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What are the best tourist visa options for an elderly visitor from India to Thailand, and what is the application process?

Thai tourist visa visa application process VFS Global India visa extension METV visa types immigration advice expat information

Jun 25, 2022

2 years ago

Deepanjali *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I plan to bring my mum to Bangkok from India mid October and would like your advice on the Tourist visa options of 60 days which you can extend to 90 days & 180 days. Are visa applications accepted online by vfs india or does one need to go personally to make submissions? Anyone who has applied for either of the visas - please share what’s best to do. 

My mum is nearly 80 and based in Darjeeling - many thanks 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on bringing their 80-year-old mother from India to Bangkok for a visa lasting 60 days, with clarification on extension options that have been discussed, including a misconception about a potential 180-day visa. Several comments clarify that Indian nationals are required to apply for a tourist visa prior to arrival, which can initially last for 60 days with a possible 30-day extension. The process of applying through VFS India, and the need for an in-person application, was discussed, as well as concerns about travel strains for elderly travelers. Some users advised considering an alternative retirement visa option for longer stays.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Raj ********

So even i am in process to understand visa procedure and i found this to be guidelines -

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And this clearly states you have to book an appointment to give your biometric and photo taken which will be used to issue a visa. So unfortunately it looks like your mom has to visit the center in person, nahi to you get 15 days VoA which i don't think serves your purpose.

VFS is pretty much the sole agency appointed by Thailand for Visa purpose.

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Deepanjali *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@SageRaj *******

thank you for the information

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Deepanjali *******

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Ludwig ***********

I guess she will have to apply at a Thai embassy or a Thai consulate in India. She cannot apply online.

If she comes without visa she can stay 30 days + 30 days possible extension = 60 days.

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Stuart *********

@Ludwig **********

No she can’t enter without a visa. Indian nationals are required to purchase a tourist visa prior to arrival or purchase a visa on arrival. The latter would give them 15 days and not extendable.

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Pinaki *****

@Stuart ********

i meant 15 .. damn typo :p.

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Pinaki *****

@Stuart ********

actually indians get 5 days of Visa on Arrival and its not extendible.. so toursit visa is the only option if they wanna stay longer

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Stuart *********

VOA is 15 days (technically 14 as your entry date is day 1 regardless of the time you enter).

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Stuart *********

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Siddhartha *********

Why you plan that?

Some medical treatments?

Are you working here?- ofcourse than you know all drama here!

80? Why not make 50+ non o basis of retirement for a year?

You don’t know what VFS function is?

You can’t figure out what visa and how to process? How come you determine country to visit?

Don’t answer at all! It’s always shady here and in india that’s why we have that repo!

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Deepanjali *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Siddhartha ********

thanks for the information on the non o visa. Yes I do what the vfs function is .. yes my mum is nearly 80 years old and lives alone and asking how to save a trip to vfs for submission of documents if it can be done through an agent. Yes I do work here and yes I’m asking a plain question on what is the best visa to bring her. That’s it

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Siddhartha *********

@Deepanjali ******

it doesn’t matter where you work! Did you visit vfs for your visa?

Just call an agent from hometown- apply for retirement non-0- put up all requirements and she gets 1 year stay! Nowhere she have to go!

Or any visa you take- due to her age- insurance can be a major issue of cost to consider!

Irrespective of visa- age says she must have certain insurance for long term visa in Thailand- again you know more the age more difficult and expensive the premiums! So if I were you I would first figure out insurance cost rather than visa!

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Siddhartha *********

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Jo **********

sounds dodgy if you want to retire here just get the right visa

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Pinaki *****

U can get an agent to do it fro u from vfs kolkata. Pls note : Tourist visa is only for 60 days stay and 7 days extendible for indian passports. Multiple entry option is still not available right now.. but that might change from July onwards.. refer to vfs website for more details.. unfortunately the online option has still not resumed in Indian VFS offices.. better to consult an agent

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Deepanjali *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

can’t it be extended here for another 30 days on the 60 days visa?

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Pinaki *****

@Deepanjali ******

sorry i have no leads on indian agents who can iniate the visa process from india.. u can ask for info in 'Indians in Thailand' group. So i would suggest that look into retirement visa option for your mum when she is here... but first step is definately the 60 day Tourist visa for u to go with

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Pinaki *****

@Deepanjali ******

technically its shud be 30 days extension..but the immigration refuses to give it for indian nationals ... in some cases the agents can do it for u ..but thats gonna take more than 1900 baht obviously. Talk to a few reliable agents regarding this .. i am gonna try to extend it for myself aswell .. lets see how it goes

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Deepanjali *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

please could you refer some reliable agents? 🙏

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Deepanjali *******

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Stuart *********

I’m assuming for the 180 days he’s meaning the METV, but no idea if they sell that in India.

If so you realise that that visa allows you 60+30 days per time throughout its 180 days validity. Which means your mum would have to leave the country at least once and return.

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Deepanjali *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

thank you 🙏.. wish there was a simpler way for her to stay longer as I worry the travel may worry/ cause strain for her

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Billie-Joe ********

@Deepanjali ******

she would only need to leave to a nearby country I believe? My knowledge on the METV is limited but I think this is correct.

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Stuart *********

@Billie-Joe *******

Yes even a land border walk across and back is fine. Just has to leave Thailand and come back in. Doesn’t matter how.

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Stuart *********

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Deepanjali *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for the information- for any Indians, what’s the application process? Is it in person or online to a vfs centre? Sorry I’m lost as the website is confusing

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Siddhartha *********

@Deepanjali ******

how did you get here?

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Siddhartha *********

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Miguel *************

You cannot extend it to 180 days.

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Nigel *********

Is the METV still a thing?

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Brandon ************

There is no 180 day visa. Tourist visa is 60 days and you can get a 30 day extension inside the country.

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Brandon ************

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