How to get On Arrival visa in Thailand!!
A big benefit of planning a quick trip to Thailand is that you have the option of getting a Visa on Arrival.
However, the facility is available to only people from 28 countries including India, Russia etc. The US, Australia etc do not figure in the list. So how do we go about getting this visa? What are the procedures involved? What are the documents needed?
The duration of stay for this visa is only 15 days which should suffice for most casual visitors.
Documents needed for the Visa on Arrival:
However, the facility is available to only people from 28 countries including India, Russia etc. The US, Australia etc do not figure in the list. So how do we go about getting this visa? What are the procedures involved? What are the documents needed?
The duration of stay for this visa is only 15 days which should suffice for most casual visitors.
Documents needed for the Visa on Arrival:
- Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months.
- The applicant must show proof of having minimum living expense of 10,000 Baht per person or 20,000 Baht per family. Thai or any currency can be shown as proof.
- Must possess a fully paid return ticket within 15 days from the date of arrival.
- 2 photographs (4x6 cm).
- Application fee of 1000 Baht.
- A duly filled Visa on arrival application.
Can the Visa be extended?
Visitors who enter the Kingdom with Visa on Arrival generally cannot file an application for extension of stay except in special cases such as illness which prevents them from travelling, etc. They can submit an application at the office of Immigration Bureau, Immigration Division 1, Government Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Bangkok 10210. Tel 0-2141-989 or at website http://www.immigration.go.th
Typical visa on Arrival process at Don Muang Airport!
An arrival/departure card will be given while you are on the flight. Please collect that and fill them up. The visa on arrival form can be downloaded from the image above or it can be collected from the immigration counters. Once you get the form , fill all the details and paste your photograph.
You would need 1000 Baht for the Visa on Arrival as fee. You can exchange your money at one of the exchange counters that will be right there. We would advise you not to exchange too much since the exchange rates at the airports are terrible. Instead exchange just enough to help you pay for the Visa and also get you to the hotel . There are better exchange rates available in the City, the rates vary hugely and hence the advise.
Once you have the cash, form with photo filled, just stand in the queue for your turn. You will be asked for passport, return ticket and you may be asked to show proof of having enough cash to cover your stay. A visa on arrival stamp is placed on your stam and Voila thats it!
After that you will have to wait for your turn to proceed to the immigration counter where a photo of the visitor is taken by a digital camera and stamping on the passport is done to complete the process. You can then proceed downstairs to collect the luggage.
After that you will have to wait for your turn to proceed to the immigration counter where a photo of the visitor is taken by a digital camera and stamping on the passport is done to complete the process. You can then proceed downstairs to collect the luggage.
Caution!
There will be another counter where they will take photograph for you and fill the form for you as well. But that will put you back by 200 Baht. It is completely unwise to spend so much when you can easily carry your own photograph.
0 comments: