Re-entry From China

[Shoeboat]

I am halfway through a 60 day Thai visa I got in Laos about 35 days ago. I am now in Shenzhen - I flew one way with AA and will be traveling to Hangzhou for a wedding in the next couple of days.

Due to Tibet/Olympics tensions it was not easy getting my 30 day Chinese single entry visa and I finally got it the day before I flew but did not want to fork out for a re-entry permit until I knew I was definitely going to China. Of course, the Chinese Embassy had my passport between 12 and 3pm on my last day but I went to immigration anyway and explained this and they said I could get my re-entry permit in China.

Surely it would be better if I got a fresh 90 day visa for my return to Thailand, (date to be confirmed) but is this possible? I want to stay in Thailand for another year and study toward a long term business plan but I am in the early stages of looking for the right course and need to buy as much visa time as possible while I plan this out. I have been on tourist visas for the past 11 months.

As far as I can Google there are Thai consulates in Guanzhou which is not far from Shenzhen or Shanghai which is not far from Hangzhou, the bottom line is - what is my best option, should I sort it out now or when I have booked a return flight, and will I be able to return to Thailand one way???

Many thanks,

SB

[lopburi3]

You can not obtain a re-entry permit after departure from Thailand so you indeed will require a new visa for entry and I am not sure Consulate will issue without onward ticket.

[Shoeboat]

So before I go to any consulate I need proof of a China - Bkk - Bkk - Somewhere else ticket?

[lopburi3]

You may need that - ask the Consulate. I believe it is strict for Chinese but may not be enforced for third country nationals.

[jstumbo]

I think you are going to need a ticket out of Thailand to get a visa in China. They will stick to the rules, and will not bend it for a foreigner.

There are highspeed trains from Hangzhou to Shanghai and from Shenzhen to Guangzhou. I would take those if I was you. Although the one from Shenzhen to Guangzhou has this strange vibrating that happens. Almost made me motion sick for the first time in my life. Lady next to me was getting sick.

[Shoeboat]

First I need to know how many days visa I can get from China, could I get a non imm B or a 90 day?

Once that is established could I then book a one way from Shanghai to BKK and an e-ticket from BKK to UK dated from 90 days or less after the return date to Thailand?

[lopburi3]

A tourist visa can be used for 90 days if you apply for extension of stay so that is what I figured you were talking about. You are not going to obtain a non immigrant visa without paperwork (and you have not mentioned any). The best you will likely obtain is a tourist visa.

[gusG]

Maybe better if you just stay in China and save all the hassle. I'm sure they have a similar courses there for you to study. Hong Kong sounds good.

[jstumbo]

Unless you have a lot of paperwork from a company in Thailand you will not get a non-B. I tried about a year ago. Had a big stack of documents from a publicly traded company in Thailand that we do business with, but I was missing one document. They would not give me even a 90 day non-B visa. Compare this to the Portland consulate in the US where you only need a notarized letter from your US company requesting they give you a multiple entry non-B visa.

[Shoeboat]

Ok so so 90 day, I just turn up to the consulate/embassy in Shanghai with my passport (I have Thai bank statement if necessary) and get a standard 30 day tourist visa same as I would in Cambodia?

That just leaves the flight issue - I know people who have come from Australia on a one way and have been fine - for all immigration know I could be traveling by land over to Vietnam after 30 days.

Or - should I get a return back to China PLUS an onward e-ticket from Thailand to wherever which I could cancel once in Thailand, then within that 30 days I could get my student visa.

How viable is that?

[lopburi3]

You do not obtain a 30 day tourist visa in Cambodia (when you obtain a 60 day in Laos). A trip to border and return is a 30 day visa exempt entry and requires proof on onward travel. It will be likely be checked closely if done by air. If you have a real visa (issued by a Consulate) it is not likely to be questioned by airline.

You can likely use a refundable ticket out of Thailand within 30 days to obtain visa exempt entry without any problem.

[Shoeboat]

Thanks for replies, is the refundable e-ticket even nesessary though?

I was informed today that it will be too much bother and very difficult getting a 90 day visa from Shanghai but that I should have no problem coming in on a 30 day tourist visa providing I buy a return ticket (China-Bkk-China) as I have spent more than a day out of Thailand and it is the same day boarder runs they are cracking down on.

However, I need to know if I can trust this advice and if it can't be confirmed here, should I get the Thai embassy to confirm it?

[lopburi3]

What they are checking is that you have not used 90 days in a six month period on visa exempt entry (30 day stamps). There is no requirement to stay out of Thailand any period of time. If you plan to arrive without a visa be sure you do have time remaining if you have used visa exempt prior to your last visa entry and be sure to have a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days of entry.

[jstumbo]

You will get a 60 day tourist visa, which can be extended for an additional 30 days in Thailand from the Shanghai consulate if you have a ticket leaving Thailand at the end of that time. Does not have to be a ticket back to China, just anywhere out of Thailand.

[Shoeboat]

So if I don't go to Shanghai I can get back on a China-Bkk-China ticket but will only get 30 days, is that correct?

[lopburi3]

I you hold an Oz passport (or other country allowed visa exempt entry into Thailand) and have not used your allowed 90 days in the last six months you will obtain a 30 day stamp on entry.