Is it possible to extend a 30-day visa exemption in Thailand or do I need to exit the country?

30-day visa exemption visa extension Thailand immigration South Africa visa issues

Jul 20, 2018

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hey all 🙂 looking for a bit of help. I’m from South Africa. I applied for a 60 day tourist visa in my home country. When it returned it was filled with Thai writing stating I couldn’t get a new visa in Laos or anywhere else and I would have to return back to my home country to get a new visa. I just went and did a visa run with SWD to Vientiane and unfortunately my visa was denied. I was luckily however given a 30 day exempt visa - does anybody know if it is possible to extend this 30 day visa exemption at immigration ?  Or would I have to exit the country again to either Cambodia and get another 30 day visa ? Any help would be greatly appreciated 🙂!!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user from South Africa has encountered issues with visa applications and has received a 30-day visa exemption upon entering Thailand. They are seeking advice on whether this exemption can be extended at immigration or if they need to exit the country again to apply for a new visa.

Tod *********

It is a standard 30 day visa exempt entry stamp. That is NOT a W ;) it's the thai character ผ and a ผ.30 means it's a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp.

6 years ago

Michael *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank goodness! Was told it meant I couldn’t extend this 30 day visa. Got a little stressed! Thanks for the info

6 years ago

Reply to

Michael *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod Daniels I have sent you a inbox message this morning regarding some info on my 30 day visa on arrival stamp. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you 🙂

6 years ago

Terence *********

I got mine a week ago no problem.

6 years ago

Terence *********

@Lawrence *****

6 years ago

Lawrence ******

Did your visa have all the Thai writing on it?

6 years ago

Reply to

Lawrence ******

Valère *************************

What's the deal with consulates giving South African people such a hard time?

6 years ago

Lawrence ******

I’m also interested to know how this turns out because my visa also has a lot of Thai writing in it. I was told the writing says I have to return to SA to CHANGE my visa, but that I should be able to get a new 90 day tourist visa. A question I have is whether this applies specifically to Laos or if the same would apply in Myanmar.

6 years ago

Tod *********

Could you post an image of the visa with the writing on it from Pretoria? Blank out your personal data though.

6 years ago

Michael *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

My writing was different to your last example. Something about checking funds but when I get to Laos they said it meant I can only apply for a new visa back home. Which is weird because I got it translated by a few Thai friends who all told me it was to check if I had funds and ask if I’m working. That’s all

6 years ago

Michael *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yeah I’m just on the van at the moment coming back from Laos. Will do so when I get back into Bangkok 🙂

6 years ago

Reply to

Michael *******

Dustin *******

@Tod ********

wrote a post earlier today addressing SA visas

6 years ago

Tod *********