Visas and border crossings forum

Thai Tourist Visas Are Free.......

JamieG

backpacker
Posts: 17

Hi Guys,

I thought I would just post this for anyone wondering.

I am in the UK and this morning recieved my visa stamped passport back from the Thai Consulate allowing me 3 entries of upto 60 days!

It cost all of £8 for the postage and took 48 hours.

They are currently free, and if you are visited SEA like me, and think you will be in and out of Thailand more than once, it may be worth getting this before you leave, as not only will it make customs super easy but you get double the time of the free waiver visa regardless of how you enter Thailand (Air, Gorund)!

Just thought I would give people a heads up if they are unaware of this!

Jamie

#1 Posted: 6/8/2010 - 17:29
JamieG

backpacker
Posts: 17

Just to make it clear, that is 3 x 60days!

#2 Posted: 6/8/2010 - 17:29
bradmcfc81

motodop
Posts: 23
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TOURIST VISA FEE EXEMPTION
Tourist visas issued between 11 May 2010 and 31 March 2011 will be issued without payment of the fee of £28 per entry. Other charges including £10 for issuing in person and £8 postage still apply. Fees for non-immigrant visas and transit visas still apply.

#3 Posted: 6/8/2010 - 18:58
tangledjung-
le

longtail driver
Posts: 8
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Cheers for the heads up JamieG.

Did you just send off the "Ab STANDARD VISA APPLICATION PACK" form?

It still has the pricing on there for each entry. (£28 per entry).

I'll be sending this off on Monday so just want to make sure that there isn't a separate form to avail of the free tourist visa.

B

#4 Posted: 7/8/2010 - 03:47
SBE

mahout
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Are all the Thai consulates in the UK giving multi-entry visas for free now?

Which consulate did you use Jamie?

#5 Posted: 7/8/2010 - 04:39
SBE

mahout
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Hmm, just looked at the what the visa situation is here in France. The French language option doesn't work on the Thai consulate site in Paris but here's a translation of information I found on another site.

"All tourist visas for Thailand are free, from May 11th 2010 until 31st March 2011. This applies to ALL tourist visas (including double entries, if the consulate delivers them). This measure was announced on 2nd March 2010 in a news flash by the MCOT news agency.

Also National Park entry fees should be reduced by 50% (Daily News)."

http://www.thailande.free.fr/visa.php

If this is true then it's a change from last year's free tourist visa "special offer". Most consulates only gave free single entry visas and you still had to pay full price for multiple entry ones.

#6 Posted: 7/8/2010 - 05:11
JamieG

backpacker
Posts: 17

Hey Guys,

I applied through the Hull Thai Consulate, here:

http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/

Yes, I did fill out the "Ab STANDARD VISA APPLICATION PACK", I got them to email me it as I couldn't Download it.

I also called them while filling out to ask about the charges, and they told me to leave that bit blank as the visa was free, and only include £8 postage.

So, what I did to be sure was fill in £8.00 by the Cheque part which is the form of payment I sent, and left a note next to it explaining that the visa was currently free and this was for postage.

It took 48 hours from sending via special delivery for my passport to be sent back stamped for 3 entries of up to 60 days each, to be used within 6 months.

If you intend to use all 3 entries at some point, which I do, as long as the last entry is before the 6 month cap, you will be fine.

I decided to get this type of visa to avoid any issues at the airport, as apparently this will stop them asking about onward travel (I think), and so that I do not have to rush when I am in Thailand.

Also, the fact you can go in by road and literally quadruple your stay limit, and its free (for now anyway).

Also, for anyone travelling with a partner as I am, you can actually send both visa applications and passports in one envelope. I sent in 2 to be sure, and they sent them back in one, along with 1 cheque. So, me and my partner ended up paying £4 each for postage (bargain).

Hope that helps,

Jamie

#7 Posted: 8/8/2010 - 18:34
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mahout
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Thanks Jamie, that's interesting. Last year Hull were only giving out single entries for free (well free + "service charge")... you had to pay the normal price for multi-entry visas.

Maybe ALL consulates are indeed now giving out free multi-entries? If so it'll save a lot of hassle for a lot of travellers!

#8 Posted: 8/8/2010 - 18:54
bronzedwarr-
ior

flashpacker
Posts: 39

Try the Liverpool Consulate.

Last year I got the 3 x 60 day entry visa for absolutely nothing.

All I had to pay was the postage. I live in Birmingham you see and the Consulate there was ( And still is ) useless where as the Liverpool one was mega helpful and very efficient too.

If my memory serves me right, I paid to send it special delivery, with a return SD envelope included and they got it back to me within about 3 days.

All I paid for was the two lots of special delivery charges ( About £8? ) and that was for two passports.

They did say if you turn up in person, there was a £10 service charge however which is acceptable as it is pretty much a while you wait service I believe.

I'm guessing it's the same deal this year...

#9 Posted: 8/8/2010 - 19:42
bradmcfc81

motodop
Posts: 23
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SBE, the London embassy is where i got my info from. Check the link....

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/newversion/visa/visa_main.html

#10 Posted: 9/8/2010 - 06:56
bradmcfc81

motodop
Posts: 23
Located in:

Also....Cheers Jamie for the heads up on being able to send two applications in one envelope. Pennies saved! Will be sorting the visas out for me and my partner this week.

#11 Posted: 9/8/2010 - 07:08
tangledjung-
le

longtail driver
Posts: 8
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Cheers JamieG, thanks for the detailed response!

#12 Posted: 11/8/2010 - 16:08
sayadian

under-employed
Posts: 952
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Cardiff consulate
Just phoned the Cardiff UK Thai consulate and he told me that visas are completely free if you come in in person and they only charge postage if you cannot.I asked about multiple entry visas. He told me there is no such thing but I would be able to get a visa for 2 or three entries.A matter of semantics you might say.

#13 Posted: 16/8/2010 - 16:56

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