CyclingLight

Update:

I went yesterday to apply for the conversion. The I/O returned all of my housing documentation and didn't seem to care about the letter, tm30, deed, house book, etc. I did need a copy of the income verification affidavit from the US Embassy; she kept the original and certified the copy to use when I apply for the extension of stay. I was given a receipt and return with it in 15 days (which is the day my current SETV expires), when I suspect I will get my non-O.

I arrived at CW at 1:45pm and made my pp copies, my queue number was stamped 2pm, and I saw the I/O about five minutes later; got sent to make the copy of the income affidavit; and was finished and waiting for the bus at 2;45pm.  Couldn't imagine it being any easier. After spending hours in queues to extend my SETVs throughout the year, this was painless.

I kind of wish I had gotten someone to sign my TM30 (I'd prepared the power of attorney form) so I'd be ready if it was needed later. But when I had checked at the question booth in the entry area, the IO had laughed about the TM30 and said I didn't need it.

I've been reading about the non-O and retirement extension process and am confused... I thought it was going to be for 90 days, but saw 60 days mentioned. Also wondering how early I can apply for the extension at Chang Wanttana... I've seen 30-45 days before expiry mentioned, but also perhaps earlier if I show a letter and plane ticket?

Ok... Great!  That sounds straightforward. Thanks so much for your help everyone.

I'm not sure on the details of his ownership but will check it out.

I'm assuming you mean I will present copies of his house book, deed, and ID, rather than originals?

I'm looking into convert a SETV to a Non-O  and extend based on retirement at Bangkok Immigration.

What do I present in lieu of a lease if I am staying with a farang friend who owns the house?

Thanks.

And a final follow up:

I entered Thailand yesterday via Friendship Bridge 1. I had been in Laos about 8 days and figured that would look better than coming in immediately after the getting the SETV at the Thai embassy on the 5th.

The IO asked me to sing!

An IO in an adjacent booth had a karaoke mic. I nearly asked if singing was in lieu of showing 20k and an onward plane ticket... but I thought better of giving him any ideas. I heard him stamping away and thought I was clear, then he asked me where I was going in Thailand. He was happy when I explained I was taking the bus to Udon where I'd catch a bus to Bangkok. I was crossing with a couple other travelers and one of them reported being asked to confirm their destination as well.

The IO said I had 60 days, and let me pass.

Many nationalities are limited to 2 x 30 day visa exempt entrances via LAND per year. Otherwise, there are no other "official" limits. But, if you accumulate many back to back visa-exempt entries and/or tourist visas, you are apt to get questioned, detained, or turned away by an immigration officer when you attempt to enter the country.

They may demand to see your onward travel ticket or 10,000 baht in cash for the 30 day entry, or 20,000 baht cash for the 60 day entry.

Varying the locations where you get SETVs, staying out of Thailand for more than 3 or 4 days, being over 50 years old, returning to your home country for several months or more, etc may improve your chances of staying longer term. As far as embassies, some are friendlier than others and required documentation varies. For example, in Vientiane you don't currently need any supporting documentation beyond the SETV application; in Savannakhet, they want to see bank statements and plane tickets and even tour itineraries for some applicants. Some embassies may deny your application or "red stamp" it with a warning if they think you have too many. tourist visas already. You'll want to research the requirements and latest reports from nearby embassies. 

In general, things seem to be getting tighter and more difficult for long term staying on tourist visas and visa-exempt entries. Things can change at any time. Recently, BKK and DMK airports have been getting stricter.

If you do your research, and pick the right embassies, etc, you can possibly get a year or more. But, it's not guaranteed. If you want to travel and spend a bit of time out of Thailand, it may be worth it to pursue this route. If you really want to be in Thailand continually, you may be better off looking into the METV, elite, retirement, education, volunteer, or work-based visas and options. 

As @ubonjoe notes there is no hard rule other than the 2 land entries per year. But lately, there are more and more "soft"rules depending on where you enter the country.

You could email the embassy directly to see if May is recent enough. Not sure what HK's exact policy is, but I have heard that some embassies would even accept an ATM receipt showing the balance. 

UPDATE:

So, I thought I'd report on how things went for me. I ended up going to Vientiane at the last minute they day my visa expired. That was a Friday, so I had to wait til Monday to apply for a SETV at the Thai Embassy in Vientiane. They are now asking for photocopies of your Laos visa and from what the copy guy said, it looks better if you have been here a few days; so my Friday arrival may have worked to my advantage.

I got my SETV with no problem and no warning, for which I am thankful. A guy half my age said they had red stamped his fourth SETV from Laos. 

I will post my experience crossing Friendship Bridge 1 to Nong Khai; I had assumed that with a visa I wouldn't have any problems crossing, but the same younger guy said he'd been questioned in the past there.

Having unexpectedly stayed here on TR visas for much of the last 12 months, I wish I'd applied for a non-O and retirement extension. Those 1900 Baht thirty day extensions are kind of pricey, not to mention travel costs to neighboring countries along with the stress of not knowing if you might be denied entry.

My two cents is if you are trying to stay here more than 3-5 months out of a year, pursuing another visa option would be totally worth it.

Instead of a taxi, it's quite convenient to take a minivan from MoChit BTS. If I remember correctly, they cost 25 baht and drop you at the entrance to the Government Complex on the road to Pakkred. There is a free shuttle down the long driveway to the buildings or you can take a motorbike taxi for 20 baht. The minivans are quite fast with only a few stops along the way, plus they often bypass a bit of traffic by traveling in the "commuter" lane. 

I often return from the Government Complex to Victory Monument by way of the bus that comes directly to the building that Immigration is in. Can't remember the number... I think it's 166. Took about 45 minutes leaving at 4pm last time. It travels on the expressway much of the route. Ask to verify the bus no. and that it's going the proper direction as one of the buses goes to Pakkred.

2 minutes ago, Nick ZepTepi said:

How do we find out? I'm going to HCMC in a couple of weeks.
 

My ideas:

1. Post a new topic with Can I use a bus ticket for onward travel rqmt for SETV at HCMC?

2. Check the HCMC consulate's website for their list of SETV requirements and forms

3. Email the HCMC consulate directly and ask.

3. Do a web search...

8 minutes ago, lkv said:

Not exactly. Because they know when you enter Thailand because 1. You complete it on the application form.And 2. You provide your flight into Thailand.

Kind of an aside, but I always wonder why they want to see a flight entering the country before you have been granted a visa? I mean, personally, I hate the idea of buying a ticket until I know I have permission to visit a country.  I can understand the exit flight because they want to be sure you have the means to leave (although seems buses ought to be considered). 

1 minute ago, elviajero said:

The 90 days starts from the day they stamp a non-immigrant visa in the passport and the new permit to stay for 90 days. That is usually a couple of weeks after the day you apply for the new visa. Any time remaining on the permission to stay from the TR visa would be lost.

Thanks! I was mainly thinking in terms of scheduling a good time of year for the annual renewal of permission to stay.

When does the 90 days start on the converted visa? From the original entry into the country based on the TR visa? or at some point in the conversion process?

And can you leave the country with a re-entry permit during that 90 days?

A better question might be where can one buy a fully refundable ticket in case their plans change?

Not sure if the withholding of airport taxes is a common procedure, but it's good to know and a good thing to look for in the fine print.

Usually when I travel, I book the cheapest tickets which have the worst terms. Booking directly on some airline's websites (as opposed to booking through Kayak, etc) often provides better terms. For example, if you book directly on the airline's website, some airlines in the US have a 24 hour grace period after purchase during which you can cancel for a full refund. 

At any rate, I'd look at the more expensive ticket classifications directly on airline websites to find the best options. And if some one knows of local carriers that have good terms, that would be good to know.

I always do it myself. Last trip cost 460 B to get from my apt to Vientiane. Took a city bus to Mo Chit Bus terminal, walked up to the N.E. Bus dept  around 6 pm, where I was guided to the next available bus to Udon Thani. Next morning in Udon, arrived between times for the International Buses to Vientiane, so I took a minivan to the bridge. Walked through Thai immigration. Took a 20 baht bus across the bridge. Got my Laos visa, walked through to the where the Vientiane City bus was waiting and it dropped me by the market in Vientiane and I walked around town til I found a guest house I liked. It was the weekend, so I didn't go immediately to the Thai embassy... and if I remember right, I probably would have been pressed to get there by 11am, but taking a tuk tuk from the border or managing bus times/etc would alleviate that.

It's not a difficult process. I do about the same thing to go to Savannakhet by way of Mukdahan.

I have come to appreciate the services outside the embassy that type up the form for you for a 30-60 baht... I can't stand trying to figure out what goes on every line... they can do it in a minute what it takes me 5 to do and theirs is more legible.

Usually, I spend  my 30 days in Laos. If I were on a schedule, I might consider a visa run service. 

You can also get a proper tourist visa by going to a Thai embassy in Malaysia; a single entry tourist visa (SETV) would give you 60 days (extendable to 90). Depending on how much longer you want to stay in Thailand, that may be a better choice.

16 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

Not sure why you keep referring to the individual using "they" and "their." How many people is X?

"They" and "their" are coming into more common usage as gender-less pronouns instead of he/she, etc. 

I believe the fine accrues at 500B/day.

If a random police check finds X has overstayed before X gets to the airport, X could be imprisoned and put into detention as well as banned. X could escape that by presenting their Thai passport (rather than their US passport) if stopped, and, of course, being Thai, X may be unlikely to get stopped for a passport check. Seems to me this is a low risk for your friend.

I believe X could turn themselves in at Chaeng Wattana, pay the fine, and still obtain a 30 day extension (1900Baht)  which ought to be pretty close to getting X to Sep 6 (60 days plus July 8 arrival date; plus usually a 1 day overstay is ignored as far as fines and notations in the PP). (Call immigration first, or wait until someone more expert than myself verifies this). Your friend might even be able to escape the fine because of the Thai passport and "mistake". 

Not sure if dual passports are linked, but if X shows them both at the airport as a way of excuse at the airport, then the Immigration Officer will be looking at both of them... but from my understanding, if one turns themselves in, they will not face being banned until 90 days and over of overstay. Going to the airport on the way out is considered "turning oneself in" which carries less penalty than being "caught" in a random passport check.

Seems to me, your friend ought to simply call immigration and find out. They may indeed excuse the mistake, and, if not, X will know exactly what they are dealing with. 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Indeed, I have no warnings as of yet. 

As far as the Vietnam visa, I'd heard that I would need an expensive one, but just pulled up the site for applying online and was given 30, 60, 90 day options starting at something like $21 (plus $25 stamping) as a US citizen?

How is the embassy at Phnom Penh? 

When I worked in Thailand "legally", I was told by my recruiter to start the semester with at least 2 weeks on a TV to get it converted to a non-B. It was months before the WP was finished. I know the visa conversion happened within a few weeks, but everything wasn't final for 3-4 months.

I know part of the delay was the recruiter's scheduling, but I know a lot of it was the processing time at the various bureaucracies. (My first year, the district office ran out of blank work permit booklets for weeks). It was common for first semester teachers at the school to not get their WP and visa completely finalized until the last few days of the semester. 

I imagine that if the authorities came to inspect, that because things were in process, it probably would have been OK. But we were working well before our paperwork was finished, and definitely I suspect the first few days until the recruiter started the visa-conversion process we were working illegally on TVs. I would guess that the authorities that might inspect the schools are aware of this. 

As far as the school refusing to do your non-B, I probably wouldn't panic (not sure how many schools/teachers get busted), but I would look for another job. And, I'd probably be more concerned about the visa run than anything else. That being said, you are definitely not alone in your predicament; I've met plenty of others in similar situations. 

Hi,

I'm 52yo from the USA.

I stayed in Thailand for 5 months in Nov 2015-May 2016 on a Visa Exempt plus extension, followed by 30 days in Laos and a SETV from Vientiane plus extension.

I returned to the USA for 6 months and came back to Thailand in Nov 2016 on a 30 day Visa Exempt, extended it; then Laos for 30 days for a SETV from Savannakhet and extended it; then Vientiane for 30 days followed by a 3rd SETV and extended for 30 days.

Detailed Summary:

pre 2010               6x 30 day-exempt enroute to/from India
2010-2014            working legally here on Non-B visa.
Sep 2014              Thailand on 30 day visa free
Nov-April              India/Nepal
May 2015             Thailand 30 day visa-exempt
New Passport
Jun-Oct 2015       6 mos USA
Nov-Dec 2015      60 days in Thailand on visa-exempt 30 day plus extension
Jan 2016              30 days Laos
Feb-April 2016     90 days in Thailand SETV (savannakhet) plus extension
May-Oct 2016      6 mos USA
Nov-Dec 2016     60 days in Thailand on 30 day plus extension
Jan 2017              30 days Laos
Feb-Apr 2017       90 days in Thailand on SETV (Savannakhet) plus extension
May 2017             30 days  Laos
Jun-Aug 2917      90 days in Thailand on SETV (vientiane) plus extension

I hadn't expected to say here this long this year but due some "medium" health problems (not warranting a hospital, not ready to hike the Himalaya, easiest dealt with in my own place), that's the way it's worked out. In hindsight, I ought to have gone for the "retirement visa". I've been living on savings.

My current visa ends Sep 1 and I'd thought of going to the US or India for 3-6 months and returning on a visa exempt with the idea that being farther away for a few months might make re-entry to Thailand easier. Looking at the forums, seems like flying in on a visa exempt may be a problem for me. I'd just as soon stay more local than India or the US and so I'm considering a visa "run" (would probably stay at least a week) someplace closer. 

My questions:

1) Am I likely to run into problems returning to Thailand by AIR on a 30 day permission to stay? will a SETV mitigate that?

2) Am I likely to have problems getting another SETV locally (Vientiane, Penang, HCMC, PP)? Any recommendations? (I tend to default to Laos because it's easy and familiar; I get the idea that Penang is apt to flag me)

3) Anyone with experience getting a SETV from a Thai embassy in India?

Thanks!

hi , i have been thinking of doing a TEFL course out here.

i have only just moved to los ( hua hin ) i'm 46 years old so i would hope age would not be a problem to me finding work as a part time teacher, i dont have any other qualifacations.

i really need to supplement my income in some form , does anybody know if i am likely to find work with the TEFL certificate ( before i throw my hard earned cash away ) or any other ideas for legal income , even an extra 10,000 baht a month would be great !

cheers for any help !

I got a TESOL certificate with ATI's Special Thai project 2 years ago... It included a guaranteed 1 semester job placement. I was 45 yo. It was a good deal and I have been working steady for 2 years. I think you could certainly get some work with a TESOL certificate... maybe even without one. It does help to have a University degree. You could also offer private tutoring. Knock on some school doors in your neighborhood... see what they would require. If a school wants you I believe there is some leeway in the requirements.