Extend B Visa And Tourist Visa Q's

[listenup]

I hope some of you knowledgeable people can help me

My 1 year Non imm B visa runs out on the 24th May, am I able to extend it for another 3 months? If so, what is required?

Once the 3 months is up, I have no choice but to go on the tourist visa wagon.

If I got a 60 day tourist visa, then get an extension for another 30 days, what trips out of the country would be required? Can someone please explain the exact steps I’ll need to take?

When the 90 days is up, am I right in thinking I’ll need to leave and return once the 180 day period is up?

My plan is this: extend the b visa is possible, then head out of the country and get a 60 day tourist visa, followed by extending a further 30 days. Spend 3 months traveling around Asia then heading back to find work again.

Many thanks in advance.

[torrenova]

If your B visa expires on 24th may, go the border on 23rd may and you will get another 90 days stamped. You would only be able to extend this at immigration for another 7 days for Bt1900 so not worth it.

Then you can do 3*30 day border runs if you leave each time on the 30th day (i.e. last day).

You can then (or 90 days after 24th May) go to a Thai consulate in SE Asia, such as Penang and get a single entry tourist visa valid for 60 days. You can extend this for 30 days at immigration but beware, this extension counts as 30 of the 90 in 180 days !

The reality is that unless you can get another 1 year multiple entry visa, you'll be back and forth to a foreign consulate roughly every 90/120 days. Work out the annual costs and the hassle of going out all the time and it may be easier and cheaper to go back home and get another i year visa. Or get a work permit !

[listenup]

Thanks for the reply torrenova.

The 90 day extension on my business visa. Will I need to apply for this i.e - fill out any forms or will it just be given to me?

Also, I am unable to get a one year visa. I don't support a thai wife nor am I over 50.

I did post another thread on here last week about the requirements for getting a non imm O visa. One guy said I'll be able to get it on the basis i have Thai friends. I told a few friends this who have lived in thailand for years and they laughed. I'm not sure who is correct.

Many thanks.

[torrenova]

OK, your visa runs out on 24th May so if you go to the border before then, they will stamp you with 90 days. Obviously the best thing to do is to go on 23rd and effectively make your visa valid 15 months. Do not go on 24th as they have been known to say "expired today" or some other such mumbo jumbo.

You have a one year visa now, why cannot you get another ? Which country do you come from. If from the UK, can you fly back for a week or so ? The Thai consulate in Hull is very accommodating.

Som countries' embassies and consulates are much stricter than others. I suggest you don't state "heading back to find work again" but visiting friends and family, perhaps including extensive travelling around SE Asia (if your home consulates are very strict) thus implying you would need more than 60 days more than once or twice before returning "home". I would research the consulates in your country before making the decision.

If finances are the issue, remember that a trip to Penang includes transport to the airport, flights, visa fees, accommodation overnight, taxis, food and transport back at the other end. That is only good for 60 days and then another Bt1900 at immigration for the 30 day extension. There is also some doubt over how many of these one can do before being asked "when are you leaving Thailand". At the borders now, they sometimes ask the 30 day stampers for onward air tickets !

As a rough cost, I estimate the costs of going back to the UK solely for a new visa to be as follows:

Taxi to airport - 1000

Food at airport - 500

Flight - 30000

Transport to accommodation - 3000

One week expenditure - 10000

Visa fees - 6000

Postage fees - 1000

Transport to airport - 3000

Food at airport - 500

Taxi to home - 1000

This totals to Bt56,000. Add in Bt8000 for a new passport and Bt4000 in travel fees to go and get it. Remember to also add in any accommodation fees, additional expenditure etc.

The point I am trying to make here is that going back "home" costs this much plus 4 visa runs in 15 months, so this much plus about Bt10,000 per year. You are then legit and not on a bloody tourist visa. You can do the turnaround without even staying avernight in the UK (not recommended) but I'd stay at least 2 nights to get some rest and have a shower.

Staying in the country costs about Bt10-12,000 every 3 months and you may be refused somewhere, sometime. Total costs for 15 months around Bt60,000 versus about the same as flying back. I know which I'd rather do.

[listenup]

Firstly, many thanks for the detailed reply... I owe you a beer!

I'm a little confused as to what 1 year Visa I can apply for in Hull, are you talking about a non imm O or B visa?

I currently have a non imm B visa but I have closed my company/business which means I'm unable to apply for another.

Do you know what the requirments are for this one year visa? would it be multi entry?

I really do appreciate your advice.

[lopburi3]

It would be a multi entry non immigrant O visa.

[waveydavey]

If your B visa expires on 24th may, go the border on 23rd may and you will get another 90 days stamped. You would only be able to extend this at immigration for another 7 days for Bt1900 so not worth it.

Then you can do 3*30 day border runs if you leave each time on the 30th day (i.e. last day).

You can then (or 90 days after 24th May) go to a Thai consulate in SE Asia, such as Penang and get a single entry tourist visa valid for 60 days. You can extend this for 30 days at immigration but beware, this extension counts as 30 of the 90 in 180 days !

The reality is that unless you can get another 1 year multiple entry visa, you'll be back and forth to a foreign consulate roughly every 90/120 days. Work out the annual costs and the hassle of going out all the time and it may be easier and cheaper to go back home and get another i year visa. Or get a work permit !

Is this true? If it is I've learnt something new today.

[listenup]

Doy uo know if they will issue me a multi entry? Also, do you know what the requirments are?

Thanks!