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Is it better to get a 30-day visa exemption and extend it or apply for a 60-day e-visa online for a 2-month stay in Thailand?

Thailand Visa Visa Types Visa Extension eVisa Visa Exempt Immigration Procedures Travel Advice

Mar 26, 2022

3 years ago

Neville ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Could anyone tell me is it better to get a 30 day visa on arrival then get it extended at local immigration before the 30 days are up (staying for 2 months or apply for a evisa online

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TLDR : Answer Summary

This discussion compares two options for expats looking to stay in Thailand for two months: obtaining a 30-day visa exemption and extending it through local immigration, versus applying for a 60-day e-visa before arrival. Community members share their experiences, highlighting that while both options are viable, applying for the 60-day e-visa tends to be more convenient due to long immigration lines and potential delays. Many suggest avoiding immigration offices altogether and express the importance of timely application to prevent stress.

Phill ***********

everything seemed straight forward until the day i walked into the immigration office to do a simple task, You will see what i mean

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Ian *******

I once did it the other way round.

I had no time to get a 60 day before going one year.

I did 30 days, went to Cambodia, got a 60 day visa then flew back in.

Then at the end of the 60 I extended for another 30.

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Gary **********

Why waste a day at immigration.get a 60 day tv then ya still got option of another 30 days if ya want

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Andy **********

@Gary *********

Totally agree. Muppets going 30+30 when you can apply in advance online for 60 and avoid the 5am hell at immigration (x2).

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Andy **********

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Pauline *******

Evisa makes sense. All done and dusted before you arrive. Quick turnaround and charge is £30. As already said big queues at immigration at times.

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Nicky *********

Avoid going to immigration at all costs! Worth every penny not to go there !!!! Specifically speaking of Pattaya in Jomtien.

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Jason *********

If you apply for the visa beforehand make sure you apply with plenty of time to spare to avoid the stress I went through lol. I applied 2 weeks before my flight and almost didnt get it in time.

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Neville ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jason ********

thats what Im worried about as work only gave me the thumbs up the other day to go back as Im working in Kuwait

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Peter *******

@Neville *******

apply for 60 visa if it doesn’t come on time come on the 30 day exempt then extend when here

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Peter *******

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James **********

Having extended my stay there twice last year, I'd go for the option that avoids you having to trek in to their immigration office and have to deal with some of those staff. There goes your afternoon.

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Dave ******

Definitely get the 60 day e-visa before coming. The lines at immigration are extremely long sometimes.

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Alfonso **********

e-visa is no longer available

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Alfonso **********

Oh okok I understand, tod

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Peter *******

@Alfonso *********

I’m in uk and the e-visa is still available

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Alfonso **********

For italian need contact consulate but consulate say to do evisa??? So where to get this visa?

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Alfonso **********

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Tod *********

@Alfonso *********

you can't say you're in THAILAND when you apply for the eVisa

AND

Italy is not participating in the eVisa system at this time

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Tod *********

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Peter *******

@Alfonso *********

???????

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Peter *******

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Shaun *********

It’s cheaper to get the 60 day visa before hand than getting the 30 day extension and your not wasting your time at immigration which I hear can take up quite a long time

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Zap **********

30 day visa exempt and can extend

30 days once here

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Tony *********

1. It's the same however it's not Visa on arrival its visa exempt for 30 days.

2. With the 60 day evisa you can get an extra 30 day extension so giving you 90 days in the Kingdom

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Stuart *********

Which is better is probably conjecture. They’re about the same price to get the visa or to extend.

My choice would be get the visa which means you’ve got the option to extend that if you go past 60 days here.

P.s. it’s not visa on arrival, it’s arriving visa exempt. VOA is a completely different kettle of fish.

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Stuart *********

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