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Should I apply for a TR Visa or rely on a visa on arrival for my trip to Thailand in February?

TR VisaVisa on ArrivalVisa ExemptionSTV VisaVisa Application ProcessCOVID-19 Travel RestrictionsTeaching VisaEducational Visa
Dec 24, 2020
4 years ago
Alex ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone! I’m trying to get back to Thailand somewhere around the middle of end of February. I intend on being there for a while (start with tourism and perhaps stay for education or teaching purposes). I’m wondering if I should go ahead and mail my visa application for a TR Visa stay instead of using a visa on arrival. Is the time frame too close?

Does anyone else have any advice on how to best handle this visa situation?

EDIT: please keep your advice on visas, not on whether or not you think I should come!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is considering whether to apply for a TR Visa to stay in Thailand for tourism and potentially for education or teaching, or to use a visa on arrival. Community responses suggest that applying for the TR Visa is advisable for a longer stay, as it offers more flexibility compared to visa exemption options. Several comments also share concerns around the ongoing COVID-19 situation and travel restrictions, while discussing the potential difficulties and costs associated with quarantine measures and travel to Thailand. Additionally, there is mention of the STV visa and its limitations regarding changing to other visa types in-country.
Ralph ***********
I lived in many South East Asian Countries for a longer time, and in China too, but I have never met more racist people like in Thailand and Myanmar.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Ralph ******
 if it is what you think just avoid thailand
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Wade ********
Hello Alex, to the best of my knowledge the STV can not be converted to any other kind of visa. So you're probably looking at the TR 60 day visa which can be extended 30 days in country, so 90 days. I wouldn't go with the Visa Waiver with your plans as it will be a max 75 days without leaving the country and redoing your quarantine. As for all the people going on about thousands, etc. to get here.... you can get a flight from Houston one way for $500 and a cheap ASQ for 27,000 Baht or about $900 that said I would spend more on the ASQ... but to each their own. The government has streamlined the process and it's not much different then many other places. Sorry I am adding all this, just getting tired of all the people spewing their opinions about not coming here.
4 years ago
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Prieto ****
@WM *******
 the health insurance needs to be an specific one accepted by the thai gov or can be any company offering the same type of coverage?
4 years ago
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Wade ********
@Prieto ***
 just needs to state US$100,000 cover for C19.... or equivalent in a different currency.
4 years ago
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Wade ********
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Luke **********
Unless you have thousands to waste on quarantine and all the other requirements your best to wait and monitor the situation untill maybe April time. Many of us are all eager to return but cannot right now without a massive amount spent and a big headache. The list of requirements alone are crazy right now and finding a flight may be a challenger in itself.
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Lu**
 You keep saying this, but everyone who arrives DAILY in Thailand seems to be able to figure out a way...
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Prieto ****
i think for long term atm the best/easy option is the STV visa. Let me know how it goes if you manage to get into tailand. I am in the same situation as you but it feels too complicated to go through all the hoops in the process atm
4 years ago
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Jane ***********
@Prieto ***
 If you get an STV visa you can't change it to any other kind of visa in country. If you want to do this, you're better off getting a standard tourist visa
4 years ago
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Prieto ****
@Ja**
 afaik stv is 9 months, the longest visa available. why would you change it for another one?
4 years ago
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Jane ***********
@Prieto ***
 the OP says he might want to stay on for ‘teaching or educational purposes’. He would not be able to, for eg, change STV for education visa
4 years ago
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Prieto ****
@Jane **********
 ah ok, I get it now
4 years ago
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Prieto ****
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Paul *****************
Law Thailand Change every Day. Mybee Lock down soon again. Covid come up there.

Better wait and look Covid Situation.
4 years ago
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Larry ******
I'm confused. I'm sure you mean visa exemption instead of on arrival but is that even an option now. I'm in Mexico now so I'm sorry if this has been covered but if that is the case, I'm interested.
4 years ago
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Larry ******
I think the major advantage is the zero hassle involved with visa exempt.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Larry Love. The hassles seem to be with booking flights, ASQ and obtaining covid test within 72 hours of departure. There has not been too many reports of problems getting a visa. Most have indicated a few days turnaround. For people wishing to change visa category in the country, the extra month gives more breathing space.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Bobby ********
Larry Love. I believe
@Alex *******
 means Visa Exempt entry, not Visa On Arrival, as VOA is not available for US citizens. Personally, I see no advantage to a visa exempt entry as it is only 30 days, whereas a TR gives 60+30 days. Both still require COE, so there's no real advantage except to save the relatively small cost of the visa
4 years ago
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Ken ***********
@Larry *****
4 years ago
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Larry ******
cool. thanks for the info and good luck to ya
4 years ago
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Alex ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Here’s what appears to be available to US citizens at this time. Idk about other countries though I’m sure it’s similar.
4 years ago
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Alex ********
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Oliver *************
Good Luck Alex
4 years ago
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Gregg *************
Stay at home and wait for Covid to calm down
4 years ago
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Gregg *************
Some of us are simply being realistic oliver !! Why any tourist Or future teacher would want to travel to Thailand at this time is beyond my common sense I was there last Jan -april and it totally sucked with the lockdown
4 years ago
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Paul *****************
@Gregg ************
 You so right Gregg

Its not a good Time for travel Thailand now. Many Schools and University are Closed in Part lockdown.

Bars and Restaurants closed for sale, because no normal Tourists can come. Ko Samui Pattaya, Patong Empty can look in you tube show Vidio Ghost Island and Towns.

I travel to Thailand 20 years every Year.

My First Time i stay In Germany this Time in December January. Sad Situation. Safty First
4 years ago
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Paul *****************
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Oliver *************
@Gregg ************
 No Help Her Or Leave her Alone with her Ideas Please
4 years ago
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Oliver *************
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Jim ********
You can crack on straight away. Once issued in your passport you have to enter the kingdom of Thailand within 90 days
4 years ago
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Jane ***********
David Broadfoot yeah, you’re right. I was thinking of the requirements to get a visa not visa exempt. Might be difficult now though with travel so restricted. Main point for OP though is when using visa exempt I’ve always been asked to show proof of return, (at Heathrow anyway).
4 years ago
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Jane ***********
David Broadfoot yes, but ‘on the day’ tickets are usually v expensive if you don’t get an even more expensive refundable one. And the visa stipulation is return to home country not a cheap flight to KL or something. One way to do it buy refundable Expedia flight originally, print that off as evidence, get a refund and buy a one way. I haven’t experienced anyone who had their flight checked online at the airport.
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
Qatar and Eva always checked but, were always happy to let me board the plane. Malaysia and Cathay Pacific never checked. Emirates, I can’t remember... As I said, never had an issue but, always had it in my mind I could book a return flight on the spot, if necessary. The circumstances may have changed now, I’ll accept, because it’s not like you can say “I’m travelling on to Cambodia” or one of the many other explanations I gave.
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
David Broadfoot I travelled at least 10 times without a return ticket, before I moved to Thailand on a more permanent basis. Half the times, I didn’t even have to explain, the other half, I gave a brief explanation. It was never difficult or “touch and go”. Maybe it was the twinkle in my eye, that got me on the plane each time, who knows 🤷‍♂️
4 years ago
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Carlo ******************
@Karim **************
 I always did with a retirement Visa, tourist i doubt it, specially now...

Good days are over lots of things changed
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
@Carlo *****************
 I always did with tourist visa, like literally every time, including March this year. Return flights are not mandatory and still won’t be.
4 years ago
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Carlo ******************
@Karim **************
 lots of regulations changed from March...better check before leave though...😉
4 years ago
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Carlo ******************
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Alex ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks! One more question - I know we sometimes need proof of leaving the country. Instead of booking a round trip flight, can we book a one way flight and then show proof of us going somewhere else, like Bali or Taiwan?
4 years ago
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Corey *******
@Alex *******
 I had this same question. I submitted my application yesterday with a one-way ticket to thailand from USA. Within an hour, they replied asking me for my exit ticket. I ended up purchasing a $55 flight to Singapore from Bangkok to fulfill this requirement. They also requested "proof of payment" so I don't think the fake onward rental tickets will work, but I'm just being safe.
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
@Alex *******
 one way flight is ok... I travelled many times with a one way flight on a tourist visa and a visa exemption. Sometimes the airport may ask about it, just say you may decide to extend when in country. Thailand immigration never ask for return flight details
4 years ago
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Jane ***********
@Karim **************
 If you have a visa you are not usually asked by the airline (because they presume this has been done as part of the application) but if you plan to travel on Visa exemption, you are very likey to be asked - I always have been when traveling from the UK
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
@Jane **********
 yes I was asked with a visa exemption, as I stated. And at the airport, I would say, “I may extend my stay, so I haven’t bought a return ticket”. And never was I turned away!
4 years ago
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Jane ***********
@Karim **************
 You almost certainly would not have been allowed to board without a return ticket planning to do a visa exempt at Heathrow by just saying you hadn't finalized your plans yets. Airlines can be fined for that. And I've flown several times a year to Thailand over the last 6 years. I even had my return ticket scrutinized pretty thoroughly, it certainly wasn't a quick glance.
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
@Jane **********
 that’s rubbish. I have travelled to Thailand at approximately 10 times without a return flight booked. And yes, from Heathrow, multiple airlines as well. About 50% of the time, I wasn’t even questioned about it and the other 50%, they asked me about it, and I gave a brief explanation. Are you telling me I imagined it? 😂
4 years ago
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Jane ***********
@Karim **************
 I have absolutely no idea. I’m just speaking from my experience. The OP can use their own judgment about whether to risk it. I certainly wouldn’t.
4 years ago
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Carlo ******************
@Karim **************
 me too but now is different...
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
@Carlo *****************
 the airline will not stop you flying without a return ticket. Because it’s a very clear option that you can extend your stay.
4 years ago
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Karim ***************
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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