Reached 6 exemptions and confused

[Lily12]

Since August 2016 I have had the following most of which I have stayed just under the full duration (prior to which the last time i visited the country was 2013):

 

* August 2016-visa exemption

* Flew back to the UK for ten days and returned in September 2016 on another visa exemption

* Visited early December 2016 on a visa exemption, extended this but returned to the uk mid January

* Visited late April 2017 on a visa exemption which i then extended by one month, Flew to KL for two nights and returned on another visa exemption which was again extended by a month but I returned to the UK mid August.

* Visited again at the end of October on another exemption which I then extended by one month and have since gone to Vietnam.

 

I am aware this amounts up to 6 exemption entries, I would have got a tourist visa in advance but none of these times I initially planned to stay more than one month. I am in Vietnam right now and would have been here at least ten days. I would like to return to Thailand for a couple of weeks after which I plan to return to the UK with no further travelling planned. Given the fact this will be a short stay one final visa exemption would be the most practical. I know nobody can give a definitive answer as it is dependent on the io, but would anyone be able to offer any advice as to whether i would be really best getting the tourist visa whilst here before returning. If i did try one last exemption I probably would not fly into bkk (either cnx or krabi/phuket) and I would have onward tickets and cash etc.

 

Thanks in advance 

[ubonjoe]

The 6 entries is only an alert that the officer gets not a limit.

Looking a your history I see no reason for you to have a problem doing another visa exempt entry.

It would be wise to have at least the equivalent of 10k baht (20k is better) to show if they asked to see it.

[Lily12]

Thanks for the advice!

[marke985]

I had a similar history to yours a few years back.  When I hit the 6 exempt point, a higher up immigration officer came over and pulled me out of the line.  He simply asked why I didn't get a visa and I told him I didn't want to stay more than 30 days.

 

He told me because I come to Thailand so often I need to get a visa next time.  Since then I usually get a visa but 1 or two times a year I arrive on an exempt.  I've been living in SE Asia, mostly Thailand for about 4 years now.

 

He couldn't of been nicer about the situation.  I'm only commenting here to try to put you at ease as there a fear mongerers here that have put me a scare once before on the whole visa issues.

 

But I have yet to see Ubonjoe give misleading information.  He is the best source of information on the forum.

[jackdd]

10 Visa exemptions in the last 2 years and nobody ever said something to me about it

So it all depends

[darrendsd]

9 minutes ago, jackdd said:

10 Visa exemptions in the last 2 years and nobody ever said something to me about it

So it all depends

Did you fly in or were these land crossings?

[jackdd]

1. (december 2015) air

2. land

3. land

4. air

5. air

6. air

7. air

8. land

9. land

10. air

[Lily12]

Thanks this is really helpful if i do try I shall relay how it goes but hopefully all will be ok!

[elviajero]

It’s the amount of time spent in country rather than the number of entries that they are interested in. You should be fine, but expect to be questioned anytime you enter using visa exempt entry.

[edwardflory]

It all depends on the IO.  With all your entry's as a IO I WOULD suspect that 1) you are living in Thailand OR 2) you are WORKING in Thailand, the latter being of most concern to Immigration right now.  Extra screening if you are under 40.

 

When you enter make sure you have 20,000 THB Cash / Travelers cheques  AND a plane ticket out of Thailand ( in under 30 days - if visa on entry ) to be on the safe side.

 

It all depends on WHAT the IO feels is the REASON WHY you have many entrys AND WHY you want to ENTER again.

[MyFriend You]

On 1/5/2018 at 3:46 PM, jackdd said:

1. (december 2015) air

2. land

3. land

4. air

5. air

6. air

7. air

8. land

9. land

10. air

It is so simple to get a Visa in HCMC, turn pspt in one morning have it back in next afternoon, I assume you have an exit Ticket from Thailand already, if not they will accept a printed copy of an actual reservation.  Problem solved.

[sead]

18 in a red square shows on me now ...