Unable to get 90 day Visa

[Pleng]

As I understand, that is because there is no such thing as 'visa on arrival'. It is 30 day 'visa exempt'. Therefore there is no visa to extend.

There is such a thing as a visa on arrival, but it's not the same thing as the 30-day visa exempt stamp that people often confuse it with.

[HHTel]

Not sure if the rules for Australians is different but I had the same problem in the UK when my mother went for her usual 90 day visa. The consulate said there was a rule change that didn't allow them to issue 90 day visas. I checked with the Embassy and it appeared they had misinterpreted the new rules for consulates. The rule change meant that they could no longer issue 90 days by post but still can issue them on personal applications although they have to be approved by the Embassy. When I pointed this out to the consulate in the UK. They went through the motions as outlined and the result was a further visit by my mother and they cancelled her tourist visas and issued a 90 day non-o. Result!

[Ginjaninja]

As I understand, that is because there is no such thing as 'visa on arrival'. It is 30 day 'visa exempt'. Therefore there is no visa to extend.

There is such a thing as a visa on arrival, but it's not the same thing as the 30-day visa exempt stamp that people often confuse it with.

So what visa can be obtained upon arrival for a Brit?

GN.

[Nereus]

As I understand, that is because there is no such thing as 'visa on arrival'. It is 30 day 'visa exempt'. Therefore there is no visa to extend.

There is such a thing as a visa on arrival, but it's not the same thing as the 30-day visa exempt stamp that people often confuse it with.

So what visa can be obtained upon arrival for a Brit?
GN.

Youse get a 30 day "permission to stay" stamp. (providing you do not make too much noise with that bloody motorbike)

[Big Boy]

Back in the days when you only got 10 days on arrival, I tried to get a visa on arrival - they told me to overstay - it would be cheaper

[rosievictoria]

LOMUAMART
My Passport arrived today with Tourist TR Visa with number of entrys 2.
Date of issue 14/3/14.
Enter before 13/9/14.
I will arrive 6th June 14 and hope to leave 2/9/14.
Will I have to do a Visa run.?
If so where is the nearest border-Burma?.
Or can I go after 30 days to HH Immigration and ask for a further 30 days after the first 60 days.
If I go to HH where is their office and do I make an appointment.
I do appreciate been able to ask questions from people that have experienced this visa business.
Once again thank you all for your help.
rosievictoria

[lomuamart]

I reckon, by my counting that you'll be OK - just - with one entry.
Arriving on the 6/6/14 and leaving 2/9/14 is 88 days. The 6th of June is counted as your first day.
So, you'll get 60 days on arrival and can extend that for a further 30 days at Imm in HH. No need for an appointment. Just turn up, fill in the form, supply a passport photo and 1,900 THB and you're away.
Note, you don't have to wait until the last day of your first 60 to apply. You can do so within the last 30 days of your 60 and you won't lose any time. Ie, the extra 30 days will start from when your 60 run out, not from date of application.
You shouldn't need the second entry but as you're only "hoping to return on Sept 2nd", it's as well to have it if you overstay the 90 days. Then you will have to do a visa run, either to Ranong or Kanchanaburi and we can talk you through that closer to the time, if necessary.
EDIT Check the number of days yourself to make sure I havn't made a mistake!!

[Dannie Boy]

Immigration is located on the Klong (Canal) road which runs parallel to the main road Petchkasem and about 5 km's from the city centre, heading north towards Cha Am. It opens at 08.30 in the morning and my advice is to get there when it opens because it gets very busy later in the day.

[rosievictoria]

I forgot to mention that it was the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Melbourne that told me from 1/9/13 the decision was made about no more 90 day Visas and this is a worldwide thing at all Thai Embassies and Thai Consulate-Generals.
Your information is wonderful I feel so much better now I have the facts about the visas in my passport.
Thanks rosievictoria

[huahin4ever]

Immigration is located on the Klong (Canal) road which runs parallel to the main road Petchkasem and about 5 km's from the city centre, heading north towards Cha Am. It opens at 08.30 in the morning and my advice is to get there when it opens because it gets very busy later in the day.

Maybe I shouldn't tell this, but my experience, as long as you have all documents in order, arriving in the afternoon between 14-15:30 has been perfect for me. They are open until 16:30. No waiting time whatsoever. The first two times I renewed my Non-Imm O visa I arrived around 9 am and both times I had to wait nearly 1 hour.

On a side note: Don't get worried about lots of people outside. As I understand this it seems like all the 90 days reporting is taking place there. I may be wrong? Anyway, the three last times I went there, a lot of people outside, but inside very few, and after getting the que note, I had to wait only max 5 mins. This was in the afternoon.

[Big Boy]

On a side note: Don't get worried about lots of people outside. As I understand this it seems like all the 90 days reporting is taking place there. I may be wrong? Anyway, the three last times I went there, a lot of people outside, but inside very few, and after getting the que note, I had to wait only max 5 mins. This was in the afternoon.

I agree. The last time I was up there, there wasn't an empty seat inside either, plus a few standing. Imagine my surprise when mine was the next number called. I guess the others were in there taking advantage of the air conditioning.

[Dianne]

Our guru lomuamart will confirm later, but I think you get the 60 day Tourist Visa from your Consulate, and then visit Immigration and pay a further 1900 Baht for a 30 day extension. lomu will clarify the timing of your visit to Immigration - absolutely nothing to worry about though.

What you say is correct.
Tourist Visa is 60 days with a 30 days extension available at local Immigration/

Is it better to enter Thailand with a ticket that has a return date of 2 months corresponding with my two month visa or is entering with a two month visa and a 6 month return date ticket equally acceptable to the authorities?

[PeteC]

Our guru lomuamart will confirm later, but I think you get the 60 day Tourist Visa from your Consulate, and then visit Immigration and pay a further 1900 Baht for a 30 day extension. lomu will clarify the timing of your visit to Immigration - absolutely nothing to worry about though.

What you say is correct.
Tourist Visa is 60 days with a 30 days extension available at local Immigration/

Is it better to enter Thailand with a ticket that has a return date of 2 months corresponding with my two month visa or is entering with a two month visa and a 6 month return date ticket equally acceptable to the authorities?

Honestly, I've never known Thai immigration to ask to see a return ticket if the person has a visa. Lomu to confirm. Pete

[crazy88]

Only once in 18 years with multiple trips in and out per year have I been asked for an onward ticket. Told them I was going overland to Malaysia, which was true, and would buy a bus ticket here. No problem.

Crazy 88

[PeteC]

Only once in 18 years with multiple trips in and out per year have I been asked for an onward ticket. Told them I was going overland to Malaysia, which was true, and would buy a bus ticket here. No problem. Crazy 88

Yeah, even the years when I was in and out every 30 days with no visa they never asked. The originating ticket clerk at many departure airports would though if no visa in your passport.

If coming in on a 30 day visa waiver these days though, I think good idea to have an onward ticket just in case. Pete