What are my visa options for a stay in Thailand from September 24 to December 22?

Question

Hi all, I am planning on arriving in Thailand September 24th and departing as 12:20 am on December 22nd.

Google counts this as 89 days; apparently, Thai EVisa counts it as 91 days. I was going to get a 90 day visa, but I guess that isn't an option? Unless I could somehow stamp out before midnight on December 21st? Does anyone know if this is possible? Otherwise, I could probably change my flight to a day earlier.

Alternatively, I could come in visa-exempt for 45 days and extend. Do we know when the 60-day COVID visa extensions will be available until? If they still are being extended around the end of October then I could come in visa exempt without a 90-day visa. What do you think?

Thanks for the help!

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is planning a stay in Thailand from September 24 to December 22 and is concerned about the visa implications. There's confusion over the duration counted by Google and Thai immigration, as well as questions about the possibility of exiting Thailand just before midnight on December 21 to avoid overstaying a 90-day visa. Comments clarify that the entry date counts as day one, and advise on the timing for exiting before the flight. They also discuss the availability of COVID-related visa extensions, indicating they might end by September 27.

Benjamin ****** · Answer

I'm going to shut this post down. To summarize:

1. The entry date on arrival is "day 1", and therefore a person can only stay a total of "89 days" on a tourist visa (59 days on arrival+ 30 days extension of stay).

2. A person is "stamped out" of Thailand when they cross immigration controls at the airport.

3. Certificate of Entries are outside the group's scope. Either ask your local consulate, OR find a "farangs stranded" abroad group.

4. The last day a person can apply for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 is September 27. Expecting to stay in Thailand on this extension is NOT a long-term strategy.

Thank you.

Scott ******* · Answer

On the date of your departure you will be airside before midnight for sure lots of airlines close the gate 30 minutes before departure . So you need to make sure you go through security in plenty of time even if your sat at the gate for 45 minutes

Darren ****** · Answer

What time is your exit flight

Benjamin ****** · Answer

>Google counts this as 89 days

The arrival day is counted as "day 1", and not "day zero" in Thai immigration laws.

>Unless I could somehow stamp out before midnight on December 21st?

Generally, you need to be in the boarding area at least an hour before flight departure, so you'll be stamped out on December 21.

>Do we know when the 60-day COVID visa extensions will be available until?

As of right now, the last day they are selling the 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 is September 27. I do not expect the government to continue selling this extension of stay, and isn't something you should assume to exist.

>then I could come in visa exempt without a 90-day visa

What is the "90 day visa"? Is this the single entry tourist visa that's good for 90 days, and let's a person stay in Thailand for 59 days on entry?

Zoe ******** · Answer

If you go through the immigration gate before midnight, you will have officially "left" Thailand and been stamped out on the 21st, even though you won't physically leave until the 22nd.

What are my visa options for a stay in Thailand from September 24 to December 22?

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