Chesterpot

4 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Yes you could go to Mae Sai, as long as you qualify for visa exempt entry or have a ME visa.

 

You could get an extension of stay from immigration if you qualify for one and pay the overstay fine.

I would ideally like to get an extension of stay but I made another mistake by forgetting to get my TM30 taken care of when I entered Thailand - d'oh!

I don't mind paying the 1,600 baht fee but my condo has a policy of fining its residents an additional 10,000 baht if you make this mistake (I know...). Is there a way I can pay immigration without the condo manager finding out? ^^

I've been a wally and got my dates mixed up causing me to overstay 1 day. I should have left yesterday (May 14). Can I do a border run to Mae Sai and pay the fine there or do I need to fly out and pay the fine at the airport?

Cheers

Thanks for the information everyone - relieved to hear It should all be good on the 20th. ????

Hey guys,

I ballsed up and forgot to go to immigration yesterday to extend my 30 days stamp from Mae Sai. I am only allowed to stay until today (February 19th) and wondering what my options are. I've noticed immigration is closed due to the Buddhist holiday so cannot go there today. So I'm thinking my options are either to head back to Mae Sai, fly out of the country and get a TV or extend 1 day late. The third option would be the best but not sure how problematic it could be for me. Let me know what you guys think.

21 minutes ago, Myran said:

Vientiane in Laos has always been a breeze for me.

Indeed it is, which is why I guess so many people go there for one. However, I've been there many times now and fancy somewhere different for a change.

I was originally planning to get my TV in Jakarta but not sure how much hassle it might be.

Can someone help me with compiling a list of locations to get a TV with confirmed recent reports of everything being straightforward?

Thanks a lot,

Chesterpot

Thanks very much for your assistance as always ubonjoe - you are the best! ? It really is a relief to hear my visa history is not a potential problem.

Will hopefully soon get some feedback from others about Jakarta TV applications. If I don't, should I be worried about not getting one?

Hello TV people,

Looking to get a Tourist Visa in Jakarta but want to make sure I'm eligible before I book my flights etc.

 My passport was issued at the end of last year and only has my previous non-ED visa stamps transferred into it so far.

I haven't had a TV for over 2 years but had 3 in the past. I've coming to the end of completing my second non-ED visa with my school. Will I be eligible to get a new TV?

And can anyone advise me of relatively recent experience getting a TV in Jakarta?

Many thanks in advance!

2 hours ago, Maestro said:

Another member inquired about getting a non-Ed visa in Bali last month but unfortunately he did not report back to say whether he went there and got the visa.

 

Thanks for that, will send them a PM to see if I can find out. Will post back here if they respond. And I'll post back my experience when I go to get my new one.

2 hours ago, Maestro said:

Why not do an extension of stay at you local immigration office? This would be better than a new non-Ed visa.

I did try this after my first time doing this. But they said I cold only extend by a short time. I don't remember exactly how long it was but perhaps 14 days and it wasn't cheap. Maybe it's changed since then though?

Need to renew my visa in July and was thinking about going to Bali for a change.  Does anyone have recent experience of getting a visa like this there? Asked my school but they said they weren't sure if I could get it there or not.

Reporting back - everything went fine without having the letter from the consulate. Arrived about 9:00 and was finished at about 9:30. Polite and professional from them, was pleased how smoothly and quickly it all went.

Yes, that's what they must have meant. I do need to apply for the 90 days extension very soon. I will go to immigration today to see if they will let me make the transfer without the letter but if not I will be in touch with my embassy immediately after.

Sawasdee khrap!

I was under the guidance that having my current ED visa in my old passport would be fine and nothing more required. However, now my school are telling me I need it transferred to my new passport. Furthermore, I was told that I need a letter from my consulate about the reason for changing my passport. I don't have this as I renewed it back in the UK and was told by my school at the time that it would be fine. I'm not sure what is the case but I will go to immigration today. Does anyone else have any more solid info on this and also when is the best time of day to go to minimise queuing time?

Khob khun khrap

Just now, ubonjoe said:

You are the 2nd person that I am aware of that did not get his old passport back in UK in the last 2 days.

Have you contacted the passport office about it?

Not yet because I was advised it was normal for it to take up to 5 days after the new passport was issued. However, I will do so as soon as I wake up. Will report back with what they tell me.

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can enter with your new passport and get a 30 day visa exempt entry,  

But if you are on extension of stay issued by immigration it would be lost and you would have to get a new non-ed visa and apply for a new extension.

If you actually have a multiple entry non-ed visa issued by an embassy or consulate you could enter and then leave the country after you get your old passport and use the visa in it for a new 90 day entry.

Ah OK. Thanks for your input as always ubonjoe. I am on an extension of stay so in this situation it would be better to stay here longer and wait for the old passport if I need to. Unfortunate but great to know, thanks again. :)

Hey guys,

On a trip back to the UK I got myself a new passport which has already arrived. However, the old one I sent in with my ED visa in has not yet been returned and my flight back is very soon.

Presuming that it doesn't arrive in time I was wondering if I could possibly enter Thailand with a 30 days exempt stamp and then get my old passport shipped over at a later date. If not I will have to reschedule the flight home but obviously that isn't ideal.

Thanks in advance for all helpful responses.

Cheers!

OP. You did not mention where your from or your longer term plan. METV would give you 9 months. What's your visa exempt record. Other threads where folks have many and demonstrate funds and exit more than few days.

Elite visa is perhaps only long term option other than marry Thai.

I am from UK. I don't have a long term plan yet. For now I am happily residing in Chiang Mai but I don't know if I can see myself here in a few years time.

METV would be idea if I was back in UK but I'm not and have no plans to go back anytime soon.

My visa exempt record is 3 stamps but I am not sure if I can get more (especially by land) as I was called into the immigration office last time I did this at Chiang Khong.

Elite visa and marriage not appealing options at this time but in later years quite possibly.

• Unknown, but there's a high chance that you'll get a red stamp if you use Vientiane again.
• Savannakhet is under the control of Vientiane so the same might happen if applying there.
• You should be ok for 3 more from Penang because they reportedly only count visas they issue.

Thanks very much elvajero.

If I went to Penang this time and then Vientiane the next time would that still likely result in a red stamp?

EDIT: Also, if I get a red stamp would that prevent me getting TVs elsewhere?

Why not Penang this time (be prepared to pay extra, depending on current evolving policy), then Phnom Penh next time ( and maybe 2 more after that ), then back to Savanakhet for 1 or 2 ? No guarantees, but that would be my strategy.

Taking it 1 at a time for now but yes, Penang is my most likely choice to go next.

• Unknown, but there's a high chance that you'll get a red stamp if you use Vientiane again.
• Savannakhet is under the control of Vientiane so the same might happen if applying there.
• You should be ok for 3 more from Penang because they reportedly only count visas they issue.

Thanks very much elvajero.

If I went to Penang this time and then Vientiane the next time would that still likely result in a red stamp?

EDIT: Also, if I get a red stamp would that prevent me getting TVs elsewhere?

Hello people,

So I need to go and get myself a new TV in 5 weeks and want to plan ahead. So far I have 3 visa exempt entries and 2 TVs from Vientiane.

If I am correct in my understanding then if I get another TV in Vientiane then I could get a red stamp saying no more will be issued here - is that correct?

If so and I go to Penang or Savannakhet instead for instance would that prevent me from receiving such a stamp?

Basically I want to get as many TVs as I can before I find another option to stay or leave Thailand.

All helpful responses appreciated.

I am curious to know if the 6 entries are counted for 1 yr since the first entry so they are re-set on january 1st.

I don't know the answer to your question. I have seen nor heard anything about when the 6 entries start and end.

I believe it is lifetime because my friend had 6 total including ones back to 2004 and the computer flagged him up after he was initially going to be let through.

I recently did a border run to Chiang Khong. This was my first visa exempt stamp by land but my third overall. The previous 2 were more than 12 months before.

When I showed my passport going out of the country I was summoned into the Immigration Officer's office and interviewed. He told me that border runs are not allowed and I had to produce a flight ticket back home to be allowed out into Laos. He explained that if I want to live here like this I need to get tourist visas and not use exempt stamps. After showing him my ticket out I was allowed through. Coming back into Thailand I was asked by a different IO something in Thai which I didn't understand but assumed it was regarding the stamps. I showed him the ticket and he let me through no questions asked

Shortly before my experience a friend did the same thing. He was allowed through fine but coming back after they stamped him a message came up on the officer's computer and he was also taken to the office. This was his 6th stamp of all time but also his third within the last 12 months. He also provided a ticket for a flight back home and was allowed through. Since then he successfully extended for 30 days but went home at a later date (after his ticket was booked for).

I think in my instance I was looked at more thoroughly because it was early and nobody else was there. Better to go at a more normal time and with a crowd.

Does anybody know if they are likely to take notes on my file? I plan to get a TV next time but I am a little concerned I might not be let out/back in at Nong Khai.

A friend of mine attempted this today but was told border runs are not allowed. Luckily he had a plane ticket reserved to go back home so that sufficed. They said the flight he booked will be tracked.

His Thai history is very similar to mine, he just has 2 extra visa exempt stamps via land and he is Spanish.

You will not have a problem dong a crossing for a 30 day visa exempt entry (G7 country rule) since you only have 2 previous ones,

You have to enter Laos or they will not stamp you back in the country. The fee for the Lao visa on arrival will be $35 US.

Thanks ubonjoe, as always you are extremely helpful and to the point.