Answered4 years ago

What happens if my tourist visa for Thailand gets approved after my arrival?

Thailand tourist visa visa processing immigration visa rules visas for expats visa re-entry in Thailand

Alan *********

asked Jul 9, 2022

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I fly out to Thailand from the states on Sunday but my tourist visa is still processing. 

How does that work if it gets approved after arrival? Can it still be used?

Answer summary

If your tourist visa is approved after your arrival in Thailand, it cannot be used during your stay unless you leave the country and re-enter with the visa printed. If you do not have the visa printed when you arrive, you will enter under visa exemption and receive a 30-day stamp, which can be extended for an additional 30 days at a local immigration office.

11 repliesnewest first

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Chang *****

never ending visa stories... 😉

4 years ago

Kerry ***********

@Chang ****

you're free to leave... just don't let the door hit you on the way out

Chang *****

🥰

Giøvanni **********

it's one week that try to understand how to stay in Thailand a couple of months or more to my gf, but i.see is not easy. I read about a lot of problems ..just a little mistake and can be in trouble . "The key word" is money, money money. Always travelled with very cheap solutions...but this time my italian bank account will cry 😒

4 years ago

Brett **********

@Chang ****

you should have a look at the name of this group

4 years ago

David *********

It can still be used but not while you’re in Thailand, you would have to leave and re-enter

4 years ago

Steve *******

Yep but you'd have to leave and re-enter the country to activate it

4 years ago

Alan *********

@Steve ******

Appreciate the help!

4 years ago

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

The ONLY way to use your tourist visa is to have it printed in your hand as you cross immigration into Thailand.

If you do not receive and are able to print it before then, you'll be entering visa exempt and be stamped in for 30 days. You can extend this for 30 more days at your local immigration office.

If you do not receive it in time and would like to use it, you'll need to leave the country and re-enter and show it to them at that time.

4 years ago

Alan *********

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

Thanks a ton for the detailed response!

4 years ago

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

@Alan ********

I don't know how long you're going to Thailand but if you're trying to maximize your time, this isn't terrible as your visa is good for 90 days.

Just use your 60 you can get when you enter then leave and return for your 90.

Do beware if you don't have a visa to show your airline, they will probably want to see proof that you are leaving Thailand after 30 days. Look into buying a cheap bus ticket to a neighboring country or Google "onward ticket" and rent a plane ticket to anywhere outside of Thailand.

4 years ago