Answered8 years ago

What are my options for extending my stay in Thailand with a tourist visa as a South African?

Tourist Visa Visa Extension Border Run Visa Rules for South Africans Thailand Immigration VOA

Jessica **********

asked Aug 27, 2018

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Good morning!

I am from South Africa, came over on a 60 day tourist visa (with writing in my passport on my first visa applied for at home). I went to Laos and was approved my second tourist visa. Shortly after, Laos started denying tourist visas for people from SA with the writing in their passport.

My current visa expires on the 23rd of September. I want to stay in Thailand a little longer and therefore either have to apply for a new tourist visa or just do a border run and extend when I'm back in the country.

1. Would it be a problem applying for a new tourist visa even though the writing was on my first visa? (does the first one fall away completely if I was approved my second one)

2. Would it be better to do a VOE/VOA than apply for a tourist visa seeing as the authorities are not too keen on us south africans?

3. I have never done a border run/voa/voe, so was planning to make use of an agency to go to Cambodia. Does anyone have any advice on how this works (with or without an agency) and the costs.

I am based in Trang (South) at the moment.

Thank you in advance :)

Have a great day!

Answer summary

A South African expat is looking for advice on extending their stay in Thailand, as their current tourist visa is set to expire soon. They are considering options such as applying for a new tourist visa or doing a border run to Cambodia. Key questions include whether the original visa's history will impact the new application, the viability of a Visa on Arrival/Extension (VOA/VOE) due to heightened scrutiny on South Africans, and guidance on the border run process and associated costs.

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David ******

Have you translated the writing? It might just say prohibited to work, so, if that's the case, then they haven't flagged you. Your old visa's never fall away, they just lose their validity. Depends on the immigration officer on the day if he/she will allow you to cross back into Thailand. You will need 20 000 Baht cash, proof of accommodation and onwards travel outside of the kingdom.-For a tourist visa.

If you plan to stay less than 60 days, just do a quick border run and then an extension, otherwise if you plan to stay longer do a tourist Visa.

With regards to costs of Cambodia, I presume the costs would be very similar to a trip to Laos, but wait to hear from someone who has gone that route.

Best of luck

8 years ago

Jessica **********

😌 You guys are really just making my life work at the moment 👌 thank you so much 😄

8 years ago

Robert *******

It is not a VOA. You can as S/A cross a landborder and return twice a calendar year without a VISA and using the Visa Exempt Entry. If you cross with a Visa it does not count.

8 years ago

David ******

Should be fine. You crossed back into Thailand with a tourist visa so that wont count as a VOA/VOE. Someone must just correct me if i am wrong but i think you will have 2 land border crossings available to you. There is no limitation when you fly. So always keep your eyes open for cheap flights.

8 years ago

Jessica **********

Thank you so much! I know they say only 2 voe by land per calendar year! I already crossed by land once from Laos on my tourist. If I do one voe now, will that be considered as my 2 land-crossings or does it only count for voe's??

8 years ago