VISA for Thailand?

Question

Everwhere I look, I see different answers on this so ….... EXPATS ….... PLEASE HELLLLLLLLP !!!!

I'm visitng THAILAND for just OVER 30 days … I think it's 32 actually. Do I need a VISA ahead of time or can I get one at the Airport when I arrive. I heard I could but only for 30 DAYS then do the VISA RUN thing …. which I really don't want to do!!

Even the TRAVEL GUIDE that the THAI CONSULATE in TORONTO sent me says,

"According to the Ministry of Interior Ministerial (wow, that's and odd name for a Government Department!!), tourists from some countries can obtain a visa on arrival in the Kingdom if their stay does not exceed 15 DAYS."

and on the previous page it says,

"According to the Ministry of Interior Ministerial, tourists from some countries DO NOT REQUIRE A VISA when entering Thailand if their stay in the Kingdom if their stay does not exceed 30 DAYS."

EXCUSE ME???? Is there a bit of a contradiction here or is it just ME ?????

Any KNOWLEDGEABLE help please??

P.S. I'm from TORONTO, CANADA

Answer 1

I fully agree with Jeff.
As a Canadian, you'll get an entry stamp allowing you to stay 30 calendar days in Thailand.
For 32 days, a visa run doesn't make sense. Overstay (and paying the fine upon exit) is far more economical and has no detrimental impact on you returning to Thailand later. If you are caught (highly unlikely) during one of your two days of overstay, I'm sure the Thai Immigration Police will accept your excuses and explanations if they are backed by a confirmed return ticket proving that you intended to leave. Despite what others may say, I find the Thai police very cordial and correct outside the main goon-infested areas (namely, Pattaya, Patong, and Samui).

I you want to go by the book, then get a 60-day tourist visa at the Thai embassy or consulate before you depart from Canada.
However, please note that strictly speaking, you are not allowed to conduct any business (including having meetings or making sales presentations) while in Thailand on a visa-on-arrival entry stamp or on a tourist visa. If you intend to engage in business, you should therefore apply for a non-immigrant B visa.

Answer 2

as your country is on the list for the 30 days rule.
its quite easy to solve out your problem. by 3 ways:

1. get a 60 days tourist visa (single entry) on the nearest thai consulate/embassy (its very straight forward and does not request any special documents)

2. come to thailand without visa .. (you get a 30 day stamp)
go then after thet to the thai immigration in bangkok and let extend the permission to stay this few days

3. make a simple visa run to a neighbor country
(this is only recomented if you do not have many stamps from thailand in your passport)

all the ways are legally and easy to use.

where the simlest is the 3rd one ..
extend the visa is also not a big issue .. (cost 1900 baht and a few hours on the immigration in bangkok)

so after all its really not a difficulty thing.

securest way is of course to obtain the visa at the consulate ... but this may cost some money.

overstay this 2 days cost you 1000baht fine (500 each)
is not a big issue if you go yourself to the imigration on the airport and report the overstay.

BUT if you get chached on the street with just 1 day overstay its a Crime !! and results imideatly in deportation prision and blacklisting.

Answer 3

If you look at the list of countries that are eligible for the 15 day visa on arrival they are different than the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for a 30 day visa free stay, if you are from Canada, you are in the latter category. I don't think it's ever a good idea to overstay your visa and pay the fine on departure, in the unlikely event you are found to have overstayed your visa before your departure, you will be arrested and jailed, and an overstay on your record can jeopardize any visa you may apply for in the future. It's very easy to apply for and receive the 60 day tourist visa from the Thai consulate in your country. Simply put, the 60 day visa is for people who who want to stay for more than 30 days and who want to do it by the rules. Legally, your other best option is to cross the border into Cambodia or any neighboring country before your 30 days are up and when you cross back into Thailand you will be given another 30 day stamp, there are even tour operators who provide "visa run" tours to Cambodia. I think it's probably best to apply for the 60 day visa before you come, unless you don't mind doing the visa run. One other option is to apply for an extension at the immigration office in Thailand, but that can be a real pain, and can take hours, if not all day sitting around the immigration bureau office.

Answer 4

as your united states of america is on the record for the 30 days rule. its extremely elementary to sparkling up out your subject. via 3 procedures: a million. get a 60 days vacationer visa (single get entry to) on the closest thai consulate/embassy (its very right away forward and does not request any particular records) 2. come to thailand without visa .. (you get a 30 day stamp) circulate then after thet to the thai immigration in bangkok and enable improve the permission to stay this few days 3. make an elementary visa run to a neighbor united states of america (that's only recomented in case you have not have been given many stamps from thailand on your passport) each and every of the procedures are legally and elementary to apply. the place the simlest is the third one .. improve the visa is likewise not a great subject .. (value 1900 baht and a few hours on the immigration in bangkok) so inspite of each and every little thing its rather not an argument ingredient. securest way is obviously to get carry of the visa on the consulate ... yet this might value some funds. overstay this 2 days value you 1000baht high quality (500 each and every) isn't a great subject in case you circulate your self to the imigration on the airport and record the overstay. yet once you get chached on the line with purely a million day overstay its a criminal offense !! and effects imideatly in deportation prision and blacklisting.

Answer 5

Some countries require visas for any length of stay. Citizens of those countries may be able to get a 15 day visa at the airport on arrival. Citizens of most of the richer countries, including the USA and UK can visit for up to 30 days with no visa.

Here is a quote about some of the restricted countires:-

Foreigners applying for the first time for an extension of stay are given a 30 day extension from the date of expiry of the original admission, except for citizens of Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Togo, and Uganda, whose application for extension of stay will not be approved and the applicants are ordered to leave the kingdom within seven days.

As I understand it the 30 day visa is not extendable but the fine for overstaying is about 500 baht per day I think.

If you come in on a tourist visa you can get one before you arrive. You get it from the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate to your home. That gives you 60 days on arrival and may be extendable when you get to Thailand.

http://www.pattaya-immigration.org/visas.php?cat=tourist&lang=EN

Answer 6

Hi Michael, it's me again. Long time, no see. This is an easy one for me: You simply overstay your visa by 2 days. There is a Visa Overstay Desk right next to the guy who stamps your passport. I used to do it for days or even weeks at a time. But now the price has gone up - to I think 500 baht a day. The other way is to get a tourist visa in Toronto and you will get a pretty Thai visa page in your passport. You can do it by post and it's fast.

Answer 7

you never stated where your from, so can't give you a good answer until you give good information. most visa are for either 15 or 30 days and some can get a visa on arrival for free and some have to apply for a visa. if your staying 60 days best bet is apply for a 60 day tourist visa from your nearest thai embassy..

Answer 8

You should contact the nearest Thai consulate for clarification. Only the Thai government can tell you with certainty what the requirements are.

Answer 9

I will agree with Nullx8 on your visa issue. Either get it done beforehand which you have time now, or do it while in Thailand. Getting caught when it is just not your day will spoil whatever holiday memories that you might have.

Answer 10

nobody at the thai immigration will check your return ticket.

but maybe the airline will make you a problem in toronto, even though it is rather unlikely.

my recommendation:
go to the check-in counter, if they don't make any problem - ok
if they make you a problem - just head to the next internet café and book a fligth to kuala lumpur or phonm phen.
http://www.airasia.com
a departure ticket within 30 days force the airline to carry you.