What should I do if I receive my e-visa after entering Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption?

Aug 25, 2022
2 years ago
Rosie *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Any help is appreciated.

I applied for an e-visa but it still hasnt come, so i'll have to come on a 30 day exempt and extend for 30 days.

What do i do if i then finally recieve my e-visa once i have arrived in Thailand? Is it completely invalid seeing as it arrived once in the country?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
If you receive your e-visa after entering Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption, it is not invalid; however, you will need to leave Thailand and re-enter to activate it. The e-visa is typically valid for 90 days from the issue date. While in Thailand under the visa exemption, you can extend your stay for an additional 30 days. When entering Thailand with a visa exemption, you may need to show proof of hotel booking and sufficient funds, although immigration rarely checks these documents. As of recent updates, the requirement for filling out the TM6 arrival card has been temporarily suspended.
Lisa ********************
Check your spam box
Dave *********
Is there any other entry requirements like insurance, proof of hotel, proof of funds, etc for a 30 day Visa Exempt from USA?. Like will immigration make him show proof of funds or his Covid vaccination card or show proof of hotel booking at immigration or does he just show up and get his passport stamped? Does he need some type of prior approval/pass or just show up w a valid passport?
Henrik ****
@Dave ********
, as for Covid there is only a rule about proof of Covid vaccination (two shots) or proof of PCR-test no more than 72 hours before departure. More generally, IMM might ask for a hotel booking for the first night and money in cash (I think 10k THB for one and 20k THB for family) but they rarely ask for it, but you must fill in an address on the arrival card for your stay.
Stuart *********
@Henrik ***
IF asked for anything it would need to be 20k (40 for a family) in Thai baht or equivalent in cash only. Although this is a requirement for every traveller, it is only asked for if they think you’re trying to buck the system using back to back tourist visas or exempt entries - so very very rarely done.

The need for filing out the arrival card (TM6) was suspended from July 1st.
Henrik ****
@Stuart ********
, ok, thx. Seems like the TM6 is only temporarily lifted. Let s hope it never comes back.
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Stuart *********
@Henrik ***
Yes. I think it’s usefulness ran out in the 1930s.
Henrik ****
@Stuart ********
, yes, there was a story about how many millions collected every year stored in a warehouse used for nothing but "nice to have if some foreigner committed a crime in Thailand". Gives new meaning to the "needle in a haystack" expression 🙂
Terary **********
Those things are usually valid for 3 months (or six months) from the date they are issued.
Mark *********
When did you apply for your E Visa ?? 
Romeo *******
When did u applied?Have you check the thai website? I’ve read people not receiving emails but actually visa is there on the portal
Colin ********
That happened to me applied and paid June 9 and still showing processing but I arrived on July 18
Will ************
Have you checked your spam mail.
Stuart *********
It’s not invalid, but you’d need to leave Thailand and re-enter to activate it. It’s valid for 90 days from issue. So there is nothing stopping you entering visa exempt for 30 days, getting an extension for 30 days and then doing a border hop to invoke the visa.
Dave *********
@Stuart ********
when doing a 30 day visa exempt and then renewing it, does the renewal stamp “add” 30 more days to the original 30 day exempt or does it only add 30 days to the day the immigration stamps it. Meaning what happens if u get a renewal 4-5 days Before the 1st stamp expires???
Stuart *********
@Dave ********
Just so we’re clear you’re not “renewing” anything you’re getting an extension of time allowed to stay in Thailand. They will add on the days to your existing “allowed to stay until” date. So no downside to getting it done early and getting it over with.
Dave *********
@Stuart ********
awesome. I’ll let him know.
Rosie *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Thankyou so much :)
Frank-Steven ***********
@Stuart ********
An advantage of the e-visa, indeed. Before, when there were paper based visa stuck in one’s passport … it was hard to make the immigration officer understand that you want to safe that one for later and enter on a visa exemption, first. Now we can use the print out e-visa more strategically in line with what you mentioned.
Bobby ********
@Frank-Steven **********
If the OP had the sticker she wouldn't be wanting to enter on a visa-exempt
Frank-Steven ***********
@Bobby *******
You don’t say. 😉 Doesn’t prevent me from highlighting another advantage of the e-visa system.
Bobby ********
Frank-Steven ***********
@Bobby *******
Never do. 👍
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