Visa on Arrival Questions

[Shooich]

Hi, I have a US passport and am planning on going to Phuket on December 6th and working from my computer while traveling around Southeast Asia. My company has December 24th through January 1st off for Christmas and New Years, so was considering going to Angor Wat in Cambodia for 4-5 days during this time.

 

Upon arriving I know that I'll have 30 days, and then can purchase a 30 day extension at an immigration office for 1900 baht. If I were to fly to Siem Reap to see Angor Wat for 4-5 days, would my new date for my 30 day VOA change to when I return from Siem Reap, lets say December 30th, or would it remain December 6th? Can I just do this, or do I need a tourist visa or Multiple entry tourist visa in order to leave the country and come back?

 

We also have 1 week off during Chinese New Year, February 16th-February 24thish so would like to spend this time seeing parts of Malaysia and getting a tourist visa in Penang, opposed to taking work off before we get time off to do a visa run assuming the Angor Wat idea will work. 

 

Originally I was planning on staying 60 days until February 6th from my arrival on December 6th which would require taking off work, but if I can travel during Christmas, and get a new Visa On Arrival for December 30th which will allow me to lineup my first visa run to Penang with when I'll have time off from work during Chinese New Year that would be wonderful. 

 

Thanks guys. 

[BritTim]

(Prepare for a discussion in this thread about the legality of working as a digital nomad in Thailand. I will stay out of that one unless you ask my views.)

 

Normally, each time you leave Thailand, your previous permission to stay ends, and (if you return without a visa) you will receive a fresh 30-day visa exempt entry.

 

A word of warning, recognize that a "visa on arrival" which is not available for US citizens is different from a "visa exempt entry" which US citizens are entitled to, and you receive on arrival.

 

Over the Christmas period, it is possible to apply for a tourist visa in Penang. The consulate is open from December 26-29.  If planning to visit Penang anyway, I would suggest that over using too many visa exempt entries.

[Shooich]

Ah I see, I was confusing 'VOA' and 'Visa exempt entry.' I actually really want to see Angor Wat as I haven't yet, and haven't been to Cambodia either, so I think I will go to Cambodia and come back on the Visa Exempt Entry, then get the tourist Visa in Penang in February during Chinese New Year. 

 

Thanks for your feedback. 

[overherebc]

Might also be worth looking at an E-visa for your visit to Cambo. You apply on line and then print off the visa at home/office. Check or google Siem Reap E-visa for the official web site. Should be about 37 dollars, if the site quotes more, sometimes as much as 90 it an un-official site, a few exist.

Biggest benefit is on arrival at the airport is that it's a different 'in' line and if the airport is busy it can save a lot of waiting.

Print off at least two, they will keep the one you present, and carry the others, you may, just may be asked to show on return to Thailand, unusual but has happened.

[ubonjoe]

Official site for Cambodia e-visa. https://www.evisa.gov.kh/

[overherebc]

7 hours ago, BritTim said:

(Prepare for a discussion in this thread about the legality of working as a digital nomad in Thailand. I will stay out of that one unless you ask my views.)

 

Normally, each time you leave Thailand, your previous permission to stay ends, and (if you return without a visa) you will receive a fresh 30-day visa exempt entry.

 

A word of warning, recognize that a "visa on arrival" which is not available for US citizens is different from a "visa exempt entry" which US citizens are entitled to, and you receive on arrival.

 

Over the Christmas period, it is possible to apply for a tourist visa in Penang. The consulate is open from December 26-29.  If planning to visit Penang anyway, I would suggest that over using too many visa exempt entries.

For sure worthwhile checking for holiday dates before going to Penang at the end of December. Most likely closed 2nd 3rd January as well.

[Shooich]

My main concern was having problems getting back into Phuket and whether Id be able to get in on my 2nd visa exempt entry, so I can lineup my visa run to get a tourist visa in February with Chinese New Year. If I come back from Cambodia, or maybe even Bali on December 30th, with a 30 day extension I would have until early March and I would be able to go to Penang mid February.

 

Based on what BritTim said I don't think I should have any problems, and I would just receive a fresh 30-day visa exempt entry, right? I went to Phuket in April, got a 30 day extension and left at the end of May so far this year back to the states, so arriving on December 6th would be my 2nd and if I travel out of the country and return on December 30th that would be my 3rd. 

 

Thanks again guys. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[overherebc]

3 hours ago, Shooich said:

My main concern was having problems getting back into Phuket and whether Id be able to get in on my 2nd visa exempt entry, so I can lineup my visa run to get a tourist visa in February with Chinese New Year. If I come back from Cambodia, or maybe even Bali on December 30th, with a 30 day extension I would have until early March and I would be able to go to Penang mid February.

 

Based on what BritTim said I don't think I should have any problems, and I would just receive a fresh 30-day visa exempt entry, right? I went to Phuket in April, got a 30 day extension and left at the end of May so far this year back to the states, so arriving on December 6th would be my 2nd and if I travel out of the country and return on December 30th that would be my 3rd. 

 

Thanks again guys. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shouldn't be a problem but as we say in UK, Belt and Braces, you call them suspenders 'for your trousers' sorry pants. ??

Have onward flights details, hotel booking and 20, 000 baht or same in US$ with you in case.

Most likely you won't be asked but better to have and not need than need and not have.

[JackThompson]

12 hours ago, Shooich said:

My main concern was having problems getting back into Phuket and whether Id be able to get in on my 2nd visa exempt entry, ...

If you have longer-stay history in Thailand in your past, it could be an issue if arriving at checkpoints who are unfriendly to those who have spent "too much time in Thailand" (by some arbitrary estimation) - such as Bangkok airports.  But, if you only have made short-trips to Thailand before - spaced apart - then they are unlikely to give you any trouble. 

 

You'll need to have proof of your flight out within 30-days + 10K Baht worth of cash or travelers checks + the address where you will be staying (have a copy of your booking or rental-contract).  I'd bring 20K in cash, as "overherebc" suggested - more is better.

[Shooich]

58 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

If you have longer-stay history in Thailand in your past, it could be an issue if arriving at checkpoints who are unfriendly to those who have spent "too much time in Thailand" (by some arbitrary estimation) - such as Bangkok airports.  But, if you only have made short-trips to Thailand before - spaced apart - then they are unlikely to give you any trouble. 

 

You'll need to have proof of your flight out within 30-days + 10K Baht worth of cash or travelers checks + the address where you will be staying (have a copy of your booking or rental-contract).  I'd bring 20K in cash, as "overherebc" suggested - more is better.

This will be my 3rd trip to Thailand. My first being 5 days in August of 2016, and the 2nd being 6 weeks in May-June of this year. 

 

Wouldn't I need proof of flight within 60 days of returning from Cambodia because I can get a 30 day extension for 1900 baht? 

[JackThompson]

18 minutes ago, Shooich said:

This will be my 3rd trip to Thailand. My first being 5 days in August of 2016, and the 2nd being 6 weeks in May-June of this year. 

 

Wouldn't I need proof of flight within 60 days of returning from Cambodia because I can get a 30 day extension for 1900 baht? 

No on the 60-days, because the extension is not automatic - though it is "routine."  Some airlines will refuse to board you without the ticket-out within 30-days. 

 

If you ran into an IO at the immigration-checkpoint who had an issue, it could complicate matters there, also.  Most of the time, the IOs do not ask to see your flight out or money - only doing this if they are looking to refuse-entry.

 

Based on your history, I would say the airline is more likely to be the problem with "no ticket-out within 30-days," than the IO.

[Shooich]

5 hours ago, JackThompson said:

No on the 60-days, because the extension is not automatic - though it is "routine."  Some airlines will refuse to board you without the ticket-out within 30-days. 

 

If you ran into an IO at the immigration-checkpoint who had an issue, it could complicate matters there, also.  Most of the time, the IOs do not ask to see your flight out or money - only doing this if they are looking to refuse-entry.

 

Based on your history, I would say the airline is more likely to be the problem with "no ticket-out within 30-days," than the IO.

Sigh, I booked a flight already for like $340 because I thought I'd be able to stay until mid February with the 30 day extension given I went to Cambodia. I'm flying with Air Asia by the way if you have had any experiences with them or know whether theyre stricter or more lenient.

 

I have a layover on the way back in Bangkok, you're saying in customs I'd likely be fine, but at my gate they may not let me on if I have a flight out to Penang in mid february (50ish days out)? Also what if the flight to Penang is round trip back to Phuket, since I want to get a tourist visa when I go and am planning/hoping to stay until late April or early May. 

 

Thanks Jack. 

[JackThompson]

52 minutes ago, Shooich said:

Sigh, I booked a flight already for like $340 because I thought I'd be able to stay until mid February with the 30 day extension given I went to Cambodia.

After you are back in Thailand, an extension at an immigration office in Thailand should not be a problem. Those are routine.  With that, you can use your existing Penang tickets (Air Asia is < $100 R/T, btw).

 

But boarding any flight into Thailand for a Visa-Exempt entry, without a ticket out within 30 days, could be a problem.

 

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I'm flying with Air Asia by the way if you have had any experiences with them or know whether theyre stricter or more lenient.

I'm not sure of Air Asia's policies for flights into Thailand, since I never flew into Thailand with Tourist Visas - only out - returning by friendly land-crossings. I had a longer-stay history, so I never took a chance with airport immigration.

 

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I have a layover on the way back in Bangkok,

you're saying in customs I'd likely be fine, but at my gate they may not let me on if I have a flight out to Penang in mid february (50ish days out)?

Your travel schedule / history should not cause them to pick you out at immigration/customs - but there are no guarantees.  Having the cash is the most important thing if questioned. 

 

If you arrive plenty-early for boarding, and they won't board you without the ticket-out in 30-days, you could purchase a throwaway ticket online at that time.  A throwaway ticket out of Thailand should cost about 1000 Baht.  

You can also offer to sign a form saying you won't hold the airline responsible if you are denied-entry to Thailand for not having the ticket out; this has worked for some people for boarding.

 

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Also what if the flight to Penang is round trip back to Phuket, since I want to get a tourist visa when I go and am planning/hoping to stay until late April or early May.

Best if you can show the departure separately, if showing that to immigration.   Some won't be happy to see you coming right-back.  But if you go the throwaway-ticket route, you can show them that, instead.