Answered2 years ago
Is the ‘Safe Entry’ visa system a legitimate service for entering Thailand?
Does anyone know about the ‘Safe Entry’ visa system? It’s where you pay a visa agency to ensure that when you enter Thailand by air, you’re guaranteed a visa on arrival or visa exemption.
The agency claims it’s a legitimate process – you still go through immigration as normal, but they say you’d be directed to a different, fast-track counter.
Is this a scam, or is it a legitimate service? Has anyone had experience with it?
The agency claims it’s a legitimate process – you still go through immigration as normal, but they say you’d be directed to a different, fast-track counter.
Is this a scam, or is it a legitimate service? Has anyone had experience with it?
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the legitimacy of the ‘Safe Entry’ visa system, which claims to offer a fast-track immigration process upon arrival in Thailand. Community members provide mixed feedback, with some asserting that it can work if the agency is trustworthy, while others caution that it essentially involves paying for expedited service and may not guarantee entry. Users also share personal experiences regarding visa exemptions and the potential risks of being denied entry based on immigration officers' discretion.
66 repliesnewest first
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Bob **********
The IO’s will see it as your trying to live in Thailand without the proper visa
Tim *********
@Bob *********
I think most of us see it that way too 🙄🤔Janelle *****
Why would you need this? Just land and you get 60’days for free…
Sarah ***************
OP@Janelle ****
cause I just got denied entry!Janelle *****
@Sarah **************
for what exactly? They don’t deny anyone unless you’ve had visa overstays, or been deported etcJanelle *****
@Sarah **************
oh . That’s why … they’ve been very strict on people who are trying to live here when the dtv is so easily applied for Just get a proper visa like the dtv and you’ll have no issue
Sarah ***************
OP@Janelle ****
they didn’t like that I had already spent 150 days earlier this year usuing the visa exemption. I didn’t break any rules. I applied for the extension on time, didn’t overstay, etc
Stu *********
Depending on which country you are from and as long as there isn't something bad like being a criminal or extremely physically looking sick then you can get a 60 Day Visa Exempt for tourism when you go through immigration arrival at no cost. If you get turned away then stay in airport International terminal and contact that agent for their help
Sarah ***************
OP@Stu ********
that’s exactly what happened, I got denied entry and now I’m seeing my options
Brandon ************
If you can make sure it's a legit agent offering it, then it's a legit service. An immigration officer will meet you and guide you to their line and stamp you in. It's all pre-arranged. Basically guaranteed entry but the price gets higher based on your circumstances.
Sarah ***************
OP@Brandon ***********
do you know any trust worthy agencies??Brandon ************
@Sarah **************
this is the only one I know of. They also own this Facebook group************************************
Sarah ***************
OP@Brandon ***********
got it!! Thank you
Neil *********
Hi Sarah. As a Brit you have 60 days when you come in and you can then extend a further 30 days at immigration.
You can do a border run to poipet from bkk and get a further 60 days again.
However if you are considering that then it’s just as cheap to do a cheap flight to KL stay overnight and fly back in and get 60 days again as in theory there is no limits on air entry as it were.
Of course immigration are a law unto themselves here but if I was coming here I wouldn’t pay an agent with my British passport I would do the 60 day and then extend 30 more at immigration for 1900 baht
You can do a border run to poipet from bkk and get a further 60 days again.
However if you are considering that then it’s just as cheap to do a cheap flight to KL stay overnight and fly back in and get 60 days again as in theory there is no limits on air entry as it were.
Of course immigration are a law unto themselves here but if I was coming here I wouldn’t pay an agent with my British passport I would do the 60 day and then extend 30 more at immigration for 1900 baht
Sarah ***************
OP@Neil ********
hiya, thanks for your reply. The I’m aware of the exemption we have, the thing is that I already spent 150 days this year using that (including 1 visa run)Neil *********
@Sarah **************
so you know that it’s going to be down to the immigration officer and they are now really looking at things. So give your best smile lol honestly any agency telling you rubbish like that ignore. It’s literally down to the officer on the day as if you come in December then you’re looking at approx 160 days this year which means they’re quite within their rights to say you’re not here as a tourist but living here and on the wrong visa so it’s pot luck honestly.
Worst case they say go away and you’re off to Vietnam haha
But the most likely is they’ll tell you this is the last time and you need to have the appropriate visa but it is pot luck
Terrance *******
Just message the agencies directly. They will have all the info you need🤦🏾♂️
Sarah ***************
OP@Terrance ******
I just didn’t know initially if the agencies were scams, hence why I wanted to confirm
Steve *******
If you're using the owners of this group, it's legit and it works. It's not 100% if you have a bunch of fake education visas or other noticable offenses in your passport.
Robert **********
I entered Oktober 23, visa exempt, from the Netherlands. No questions asked (not even where I was going to stay, or how long). I was in line for about 30 minutes (it was busy). The digitale systems speeds up things.
Never use an agency. It's a waist of money. Entering Thailand is childsplay. Just choose the right system/visa up front.
Never use an agency. It's a waist of money. Entering Thailand is childsplay. Just choose the right system/visa up front.
Sarah ***************
OP@Robert *********
I understand that, I'm interested only cause I was just denied entryAndrew ***********
@Sarah **************
because they deemed you as not a tourist, would be my guess.Sarah ***************
OP@Todd ********
I tried to buy one on the spot but they denied!!Todd *********
@Sarah **************
that’s often the catch all if they are suspicious. You could have bought one on the spot though. I had to buy one at immigration in PoiPet a couple of years ago. But poi pet is notorious for denialSarah ***************
OP@Todd ********
I also didn’t have an outbound ticket bookedSarah ***************
OPTodd *********
@Sarah **************
there must be something other than the number of entries. Why did they say they denied? You tried a self border bounce?
Povilas *****
@Sarah **************
in what airport? Did they asked you proof of funds? Sign any paper? What was the procedure for you?Andrew ***********
@Sarah **************
always upto the discretion of immigration officer who you get on the day you enter. So not really pathetic, if he or she deemed you as not a genuine tourist, due to the time you have spent here and time spend out of Thailand.Sarah ***************
OP@Andrew **********
oh I misread you. I thought you said they did deem me as a tourist. Anyway I only had 2 visa exemptions, so it’s pathetic really. I personally know people who have gotten many more without any problem
Andrew ***********
@Sarah **************
they deemed you as not a genuine tourist meaning to many visa exempts entries in a short period of time, thus upto discretion of the immigration officer.Sarah ***************
OP@Andrew **********
but even people already travelling with the visa exemption are considered tourists, so what do you mean?
Ian ********
@Sarah **************
Maybe you were denied because granting you another 60 day visa exempt would have taken you to possibly be over the mythical 180 day rule . Potentially you could have ended up staying for 250 days if you got another visa exempt then extended. This is my point there is nothing stated about how many visa exempt entries or how many days on visa exempt is ok or permissable .Ian ********
@Sarah **************
Yes exactly , does it exist or not . Nobody seems to know , even the I.O's !Sarah ***************
OP@Ian *******
this mythical rule haha. What a fucking pain
Christopher ********
Todd *********
Yes - fasttrack service is legit. Arriving in BKK it’s expensive though. But guaranteed passage
Sarah ***************
OP@Todd ********
you mean paying for the service is expensive? How much should it roughly cost?Sarah ***************
OPHahah true
Wayne ********
@Sarah **************
if you are a legitimate tourist with a UK passport, and have no previous immigration issues ,you are visa exempt for 60 days. There is no reason for them not to allow you entry into the kingdom. It makes no sense to pay an agency and would be a waste of money to pay an agency for a fast track through immigration because you will still have to wait for your luggage just like everybody that is not in fast track. Getting your luggage from the Bangkok airport is the most time consuming part of getting out of the airport. So if you do pay for a fast track service, all that means is you’ll be waiting longer at the baggage carousel for your luggage, unless of course you did not check a bag and had only carry-on. Todd *********
@Wayne *******
you don’t what. Fasttrack isSarah ***************
OP@James *******
because it takes weeks to process and I need to be there NOW due to multiple reasonsWayne ********
@Sarah **************
yeah sorry I didn’t read the first part of your post saying how many entries you already had. Just to the point though most people do go through fast track thinking that they are getting ahead of everyone in line waiting to go through immigration and all they are doing is getting to the baggage carousel before anyone else.
James ********
@Sarah **************
why not get a proper visa ?Sarah ***************
OP@Wayne *******
it’s not about saving time, it’s about guaranteeing entry since I was just deniedSarah ***************
OPyeah, I didn't do anything illegal, they just didn't like that I've already spent 160 days in Thailand this year already
Sarah ***************
OP@James *******
I’m asking because I was recently deniedJames ********
@Sarah **************
I think by using that method you are drawing attention to yourself.. given you’ve gamed the system so to speak …. I’d sit Thailand out until the new year if I were you …. Just sayin’ !Todd *********
@Ian *******
but they didn’t. Because there is no limit on visa exempt entriesTodd *********
@Sarah **************
ok- no problem. Many use it for entry. FastTrack will work just fine. But it can be expensive in BKK. As much as 8000 baht depending on circumstances. Reach out to TVC and ask.Ian ********
@Sarah **************
That's it , you haven't done anything illegal . It would have been better if on your previous entry they said to you no more visa exempt this year , next time you need a visa. Then you and them both know where you stand .Todd *********
@Sarah **************
depends on where you are landing and what you need? Are you hoping to avoid risk of a dubious entry history or just looking to get thru immigration quickly?
John *******
You can pay for the fast track lane. Much quicker entry process
Todd *********
@John ******
and facilitates immigration ‘issues’John *******
@Todd ********
I can’t answer that. I just do it because I don’t want to be stuck in immigration lines and also when traveling with mother-in-law.
Ken ***********
As,I understand, it helps you avoid the ling queues but it does little to no help in guarantee entry into Thailand.
Paul ***********
There isnt one...
Maksym ***********
Thats no visa system. Thats agency paid to immigration officers to be not attentive. They cant guaranteed but usally it works.
Todd *********
@Maksym **********
they definitely guaranteeMaksym ***********
@Todd ********
untill someone will not force checks and this corruption scheme not closed 😂Todd *********
@Maksym **********
welcome to Asia
Frankie *******
What kinda passport u hold
Sarah ***************
OP@Frankie ******
British
Asokā **********
@Sarah **************
then you just enter.... simple...Frankie *******
@Sarah **************
no problem visa exempt for 60 daysActivity
23 joined23
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