Confused About My Visa Options!

[IrishP]

Can anyone once and for all help explain to me where I stand with my Visa? I have heard half a dozen different opinions and am still at a loss...

I originally came to Thailand 1 year ago with a Non Imm B Visa granted in the UK before I left, valid for 3 months. Since then I have done the 1 day run to malaysian border to get a 30 day stamp 2 times in a row. Then I went to Penang to get a single entry tourist visa valid for 2 months, which I extended for a further 30 days at my local immigration office.

After my 3 months were up, I did the same - Penang, another 60 day tourist visa and another 30 day extension at local office.

After these 3 months, I went to KL, got another 60 day tourist visa and returned to Thailand.

After only 34 days however, I had to go to Malaysia for a job interview. I returned after 5 days into Thailand and just got my 30 day stamp upon arrival (as my tourist visa was only valid for a single entry)

Now, I have heard from friends that It is ok to do go to the border to get a 30 day stamp 3 times in a row, then I have to leave the country to get a tourist (or other) visa. When this visa expires after 60 days, I can extend it for 30 days. Then I can do the border run for my 30 day stamp again 3 times in succession and repeat this cycle.

Can anyone help clarify this? I'm getting nervous now that if I go do my border run for the 30 day stamp in a couple of weeks, that I might get refused entry back into Thailand!

i also heard something about a new ruling that will mean returning to your own country after a certain period of time to apply for a new visa there!?

Any light that can be shone on my situation would be most gratefully received!

[funfun]

Can anyone once and for all help explain to me where I stand with my Visa? I have heard half a dozen different opinions and am still at a loss...

I originally came to Thailand 1 year ago with a Non Imm B Visa granted in the UK before I left, valid for 3 months. Since then I have done the 1 day run to malaysian border to get a 30 day stamp 2 times in a row. Then I went to Penang to get a single entry tourist visa valid for 2 months, which I extended for a further 30 days at my local immigration office.

After my 3 months were up, I did the same - Penang, another 60 day tourist visa and another 30 day extension at local office.

After these 3 months, I went to KL, got another 60 day tourist visa and returned to Thailand.

After only 34 days however, I had to go to Malaysia for a job interview. I returned after 5 days into Thailand and just got my 30 day stamp upon arrival (as my tourist visa was only valid for a single entry)

Now, I have heard from friends that It is ok to do go to the border to get a 30 day stamp 3 times in a row, then I have to leave the country to get a tourist (or other) visa. When this visa expires after 60 days, I can extend it for 30 days. Then I can do the border run for my 30 day stamp again 3 times in succession and repeat this cycle.

Can anyone help clarify this? I'm getting nervous now that if I go do my border run for the 30 day stamp in a couple of weeks, that I might get refused entry back into Thailand!

i also heard something about a new ruling that will mean returning to your own country after a certain period of time to apply for a new visa there!?

Any light that can be shone on my situation would be most gratefully received!

! listen to your friends cos thier right, and just make sure you you go a few days early on ya last border run to avoid any problems ya might incur!

dont worry and good luck

[Fred Sanford]

You may want to read the "hammer down" thread on the crackdown on the 60 day tourist visas. It seems that after 3 60 day tourist visas the Penang consulate (maybe others?) are issuing a warning stamp in your passport that a same tourist visa may not be granted in the future

Edited October 15, 2007 by Fred Sanford

[lopburi3]

The rule is not more than 90 days on visa exempt entry during a six month period. Not 180 days - so the tourist visa/3 visa exempt entries will not get you into a new six month period. The best method currently is tourist visa/extension and then 2 visa exempt and repeat. But as said that may go the way of the dinosaurs if Consulates start to limit visa issue.