jimster

On ‎12‎/‎1‎/‎2016 at 0:26 PM, freebyrd said:

A Farang who thinks he's a Thai because he can speak the language.....

And your point is? I listened to his video and his accent and level of knowledge of Thai is quite good. If you're living in Thailand, how come your Thai is no good? Clearly you are jealous...

On ‎12‎/‎1‎/‎2016 at 10:02 AM, morocco said:

Yea, I will rent.
This is the first year that I have not brought my bike to Thailand in 8 years. Disappointing to say the least. Hope they change the rules in a year or two.


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Don't think they will change the rules to make it easier. Too much money is at stake here and they don't want a repeat of the free for all situation that existed up until earlier this year - too many vehicles came in (yes mostly from China, but still) they mostly didn't get insurance and many had accidents, some even fleeing after causing them. Actually, over on Rideasia.net, it was stated that they are planning to make it more difficult by requiring a guide to accompany every tourist. So far, this rule has not yet gone into effect as I met 3 foreign motorcyclists coming in from Myanmar to Mae Sot the other week and they told me no guide required. It could be that they got their permits before the guide requirement came into effect, not sure though - Philip Gibbins over on Rideasia should know the answer, what I have mentioned here is basically what he has been saying but rules (and their interpretation) are constantly evolving.

If you're coming in from Cambodia on a Cambodian registered bike note that it's easier for you than if you were bringing in a bike registered in a 3rd country.

Cambodian cars and bikes don't need a permit if only intending on traveling in the border province. Theoretically you could wing it and drive beyond the border province without a permit but you're supposed to have one now. They're not too difficult to obtain, but insurance must be purchased beforehand.

It's 60 days in a calendar year that your vehicle can stay in Thailand for - 2 x 30 days I think. Or 4 x 15 days if you prefer.

Thanks for that kkerry. All those documents I have. However, luckily for me Canberra got back to Melbourne about my visa and I have been approved for the non-B multi entry after all. So no need for the marriage visa this time - however, by this time next year I'll be considering an extension of stay on the basis of marriage.

Thanks for your advice. Luckily for me the Thai embassy in Canberra approved my non-B multi entry. Next time I'll go for an extension of stay on the basis of marriage and a work permit on top of that, but it worked out for me this time.

I would have had a ticket out within 30 days since I am heading overseas for a few days next month. However, in my experience airport staff at Australian airports are not that particular on the 30 days as long as the passenger possesses an outbound ticket of some sort, which I have anyway.

Hi,

Today I went to the Melbourne consulate hoping to get a non-B multi entry just like I have for the last two consecutive years. To my surprise, the young girl behind the counter told me that all applications must now be approved by Canberra first, which could take a week. She took my $225 application fee and told me that in case a multiple entry visa can't be issued, she will refund the difference i.e. $135 since the single entry only costs $90.

I checked the Melbourne consulate website and it confirms that since August 15 all applications for non-immigrant multiple entry visas (of all types) must be approved by Canberra first. Adelaide and Brisbane mentions something similar, except that all applications will be considered on a case by case basis, with no specific mention of approval by Canberra (though probably there is).

Hobart doesn't mention any changes.

I have checked the Hobart, Sydney and Canberra consular websites and they all mention that for multiple entry non-B applications, apart from the letters of introduction/support from your employer in Australia and a counterpart in Thailand, their 1) business/company registration, 2) shareholder list and 3) company profile are also required. A company map is mentioned by one consulate but not the others (this requirement is easy to meet).

Problem is that the single entry is no good for me since I arrive in Thailand on a Saturday and plan to travel to Myanmar with 3 other people the next day by land. This means I won't be able to get a re-entry permit since no immigration office is open on the weekend and thus my visa will be cancelled when I leave Thailand. I can't postpone that trip either - if I don't go then I'd have to cancel all my hotel bookings.

I will email Melbourne and tell them that unless Canberra can confirm either way whether they will approve my multiple entry request by Thursday morning (which is when I leave Melbourne) I will have no choice but to cancel my application and request a refund of my application fee. Otherwise I won't have enough time to apply for another visa by the time I leave for Thailand in one and a half's week time. Is Hobart still issuing non-B multi entries? I'll email them anyway, but was wondering if anyone has had any direct, recent experience with them.

Does anyone have any direct experience applying for any sort of non-immigrant multiple entry visa in Australia (at any consulate or the Canberra embassy) since August 15? What documents were required? Since I'm married to a Thai, another option that I would be happy with for now would be to apply for a multiple entry non-O for marriage, which I would eventually convert to an extension of stay in a few months time. Alternatively, I could go for a METV that would tie me over in the meantime, before I go for either a multi non-O for marriage at Savannakhet or extension of stay in Thailand.

The final option would be to enter Thailand on visa exempt, go to Myanmar, come back a few days later on another visa exempt then head to Savannakhet for the multi non-O for marriage a few days later.

Any advice? What's my best option? Note that I won't consider any single entry non-O or non-B as they would be a big waste of time and money given my circumstances.

On ‎10‎/‎4‎/‎2016 at 9:30 PM, elviajero said:

That only applies to people living here using a Non 'B' that aren't working. Someone living abroad that frequently visits for business shouldn't ever have a problem.

 

In the past it was possible to get a 1 year Multiple Entry Non 'B' issued on the basis of looking for work. Thats' been stopped but some people still get Non 'B' visas with the help of the 'friends' that have no intention of working, and that's probably the reason IO's occasionally get suspicious of someone doing border hops with a ME Non 'B'. 

I've been on non-B multiples for 2 years running (and was previously on a non-B multiple with WP a few years ago as well) - spent most of my time in Thailand over these 2 years with no WP either. No problems at immigration, that's probably just a rumor though I hear Ranong has been a bit difficult but no reports from elsewhere. Yes they do ask you questions at times (that's the job of an IO) and since I speak fluent Thai I've always answered their questions like: "what are you doing in Thailand" such as explaining my business activities without receiving any run around at all. I generally travel through land borders usually once a month or so traveling to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam etc. occasionally by air and no difference in terms of how I've been treated at land borders vs. coming by air.

I think if you're lucky enough to still get a non-B multiple entry (now that Australian honorary consulates have become tougher) getting past immigration shouldn't be a major concern. It's now getting the visa in the first place.

On ‎10‎/‎25‎/‎2016 at 3:28 PM, Mattd said:

OP, not sure if this is of any help, but the Thai Embassy in Singapore will, according to their website, only issue the One Year ME Non Imm B visa for exactly your purposes.

Thai Embassy Singapore Non B Requirements

Of course, no guaranteeing it is up to date, so would be worth contacting them first.

 

Just noticed they do need the documents of current employer in Singapore, so this might not fly, would still contact and ask though.

I've read on this forum many times that Singapore only issues the multi-entry non-B to Singaporean residents, so this is unlikely to be an option for anyone not resident there.

OP can you advise what documents you needed to apply for your multiple non-O from Canberra? I am thinking about doing the same as I was given the run around in Melbourne today. Apparently they need to seek approval from Canberra, which could take up to a week and I need to leave Melbourne in 2 days from now, so can't really wait around for their response. Dealing directly with Canberra would be OK with me though, provided they're not too difficult.

Can Melbourne still do a non-B multiple for marriage since the new rules have been implemented? Seems that they need approval from Canberra now. If yes, please advise additional documents required. If anyone has any recent experience with other consulates (Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide etc.) please let me know. I don't mind getting involved with Canberra directly (seems like there is little other choice available now).