To Visa Or Not To Visa?

[Digitalman]

I will be traveling to Thailand for approximately 170 days, or 5 and a half months.

I know I will definitely take a trip to Myanmar by plane into Yangon.

I know I will definitely cross at Mae Sai, at least once.

I plan to visit China to either Kunming, Shanghai or Hong Kong. Going to China is about 80% certain.

I also want to visit Laos, possibly Hanoi or Phnom Penh. There is also the possibility I might go to India also. About 50% chance I will visit any of these.

I will be based out of the Chaing Mai province (not in the City) for probably at least 150 days, and will spend no more than 2 or 3 weeks in other countries. What is the best thing to do as far as a visa is concerned?

I need help!!!!!! Someone break it down for me, would what be doing be considered visa runs?

[Digitalman]

Forgot to mention, I am from the US

[brahmburgers]

Unfortunately for those of us who enjoy traveling and being easy-going about itineraries, Thailand is becoming more and more difficult. There are some fellows on Thaivisa.com who are able to keep abreast of the myriad sticklers that are put in place by Thai imm authorities - but I'm not one of them. I do what I can to stay legal, but the hoops to jump thru, and the expenses are increasing - in direct proportion to Thai Imm's determination to make things more difficult for farang.

sorry, I don't have cheerier news, but that's the perspective from one frustrated farang who's feeling stuck here - as I've been developing a farmstead over the years (which I want to continue to maintain), while at the same time, the regulations keep getting more difficult to abide by. So because of the 'roots' I've set in (literally), I've got to try to continue to stick it out - until it gets too ridiculously complicated and difficult - or winds up like Zimbabwe- where the zealots simply rant around screaming "Thailand for Thais! - all others must leave now!"

I will be traveling to Thailand for approximately 170 days, or 5 and a half months.

I know I will definitely take a trip to Myanmar by plane into Yangon.

I know I will definitely cross at Mae Sai, at least once.

I plan to visit China to either Kunming, Shanghai or Hong Kong. Going to China is about 80% certain.

I also want to visit Laos, possibly Hanoi or Phnom Penh. There is also the possibility I might go to India also. About 50% chance I will visit any of these.

I will be based out of the Chaing Mai province (not in the City) for probably at least 150 days, and will spend no more than 2 or 3 weeks in other countries. What is the best thing to do as far as a visa is concerned?

I need help!!!!!! Someone break it down for me, would what be doing be considered visa runs?

[Jingthing]

With that very sketchy plan, all I can suggest is to get a tourist visa in the US. This will allow you to stay in Thailand for 60 days, extendable in Thailand for another 30 days. It will also make it easier for you to be let on the airplane leaving the US. The visa would be used up if you left Thailand during this period.

Then you could use 30 day stamps for the rest of your trip. That might cover your trip if you play your cards right. You would be limited to 30 days in Thailand each time when using the 30 day stamps. So, visa runners, whats the latest, are they counting entry times or total days in such a scenario?

Edited April 26, 2007 by Jingthing

[Digitalman]

So does that mean I could get and then extend a tourist visa to a total of 90 days, then make 2 Visa runs for two 30 day stamps each that equal to another 60 days?

If so that would give me around 150 days of time, and considering I spend 14 days or more in other countries that would total for around 170 days out of the United States before returning. Is that right? Is that the best option?

[Krub]

So does that mean I could get and then extend a tourist visa to a total of 90 days, then make 2 Visa runs for two 30 day stamps each that equal to another 60 days?

If so that would give me around 150 days of time, and considering I spend 14 days or more in other countries that would total for around 170 days out of the United States before returning. Is that right? Is that the best option?

Yes a tourist visa will give you 60 days in Thailand which can be extended at immigration for 1.900 baht.

You cna then do 2 visa runs and get twice 30 days under the no visa rules.

better still would be to get a 2 entry tourist visa which would save you one run

[Digitalman]

How do you go about getting a 2nd or double Tourist Visa?

And if I decide to go other places, I am SOL aren't I? I would need a multiple entry for that right? So the tourist wouldn't work? I just don't know

[Krub]

How do you go about getting a 2nd or double Tourist Visa?

And if I decide to go other places, I am SOL aren't I? I would need a multiple entry for that right? So the tourist wouldn't work? I just don't know

Tourist visa come in single, double or triple entries.

Some have reported getting 4 entries but they are rare.

They do not come in multiple entries.

Some Embassies only give single entries but it seems in US and Europe double or triple entries are common

If you go to other places (more times than the numbe of entries on yoru visa) you should befofre getting out of Thailand apply for a re-entry permit which will upon return allow you to continue the remainder of your 60days permit of stay of one of your entries without using a new entry.

[lopburi3]

Your best choice would be a multi entry non immigrant O visa. A small Consulate might issue if you explain your reasons. That would allow unlimited travel.

Second would be tourist visa but that would only allow 60 day entry but you could keep that 60 day alive with re-entry permit(s) which would allow travel and return for your previous permitted to stay time.

30 day entry is still allowed but you will have to be sure to have an airline reservation out within 30 days and the limit is 90 days per six month period. But you could obtain new tourist visas to continue stay from Consulates in the area that you are visiting.

[Digitalman]

Your best choice would be a multi entry non immigrant O visa. A small Consulate might issue if you explain your reasons. That would allow unlimited travel.

An O visa? Isn;t that a dependent visa? i agree a multi entry would be the best but how do you go about getting a letter from someone there? Is the consulate in Washington, DC easy to get a visa from?

[lopburi3]

I would not expect Washington, Chicago or LA to issue, and maybe nobody would. But you can ask and lose nothing. There are a number of Honorary Consulates for Thailand in the USA.

A non immigrant O visa is issued for "other" reasons.