What are the best visa options for staying in Thailand for at least three months during the Phuket Sandbox plan?

Phuket Sandbox Visa Options Tourist Visa Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Visa Exemption

Jun 5, 2021

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

British here, hoping to be coming back to Thailand through the Phuket Sandbox plan next month. I want to stay at MINIMUM 3 months, but possibly longer if finances allow. What would my best options there be? In the past i've come on Visa exemption and extended (then popped next door and returned on another exemption).

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A British national planning to return to Thailand under the Phuket Sandbox scheme is looking for the best visa options to stay for a minimum of three months. Suggestions include obtaining a single-entry tourist visa prior to arrival, which allows for a 60-day stay with a possible 30-day extension, thus totaling three months. Others mentioned the Thai TR visa, which offers two months with a one-month extension. Given the current closed borders, the suggestion to 'pop next door' for visa runs is not feasible.

Chris *******

TR visa, gives you 2 month with a 1 month extension.

3 years ago

Jack *****

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Jack ****

That's a TERRIBLE visa that is far more trouble than it's worth AND it can't be changed to any other visa type inside the country either

3 years ago

Cassius **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

is that 'tourist visa' not the same SETV you suggested ? 60 days with 30 days extension? Ooh are you referring to the special tourist visa?

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Cassius *********

there is a "regular" tourist visa (the one that stamps you in for 60 days and you can get ONE 30 day extension on from the immigration office)

AND

There is a Special Tourist Visa, which has crazy requirements to get, but gets you stamped in for 90 days when you arrive and gets you TWO 90 day extensions.

That STV is running out on Sept 30 and people who enter on it after July 3 can't get any extension, just the 90 day stamp they get when they enter the country with it

PLUS as I said, you can't use it to go to any other visa type, when it's done you leave and go back to where you came from

3 years ago

Jack *****

@Cassius *********

special tourist visa ending SEP. So left normal tourist visa 45 days

3 years ago

Reply to

Jack *****

Tod *********

yeah there isn't any "pop next door" going on seeing as every country that borders thailand is closed AND the thai borders are closed too :P

So I'd say BUY a single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country before you wing your way here, get stamped in for 60 days and extend that for 30 more. That gets you 3 months and while you're here look for other longer term visa options :)

3 years ago

Cassius **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Aha I'm very aware there's no pop next door, it's why I'm asking 😂. Could I turn a single entry to another visa at a later date then?

3 years ago

Tod *********

@Cassius *********

are you asking if you can apply for another visa type inside the country from a tourist visa entry? That answer is yes. Which is why I said come here and during the 90 days you're allowed to be here on a tourist visa and the 30 day extension LOOK for other visa options :)

3 years ago

Cassius **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Brilliant cheers

3 years ago

Reply to

Cassius **********

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