untitled-shoot-001-2300822

We know we’re heading to Thailand but, as you know, we don’t know anything after that. This makes it a little difficult to manage our time in a country that limits how long you can stay without a visa.

For most holidayers it’s quite easy;  most nationalities can arrive by air and enter the country for 30 days without a visa. Argentineans, Chileans, and Brazilians are able to stay 90 days without a visa. Some, though, can only stay 15 days and must apply for a visa when they arrive. The Thai Visa Wikipedia page outlines which countries fall into which category.

For us this means we could arrive and stay for 30 days before having to do a border run in order to stay longer.

But 30 days likely isn’t long enough and a border crossing entry only nets 14 more days. This would mean we’d have to head out of the country every two weeks in order to stay any length of time. Seeing as my plan is to settle in a bit and work on my new project (The Global Bookshelf) we were going to need to work on our plan.

A little research showed that we could get a double entry Thailand visa that would let us stay in the country for two 60 day periods.

I found all the rules and the application form for Thai Visas on the Canadian Thai Embassy website (American version here) and found that the closest consulate is in Vancouver. We could either attend the consulate in person with our applications or, alternately, mail them in to obtain a visa. As much as I would love to spend time in Vancouver the budget was the deciding factor so mailing it in was the solution.

As the instructions on the websites indicate, all we did is send in the completed application, a passport photo, flight information, a money order for the application fee ($80 each for us), and a postage paid return addressed envelope. Easy-peasy.

We sent the applications in right before Christmas and they were returned to us by New Years. Showing up at the consulate would have been even quicker. Can’t argue with that!

Remember, this was my experience. I recommend you read all the visa information on the websites to determine what type of visa you’ll need and how to apply. Thailand visa information has changed often with little notice in the last 5 years and continues to evolve. Always check with consulates and embassies rather than assume that other sources (including me!) are correct.

—————

I’m working on a new project! The Global Bookshelf will be a place for you to find books and stories that will connect you to the trip you’re already planning, or the one you are dreaming of. I would love it if you would sign up for updates; you can use the form right there in the sidebar. And thanks!

The Global Bookshelf. Connecting travellers to a world of stories.

pixel-7745663