Tourist visa - "free"

Post by **chopsticks** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:21 pm

These 60 day visas (extendable to 90days when in Thailand by paying another B1900) are now supposedly being issued free in an attempt to increase tourism.
However, where issued by Honorary Consulates, previously for the prescribed fee of around GBP 29, they are now applying an admin charge to make up for the lost revenue.
If staying for less than 30 days then the free entry stamp at the airport is still the best choice ?

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:59 pm

I think the free tourist visa scheme has been extended until March 2010?
From what I've read, you're absolutely correct. Honourary consulates are being hurt financially as they aren't getting the revenue.
I believe that Thai Embassies and consulates are paid directly by the Thai government in terms of salaries and maybe a cut of visa fees. Honourary consulates only get revenue from the visas, so it's always been in their interests to approve them.
As a matter of interest, do you know much the administration fee is?
Agree that that 30 day visa exempt stamp is the best option if staying for less than 30 days. I would imagine that most tourists who are working back home only come here for 2-3 weeks anyway, so quite how a free tourist visa would benefit them is beyond me.

Post by **chopsticks** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:06 pm

I was told its now costing GBP15 which is a bit steep for 5 minutes work,
but perhaps indicates they usually make up to 50 % of the normal tariffs in commissions ?

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:43 pm

I've just done mine so I can confirm you now pay a £15 "Admin" charge for the single entry instead of the previous £28.

Double and Triple entry are still full price, you don't get the £13 discount on them.

This price runs until March 2010.

Post by **caller** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:29 pm

Hold on, can someone explain this to me please?

Shortly, I will be applying to Hull for a 60 day visa valid for 3 months from date of issue.

The cost of the visa is £28 + £8 for return postal charge via special delivery. I have seen nothing of a £15 admin fee.

But are you telling me I can get the visa for free? I guess I'll phone them on Monday to find out more.

The Thai Embassy in London only deals with personal applications.

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:13 pm

I rang them, I've just got what you'll be applying for.

Where you would have told them to debit £28 you now just write £15.

Also just stick a paid for special delivery envelope/bag with your address on inside with your passport and forms instead of paying them £8.

Post by **chopsticks** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:19 pm

To make it clear to first time applicants although it's called a 3 month visa it will be stamped for only 2 months when you arrive. To get the 3rd month out of it entails a visit to the local immigration office and payment of a further 1900 ? baht.
Apply now if you need one before the postal strikes !!

Post by **caller** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:31 pm

Thanks Baabaa - very helpful.

Chopsticks - I'm not travelling till the end of November, so will wait till much nearer the date so my 60 days is completed with the 3 month period. If the strike drags on and push comes to shove, I'll go to the Embassy.

Post by **dtaai-maai** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:45 pm

chopsticks wrote:To make it clear to first time applicants although it's called a 3 month visa ...

It's called a 60-day visa. It is valid for use for 3 months from the date of issue.

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 7:04 pm

caller,
I'm not sure how long you're coming for but the only thing that matters is that the visa is utilised (you've entered Thailand) before it becomes invalid - 3 months after issue.
You'll be given a 60 day permitted to stay stamp when you enter (can be extended once for a further 30 days - price 1,900THB). Once you're in the country, it dosn't matter if your visa expires. The permitted to stay stamp takes precedence and is what counts.
So, for instance, your visa is issued on 12th Oct. It'll be valid until around 11th Jan 2010.
You enter Thailand on 10th Jan 2010 and get stamped in until around 9th March. Extend, if you want, until 8th April. You're perfectly legal. The visa can expire once you're here.

Post by **chopsticks** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:05 pm

lomuamart wrote:caller,
I'm not sure how long you're coming for but the only thing that matters is that the visa is utilised (you've entered Thailand) before it becomes invalid - 3 months after issue.
You'll be given a 60 day permitted to stay stamp when you enter (can be extended once for a further 30 days - price 1,900THB). Once you're in the country, it dosn't matter if your visa expires. The permitted to stay stamp takes precedence and is what counts.
So, for instance, your visa is issued on 12th Oct. It'll be valid until around 11th Jan 2010.
You enter Thailand on 10th Jan 2010 and get stamped in until around 9th March. Extend, if you want, until 8th April. You're perfectly legal. The visa can expire once you're here.

Following on from the above, if it was a double entry could you then do a border crossing on 7-8 April and repeat the above to get another 3 months out of it making a six-month stay in total for paying B1900 twice and the cost of one neighbouring country day visit ?

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:38 pm

caller wrote:Thanks Baabaa - very helpful.

Chopsticks - I'm not travelling till the end of November, so will wait till much nearer the date so my 60 days is completed with the 3 month period. If the strike drags on and push comes to shove, I'll go to the Embassy.

As Lomu has said, you need to enter the country within 3 months, not leave the country.

I'd get it done now mate, I don't travel until December 3rd and as Chopsticks said, the postal strike may come into play soon.

chopsticks wrote:To make it clear to first time applicants although it's called a 3 month visa it will be stamped for only 2 months when you arrive.

I understand what you're saying but it's not called a 3 month visa, it's called a single entry tourist visa.

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:40 pm

Also Caller, for the special delivery both ways it cost me £9.90 at the post office so do it that way instead of giving the Thai Consulate £8 for posting it back.

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:00 pm

chopsticks,
In a word, no you couldn't given the hypothetical dates I mentioned.
However, a double-entry TV is valid for 6 months. You have to make the exit/entry border run to activate the second entry before the visa expires.
A different situation to the above, but assuming the visa is valid until 11th Jan (in other words it had been issued some 6 months before you used it), you'd only get one entry in. The second would be wasted as the visa would have expired the next day.
Hope that makes sense.

Post by **Nereus** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:15 pm

I think that you are confusing the issue there, Lomu. What chopsticks has writen is correct--he /she did ask about a double entry TV.