Getting Stopped at Immigration - last minute E Visa Application

[RAZZELL]

Please bear with me.

 

I moved full-time to Thailand with my Thai wife in 2018.

 

Stayed before, during and after covid on marriage and then retirement extensions.

 

In I think 2023 my Mother was seriously ill and I had to go back to my home country for 4 months and "lost/couldn't renew" my retirement visa.

 

Since then I have been visiting Thailand for 1, 2 or 3 months at a time but then returning to my home country because of Family commitments.

 

For example, my second to last trip to Thailand I stayed I think 5 weeks,  then I left to my home country for 6 weeks, then last trip back for 10 days then currently back in my home country for 4 weeks.

 

Last entry the Immigration Officer gave me a right grilling about "not having a visa" - "I said but I don't live here full time"...after some moaning he let me in.

 

Since November my wife is now in the UK with me since as she has a new job.

 

But I have to return (again) after Songkran because she is getting some work on her house.

 

I am now a bit paranoid about getting stopped/refused entry arriving/relying on an Exemption on Arrival.

 

So, I am about to apply for a holiday visa - but NOT visiting friends and family (because I am not and she won't be there!) Although she has written me an "invite letter".

 

My question is: will Songkran effect my application as I intend to fly next weekend ? Or is it only effected by the holiday situation in my home country?

 

Or am I being paranoid for nothing?

 

Worst comes to the worst - can anyone recommend one of these "fast track" companies that facilitate a smooth entry?

 

EDIT - And what happens if I fly before I receive my E-VISA???

 

EDIT 2 - Never had one day overstay in 20+ years of visiting.

 

Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, RAZZELL said:

Since November my wife is now in the UK with me since as she has a new job.

 

But I have to return (again) after Songkran because she is getting some work on her house.

 

I am now a bit paranoid about getting stopped/refused entry arriving/relying on an Exemption on Arrival.

You have been out of Thailand for some months. Should not have an issue.

Your last experience is not typical. 

1 hour ago, RAZZELL said:

Worst comes to the worst - can anyone recommend one of these "fast track" companies that facilitate a smooth entry?

There is guy that just used this @thai006 and had positive report entered visa exempt. Safe entry agents 4500b. Hopefully will post details

1 hour ago, RAZZELL said:

And what happens if I fly before I receive my E-VISA???

Then just enter visa exempt. 

[RAZZELL]

28 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You have been out of Thailand for some months. Should not have an issue.

Your last experience is not typical. 

There is guy that just used this @thai006 and had positive report entered visa exempt. Safe entry agents 4500b. Hopefully will post details

Then just enter visa exempt. 

 

Thank you.

 

I have just added the days and trips up.

 

6 flights since March last year. 239 days in country. See any problem?

 

 

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, RAZZELL said:

 

6 flights since March last year. 239 days in country. See any problem?

So that's 239 in approx one year 

That is pushing it 

The io especially given can see past Non O marriage having concerns regarding visa exempt entries.

 

So this time you may have the e-Visa in time.

When is actual date of flight to Thailand.

Here is thread safe entry services. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1355901-safe-entry-to-bkk/

 

Here is link to one agent.

Several others available.

 

https://www.facebook.com/61552069237778/posts/pfbid0Xpf5nqwkkDUDxYFujoZrAajCskXZAQFw9rJTf36278sk3YTFqBVCgLMyapk4gphvl/?app=fbl

[RAZZELL]

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

So that's 239 in approx one year 

That is pushing it 

The io especially given can see past Non O marriage having concerns regarding visa exempt entries.

 

So this time you may have the e-Visa in time.

When is actual date of flight to Thailand.

Here is thread safe entry services. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1355901-safe-entry-to-bkk/

 

Here is link to one agent.

Several others available.

 

https://www.facebook.com/61552069237778/posts/pfbid0Xpf5nqwkkDUDxYFujoZrAajCskXZAQFw9rJTf36278sk3YTFqBVCgLMyapk4gphvl/?app=fbl

 

I will have been out of the country for about 30 days when I fly back.

 

As mentioned, previously I had marriage and retirement Visas and I'm concerned that because it is Songkran I won't get the E -Visa back in time.

 

I'm probably about to apply today and fly next weekend.

 

 

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, RAZZELL said:

I will have been out of the country for about 30 days when I fly back.

I can understand the immigration officer's reaction. 

[RAZZELL]

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I can understand the immigration officer's reaction. 

 

Well 4 months out of the country in the last year.

 

2022-2024 was probably 6 months.

[DrJack54]

Just now, RAZZELL said:

 

Well 4 months out of the country.

how long since last visit. 

You stated 30 days .

Now mention 4 months. If you mean 4 months out of Thailand in the past year then that's not good for visa exempt entry. 

[RAZZELL]

43 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

how long since last visit. 

You stated 30 days .

Now mention 4 months. If you mean 4 months out of Thailand in the past year then that's not good for visa exempt entry. 

 

I've been out of Thailand for 30 days.

 

4 months in the last calendar year.

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, RAZZELL said:

 

I've been out of Thailand for 30 days.

 

4 months in the last calendar year.

My thinking ....

Use safe entry service 

Here is link to guy just used it recently. 

 

[BrandonJT]

5 hours ago, RAZZELL said:

I'm probably about to apply today and fly next weekend.

 

London is known as one of the fastest Thai embassies in the world when it comes to issuing e-visas, but they might be logjammed after Songkran.  No way to ensure you get your visa on time because they will certainly be closed some days next week.  If you want to apply you can, but I'm not sure if it will make much difference.  The safest bet would be safe entry.  Put the visa fee towards that and think of it as a discount.

[sandyf]

21 hours ago, RAZZELL said:

My question is: will Songkran effect my application as I intend to fly next weekend ? Or is it only effected by the holiday situation in my home country?

The e-visa is on a central platform run by the MFA with applications then dealt with locally.

There is every chance that the holiday will affect application times.

[Liquorice]

14 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

 

London is known as one of the fastest Thai embassies in the world when it comes to issuing e-visas, but they might be logjammed after Songkran.  No way to ensure you get your visa on time because they will certainly be closed some days next week.  If you want to apply you can, but I'm not sure if it will make much difference.  The safest bet would be safe entry.  Put the visa fee towards that and think of it as a discount.

The Thai Embassy London is closed 14th & 15th for Songkran, then 18th - 22nd for Eater.

The OP should have planned better accounting for holidays, knowing he was warned to get a visa.

[RAZZELL]

1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

The Thai Embassy London is closed 14th & 15th for Songkran, then 18th - 22nd for Eater.

The OP should have planned better accounting for holidays, knowing he was warned to get a visa.

 

It's a last minute trip if you bothered to read my opening post. 

[thai006]

come with an  visa exemption and use the safe entry service you will get in  , in a second 

4500b

[CHdiver]

22 hours ago, RAZZELL said:

6 flights since March last year. 239 days in country. See any problem?

Beside of your question. You spend most time of the year in Thailand. Why not get a new retirement visa? Would put an end to the misery you are in now. 

[DrJack54]

48 minutes ago, RAZZELL said:

It's a last minute trip if you bothered to read my opening post

Bit rich. By your figures provided seems in last 12 months 65% of year was spent in Thailand. 

You opted to use visa exempt entries and are surprised that the immigration officer was not happy. 

You should have opted for Non O extensions married or retirement + reentry permit. 

Surprised you are surprised with current situation. 

[Liquorice]

1 hour ago, RAZZELL said:

 

It's a last minute trip if you bothered to read my opening post. 

So last minute, the Embassy is only open for 2 days next week.

Good luck with the 'Holiday visa'.

[norsurin]

Seems to me ur a visarunner.Next time u want get entry.

[Rob Browder]

5 minutes ago, norsurin said:

Seems to me ur a visarunner.Next time u want get entry.

Immigration's favorite type - a rich source of the brown-envelope money they crave.  He will probably need to pay them "safe entry" money via their agent - which is a much better guarantee of no-hassle entry than a TR Visa.

[RAZZELL]

On 4/12/2025 at 8:04 AM, DrJack54 said:

Bit rich. By your figures provided seems in last 12 months 65% of year was spent in Thailand. 

You opted to use visa exempt entries and are surprised that the immigration officer was not happy. 

You should have opted for Non O extensions married or retirement + reentry permit. 

Surprised you are surprised with current situation. 

 

Firstly I don''t consider that I "live" in Thailand. My wife and I now live in the UK.

 

I had marriage/retirement extensions for 4 years so I know exactly what the process is.

 

But why should I get a marriage or retirement extension when I am not retired in Thailand?

 

There is NOTHING in the rules about having a lot of holidays. (I visit to oversee work being done on two properties and pay the bills!)

 

As I am sure you are aware - an Immigration Officer can refuse entry even with a correct extension of stay!

 

RAZZ

[RAZZELL]

On 4/12/2025 at 8:04 AM, DrJack54 said:

Bit rich. By your figures provided seems in last 12 months 65% of year was spent in Thailand. 

You opted to use visa exempt entries and are surprised that the immigration officer was not happy. 

You should have opted for Non O extensions married or retirement + reentry permit. 

Surprised you are surprised with current situation. 

 

I am going to. I can't be bothered with the grief.

 

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

4 hours ago, RAZZELL said:

Firstly I don''t consider that I "live" in Thailand. My wife and I now live in the UK.

And yet by the figures you provided seems you spent more time in Thailand over a one year period.

4 hours ago, RAZZELL said:

But why should I get a marriage or retirement extension when I am not retired in Thailand?

Just to be clear....while we refer to extensions based on "retirement" that actually is not the criteria.

It's "over 50" 

4 hours ago, RAZZELL said:

As I am sure you are aware - an Immigration Officer can refuse entry even with a correct extension of stay!

If you had opted for extensions from a Non O + reentry permit you would have zero issues. 

From your pp the io saw you had options with previous Non O both marriage or retirement.

Get the correct visa is best option. 

[it is what it is]

On 4/12/2025 at 7:48 AM, CHdiver said:

Beside of your question. You spend most time of the year in Thailand. Why not get a new retirement visa? Would put an end to the misery you are in now. 

 

i know, it's a no brainer, easy to do and puts an end to faffing around and stressing

 

some people can't seem to see the wood for the trees

[RAZZELL]

8 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

And yet by the figures you provided seems you spent more time in Thailand over a one year period.

Just to be clear....while we refer to extensions based on "retirement" that actually is not the criteria.

It's "over 50" 

If you had opted for extensions from a Non O + reentry permit you would have zero issues. 

From your pp the io saw you had options with previous Non O both marriage or retirement.

Get the correct visa is best option. 

 

Well. Hindsight is 20/20.

 

I "lost" my retirement visa as my Mother had a bad accident and was in Hospital. I had to return for 4 months.

 

I had not intention of being in Thailand but circumstances dictated it. For maybe 5 years I was on Marriage then retirement extensions plus mult trip re-entry permits - it's only the last year I've done had to do this. 

 

And yes I will get a "visa" this trip! 555

 

 

 

[RAZZELL]

7 hours ago, it is what it is said:

 

i know, it's a no brainer, easy to do and puts an end to faffing around and stressing

 

some people can't seem to see the wood for the trees

 

Thank you Captain Obvious.

 

 

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, RAZZELL said:

And yes I will get a "visa" this trip!

If possible might be best to obtain the Non O e-Visa prior to entering Thailand. 

That way no being hassled. 

[RAZZELL]

To update.

 

It was all too last minute to get a Visa at the Thai Embassy in my home country.

 

Used the "guaranteed entry service" for 4500 baht...met by an Immigration Officer and jumped all the queues. Walked to the far right lane and even skipped past those queuing as he opened a new booth especially for me.

 

Probably saved me 30-45 mins.

 

Thanks for the helpful replies. Lesson learnt.