Answered2 years ago
What happens if I enter Thailand with a pending e-visa application?
Hypothetical situation, you applied for an e-visa in your home country. Due to uncontrollable circumstances, there was a very long delay in the approval process. You have taken the decision to travel to Thailand and enter visa exempt, instead of waiting for e-visa approval. I am thinking this may have consequences. Maybe you are denied entry visa exempt, because of pending e-visa approval or upon entry visa exempt, the e-visa application is automatically cancelled, as it should be. If anyone has had this experience, I would be interested in hearing your story.
Answer summary
Many expats have successfully entered Thailand with a visa exemption while waiting for their e-visa approval, without facing entry denial. Common experiences shared indicate that entering visa exempt generally does not affect the pending e-visa application. Once the e-visa is approved, expats often leave Thailand briefly to activate their e-visa. Recommendations include applying for the e-visa early to account for processing delays during peak periods.
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Tony **********
My non-o evisa was approved 2 days after I arrived. No consequences. I spent a couple weeks finding a place to live then used the visa run services in front of Condochain (Hua Hin) to do a border run to Myanmar. Came back and got residency certificate for bank account and drivers licenses. You have up to 60 days to relax and enjoy yourself!
Chris *********************
Don't worry come in 60 days visa exempt, when you visa email comes leave the kingdom just before your visa exempt is due to expire, and re enter to activate your visa
Randy ******
My affluent Thai neighbor told me the Thai embassy and consulates in America are all swamped with libs trying to flee the MAGA TSUNAMI to Thailand. Expect this will continue for the next four years. Inchala
Aaron *******
In an aside if your applying for E-Visa in April, do it early. Embassy DC web page says 10 business days. April has Easter Break and Songkram Thai Holiday. Apply 30 days early.
Aaron *******
I've done this before. Entered Visa Exempt, since E-Visa (Tourist) was not approved yet. Couple days in Thailand E-Visa was approved. Saved Single Entry E-Visa and used on the next trip. Memory says E-Visa was good 6 months. No problems both trips. At that time Visa Exempt was for 30 days, so I had to get a 30 extension. No problems getting extension.
Sheba ******
how many 60 day visa exempts can you have?
Michael ********
@Sheba *****
read one of the many posts every day about this
Terary **********
I have obtain visas, while in Thailand, then left and come back to activate them. The Thai Government is not looking that closes. I recommend you not worry so much.
Galen ****************
OPNot worried. Simply preparing.
John *******
Which embassy did you apply through and how long has it been?
Galen ****************
OPI haven't actually applied. I may need to apply Non-O in Suvannakhet in the coming months. I notice on their website, even though you must use the e-visa system for application, you still must go to the embassy to pay application fee. Seems like they may have rushed the start date if they cannot receive online payments. It's only been a week since they are accepting e-visa applications. Would be interesting to hear the experience of anyone having used this service.
Mikkel *******
@Galen ***************
the choice to only allow cash payment is probably not about them not having the means to receive money digitally or otherwise. I suspect it's more about making sure you are actually in Laos and not trying to apply while being in Thailand.Galen ****************
OP@Mikkel ******
Part of the e-visa application process is to show proof of your location. People are saying it's best to use entry stamp or possibly hotel payment invoice. It may have something to do with network security. I'm sure there is a valid reason for not accepting online payments.Michael ********
@Galen ***************
if its one year multi entry Non O apparently not doing now. Although waiting for someone to confirm thisGalen ****************
OP@Michael *******
I believe that is correct. Single entry is the only option available for Savannakhet e-visa selection, on their website.Galen ****************
OPHypothetical
John *******
@Galen ***************
I am confused, if you have not applied, how is there a long delay in approval?
Graham ******
@Galen ***************
There are a few other Embassies/Consulates where you also have to show up and pay with hard cash.
Brandon ************
For 99.9% of people you'll enter Thailand and then receive the e-visa after and have to leave and return to activate the visa.
You won't be denied entry because you have a visa application pending.
The worst case scenario is that the embassy comes back and requests additional proof that you're still in the same country as the embassy, and if you can't prove that then your application will be denied and you'll lose your application fee.
You won't be denied entry because you have a visa application pending.
The worst case scenario is that the embassy comes back and requests additional proof that you're still in the same country as the embassy, and if you can't prove that then your application will be denied and you'll lose your application fee.
George *******
@Brandon ***********
I'd of thought that if an Embassy came back to someone to ask for proof they are still in the country they were in when they applied for the visa, there must of been something suspicious about the application in the first place. Just my thoughts and how do you prove your still in the country, send them a doctored photo of yourself with a distinctive background like the Taj Mahal, or Arc De Triumph.Brandon ************
@George ******
it's most common in the countries around Thailand. I've seen people use their hotel booking along with a dated letter from hotel managementGeorge *******
Gorgon *****
@Brandon ***********
yes, I fell victim to the process 3 years back..I had applied for multiple entry visa, and had of course already purchased my return ticket.Prior to COVID, the evisa system was not yet set up, and one simply mailed in one's passport with the fee, and it was mailed back with the full page visa was returned within 10 to 15 days..
However when the system initiated there was a series of "more information" requests, such as financial records, itinerarys and many others. I complied with each in a month long exchange, and submitted copies of previous awards, foolishly thinking that would expedite things, but was I mistaken...perhaps it was regarded as arrogance, really don't know. Since my flight date finally arrived..I left (Canada) and entered by Visa Exempt..and continued communication with the Embassy after arrival and (very stupidly in retrospect told them of my entry..within hours I recieved an email that my application was denied since I was "in-country" already. Since I stay in the North (Chiang Rai) I then did several border bounces to legitimise my presence.
I know you are aware of all these problems one can get into bit simply want to address the substance of this particular post..and encourage anyone Not to volunteer that you have a current application in the system ..rather, just wait..and if approved, exit and re enter to initiate the actual visa which is a .pdf mailing and have a copy prepated for re entry..lest they think it's just a visa exempt you are looking for..
Suggest that followers not regard this as devious by any means..just don't provide information never requested.
Just like many confuse actual visas and visa exempts..so too ( as you pointed out) ..confuse home country Embassies with local Immigration offices in country.
Sorry to be long- winded about this, but first time visitors would have a hard time understanding, thus the need for a group such as this. Thanx
Galen ****************
OPBecause the person entered visa exempt, there would be no active visa upon entry. I guess that makes sense then that the pending visa application would not be canceled.
Graham ******
@Galen ***************
Visas are issued by Embassies under the control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Entry to Thailand is controlled by Immigration tha comes under the Ministry of the Interior. They are not under the same body, two different government departments. A "decision pending" by one will not interfere with the day to day functioning of the other.
Will ************
@Galen ***************
they could ask for copies of ALL the pages of your passport at anytime in your application, these copies have time stamps embedded in them .
Luit *****************
@Galen ***************
According the rules, you indeed have to wait till approved.Not following the rules might risk approval of your application.
In case they find out you are not in the country where you apply they will cancel your application without refund.
It is all up to you if your extreme hurry is worth this risk and money.
John **********
@Galen ***************
you should remain in the country you apply in until the process is complete and you have your visa. There have been reports of consulates coming back and requesting additional information such as copies of ALL pages in a passport, plus they can ask you to attend in person for an interviewGalen ****************
OPI understand this. I wonder if the data is controlled in a common database. I may be thinking wrong, but why would Immigration allow you into Thailand visa exempt if you are applying for a visa in another country. Seems a bit confusing for all parties. I would think when you are allowed in visa exempt any pending visa applications would be canceled. I am not however complaining. This may allow me to apply for e-visa in Laos and then return the following day to Thailand and wait for the approval email. I thought I had to wait in Laos until I actually had the approval email.
Lyndon ************
You can enter fine and get a 60 day stamp visa exempt. Then leave and return to activate your visa once it's approved.
That is if you are from one of the many countries that gets visa exempt entey
That is if you are from one of the many countries that gets visa exempt entey
Lyndon ************
Both
Gosia **********
@Lyndon ***********
btw can you leave and enter by land? Or only through the airport?Galen ****************
OP@Lyndon ***********
When you receive the approval email for the e-visa, how long is this approval valid for? Are you able to spend a full 60 day plus 30 day extension visa exempt inside Thailand before you must leave Thailand to activate your visa? Thanks!Lyndon ************
@Galen ***************
I don't know. Previously it was 3 months. You'd need to checkMichael ********
Many people have done this from reading previous posts. They just need to go out of the country and come back in to activate it. Never read anyone being denied doing this
Gosia **********
@Michael *******
will pending e-visa (mine will be non o family visa) allow me to buy a one way ticket?Michael ********
@Gosia *********
its up to the airline, last year i would say about 50 % of the time i got asked for proof of onward travel or visa and delta didnt want yo do it with showing visa. Guess i took about 20 ish flights last yearGosia **********
@Michael *******
I see. Thank.you for advice!!!Michael ********
@Gosia *********
Depends upon airline staff and regulations they have been given. I tried my pink ID card once and that didnt workGosia **********
@Michael *******
do you think travelling with 2 thai kids and a Thai husband would make it any easier to explain to them?Activity
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