30-day Visa exemption after Non-ED and Tourist visas

[khughes77]

Hi everyone,

 

Have done a thorough search but was unable to come up with anything. 

 

I am returning to Thailand on Jan 19 on a 30-day exemption and would like to know if anyone has been in my situation and/or encountered issues with immigration?

 

Canadian citizen, 29 years old

 

Visa history:

Sept 2016-Nov 2016: 4 exemptions with cumulative stay of approximately 35 days.

January 2017: Entered on 60 day tourist visa with extension

April 2017: Entered on 60 day tourist visa with extension (visa run to Penang)

July 2017: Entered on Non-ED visa for Thai language course (Visa run to Penang again)

While on this visa I spent 3 weeks in Canada in August before returning to Thailand on re-entry permit

Sept 2017: 3 month extension at CW to December 30. 

Spent 2 weeks in Europe while on this extension coming back on re-entry permit.

 

Departed Thailand on Dec 18 and returned to Canada allowing my ED visa to expire.

 

I will only be returning to Thailand for approximately 10 days to assist my fiance who will be coming back to Canada with me on Jan 28th. 

I will have 25,000THB in my Thai bank account and a flight out booked on Jan 28.

I also have a job offer in writing from a Canadian company with a Feb 5 start date.

 

Thank you everyone for your help!

 

 

[JackThompson]

29 minutes ago, khughes77 said:

I will have 25,000THB in my Thai bank account and a flight out booked on Jan 28.

The flight is a good step - have proof of it - but money "in the bank" won't help if questioned entering the country. What you will need is 10K in Cash or Travelers Checks (20K would be better) to enter Visa Exempt. 

 

It's not often "show the money" is requested, but could be given your history.  Being gone for weeks makes it clear you are not holding down a job illegally in Thailand full-time, which will help with perception.

[elviajero]

IMO given your age and history you stand a high chance of being questioned if entering without a visa. 

 

They will expect to see cash, which doesn't have to be in Baht. The equivalent in foreign currency is acceptable.

[NanLaew]

Yup, the "Jerry Maguire" caveat applies here.

[khughes77]

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

Yup, the "Jerry Maguire" caveat applies here.

I love Jerry Maguire, but I don't quite understand the reference here   mind elaborating? :)

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, khughes77 said:

I love Jerry Maguire, but I don't quite understand the reference here   mind elaborating? :)

Perhaps "show me the money" .

[NanLaew]

joe's right on the money.

 

The OP needs to know that all the printed and online bank statements and all the credit/debit cards in the world won't impress. The immigration statute specifically wants to see cash (foreign currency equivalent is OK).

 

That and there are no ATM's near the immigration desks anyway.

[khughes77]

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

joe's right on the money.

 

The OP needs to know that all the printed and online bank statements and all the credit/debit cards in the world won't impress. The immigration statute specifically wants to see cash (foreign currency equivalent is OK).

 

That and there are no ATM's near the immigration desks anyway.

That is no problem guys, thanks for the advice, I will hit the ATM in Toronto before heading over. Any other advice or things to be weary of?