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What are the current rules for the Tourist Visa Exemption for Australian and UK passport holders at Thailand's land border crossings?

Thailand VisaTourist Visa ExemptionVisa RulesLand Border EntryAustralian PassportUK PassportImmigration Policy
Jan 18, 2018
7 years ago
Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tourist Visa Exemption. I noticed that the Melbourne Thailand Consulate website states that the TVE at land border crossings are for up to 15 days stay. The UK Gov information site still states that TVE's obtained at land borders are for up to 30 days stay. Have the rules recently changed re number of days stay or have they been different for UK passport holders and Australian passport holders for some time? I know there are only 2 land border TVE's allowed each year.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
There is confusion regarding the duration of stay for Tourist Visa Exemptions (TVE) for Australian and UK passport holders at Thailand's land borders. As of December 31, 2016, the duration for TVE at land borders was increased from 15 days to 30 days for many nationalities, including Australians and Brits, with a limit of two entries per calendar year. However, some consulate websites notably still list the outdated 15-day rule, leading to misinformation. Users in the community confirm that the 30-day exemption is still valid, despite the misinformation circulating on official websites.
Ian ***************
Many "official" embassy/consular websites still contain outdated information (the above screen shot for example). 50+ nationalities (including Aussies) can get a 30-day visa-exempt entry by land or air. The 15-day restriction for most by land entry changed to 30 days as of 31-12-2016, but now limited to twice *by land* per calendar year.
7 years ago
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So it would seen Brad. I'm just surprised than an Official Consulate website would have misinformation displayed for more than 1 year. I will message them to query/correct.
7 years ago
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I agree Todd. I'm not motivated enough to ask them to change it. I'm not even Australian and have non plans of returning.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
Personally I think you guys are tryin' to push a rope in your efforts to get those places to update their websites but good on your for trying.
@Ian *******
, most consulates have different requirements for tourist visas, some want all 3-proof-ofz; onward travel, 20K baht in a bank and confirmed hotel booking.

Some want one or two of them or some like Vientiane don't require any.
7 years ago
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Robert *******
@Ian *******
 LOL Just sent this message: Hello,

I live in Thailand and got some questions of Australian people about a Visa.

I explained the rules about Visa Exempt Entry, but there seems to be a misunderstanding.

Your website and your advice by mail is:

"Yes for British you can stay up to 30 days through overland and by air but for Australian they can stay up to 30 days by air and stay up to 15 days through overland.

Kind Regards

Kris"

But as you can read in the attachment on 31 December 2016 the Thai Immigration changed the rules.

Please can you update the website and change the information about 15 days Visa Exempt Entry by land borders.

Thanks in advance

Robert Lagas.
7 years ago
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Oscar ******************
Not only in Melbourne, if you check other consulates around the world, all of them have the same mistake.
7 years ago
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Robert *******
It's a petty that a sales person don't know what they sale. They are correct with the Visa and onward travel, airline companies only ask if you go to Thailand without Visa, this because the airline company is responsible for you if Immigration denied entry. Did you send a copy of the Immigration announcement about the 30 day Visa exempt entry and 2 x by land restriction to the Consulate ?
7 years ago
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
. I'll assume that they are wrong all the same. Just an interesting reply.
7 years ago
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Second reply: to this message :Message: Hi,

I noticed that when a person applies for a SETV in Melbounre they are not required to show proof of plans for onward /return Travel out of Thailand to obtain the visa. Just proof of sufficient funds to support the stay and proof of accommodation in Thailand.

Does and applicant need to show proof of onward/return travel plans out of Thailand in order to board an aircraft flying into Thailand and/or when arriving in Thailand at Passport Control?

Many thanks in advance

Kind regards

Ian HornbyRoyal Thai Consulate General Melbourne <
*******************************
>

05:24 (5 hours ago)

to me

Hi Ian,

For single entry tourist visa we just require to see one way ticket to Thailand and if you have visa in your passport you don’t need to show return ticket.

Kind Regards

Kris
7 years ago
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 It would seem that don't know themselves
@Robert ******
. Consolate reply this morning. Royal Thai Consulate General Melbourne <
*******************************
>

09:50 (30 minutes ago)

to me

Hi Ian,

Yes for British you can stay up to 30 days through overland and by air but for Australian they can stay up to 30 days by air and stay up to 15 days through overland.

Kind Regards

Kris
7 years ago
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Oscar ******************
Sure they tell you that you are wrong, but don't believe them.
7 years ago
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Will do, I've just emailed them.
7 years ago
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Robert *******
Let Us know the outcome.
7 years ago
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Robert *******
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Brad ***********
As good as they are at processing tourist visas in a prompt manner, the Melbourne consulate quite often provide blatent misinformation.
7 years ago
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ahh, I've just answered my own question in the above screenshot. See the note section near the bottom.
7 years ago
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Oscar ******************
A lot of thai consulates webs aren't accurate all over the world. 30 days visa exempt entry for sure.
7 years ago
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Robert *******
It's not odd that websites have outdated information. The announcement I posted is the last one and still valid. You will get 30 days Visa Exempt Entry at the land border with a maximum of 2 Visa Exempt Entries by land or sea borders a calendar year.
7 years ago
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Robert. Are you certain that there haven't been any rule changes since? It seems odd to me that the Consulate in Melbourne would have out of date info on its website for more than a year???
7 years ago
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Robert *******
As you can see in my post, rules changed on 31 Dec 2016. Not only G7 countries get 30 days.
7 years ago
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Robert *******
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Robert *******
30 days according the last announcement of Thailand Immigration:
7 years ago
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Ian ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
15!
7 years ago
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Danny **********
The uk website says 15 too but I got 30 a couple months ago
7 years ago
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Tod *********
don't believe everything you read. those consulate websites aren't accurate :/
7 years ago
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Robert *******
They need to update their website
7 years ago
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Robert *******
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Brian ******
No Aussies get 30 days
7 years ago
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Dylan ********
Pretty sure Australians only get 15 days.
7 years ago
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Tod *********
you'd be wrong :/ it's 30
7 years ago
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Tod *********
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Steve *******
Visa exemptions at land borders are 30 days
7 years ago
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Steve *******
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