Visa On Entry

[coach pete]

i used my 90 days from oct 1 ....so i went to bkk last week on a tourist visa for one week.

the first 6 months is up on april 1st...i need to return on april 6th....can i use a v.oa.......does my new 6 months start from april1st...or will they count back 6 months.

i did try to ask immigration at the airport....but surprisingly they didnt have a clue.

anyone can help with info?

i know the option is to get a tourist visa everytime....but i visit for short periods of time....and besides the cost a visa takes a page in the passport....i have only 5 left...and just installed a 3 year multi entry china visa.

[jeebusjones]

I think no one knows the anser to your question. Until very recently, most people had assumed it was a "rolling six month period," meaning that they would always look at the previous six months. In that case, you wouldn't be allowed to re-enter on April 6.

However recently there have been reports that the six month period is fixed. If this is the case, the period seems to start from you first date of entry, and will reset six months later. In your case, it would indeed reset on April 1, and you would be allowed to re-enter on VOA's.

(See the thread about the Canadian given only 4 days on entry)

The big problem comes because every officer interprets the rules differently. So while one may interpret the rules with a rolling period, another may interpret the rules on a fixed period. I would plan for both scenarios, just to be safe. And unfortunately for you, this would involve getting a tourist visa.

[ChokChaiChas]

I think no one knows the anser to your question. Until very recently, most people had assumed it was a "rolling six month period," meaning that they would always look at the previous six months. In that case, you wouldn't be allowed to re-enter on April 6.

However recently there have been reports that the six month period is fixed. If this is the case, the period seems to start from you first date of entry, and will reset six months later. In your case, it would indeed reset on April 1, and you would be allowed to re-enter on VOA's.

(See the thread about the Canadian given only 4 days on entry)

The big problem comes because every officer interprets the rules differently. So while one may interpret the rules with a rolling period, another may interpret the rules on a fixed period. I would plan for both scenarios, just to be safe. And unfortunately for you, this would involve getting a tourist visa.

You state that "in that case, you wouldn't be allowed to re-enter on April 6".

Maybe, maybe not. It all depends upon the date of his first entry AFTER 6 October. That applies irrespective of the issues raised in the thread to which you refer.

[coach pete]

I think no one knows the anser to your question. Until very recently, most people had assumed it was a "rolling six month period," meaning that they would always look at the previous six months. In that case, you wouldn't be allowed to re-enter on April 6.

However recently there have been reports that the six month period is fixed. If this is the case, the period seems to start from you first date of entry, and will reset six months later. In your case, it would indeed reset on April 1, and you would be allowed to re-enter on VOA's.

(See the thread about the Canadian given only 4 days on entry)

The big problem comes because every officer interprets the rules differently. So while one may interpret the rules with a rolling period, another may interpret the rules on a fixed period. I would plan for both scenarios, just to be safe. And unfortunately for you, this would involve getting a tourist visa.

You state that "in that case, you wouldn't be allowed to re-enter on April 6".

Maybe, maybe not. It all depends upon the date of his first entry AFTER 6 October. That applies irrespective of the issues raised in the thread to which you refer.

...i checked with the thai cosulate here in hong kong....they said it was in blocks of 6 months....oct 1st to april the 1st...then start again.

but then he said that because i had a lot of thai stamps in my passport....they may not believe im a tourist....they also yellow marked the entries in my passport....it didnt help that the immigration girl marked an entry from 2005...on that occasion they told me id spent 75 days and gave me a 15 day visa to the 17thfeb,....even though my return ticket was on the 27th....when i got to phuket i realised the mistake the girl had made ....they owed me 10 days....the immigration in phuket didnt want to know...so in the end i overstayed 10 days...and decided to plead my case at the airport...lucky for me i actually found an officer that would listen...and admit they made a mistake....and she gave me back the 10 days.

cheers

[jdinasia]

Just a terminology note ..... I think you mean a Visa-exempt-entry (visa on arrival is a totally different animal)

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Just a terminology note ..... I think you mean a Visa-exempt-entry (visa on arrival is a totally different animal)

They NEVER listen

[coach pete]

Just a terminology note ..... I think you mean a Visa-exempt-entry (visa on arrival is a totally different animal)

i think everyone knows what i mean....cheers

[lopburi3]

Just a terminology note ..... I think you mean a Visa-exempt-entry (visa on arrival is a totally different animal)

i think everyone knows what i mean....cheers

No, everybody does not know what you mean and it causes a great deal of confusion here. If you know the correct terms please use them to help out others. We are not trying to be picky when we ask this (even though it may sound like it) but there really is a visa on arrival but it has nothing to do with 90 day counts.