Navigating The New Visa Rules

[fogger00]

I'm under 50 from the US and would like to stay in Thailand for 6-8 months. Is this possible with the new rules?

Can you:

- get a 60 day tourist visa from the embassy in the US

- extend it for 30 days while in Thailand

then what? Can you get a visa-exempt entry stamp for 30 days? If so, then what about after the 30 days? Extend it? Exit and then re-enter? When does the 90 in 180 day rule kick in?

[Jingthing]

The first thing I would do is start to call some of the smaller consulates and just tell them the truth, that you want a really long vacation in Thailand, and can you get a triple entry tourist visa. If no, ask for a double entry. A double entry can last 6 months with two in-country extensions and one short trip to a neighboring country.

I can't think of a reason why they wouldn't give you at least a double entry. Don't bother with the embassy in Washington even if you live there, especially for a triple.

Of course, my info may be totally out of date, so people who have tried lately at the consulates to get doubles will likely speak up here if I am wrong. In any case, it doesn't hurt to just ask them. They don't bite and what you want to do is totally legit and good for Thailand (money). Why they just don't just offer a six month tourist visa and charge more for it is a question for the Gods.

Edited February 8, 2007 by Jingthing

[Crossy]

There are a number of 'friendly' consulates in the US that will issue a 12 month multi-entry non-o class visa on the grounds of 'visiting friends and family'. Someone else will have to PM you the list though, I'm a Brit

How close to 50 are you, you could also get a non-o for 'investigating retirement possibilities'