4th Entry into Thailand Without Visa?

[briangwaltney]

Hello everyone,

 

I thought everything was going well until I tried to submit my non-b paperwork in Penang today and had my application rejected because I didn't have a FBI background check. I'm hoping you all can give me a little guidance as to my next steps.

 

Backstory:

 

I'm American

Arrived in BKK in March 2018 visa exempt

Tourist visa run to Penang in May 2018 after extension of visa exempt

Second tourist visa run to Penang in August 2018 after another extension.

Found a teaching job in Bangkok and came to Penang to apply for Non-B visa now (October 2018)

Visa application was rejected due to missing home country background check. (I did have the Thai background check, but they wanted one from America as well)

 

That leads me to two questions:

First, and most important, will they let me back into Thailand visa exempt? I will be flying into DMK this Saturday night without a visa. It will be my fourth entry into the country total.

 

Second, are there any other consulates in other countries that do not require the FBI background check to acquire a Non-B visa for a teacher? Other's I've spoken with said they were not required to provide one. If I can get back in the country, I can start the process of getting one, but it might take 8-12 weeks.

 

I'm welcome to any suggestions. My most important task right now is just getting back into Thailand. If I can get back in, I'll have time to figure the rest of this out.

 

Thank you!

Brian

[ubonjoe]

You should not have a problem getting a 30 day visa exempt entry. Just be ready show the equivalent of 20k baht in cash if asked.

Vientiane and Savannakhet Laos will accept a Thai police clearance certificate.

[briangwaltney]

Thank you so much!

[JackThompson]

21 hours ago, briangwaltney said:

First, and most important, will they let me back into Thailand visa exempt? I will be flying into DMK this Saturday night without a visa. It will be my fourth entry into the country total.

If those 4 entries are longer-stays and/or near-consecutive, you could have problems.  It looks like most of the last 6 months were here, which some IOs won't like at that entry-point.  Good luck at DMK. 

 

I would have come in by train through Pedang Besar (showing the 20K Baht, if requested), then flown onward from Hat Yai. 

Even better, fly directly or with same-day ongoing ticket to Laos, and get your Non-B Visa for teaching, there with the paperwork you already have. 

 

If flying in and not flying onward to Laos on the same-day, be sure to have 20K Baht worth of cash or travelers-checks and proof of a flight-out within 30-days.  The flight is probably necessary to board the plane, anyway - and can be used to go get your Non-B in Laos.

 

Some claim paying for the VIP service at the airport will help prevent rejected-entry.  Also, dress well - can't hurt your chances.  Have a story ready for "what are you doing here in Thailand" - and be aware that saying you plan to work in the country may not be helpful in this context, since you are asking immigration to grant you a visa-exempt entry based on tourism.