Thailand 45-Day Visa Exemption

[ronboy]

Hi 

Thailand brings back the 45-Day Visa Exemption stamp that is briefly in place , until March 31, 2023,

BM Does that mean if I arrive on March 30 I get 45 Days?

Ta

[Thomaz73]

If the program is indeed in place until March 31, then yes! 

[striderman]

i would guess so. it is also possible the scheme may be extended. but unless you are self employed most folks have a limited amount of holiday

[ronboy]

6 hours ago, striderman said:

but unless you are self employed most folks have a limited amount of holiday

I'm retired but need to regularly return to Australia and usually get a 3 month retirement visa in Australia 

[Thomaz73]

Just read they're supposedly looking to extend this initiative for the rest of year. That would be good news. Not a big fan of the source, so will be checking around a bit... 

Edit: Should've maybe shut up. Only source I can find is The Thaiger. Would've thought something like this would be widely reported. Still hope it gets confirmed.

Edited January 18, 2023 by Thomaz73
More info

[Fr_loper]

Tim Newton Today also mentioned this today on his channel.  (scroll to 04:09)

 

 

[englishman]

Funny how you can get a 45 day exemption, basically walk in with few if any questions, but a 60 day visa costs $65 CDN and a whole bunch of questions and documents and in the case of my last one 5 weeks to obtain...  😞

[hioctane]

11 minutes ago, englishman said:

Funny how you can get a 45 day exemption, basically walk in with few if any questions, but a 60 day visa costs $65 CDN and a whole bunch of questions and documents and in the case of my last one 5 weeks to obtain...  😞

Because the 45 days is temporary. Generally, it is easier to add temporary laws than change existing laws.

[Mikejon]

I have just looked on the UK FCO website and it says 45 visa exemption but the comment before 31st March 2023 is not there now.

 

 

 

 

[exercise]

What are the options after the 45 days?

[Arnie85]

1 Leave. 

2 Extend another 30 days at a Visa office or with an agent. 

3 Exit the country by air or land and then return and get another 45 days. 

 

[exercise]

4 minutes ago, Arnie85 said:

1 Leave. 

2 Extend another 30 days at a Visa office or with an agent. 

3 Exit the country by air or land and then return and get another 45 days. 

 

Is it easy to extend 30 days more than once?

[davidge]

10 minutes ago, exercise said:

Is it easy to extend 30 days more than once?

You can only extend once.

[bgtp]

10 hours ago, exercise said:

Is it easy to extend 30 days more than once?

You used to be able to extend 30+14+7. Basically, you were asking for another extension after the initial one and the 14 days were for immigration to review your request. You had to pay for the request. You went back to immigration after 14 days and they told you your request was denied and you had to leave the country within 7 days (no charge). My friends and I did this a lot years ago. Maybe someone here knows if it is still possible.

[Saddic]

On 18/01/2023 at 15:42, Fr_loper said:

Tim Newton Today also mentioned this today on his channel.  (scroll to 04:09)

True, but he's a bottom feeder, just repeating what others have already reported...  He spends most of his blogs just reading from other "news" sources... and commenting...  He doesn't originate any of the news...

(he has weekend blogs where he chats with "guests" on various subjects too)...

[exercise]

On 17/02/2023 at 16:22, davidge said:

You can only extend once.

Can I extend at anytime during the initial 45-day period?

[striderman]

19 minutes ago, exercise said:

Can I extend at anytime during the initial 45-day period?

if using/paying an agent probably yes. if doing it yourself which is pretty straight forward not until a couple of days before the 45 is up.

[exercise]

Would that be at the Jomtien office on soi 5?

[Thomaz73]

1 minute ago, exercise said:

Would that be at the Jomtien office on soi 5?

Yes. Maybe try 5-6-7 days before. And not on a Monday or Friday. 

[hioctane]

3 hours ago, exercise said:

Can I extend at anytime during the initial 45-day period?

I believe 1-2 weeks before expiration.

[hioctane]

On 20/01/2023 at 01:20, englishman said:

Funny how you can get a 45 day exemption, basically walk in with few if any questions, but a 60 day visa costs $65 CDN and a whole bunch of questions and documents and in the case of my last one 5 weeks to obtain...  😞

It depends on where you are from. Previously, it made more more sense for those that qualify for visa exempt (30 days) to get a TV. Now with only 15 days more, it makes less sense.

[biggles]

Very true for me. Embassy in Manila takes 2 business days to issue so a big hassle

[amun99]

On 23/02/2023 at 02:10, striderman said:

if using/paying an agent probably yes. if doing it yourself which is pretty straight forward not until a couple of days before the 45 is up.

no point using an agent as you now have to show up in person for the extension as they take your photo when they issue the stamp

[likeaking]

On 23/02/2023 at 14:10, striderman said:

if using/paying an agent probably yes. if doing it yourself which is pretty straight forward not until a couple of days before the 45 is up.

 

33 minutes ago, amun99 said:

no point using an agent as you now have to show up in person for the extension as they take your photo when they issue the stamp

 Last week I used an agent to extend my VOA 30 days. I provided the TM30 and passport photo and had to show up at Soi 5 Immigration have my picture taken outside the immigration office by the agent. I never waited or entered Immigration and my stamped passport was hand delivered the next day. Not having to wait hours at immigration is worth the 2100 baht + 1900 baht to immigration to me.

[Leo_Bia]

1 hour ago, amun99 said:

no point using an agent as you now have to show up in person for the extension as they take your photo when they issue the stamp

Always have done for a Tourist Visa extension.