Answered5 years ago
What are the requirements and process for obtaining a Special Tourist Visa (STV) for Thailand?
I have just arrived in BKK on an STV from the UK and the journey was a breeze! Waaay easier than I was expecting it to be so I wanted to let people know exactly what I did in case anyone was thinking of making the trip:
1. Booked my flights with Finnair
1. Insurance is with Staysure and I bought the unlimited coverage with 100 day extended stay
1. Pre-flight PCR was with DAM (midnight guaranteed)
1. SHA+ was via Agoda (the hotel was particularly basic but it was only for one night)
1. Accommodation for three month is booked via booking.com however I have free cancellation so can still be free to explore
1. I submitted the required documentation to the Thai Embassy in London and secured my STV before I applied for the Thai Pass (Important!)
1. Once my visa was approved I applied for the Thai Pass and was approved almost immediately (like 48 hours and it was confirmed)
1. I printed everything off twice so I had one copy in a folder and one as backup in my bag (all of the above) and at every checkpoint I just handed them the whole folder.
Hope this helps someone 👍
1. Booked my flights with Finnair
1. Insurance is with Staysure and I bought the unlimited coverage with 100 day extended stay
1. Pre-flight PCR was with DAM (midnight guaranteed)
1. SHA+ was via Agoda (the hotel was particularly basic but it was only for one night)
1. Accommodation for three month is booked via booking.com however I have free cancellation so can still be free to explore
1. I submitted the required documentation to the Thai Embassy in London and secured my STV before I applied for the Thai Pass (Important!)
1. Once my visa was approved I applied for the Thai Pass and was approved almost immediately (like 48 hours and it was confirmed)
1. I printed everything off twice so I had one copy in a folder and one as backup in my bag (all of the above) and at every checkpoint I just handed them the whole folder.
Hope this helps someone 👍
Answer summary
A user shares their smooth experience arriving in Bangkok on a Special Tourist Visa (STV) from the UK, detailing their flight, travel insurance, PCR testing, hotel accommodation, and visa application process. They emphasize the importance of having all necessary documentation ready for checkpoints. The post has garnered comments of encouragement and further inquiries about the requirements and experiences for other travelers, including questions about the STV details, quarantine procedures, and the booking process.
68 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Matt *********
@Sam *******
Also, I flew into BKK last May and security was extremely intense. Did you get a lot of questions about your intentions for being in Thailand especially long term?
Nick *******
Fair play for taking the time to inform interested parties. So what was the total cost of entry (excluding flights) with the first night hotel?
Sam ********
OPNick Woods just shy of £1k however one of the requirements of the STV is proof of at least $5k available in an account. This is inescapably the biggest barrier to entry.
Ralphy *****
Too much crap to get into Thailand, what a joke. Ladies and gentlemen do not go to Thailand because simply they do not want you !!!
Zineb *********
Question regarding the quarantine while waiting for PCR results: do we have to stay in a room or can we enjoy hotel facilities like swimming pools, beach access...? Thanks
James ********
@Zineb ********
must stay in room until test results are known.
Brad **********
Thanks champ, I’m for Oz but really appreciate you taking the time to post the full process! It has provided me with a lot clearer understanding of what’s ahead of us when we (hopefully) book for March/ April 🤞 🙏🏼
Jamie ********
Fancy a bum?
Piers ********
What load of bs. What a headache
Mark ********
Good lad
Brian *****************
I have just arrived at my hotel in Bangkok, everything from when you get off the plane went so smoothly. Longest wait was for my bag, hotel transport was waiting and the pcr test done.
Just pray that it’s negative.
Just pray that it’s negative.
Seán *******
Thailand Pass? All of above is correct and will qualify for Thailand Pass
Bim *******
Is this a TAT sponsored post?
Jim *******
Negativity must be your middle name.
Bim *******
@Jim ******
I asked a question?????Jim *******
@Bim ******
Sorry wrong person
Tony *******
@Bim ******
sound like it eh it's to precise plus who would take the time and effort to post this?it's a advertising blog end of story
Will *********
it helps! Glad to hear you had such a smooth experience...its giving me confidence for my travel there in January!
Kamran *********
Thanks for the info. What are the current requirements for a STV?
Sam ********
OP@Kamran ********
Not sure but you can check with your local Embassy 👍
Liam ********
When did you start applying for your STV time frame ?? I’m going March so was just wondering when to start doing it all??
Sam ********
OP@Sophie ********
that's not correct. I started my application a month ahead and got it after two weeks.You do not need to apply three months in advance. Also the STV is a Special Tourist Visa that gives you a permitted length of stay up to 90 days, not 60 days.Sophie *********
@Sam *******
Just out of interest, have you checked the date immigration has stamped in your passport? What is that date?Sam ********
OPThe Special Tourist Visa (STV) is 90 days and can be extended twice (for a total of 270 days)
Sophie *********
@Sam *******
SPECIAL TOURIST VISA - STV (single entry only)This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter Thailand for tourism purposes.
STV visa holders will initially be permitted to stay in Thailand up to 90 days including the quarantine period.
The extension of stay can be requested at the Immigration Bureau in Thailand up to 2 times at the maximum of 90 days per each extension.
The maximum stay in total, therefore, shall NOT exceed 270 days including the quarantine period.
The current end date of the STV scheme is 30 September 2022.
Sophie *********
@Sam *******
You're mistaken on both counts. I wasn't saying you have to apply three months ahead. The person was asking when to apply. And you can do so within those three months prior to travel.Sophie *********
@Liam *******
3 monthsLiam ********
@Sophie ********
thank you 🙏Sophie *********
@Liam *******
'Single Entry Tourist Visa will be valid for 3 months from the date of issue. You must enter Thailand within the validity of visa. However, the permitted length of stay is up to 60 days from the date of arrival in Thailand.'James ********
Thank you for your report. Glad you got your STV visa.
I do think your real challenge will be when you seek your first three month extension.
What are you going to do when you need to prove an added three months of insurance?
And the Staysure may or may not be accepted by Thai Immigration.
You were very lucky to have had it accepted on original visa issue IMHO.
Good Luck...
Enjoy Thailand.
I do think your real challenge will be when you seek your first three month extension.
What are you going to do when you need to prove an added three months of insurance?
And the Staysure may or may not be accepted by Thai Immigration.
You were very lucky to have had it accepted on original visa issue IMHO.
Good Luck...
Enjoy Thailand.
Sam ********
OP@James *******
It was comments like that worried me... stop fear-mongering please.Sam ********
OPI don't want to start an arguemt, this was meant to be a post to help people so I'll leave it however I disagree strongly
Lisa ********************
@Sam *******
post is helpful. But if you have trouble and need further extended insurance @Arawan ******
Email:*******************
is very helpful. And highly recommended.
Michael ********
@Sam *******
yes the post is very helpful, its also best to be prepared. Not a big deal when you go get the next extension you will probably require Thai insurance. Your other insurance you said was for 100 days so you will need insurance anyway thats one of the conditions everytime you extendMichael ********
@Sam *******
see this from yesterday *************************************************************************
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0/Michael ********
@Sam *******
problem is he is correct
Trevor **********
Would you mind giving me the name of the hotel you did your one night quarantine
Trevor **********
Can you please send again
Sam ********
OP@Trevor *********
Ratach
Richard *******
Cheers thanks for sharing your experience - question about the preflight PCR do medical staff perform the test or did you have to do yourself ?
Lisa ********************
@Richard ******
you can order Randox pre flight self administered home test. Just check if they have drop box near you. Very fast. Very efficient. And result certificate fully accepted for entry.Sam ********
OP@Richard ******
Medical staff at DAM did mine. It was unpleasant (as always) but got the paper.
Atte *******
Booking thrue booking.com is vaste of money! Thai friends that own a resort told me they have to put 10-15% on top of normal price. Who works for free???
Richard *****
So booking accomadation with booking .com was all bullshit and paid nothing !! Right
Sam ********
OPRichard Roc no, I am here in the accommodation I booked in BKK but I booked three separate months and will likely change Jan/Feb so I can go to other areas.
Matt *********
@Sam *******
Quick question about booking 3 months in advance. My plans is to stay at a hotel for 7-10 days while I find a place to lease long term. Your recommendation would be to book the hotel for 7-10 days. Then make 3 separate bookings at the same hotel and cancel them after arriving in Thailand?Richard *****
@Sam *******
ok thanks 4 that !! Booking .com very expensive i found 😢
Madz ******
Point 1 is most helpful 🤣 but seriously, thanks for sharing. Gives me a glimmer of hope for January
Zineb *********
STV? We need short term Visa??
Sam ********
OPZineb Soulami Special Tourist Visa - lasts 3 months and can be extended twice so potential 9 month stay in Thailand
Sam ********
OPNo, its just another type of visa you can apply for
Mari *****
@Zineb ********
that's rightZineb *********
@Sam *******
ok so i guess if im going for a week i dont need this. Correct? ThanksZineb *********
@Sam *******
thanks! usually with french passport we dont need Visa for thailand , is it because of Covid that we need to ask for this Special tourist visa? Thanks
Margaret *********
Great to know. Was BKK your final destination or transit? I’m transiting via BKK To PKT and not sure can ?
Chris *********************
@Margaret ********
don't think you can transit if you land in Bangkok you have to quarantine 1 day before you go anywhereMargaret *********
@Chris ********************
ok thanksMargaret *********
@Lisa *******************
thanksLisa ********************
@Margaret ********
definitely have to do test & go in BK, before you make your own way to Phuket. Only other way is to fly to Phuket. No transit in BK.Sam ********
OPBKK is my final destination, PKT in maybe a month but it'll be classed an internal flight
Dan ********
Sounds so easy and uncomplicated. No hassle. 😂
Gary *********
Great info.
Colleen *********
Did u upload the vaccination qr code or just the certificate?
Sam ********
OPThe whole certificate. I downloaded it from the NHS app and just uploaded the whole thing.
Colleen *********
@Sam *******
yeah fair enough. I was thinking it was a double up. ThanksSam ********
OPThe cert has the QR code on it so I just put the whole thing up.
Colleen *********
@Sam *******
I can't get qr code to upload so will just upload the whole cert. ThnxColleen *********
Thanks that's awesome and encouraging. I'm in Oz due to fly Feb 22. Have a great time
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