New Rules, Updates From Sunbelt?

[PattayaXpat]

Is it possible to get a pinned topic with updates from Sunbelt on the new 30 day visa rule? The other threads in the news section are getting way too long and way too opinionated.

Thanks!

[krikrik]

Is it possible to get a pinned topic with updates from Sunbelt on the new 30 day visa rule? The other threads in the news section are getting way too long and way too opinionated.

Thanks!

HEAR, HEAR !

And thanks to Sunbelt for all the advice they provide here .

[Sunbelt Asia]

Thanks for the kind words.

The new rule starts on Oct 1st, and after that date the number of consecutive 30 day entries are counted. If you have more than three entries, than you need a 90 day waiting period before re-entering Thailand.

For example, if you have 30 day stamps on July 9th, August 7th and Sept 5th and need to leave Thailand on October 4th, you will not be able to re-enter Thailand without a visa, and must wait 90 days before coming back.

The cycle can than repeat itself.

Any questions on any particular case, we will ask the Immigration Dept. and then get back to you.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[Crossy]

I know a number of people who visit the Kingdom on a regular basis, always staying less then 30 days always away from Thailand for at least a week, possibly much longer (but not 90 days).

How will the new rule affect these people, occasionally they get 3 entries within a week.

[Gimbo]

I know a number of people who visit the Kingdom on a regular basis, always staying less then 30 days always away from Thailand for at least a week, possibly much longer (but not 90 days).

How will the new rule affect these people, occasionally they get 3 entries within a week.

Also wondering about this one. I am an expat in a neighbouring country that is not so fun to be in, and I fly in to Thailand every two months or so, always for no more than 18 days. Going for my third trip this year at the end of the month and planning to do a fourth for x-mas/new years. Will do this over the next year os so...well that was the plan.

So will this affect me as well?

[changchang]

Just bumping this up as it may help answer some of the questions posted since.

[sabaijai]

I know a number of people who visit the Kingdom on a regular basis, always staying less then 30 days always away from Thailand for at least a week, possibly much longer (but not 90 days).

How will the new rule affect these people, occasionally they get 3 entries within a week.

I think it's safe to say that no one knows the precise answer to this question yet. However the intent of the new policy seems to be aimed squarely at folks who live more or less full-time in Thailand using the 30-day visa exemptions. In that case no worries for those who live elsewhere and simply pop into Thailand for a few days here and there. Otherwise Singaporeans who make frequent weekend shopping trips to Bangkok, for example, would be turned back after three visits within three months. (Aside: There's also the question of interpreting 'consecutive' ...)

I have a strong suspicion that it won't be enforced at airports, only at land crossings.

There is also the question of whether this policy will be continued once a new administration is in place.

[bkkbaz]

It seems (so far) that the solution for those under 50 with no inclination or need to work here is to do this every year:

1. Get a quad-entry 6-month tourist visa (from your own country or elsewhere), come to Thailand.

2. Do a visa run as usual every 60 days, which will put you on your 2nd entry after 2 months, and 3rd entry after 4 months, approx.

2. Use the 4th and final entry the day before the visa expires, to get a further 60 days.

3. Extend this 60-day stay to 90 days at the immigration office in Bangkok (costs about 2,000 baht, right?) - you've now got a total of 9 months in Thailand on your 6-month visa.

4. Once this entry expires, you can still do the 3x30-day visa "exception" thing, which takes you to 12 months. Repeat and rinse.

Is it really that simple?

Edited September 12, 2006 by bkkbaz

[grapetable]

The investment visa now starts at 10mil baht? is this correct?

[h5n1]

i think you are dreaming on the 'quad visa' esp since the visa itself states validity = six months. not to mention all th eface time with immigration when it is quite ez to see you are gaming the system to the max.

get your double in home country and extend after that go away - screw thailand anyway. if they dont want my cash, i can think of a number of neighboring countries i have spent months and years in and speak the languages. ten year visa for india in hand (but i have brought a bunch of crap here w/ intention to stay :-(( so that is a hassle.

triples are hard enuff to get and usually need to be procured in home country.

doubles in the region are doled out by few emb/consulates indeed.

who cares....boo hoo. ill take my money and go. no worries

boycott thai airways anyone!!!???

[bkkbaz]

i think you are dreaming on the 'quad visa' esp since the visa itself states validity = six months. not to mention all th eface time with immigration when it is quite ez to see you are gaming the system to the max.

A quad-entry visa grants four entries within six months. If you use the 4th entry the day before it expires, you get 8 months. Extend that entry by 30 days, 9 months. Quad entries are easily acquired in the UK, just pay £100.

It all depends on whether they will be enforcing the letter of the law, or the spirit of the law.

And I guess we will have to wait and see on that front.

I do wonder why on earth they're doing this though...

[george]

I do wonder why on earth they're doing this though...

Election coming up...

[bkkbaz]

I do wonder why on earth they're doing this though...

Election coming up...

And people are more likely to vote for the ruling party if their kids can no longer learn English?

What political advantage will kicking the English teachers out of Thailand give the goverment?

[cclub75]

It' still unclear.

Do we speak about consecutives 30 days periods, of consecutive 30 DAYS STAMP ?

What happen if :

-i arrive in thailand and stay 3 days

-then I go Sieam Reap for 1 week

-Then i come back thailand for 1 week

-Then i go to Vietnam, 5 days

-and then go back BKK, and stay 1 week

-then go Myanmar

-then go back BKK

I will have more than 3 consecutives 30 DAYS STAMPS, but not consecutive (and real) 90 days.

Thanks for the kind words.

The new rule starts on Oct 1st, and after that date the number of consecutive 30 day entries are counted. If you have more than three entries, than you need a 90 day waiting period before re-entering Thailand.

For example, if you have 30 day stamps on July 9th, August 7th and Sept 5th and need to leave Thailand on October 4th, you will not be able to re-enter Thailand without a visa, and must wait 90 days before coming back.

The cycle can than repeat itself.

Any questions on any particular case, we will ask the Immigration Dept. and then get back to you.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[stevie403]

I work 28-28 in another country,but stay in thailand will this new rule affect me in any way ????

[astral]

IMHO this is aimed at people who are living (and probably working) in Thailand and just going out and back in within a few hours to get a new 30 day visa.

I seriously doubt it will inconvenience people like glimbo and cclub75.

[BritTim]

Obviously, it is all speculation right now, but my own guess is that the basic rule will be maximum 90 days in any consecutive 180 day period. I think if you spent less than 60 days total in your last three visits (and none in the last several months before that) they would give you a further 30 day entry without any problem. The question arises: what will they do if, say, you have spent 75 days in Thailand in the last 150 days and ask for a new entry? One possibility might be that they would only give you 15 days. You would need to wait 15 days after that before entering again.

For sure, I am very keen to see an official detailed announcement (in any language).

[poorfarang]

What the hel_l is going on?

I live in Thailand and have been making monthly visa runs to Ranong from Samui. So I wont be able to do this now? My next visa run is right at the end of this month. Does that mean this will be my last visa run and I will have to go get a 1 year visa?

[saint217]

this is really insane.

they will totally lose a million of income doing this. they made this 30 day visa run policy instead of the usual 90 days to earn more. im sure election is the only reason for this.

what is their goal in implementing this?

[TheSeoGuyNZ]

Thanks for the kind words.

The new rule starts on Oct 1st.... For example, if you have 30 day stamps on July 9th, August 7th and Sept 5th and need to leave Thailand on October 4th, you will not be able to re-enter Thailand without a visa, and must wait 90 days before coming back. The cycle can than repeat itself.

Any questions on any particular case, we will ask the Immigration Dept. and then get back to you.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Question for the Sunbelt guy...

Ok, then where does that leave me - I've been here since 10th May, have already done 3 visa runs etc, and my current stamp expires on 29th September... I was planning on going home by 6th November when my ticket expires...

I have just booked two teenage daughters to come and stay 2 weeks (8th Oct - 25th Oct) and now have no idea if I will even be allowed to be here! Which could mess up the girl's holiday a bit...

What is your opinion - will I be given another 30 days if I turn up for a visa run at Ban Laem on or before 29th September????

Regards, Ben

[Sunbelt Asia]

How will the new rule affect these people, occasionally they get 3 entries within a week.

They will not be able to come back to Thailand without having a visa from a Embassy or Consulate for 5 months. (Each entry counts as 30 days, no matter if you use the 30 days or not.)

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[lopburi3]

More details are here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82975

[Sunbelt Asia]

Also wondering about this one. I am an expat in a neighbouring country that is not so fun to be in, and I fly in to Thailand every two months or so, always for no more than 18 days. Going for my third trip this year at the end of the month and planning to do a fourth for x-mas/new years. Will do this over the next year os so...well that was the plan.

So will this affect me as well?

Only three entries in six months will be allowed. If you get a tourist visa, no problem.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[Sunbelt Asia]

Do we speak about consecutives 30 days periods, of consecutive 30 DAYS STAMP ?

Each stamp is 30 days no matter how long you stay. Most stamps in a 6 month period is three.

What happen if :

First Stamp

-i arrive in thailand and stay 3 days

-then I go Sieam Reap for 1 week

Second Stamp

-Then i come back thailand for 1 week

-Then i go to Vietnam, 5 days

Third Stamp

-and then go back BKK, and stay 1 week

-then go Myanmar

Now you must go to a Embassy/ Consulate to get a visa to return to BKk

-

then go back BKK

I will have more than 3 consecutives 30 DAYS STAMPS, but not consecutive (and real) 90 days.

They are counted as 90 days on your third stamp. When they stamp you at Immigration you got 30 days. It was your choice Immigration feels, by not using all 30 days each time you were granted a stamp.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[Sunbelt Asia]

What the hel_l is going on?

I live in Thailand and have been making monthly visa runs to Ranong from Samui. So I wont be able to do this now? My next visa run is right at the end of this month. Does that mean this will be my last visa run and I will have to go get a 1 year visa?

A visa will be required to get back into Thailand.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[jdinasia]

Could you imagine them NOT doing it by stamp? The line at immigration from Laos etc .... 180 people deep ..... the IO with a calculator tring to count up the days .....

[Sunbelt Asia]

Question for the Sunbelt guy...

Ok, then where does that leave me - I've been here since 10th May, have already done 3 visa runs etc, and my current stamp expires on 29th September... I was planning on going home by 6th November when my ticket expires...

I have just booked two teenage daughters to come and stay 2 weeks (8th Oct - 25th Oct) and now have no idea if I will even be allowed to be here! Which could mess up the girl's holiday a bit...

What is your opinion - will I be given another 30 days if I turn up for a visa run at Ban Laem on or before 29th September????

Regards, Ben

My opinion you will get 30 day stamp before Oct 1st but you will be asked some questions such as " What are you doing in Thailand? " Be sure to take proof you have been using the Atm as they will be asking "how you have been supporting yourself in Thailand."

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[siddv]

Another quick one hopefully for sunbelt. If one gets the tourist visa at say the consulate in LA, can I go back with the 90 days from the last trip. Say I was there in August 06 and that trip put me at 3 trips in, can I get a tourist visa and go at the end of October? Does the visa negate the 90 day waiting period. In other words now every time I go to Thailand I need to get a tourist visa?

[Plod1]

Can anyone assist with the location of the cities in S.E.Asia where I can get a tripple entry visa for Thailand?

[whynot?]

I do wonder why on earth they're doing this though...

Election coming up...

Just want to say thanks to Sunbelt and George for running down the facts and separating them from fiction-the truth may hurt but it's still the truth-I'm gonna miss you guys-give me a call when you visit Phenom Phen...