Answered5 years ago

What are the key differences between the STV and TR visa when applying for a Thai e-visa from the US?

Thai e-visa STV Visa TR Visa Visa Application Process Health Insurance Requirements Travel Documentation for Visa

Tom *******

asked Nov 3, 2021

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I am applying for a Thai e-visa from the US, and I have a couple of questions for those who have already gone through the process.

I have booked a one-way flight arriving in BKK on November  29th, and I want to stay approximately 3 months.

So I booked a separate return flight leaving BKK on February 25, 2022 which is an 89-day stay.

1) So do I need to apply for only an STV Visa good for 90 days(and not the TR which allows 60 days plus extension)?

Does the STV visa take longer to get approved?  What is the advantage of a TR visa, if any?

2)  I have Kaiser health coverage which I can use anywhere in the world (minus a deductible).  Can I use that as proof in lieu of a $50,000 health policy?  Or should I just buy a one-time travel policy and not worry about the extra $100 or so bucks?

3). I don't understand question 11 on the Thai e-visa form: 

"Applicant is required to upload his/her passport pages which contain all travel records for the past 12 months (1 year) since the last international trip."

The question makes no sense; since my last international trip, I obviously haven't used the passport, nor have I traveled overseas in the last 12 months, so what do I upload?

Thank you for your support and patience in helping me complete my Thai e-visa!

Answer summary

A user is applying for a Thai e-visa and seeks clarification on whether to apply for a Special Tourist Visa (STV) or a Tourist Visa (TR) for a planned stay of approximately three months. They inquire about the advantages of each visa type, including concerns over health insurance requirements and confusion over the visa application form's request for travel records. Community responses highlight the strict requirements for the STV, suggest the TR visa may be more flexible due to extendibility, and offer advice on how to handle the onward travel ticket situation.

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Mike *******

If you go the STV visa, then you need to leave the country. You cannot apply for another visa in Thailand while on the STV. Now that you booked your return flight, you cannot use TR visa, since you need a onward/exiting flight 59 days. The STV visa is stupid and costly as

@Brandon ***********

mentioned. What you should have done is the 60 day TR visa. Extended 30 days and can still keep your 89 day flight by using websites that do fake onward flights.

5 years ago

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

@Mike ******

he's not in Thailand yet so still has all the options on the table

5 years ago

Mike *******

@Brandon ***********

he said he booked his return flight 89 days already I think. He'll have to cancel that. No one should do the STV visa. It's so stupid.

Robert ***********

Thanks!

Tom *******

Thank you Robert...enjoy your trip as well!

5 years ago

Robert ***********

@Tom ******

Tom....I got a 60 day tourist visa approved by embassy in NYC over a weekend. Filed on Friday and received it Monday. Buy a full fare ticket for a duration withing the initial 60 days and cancel it and get a refund. It just has to be to leave Thailand. Then file for the 30 day extension while you are there. Real simple.

Regarding your passport picture and your last travel I would just make a copy of your passport with your last international trip and write "No International Travel since xx/xx/xx" and scan and upload.

I was covered by Etihad for Covid insurance requirement for Phuket sandbox. I also have Empire BC/BS in NY with an international rider but I still purchased World Nomad Insurance for my trip. God forbid something happens I want the hospital to say "This guy has great coverage. Pull out all the stops!" 😁

Good luck with your trip.

5 years ago

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

@Tom ******

reports of tourist visas being approved in under a week, 3-5 days.

Not enough data points on STV to provide an estimate. It's not used very much.

5 years ago

Mike *******

@Tom ******

I think the tourist visa is much faster to approve. But that is not something I can confirm. I did the the TR switching to Ed visa.

5 years ago

Tom *******

@Mike ******

Thank you for the info. I have no problem leaving Thailand right before my 90 days, and I can book an onward ticket at the 60 day point in time.

I'm trying to complete all the requirements for the Thai e-visa by tonight/tomorrow, so I can still use either STV or TV.

My big concern is how long will the STV visa take to be approved since I leave San Francisco on November 28th?

If the TV is approved faster, then that is probably the only safe option left for me, and I can add an onward flight at the 60-day mark.

5 years ago

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

STV visa requires a LOT of things, criminal history check, medical clearance form, much higher insurance requirements, and pre-paid lodging booking for your entire 90 days.

The only TR visa requirement that is above and beyond what you need to get COE/Thailand pass is they want to see a bank statement showing like $700.

You can get a TR visa, and extend inside Thailand for an additional 30 days, giving you 90 total. But the problem you will run into is that your return flight is not within your 60 day visa period. You can rent a ticket from a company that specializes in these situations for about $10 by googling "onward travel ticket." You can then use this rented ticket as proof for your visa application and to show the airline when you checkin to your flight.

5 years ago