Worried about visa exemption entry?

[atourist]

Spent ~5 months in Thailand via two air-entry SETVs in 2017 with my Filipino girlfriend (both 23, AUS passport). Jan-Feb and then Oct-Dec.

 

On the second entry through DMK, the immigration lady was harsh and very questioning on what we were doing, if we were working, why we stay so long.

 

My girlfriend and I went through immigration lines next to each other, eventually after some hassle, the IOs talked and let us through but told us not to vacation so long, basically.

 

Throw over to this year, we want to visit Thailand again at the end of this month (almost 1yr later). Booked our Airbnb for 2 months already. We will go for 30-day visa exemptions this time and then extend 30 days.

 

Given the last experience wasn't very pleasant: should we be worried about it this time or am I overthinking things? Have we left enough time between visits?

 

[jackdd]

You should keep in mind that they could ask you for a flight out of Thailand within 30 days if you plan to enter on a visa exempt (so could the airline when you are boarding)

[elviajero]

Having a year away will go in your favour, but given your age and history of tourism you are probably best advised to get Tourist Visa. It doesn't guarantee you won't get hassled again, but it will definitely reduce the chances.

[atourist]

8 minutes ago, jackdd said:

they could ask you for a flight out of Thailand within 30 days if you plan to enter on a visa exempt

Planning to extend for 30-days for a total eligible stay of 60-days. I have a flight already booked around the 55 day mark. Will this suffice?

[atourist]

12 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Given your age and history of tourism you are probably best advised to get Tourist Visa

So would we have a better chance going in on another full 60-day SETV than the alternate 30-day visa exemption + extension method?

[elviajero]

2 hours ago, atourist said:

So would we have a better chance going in on another full 60-day SETV than the alternate 30-day visa exemption + extension method?

Definitely. They are mostly targeting people using visa exemption. 

[elviajero]

2 hours ago, atourist said:

Planning to extend for 30-days for a total eligible stay of 60-days. I have a flight already booked around the 55 day mark. Will this suffice?

A Tourist Visa would give you 60 days on entry and fits your return flight. You also wouldn’t need an extension.

 

If you fly without a visa the airline might want to see an onward flight dated within 30 days. Immigration would probably accept it although it wouldn’t be ideal as you’re only granted 30 days on entry.

[atourist]

48 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Definitely. They are mostly targeting people using visa exemption

Interesting, I would've thought because I have used 2 SETV's in 2017 I'd be safer entering on the visa exemption (I have none of these yet in my PP)

 

I was hoping they'd think I might just be staying short term and stamp away without any questions and the SETV would giveaway another full 2 month stay.

 

I'll definitely consider SETV over the exemption. I guess if I get denied either way, we can fly out and re-enter through land border to save the already-booked Airbnb.

 

Any other helpers for immigration other than dress well, smile, bring ~10K THB, airbnb receipt, male IO, onwards flight? We've been travelling for 2 years straight and Thailand has been the only country to question us!

[Agusts]

I doubt you have problem having been away for a year, they have never ever questioned my friend over the years once away for 6 month , if it's easy and convenient to get SETV then that is of course better and a piece of mind (probably cost the same)...

[elviajero]

4 hours ago, atourist said:

Interesting, I would've thought because I have used 2 SETV's in 2017 I'd be safer entering on the visa exemption (I have none of these yet in my PP)

 

I was hoping they'd think I might just be staying short term and stamp away without any questions and the SETV would giveaway another full 2 month stay.

 

I'll definitely consider SETV over the exemption. I guess if I get denied either way, we can fly out and re-enter through land border to save the already-booked Airbnb.

 

Any other helpers for immigration other than dress well, smile, bring ~10K THB, airbnb receipt, male IO, onwards flight? We've been travelling for 2 years straight and Thailand has been the only country to question us!

Visa exemption should be avoided whenever you can. The chances are you'd be ok, but SETV's are a safer option.

 

If you enter with a SETV you should carry 20K, otherwise you have it covered.

[BritTim]

If 2017 was your first time in Thailand (was it?) and you experienced trouble entering with a visa in October 2017 after only one previous two month visit to Thailand, this is quite disturbing. Something must have caused them to single you out, over and above your ages. Your girlfriend is a Filipina. Possibly, they may have wondered about prostitution (yes, a horrible insinuation). Did you overstay on your trip in early 2017?

 

As others have advised, come with a visa. Pay attention to grooming and dress nicely. If immigration becomes aggressive, stay calm and polite.

[sitti]

One important thing is make sure that you have a return flight. Should IO question you, they will very most likely ask you about your return flight. If you can't show them your flight confirmation, that would be a yellow flag and you'll be answering a lot more questions. Make sure you can answer on what exact date you will leave Thailand, and you have a confirmed flight leaving on that day.

[travelerjim]

On 11/2/2018 at 10:39 AM, atourist said:

Interesting, I would've thought because I have used 2 SETV's in 2017 I'd be safer entering on the visa exemption (I have none of these yet in my PP)

 

I was hoping they'd think I might just be staying short term and stamp away without any questions and the SETV would giveaway another full 2 month stay.

 

I'll definitely consider SETV over the exemption. I guess if I get denied either way, we can fly out and re-enter through land border to save the already-booked Airbnb.

 

Any other helpers for immigration other than dress well, smile, bring ~10K THB, airbnb receipt, male IO, onwards flight? We've been travelling for 2 years straight and Thailand has been the only country to question us!

Get yourselves a TOURIST VISA. And the amount of Thai baht is NOT 10,000 ...as they have been - IF asked - been asking for 20,000 each at Thai Immigration upon arrival. Good Luck! Enjoy your holidays in Thailand.

[atourist]

On 11/3/2018 at 4:08 AM, BritTim said:

If 2017 was your first time in Thailand (was it?) and you experienced trouble entering with a visa in October 2017 after only one previous two month visit to Thailand, this is quite disturbing. Something must have caused them to single you out, over and above your ages. Your girlfriend is a Filipina. Possibly, they may have wondered about prostitution (yes, a horrible insinuation). Did you overstay on your trip in early 2017?

 

As others have advised, come with a visa. Pay attention to grooming and dress nicely. If immigration becomes aggressive, stay calm and polite.

 

Yeah, 2017 was both of our first times in Thailand. So indeed it is a bit strange they were quite harsh on us. Thankfully we were able to answer all their questions and ultimately get through with a warning not to spend so long in the Kingdom.

 

A little strange they questioned us as we obviously would present as tourists: the 6 months between our stays, we had other visas for about ~6 different countries we visited in our travels.

 

I wonder if it was related to her being Filipina (despite having an AUS passport.) The male IO in my line didn't question me until I heard and helped out my girlfriend being questioned by a female IO in the adjacent line. Likely an appearance thing as we both have the exact same passport history. We've also never overstayed anywhere, ever.

 

Here's hoping all goes well this time. I'll go first and let her follow in the same line. If we get rejected in DMK we'll fly to Vientiane I guess and bus through as I've read on here it's more reliable. 

 

Thanks everyone for the help & advice.

[DrJack54]

You already have good advice from experts like elviajero, britim and others. I'm not an expert but follow these topics. It must be frustrating to Thai io that Thailand provides so many options, for example visa exempt and setv, etc.

Then visitors wish to turn a stamp into 60 days via extension.

Get a setv. Some Hassel yes but takes away any need for worry or possible rejection. One member mentioned a flight ticket within 60 days may satisfy passport control. Maybe. But also you need get on the plane. Is it really worth the stress.