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What are the alternatives to the Special Tourist Visa for a UK citizen currently in Italy looking to stay in Thailand for around 90 days?

Special Tourist Visa Thailand Visa Alternatives Single Entry Tourist Visa Visa Extension Visa Exemption Covid-19 Visa UK Citizen Visa Process

Apr 1, 2021

4 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Alternatives to the Special Tourist Visa for Thailand? UK Citizen currently in Italy, from what I'm reading online I can only apply for the Special Tourist Visa in my country of residence (I won't be in the UK any time soon and plan on flying from Italy). 

Looking to stay maybe around 90 days. 

Are there ways to apply for it when in Thailand or a work around? Really stuck otherwise - seems like a bizarre rule considering how many people are misplaced in the world due to Covid-19.  

Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A UK citizen currently in Italy is seeking alternatives to the Special Tourist Visa (STV) for a potentially 90-day stay in Thailand. The STV is being phased out and can only be applied for in the country of residence, which complicates matters for individuals not currently in the UK. Key suggestions include obtaining a Single Entry Tourist Visa, which is valid for 60 days and can be extended by an additional 30 days in Thailand, effectively allowing for a full 90-day stay. Another option discussed is the visa-exempt entry, which could provide up to 45 days plus a 30-day extension, amounting to 75 days. Additionally, it was noted that a Covid-19 extension might be available for those qualifying under specific conditions. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities and current challenges related to visa options amid ongoing travel restrictions.

Bob **********

A regular tourist visa is 60 + 30 days

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Bob **********

yes just extended that

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Pat *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Will have to be, hopefully I'll get the opp for a Covid-19 extension

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Bob **********

then it's exempt stamp 45+ 30 still a lot of hoops and quarantine

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Pat *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Not sure if I can get it simply online - seems travelling involved. Would involve flying to Rome and travel across regions is currently banned. Bit of a shit show really

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Pat *********

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George *************

With visa-exempt wouldn't he currently be eligible for 45 days plus a 30-day extension = 75 days? Not 90, but better than 60. And not have to get a visa.

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Pat *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Good information and something to bear in mind. Have a good day mate 🙏🏻

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George *************

Yes, just recently the ability to purchase Covid-19 extensions of stay was extended to May 29, 2021. At the moment they seem to be giving them to anyone that applies (rather than insisting on evidence of hardship returning to your home country or an embassy letter), but no guarantee they will continue doing that.

You could get a visa-exempt entry and then a 30-day regular extension of stay and then, as long as before Mar 29, 2021, you could apply for a Covid-19 extension of stay for an additional 60 days.

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Pat *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Really appreciate the responses. Is the Covid Visa thing still a thing? Maybe visa exemption and then apply for the two month ‘Covid Extension can’t travel’ visa?

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George *************

Best wishes, whatever you decide!

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Pat *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

It’s pretty hard to get the visa as it’s a flight away to the Embassy. I’m basically in a country which doesn’t have a Thai embassy or consulate (closest is Rome/Milan) as I’m on an island (which is somewhat closer to Tunisia than mainland Italy!). Not sure if there is a way without sending passports off or flying to Rome - so visa exemption may be the only route.

It’s a joke really, for a country that wants you to come. They make it quite difficult 😩

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George *************

@Michael *******

The OP said the following:

"Looking to stay maybe around 90 days."

I outlined a way for him to stay 75 days. I mentioned he could stay for 90 days if he were to get a Tourist Visa.

It seems to me that when someone says they want to stay "around 90 days" that they should be offered the choice between 75 and 90. Which he chooses is, of course, up to him. Mentioning the 75-day option, which by the way doesn't require getting a visa, is not a disservice.

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Michael ********

@George ************

60 day tr and 30 day extension is exactly the 90 days required by the poster why advise otherwise its not exactly difficult to get a tourist visa

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George *************

@Michael *******

If the 45 days are reduced as you say, and no one knows when that will happen, it's more accurate to say that with an extension the total stay would be 70 days and 67. I'm not claiming that is equivalent to 90 days, but it's also not equivalent to 30 and 37. If the OP must have 90 days then a Tourist Visa and a 30-day extension are the way to go. If the OP can live with (currently) 75 days then a 45-day visa-exempt entry and 30-day extension would do the trick without requiring a visa from the embassy.

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Michael ********

@George ************

its very likely the 45 days wiĺl be reduced with quarantine time.

So those doing 10 days added to the 30 and those doing 7 will have 37. No where near the 90 days methinks bad advice

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Michael ********

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Benjamin ******

If you are thinking about just staying for 90 days, please get a single entry tourist visa that’s good for 60 days, and when you come here, a 30 day extension of stay based on tourism. The STV is a badly marketed visa.

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Jay **********

Tr visa (60 days) extend again another 30

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Garrett ***********

No, and the STV is being phased out. You can extend it after September. A regular Single entry tourist visa is good for 60 days and can be extended once for an additional 30 days (total 90 days).

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Pat *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

OK, shitter. Haha, Italy hasn't really worked out this agreement with this island either. Will look into it tomorrow morn and try and speak to the Thai embassy here. Good call on the visa exemption although may leave me a little short of 90 days after any potential extensions (saying that, beggars can't be choosers).

Really appreciate the responses. TY!

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Garrett ***********

So you can apply for any visa through the embassies online system, but you need to mail your passport to the embassy and have the visa stamped in it. Thailand hasn't figured out the internet 100% yet.

The only thing you can get 100% online would be a visa exempt entry, which just needs a COE which is emailed to you.

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Darren *******

I don't know about Italy (there might be something if you use the search function for the group) but a lot of Embassies are asking you to post your passport and give a self addressed envelope for them to return it back to you. It should be on their website but I'd be surprised if they also weren't doing that.

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Pat *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Cheers Darren - that's good news. I'm currently on the island of Sardinia - so all these talk of consulates/embassies is getting me nervous as they're a flight and almost a country away. Closest being Milan or Rome which would be a logistical nightmare to pick up a visa from!

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Darren *******

yes it can, you need to apply through the Thai Embassy's website.

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Pat *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

That sucks! Especially with the whole quarantine and most of Asia being closed... Do you know if the Single Entry Tourist Visa can just be applied for online?

Also thanks for the response Garrett, appreciated. Quick on the buttons!

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Pat *********

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