Answered4 years ago

Will I have problems entering Thailand after a previous stay with a COVID extension?

Thailand Entry Requirements Visa Rules COVID Extensions Tourist Visa Visa Exemption Proof of Funds

Matt *******

asked Aug 26, 2022

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Hi

I have flight to Thailand tomorrow and I am wondering if I will not have any problems with enter. My story is :

I came to Thailand 5 of October 2021 on tourist visa I got visa stemple 30 days on arrival . I extended by covid extension few months and left Thailand 6 of June 2022. 

I stayed few months in Europe and tmr 26 of august I am going back to Thailand on tourist visa . Can I have some problems with enter the country or I will get without problems 30days tourist visa on arrival ? 

Thanks for answers

Answer summary

The user is concerned about entering Thailand on a tourist visa after a previous stay that included a COVID extension. Comments advise that the user should clarify that they are entering under the visa exemption rule, not on a tourist visa, as they would receive a 30-day stamp. Concerns are raised about potential entry difficulties due to the prior long stay with a COVID extension, highlighting the importance of having proof of funds, onward travel, and accommodation ready to present at immigration.

9 repliesnewest first

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Max **********

@Matt ******

Don’t worry at all. But be prepared to show a flight out of Thailand and proof of accommodation just in case they ask. Their only worry is that you were living and working illegally.

4 years ago

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

You keep saying tourist visa, but you don't have any visa. There is no such thing as a "tourist visa 30 days on arrival"

You are talking about visa exempt where you have NO Visa and get stamped in for 30 days when you arrive to Thailand.

Currently there are many reports of people with Covid extensions in their passport having lots of problems when they arrive. You were in Thailand for 7 months on Covid extensions and only left for a little over 2 months, so there's a high probability you will also experience difficulties. It would have been much better if you purchased a Tourist visa before flying to Thailand, as that sometimes helps, but even that is not guaranteed.

What you need to do is make sure you have 3 proofs that they use to try and deny people entry.

1) Proof of funds - Make sure you have 20,000 baht or equivalent in a major currency IN CASH - bank apps, bank statements, and credit cards do not count.

2) Proof of onward travel - A ticket out of Thailand within 30 days of the visa exempt you will be stamped in on. This can be a train or bus ticket to a neighboring country, or a cheap plane ticket to Singapore or somewhere else nearby.

3) Proof of lodging - A hotel reservation for your first 1-2 weeks in Thailand.

4 years ago

Matt *******

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

do you know some story of someone who got denied to enter Thailand casue of covid extension in their passport ?

4 years ago

Matt *******

Ok understand thanks a lot 🙏

4 years ago

Alan *******

@Matt ******

You might be ok but you might also want to consider arranging for someone to meet you at immigration when you arrive to smooth things out.

Usually costs 6k baht.

If your flight lands in the day you can always try yourself then call them if there’s a problem but not sure if you’d have to wait a long time for someone to come or if they do it over the phone.

Worth checking on if you’re worried. Better than having to buy a flight out on the spot back to your country or fly to Cambodia then back to try again.

4 years ago

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

@Matt ******

there have been many reports over the last few months, but most of them are from people who left and came back immediately. There was half a plane of people from Vietnam who were refused entry and sent back to Vietnam that had Covid extensions in their passports.

Just be prepared to be pulled aside and asked a lot of questions and answer why you were in Thailand for so long and why you're back already. If they can't find an easy reason to deny you entry, they will probably let you in.

I had one Covid extension in my passport when I entered last November with a tourist visa after being gone for 6 months and they still pulled my side and asked me questions for 30 minutes.

4 years ago

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

@Matt ******

I can't answer that. Every immigration officer is different. It's possible they won't even ask about your Covid extensions. You never know what will happen.

4 years ago

Matt *******

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

thank you . Last question if I am going tell them I have a girlfriend in Thailand and I want to see her so I travel for few weeks it’s good reason right ? Another thing what I was thinking is if they will ask me why I spend so much time in Thailand I can answer I want to learn how to cook Thai food cause I want to open Thai restaurant in my country . So I was traveling around and learning culture and cooking . Do you think it’s reasonable answer which favours me ?

4 years ago

Matt *******

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

thank you for answer . Yes I always get 30 days stamped on my passport on arrival . I was waiting for new passport to have clean one without stamples but didn’t get ready before my travel 😢 . I have flight ticket return , good advice with cash I will withdrawal money tmr and have $ dollars . Thank you I hope I will not have difficulties cause of my 7 month stay already ( in this calendar year is 5 months )

4 years ago