Thread: Questions about a 30 days visa exemption

Hey guys and gals,
I have a one year return open ticket from Montreal to Bangkok. I'm flying out on March 7th. I want to check some TEFL schools in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and decide upon one.I plan on starting the certification around May. Initially I should be in Thailand only for a couple of weeks (less than 30 days). Soon after I choose a school I'm going to Malaysia, Singapore and then I'm flying to the Philippines from there.

My questions are:

1) Would the Thai Immigration give me a a 30 days visa exemption even though I have a one year open return ticket? Would you try this? Or,

2) Change my return date (I know I can do it once for free but I don't know how much the travel agent will charge for more than one change) to reflect that I will be in Thailand for less than 30 days, check out the schools, etc. etc. and get the non-immB visa directions fom the chosen school while I'm in the Philippines?

The reason I'm asking this is that I was under the impression that I could get a VOA (visa on arrival). I just found out otherwise! I live far from one of the Thai Embassies here in Canada and it would take much longer than what I can afford timewise...

Thanks for any suggestions!

Originally Posted by MisterStretch

serenity,

If you are Canadian you can get a VOA. Why do you think you can't? Who told you that? Check out the Foreign Ministry's website for up-to-date information (www.mfa.go.th)

And, sorry if I'm being dense, but would you please explain more about what you mean by a "30 days visa exemption"? You either have a visa or you don't, there aren't any 'visa exemptions' that I've ever heard of, unless you are a diplomat.

I called the Thai Embassy... I think they're in Ottawa or Toronto and they said that I would have to mail them my passport, along with one passport-size photo, $40CDN and a prepaid express package envelope in order for them to send me a tourist visa!

A 30 days Tourist Visa Exemption is when you are exempted from having a visa for a maximum of 30 days. And, no, I am not a diplomat! http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/visa_exemption.html

I cannot get a VOA ( http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2491 ) I need a tourist visa but I ran out of time for that. I wasn't aware that I had to apply for one before I left. So my last bet is to get a 30 days Tourist Visa Exemption.

The return date on my plane ticket is still opened for one year but I might have to make a change to reflect the 30 days exemption and I will rechange it once I'm in another country.

Also, I've heard that the problem might not be with the thai imm. but with the airline which will want to see a visa before boarding. I'm flying into BK with Japan Airlines from Tokyo.

We'll see what happens...
-----
Got my visa dilemma all cleared up!

A big thanks to my fellow travelers at the thorntree and travelerspoint boards!

I posted my problem and I got at least 10 replies in the first hour! I'm truly grateful for these people!

Sometimes, I don't know why I even bother asking anything here!!!!

'nough said!

Originally Posted by serenity

Got my visa dilemma all cleared up!

A big thanks to my fellow travelers at the thorntree and travelerspoint boards!

I posted my problem and I got at least 10 replies in the first hour! I'm truly grateful for these people!

Sometimes, I don't know why I even bother asking anything here!!!!

'nough said!

Thought it was all cleared up by your good pals else where? nough said

VOA doesn't apply to Canadians rather it's called a Visa Exemption (as you're exempt from having to apply for a Visa when you arrive as you automatically get a 30 day one on arrival).

A VOA is for Indians and other nationalities that have to (if they haven't already) apply for a Visa on arrival.

Get the Visa while in Canada, in Asia you generally won't get more than 90 days otherwise.

And yes the problem will indeed be with the carrier rather than Immigration this end.