What is the difference between a Visa On Arrival (VOA) and a Visa Exempt stamp for entering Thailand?

Visa On Arrival (VOA)Visa Exempt Thai Visa Regulations Thailand Immigration Expats in Thailand Visa Types Travel to Thailand

Jul 24, 2024

4 months ago

Matthias ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Tod Daniels clarification, please. Someone in another group stated: "a VOA is for 15 days only, not extendable, and for 31 listed countries, a visa-exempt, however, gives passport holders of 93 listed countries a 60-day visa exempt stamp which can be extended by 30 days at an immigration office for 1900 baht."..... my understanding is that the "visa-exempt" term is in regards to the status of the countries, and the term "Visa On Arrival or VOA" refers to the 60 days stamp given on arrival to Thailand for those 93 countries. Is this correct or am I mistaken? Thank you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The Visa On Arrival (VOA) is issued for 15 days and is available for citizens of 31 countries for a fee of 2000 baht, and it cannot be extended. In contrast, the Visa Exempt status applies to citizens of 93 countries, granting them a 60-day stay that can be extended for an additional 30 days at an immigration office for 1900 baht. This distinction indicates that the 'Visa Exempt' refers to the exemption from needing a visa prior to arrival, while the 'VOA' is a specific visa type with different conditions.

Tod *********

A Visa On Arrival is purchased by people from 31 countries when they arrive here for 2000baht, it is for 15 days, it cannot be extended (just 7 day extension denied stamp)

A Visa Exempt/Visa Waiver is now valid for people from 90+ countries for free when they arrive here gets them stamped in for 60 days and can be extended one time for 30 more days at the immigration office for 1900baht. It also can be changed to a non-immigrant visa type inside the country.

Two completely different things entire. The graphic shows it.

And before someone mentions it YES some countries are on BOTH lists, meaning their citizens can choose to come in either way

4 months ago

Matthias ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

ok great, thank you for the explanation!

4 months ago

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Matthias ***********

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