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What should I do if I haven’t received my Thai visa before my flight?

Visa application processVisa exemptionThailand immigrationVisa typesNon-O visaAmerican passportTravel restrictionsVisa extensionsBorder runs
Dec 5, 2022
2 years ago
Derrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m looking for any last chance of help I could get. My wife and I appl for our visas almost 4 weeks ago, she received hers the very next day i never got an email or anything. After checking the website each day it said I needed to send documents, again no email from them. I called and after 2 weeks of trying to get help there guy finally stopped asking me how to do his job and did it, telling me what was needed and how to send it. After a week of hassle trying to get him to check his email to see that I sent it many times he told me again to just wait. We leave tomorrow, I still don’t have a visa and the consulate’s phone number did it was closed for holiday.

Am I just screwed for the visa or is there hope somehow?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user applied for a visa to Thailand but did not receive confirmation while his wife did. After much effort to get help from the consulate, he was advised that as an American passport holder, he could enter Thailand under the visa exemption policy, which allows for a 45-day stay without a visa. The conversation highlighted the options available, including visa exemption upon arrival and applying for a 30-day extension locally, as well as recommendations for potential border runs if needed.
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Mitchell *******
Extend the 45 day exempt for 30 days, Head to Kuala Lumpur or Phnom Penh for a border "bounce" (evisa needed for Cambodia) and stay a few days. Then head back to Thailand and repeat. Perfect time to visit Siem Reap.
2 years ago
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Danny *************
Just do a little visa run to Cambodia. Easy. Stop stressing.
2 years ago
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Graham ******
If your visa comes through while you're in Thailand, print it and use it when you border bounce
2 years ago
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Kito ************
@Graham *****
As a US citizen, went u re-enter Thailand, is the 30 days free? Or, u have to pay?
2 years ago
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Kito ************
Yes, but after u do the boarder run, is the next 30 days free?
2 years ago
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Graham ******
@Kito ***********
 Visa exempt entry is free (currently 45 days for entries before the end of March)
2 years ago
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Graham ******
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Dave *********
U r American citizen. Just grab your passport and fly to Thailand. When u get there just show them your passport and you will get 45 days Visa Exempt. Then apply for the 30 day extension. At the end of 75 days if u need more just leave Thailand and then come back w additional 45 days and 30 day extension. No need to apply for a visa.
2 years ago
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Kito ************
@Dave ********
Do they check ur return to see if u will b there for 45 days or more? If ur return is longer than 45, can u still get visa on arrival? According to the embassy, it states that over 45 days, u must have visa b4 entering Thailand.
2 years ago
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Dave *********
@Kito ***********
 I’ve done it several times before. Usually the only one asking is the departing airline and u can just flash the screen shot and tell them u r leaving Thailand before the 45 days r up
2 years ago
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Kito ************
@Dave ********
Thank you. Been a great help.

Have a good day.
2 years ago
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Kito ************
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Dave *********
@Kito ***********
 book a flight out online and screenshot it. Just don’t pay for it.

Just show the itinerary with price. Sorta like the pic. When the airline asks just show them the screenshot of the flight. Immigration prob won’t ask but if they do just tell them u flying to Cambodia on such and such date and back in after a week. If they ask for proof just flash them the screenshot. I doubt they will ask anyhow.
2 years ago
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Dave *********
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Craig *******
Same thing happened to me (Ottawa embassy). 3 weeks heard nothing, then get a message to send more docs. This was 4 days before my flight. I sent what they needed right away and they told me it would take another few weeks to process. So ended up going visa exempt and had a 1 day overstay, which was waived. I eventually received the visa and luckily can you it for my next trip in January. So in the end I actually saved money LOL
2 years ago
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Derrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Also my wife and I work together in our own business so almost all uploaded documents were exactly the same
2 years ago
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Mike ******
@Derrick *******
 no worries, if you read my other comment you will be fine. It sucks you didn’t get your tourist visa but as an American you are eligible for the visa exemption on arrival. You can get on your flight without a problem. Do make sure your passport is at least valid for another 6 months though.
2 years ago
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Mike ******
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Cliff *********
You appear to be USA resident or passport holder since you own a painting business in USA.

You can get 45 days Visa Exempt on arrival and apply for extension.

You can just start over with the application process….maybe the email got lost?
2 years ago
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Mike ******
@Cliff ********
 if he leaves tomorrow no use in starting the application again. Today is a Thai holiday so they won’t see it until tomorrow.

He should just go for the visa exemption on arrival.
2 years ago
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Mike ******
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Mike ******
I believe you are American with an American passport? Then you don’t need a tourist visa to enter Thailand. You are eligible for a visa exemption on arrival. This will give you a 45 day visa exemption stamp on arrival at the airport which can be extended with another 30 days at the local immigration office here in Thailand. If you are planning to stay in Thailand 75 days or less, you will be fine.
2 years ago
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Nigel *********
What passport do you have.
2 years ago
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Derrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel ********
 US passport
2 years ago
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Derrick ********
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Lynnette *******
So what "guy" were you talking to? Where?
2 years ago
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Derrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
 the “guy in charge” at the NY consulate
2 years ago
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Lynnette *******
@Derrick *******
 such info such as 'where' helps people give you advice. . .
2 years ago
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Lynnette *******
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Brandon ************
What visa did you apply for?

What country is your passport?

How long are you planning to be in Thailand?

Once we have this information we may be able to help.
2 years ago
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Derrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 US passport and applied for a 60 day tourist visa, I know I can go with the visa exempt for shorter time but it messes up the original plan
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Derrick *******
 Your previous post said you were looking at staying 3-4 months. If you have to enter visa exempt without a visa, then you'll only be able to max out at 75 days (45 days visa exempt + 30 day extension).

So if you want to stay 4 months you're going to have to do at least 1 border bounce. Based on the location you gave in your previous post, there's not going to be any convenient border to where you're staying so it's going to be a long trip. Most likely you will want to just fly to another country and then stamp in and fly back to Thailand. Many options including Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia etc (maybe not Vietnam since they require a visa for US citizens).
2 years ago
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Derrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I didn’t know you could get an extension when going visa exempt
2 years ago
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Mike ******
@Derrick *******
 yes you can, 30 days extension for 1900 baht at the immigration office.
2 years ago
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Mike ******
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Jared **********
@Derrick *******
 fyi the exempt got bumped from 30 days to 45
2 years ago
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Mike ******
@Jared *********
 yea with an option of 30 day extension so 75 days in total
2 years ago
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Jared **********
@Mike *****
 really wish they added the +15 on the TR60’s as well, considering it was done for increased tourism
2 years ago
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Peter *******
@Jared *********
 you can get +30 on a TV60 🤷‍♂️
2 years ago
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Jared **********
@Peter ******
 yes so what I’m saying is I should be able to have 105 days, not 90.

They added 15 days to boost tourism but the change does not effect actual “tourism visas”
2 years ago
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Peter *******
@Jared *********
 gotcha 🤣👍
2 years ago
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Peter *******
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