Tourist visa.

[jacklondon]

I am an American citizen living in Seattle and 69 years old. I currently hold a retirement type A-O nonimmigrant Visa with multiple entries that expires June 16 of 2019. I have learned that a 6 month stay in Thailand is enough time for me whereas 3 months is too short and a year is too long. My thai lawyer wanted to charge me 34,000 tb to renew the retirement visa with multiple entries for another year. So to avoid the new requirements for retirement Visas of having monies held in a thai bank for months, health insurance the 90 day reports and expensive lawyer fees I've decided to try a different approach. I have heard I can get a 60 day tourist Visa from the Thai embassy in Los Angeles closest to Seattle. Also told that before the 60 days expires to do a Visa run by plane, re-enter Thailand and get a 30 day stamp for a total stay of 3 months. Then repeat the process for a total stay of 6 months. My questions: 1) Is this a doable plan? 2) Is it possible to renew a 60 day tourist visa? 3) If so how does one extend the original 60 day tourist visa issued in the US? Can it be done in Thailand 4) Are Visa runs by plane still allowed? I have heard they are cracking down on border runs but not sure if this applies to runs by plane 5) How many times can the above process be done? I have heard twice maximum. 6) Is 34,000 tb over charging to renew a retirement Visa, add multiple entries, file 90 day report and transfer original retirement Visa to new passport? I would appreciate feedback on this issues from someone in a similar situation. Thanks. John from Seattle.

 

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[jacko45k]

!) Yes, but I would extend the tourist visa entry for 30 days first.

2) Yes, you can get a 30 day extension at immigration for 1900 baht.

3) Various copies, a TM 7 form and money/ photo, straightforward process.

4) You can fly out and back to get a 30 day Visa Exempt entry (which can also be extended for 30 days).

5). No official limit, for your stated needs no problem. You are limited to 2 Visa Exempt Land border entries in any calendar year (Jan-Dec)

6) Depends region to region, I would expect nearer 25,000 in Pattaya area.

 

I suspect you have an Extension based on retirement, you cannot renew a Visa.

 

 

[DrJack54]

If you can enter Thailand before it expires you will obtain "extra" 12 months. You will need to obtain reentry permit for that 12 months.

EDIT...Just noticed expiry date is soon. So entering los before expiry won't suit.

[JackThompson]

If it were me, I would enter on your SETV, extend it 30 days, then make a trip to HCMC for a few days, and get another SETV from the Thai Consulate there and return, then extend that.  That takes you to almost 6 Mo, but with less travel, and a trip to HCMC.