *******
yep. You don't book it you don't get thai pass approvedDavid ****************
@Karan *******
The quarantine is no longer in effect effective May 1, you just need to have proof that you had Covid vaccinations, or if you don’t then you have to go to a hotel or have a negative test before you come in 72 hoursWayne *********
@Karan *******
NO you can not skip the one night hotel, and you must stay in the hotel until your negative results from pcr comes back and your positive test you are not going anywhereKaran ********
OPI wanted to travel straight to pattaya from Bangkok airport
Karan ********
OP@Wayne ********
is there any way to skip the quarantine?Karan ********
OP@Wayne ********
no. What is a Thai pass ?Karan ********
OPDamn... I had no idea about it...
Thank you so much 😊
Thank you so much 😊
David ****************
@Karan *******
yes and Thailand has been changing their rules and regulations almost every month for the last year, hard to keep up with themWayne *********
@Karan *******
correct mate, you not the first to not know and will not be the last. Hopefully it will all be discontinued in the futureKaran ********
OP@Wayne ********
that too my first international travel.. so many things need to be planned ahead..Wayne *********
@Karan *******
its why people should do more research these days as so many changes around the worldKaran ********
OPHow do I obtain it?
Wayne *********
Can take 7 days to get approval once you submit everything thats required
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
**************************
Wayne *********
@Karan *******
well you will not get on your plane with out it. It gives you permission to enter Thailand
Stuart *********
What country is your passport from? Visa on arrival and a visa exempt entry are different beasts altogether.
Karan ********
OP@Stuart ********
I have an Indian passport.Activity
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