Should we travel on the 45-day visa with an extension or apply for a 60-day visa for our trip to Phuket?

Mar 13, 2023
2 years ago
Sandie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
HI - we are coming to Phuket island - can we travel on the 45 day visa and get a 30 day extension or is it better to just get a 60 day visa? thank you in advance

thanks all for the advice and help - we are going to apply for 60 day visa and then get the 30 day extension *
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is considering traveling to Phuket and is unsure whether to use the 45-day visa exemption with an option for a 30-day extension, or to apply directly for a 60-day visa. Community members discussed the pros and cons of each option, highlighting that the 45-day option might soon expire, while the 60-day visa requires more documentation. Ultimately, the user decided to apply for the 60-day visa, followed by the 30-day extension.
Stephen *******************
There is no guarantee as yet if the 45 day visa exemption will continue after 31st March so it’s abit of a gamble if you going before then … just buy the TR visa to be sure of an extra 90 day total (60+30 days) and leave your worries behind 👍
Hargrave *******
My understanding is the 45 day thing is a time limited offer that will expire soon?
Sandie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
ive looked it up - yes its due to review - if it goes it is expected to go back to 30 days -
Tony **********
I went through the same headache. Im here now and as it stands for uk. Till end of march anyway is 45 days and 2 weeks from now ill just extend for 30 days. That seemed the laziest way I could do it
Sandie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *********
and that way im guessing you didnt need to provide proof of income and pension? the 60 day oneis asking for that
Sandie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
thankyou
Tony **********
@Sandie *******
exactly. I actually started doing the 60 on line and I just gave up as im lazy. Was simple this way just walked in got 45 and the extra 30 is meant to be easy so 75 days total easy
Jo **********
Todd *********
One of those options offers 15 more days than the other (maybe.. as it could be cancelled 31 March). Do you want 60 or 90?
Mitchell *******
You could also take a side trip on the 45 day exemption (2 nights in Kuala Lumpur for example), then come back for another exemption period. Just a thought in case you were thinking of visiting another country.
Jo **********
Sandie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mitchell ******
that’s a grand idea thank you
John *********
Why pay for a 60 visa when the extension is 1900 baht 🤔
Sandie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
hi and good morning from the uk. - it’s £30 each for the 60’day visa

I only asked as it’s quite messy to provide the consulate with all they need on 60 days

The on line embassy here is asking for proof of income for us both (we are retired) and they won’t accept bank statements printed from our lap tops (we are all on line so this is confusing)

We have to find a branch that’s actually open and as for a printed version

We have already booked the accommodation

But we can do it

It’s just a pain
John *********
@Sandie *******
Good afternoon from a long holiday in Thailand and you get 45 days free so your paying for 15 days really with a 60 day visa
Sandie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
I guess - it wasn’t so much the money but more the ease of getting it

I was wondering how awkward it was really v re mewing
John *********
@Sandie *******
I came for 6 months on a free 45 days then Jomtien immigration for 30 days and 2 same day Cambodia runs which gave me 45 days each trip then I will do Jomtien immigration again next month for 30 days but I won't need all of them
Paul *******
How much more? I thought it was 2000 Baht in which case you might as well just pay that. Easier and more convenient to get visa matters done before departure than visiting immigration offices when on vacation
Sandie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
thanks paul that’s what we thought
John *********
@Paul ******
you get 45 days free so you are paying for a 60 day visa what only gives you 15 days more
Paul *******
@John ********
Well, it depends on how long the OP wants to spend in Thailand. If it's 60 days or 70 days, then she might as well enter on 45 days exempt, spend a few days in a neighboring country and come back for another 45 days (or 30 if the government reverts back to 30 days by then). Or if she's not interested in experiencing a neighboring country or wants to do that after spending time in Thailand, then go for the 30 day extension at immigration.

Not all consulates require pre-booked accommodation, much less for the entire 60 days??
John *********
@Paul ******
they do from England
Paul *******
@John ********
I see. I guess it depends where you apply.
John *********
@Paul ******
you have to have the accommodation booked already to get a 60 day visa
Sandie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
we have hun x
Paul *******
How much is the 60 day visa? Might make more sense just to go for that. Depends how long they plan to stay
John *********
@Paul ******
more than 1900 baht
Richard *********
@John ********
$40 in most places
John *********
@Richard ********
we are in Thailand so it's baht nothing else including dollars
Richard *********
@John ********
you cant buy a tourist visa for Thailand IN Thailand :-)
Stuart *********
@John ********
no. Usually priced around £30 or equivalent which is around 1,200 baht.
John *********
@Stuart ********
if no accommodation is booked then you can't apply ror a 60 day visa
Stuart *********
@John ********
not sure what that’s got to do with anything. You said a tourist visa was more expensive than a in country extension. I was pointing out the fact that you are wrong. It isn’t.
John *********
@Stuart ********
you get 45 days free so you are paying for a 60 day visa what only gives you 15 days more
Steve ********
When are you coming?
Sandie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
sept to dec
Steve ********
@Sandie *******
Ok. You won't get 45 days. You'll get 30 on a free entry, which can be extended a further 30 for 1900 baht. Alternatively you can get a Tourist Visa for £30 which will give you 60 days, and which can also be extended a further 30 days for 1900 baht
Daniel ************
sure - can -
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