60 Day Tourist Visa Return Ticket

[coronadian]

Hey everyone, new user here, forum is just what I was looking for :-)

So I'm going to get a Multiple Entry (3) Tourist Visa any day now, but I'm still not sure if I also need a return ticket or other proof of onwards travel. And if I do, does it need to be dated within the first 60 days? Do I need one for each re-entry, eg. if I come back from say Vietnam, do they want another return ticket within the second 60 days?

The thing is, I plan to stay in Thailand first for 90 days (60 + extension), then neighbouring countries for a few weeks (but not by plane most likely, at least I don't know yet), then back and same until my 3rd entry is used up. After that I will continue most likely to Singapur and on into Australia or something. But budget is tight, so I don't think I'll fly, but take a much cheaper train.

I don't know dates yet, or even destinations. I already have purchased a one way ticket into BKK (arriving Nov 11). Should I be worried? If I need one, whats the absolute cheapest way to make immigration (and the airline) happy? Cheapest I could find was some TigerAir flight Phuket to somewhere in Malaysia for about € 30 incl. taxes and service charges. Anything cheaper?

Thnx for any help you can provide me!

[ubonjoe]

If you don't need a return ticket to get the visa. You won't need it to board the plane or enter Thailand.

You will need to check the validity of your visa. You have to use the last entry before it expires which is normally 6 months for a 2 or 3 entry visa.

[coronadian]

If you don't need a return ticket to get the visa. You won't need it to board the plane or enter Thailand.

You will need to check the validity of your visa. You have to use the last entry before it expires which is normally 6 months for a 2 or 3 entry visa.

Thnx for your quick reply.

Thnx, that is what I had hoped for.

BTW, is there some sort of official document that states all this stuff online.....all I ever find is various websites listing various things, some contradicting each other?

[blakegeee]

What embassy/consulate did you get the multiple entry tourist visa from? The one I have looked at in Canada will only issue double entry tourist visas, nothing more for tourists.

If you don't need a return ticket to get the visa. You won't need it to board the plane or enter Thailand.

You will need to check the validity of your visa. You have to use the last entry before it expires which is normally 6 months for a 2 or 3 entry visa.

Thnx for your quick reply.

Thnx, that is what I had hoped for.

BTW, is there some sort of official document that states all this stuff online.....all I ever find is various websites listing various things, some contradicting each other?

[coronadian]

Salzburg, Austria. Their application forms states they will issue up to 3 entries for tourist visas.

Note that I have not yet received my visa, I called them up and they said its easiest and custom to send by mail if you don't live very close, which I did just yesterday. Should get it sometimes next week though. Did not ask about the 3 entries though, as it clearly states it on the application form.

Are you saying this is up to the individual consulate as to how many he/she can give you?

...I would have inserted the link to the application form to show you, but it appears im not allowed to post urls. Anyways, google for "ROYAL THAI CONSULATE SALZBURG" and then click on "Visa-Antrag".

[ubonjoe]

You can post a url. How much did you send for visa. Its should be the equivelent of about 1000 baht ($30) per entry.

The will tell you how many entries you are getting.

[Maestro]

The visa form of the Thai consulate in Salzburg, Austria is here (German and English):

www.thaiconsulate-salzburg.at/visaantrag.pdf

The official requirements for various visa types are on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=248

Consulates do not have to implement all those requirements and according to the information sheet of the consulate in Salzburg it apparently does not ask for a copy of the airline ticket. Most consulates do not ask this.

--

Maestro

[coronadian]

Well when I tried to post the URL it said I don't have permission, so no I can't post urls :-)

Anyways, their application form states €25 per entry, so I sent 75. I'll let you know when/if I get my Visa.

The official page kinda mixes up the visa on arrival and tourist visa IMO. But it does say "evidence of travel from thailand (air ticket paid in full)" is required. I guess I'll have to buy some cheap ticket that I'll never use? Kinda stupid rule IMHO.

But what confuses me now is this:

4. VALIDITY OF A VISA

The validity of a visa is 3 months or 6 months

Does that mean my 3 entry visa expires in 6 months (180 days) at the latest? Does it mean that my last entry needs to be within 6 months, or that I have to leave the Kingdom within 6 months.

Let's say I enter thailand on my last entry on May 1st. Well the 6 months period would be used up on May 10th (because I arrive on Nov. 11), do I then have to leave even my visa would be valid for another 60 days but the overal visa period has run out?

[ubonjoe]

Your last entry has to be within 6 months.

You can leave the country and return up to the day before the valid until date.

You will be able to stay in the country for a total of almost 9 months.

[coronadian]

Ah, thats good then, thnx!

BTW, I think what I'll do is not buy anything, and if they want to see something either at the airport or at the immigration in BKK, I can still buy some airticket at an internet cafe/pc at the airport right? Only question is if they have those in BKK before you go through immigration. Anybody know?

[Maestro]

Well when I tried to post the URL it said I don't have permission, so no I can't post urls :-)

That’s correct. Once you have a few more posts and are no longer a “newbie” the system will allow you to post URLs where appropriate. ( I see that with your last post you have already shed your newbie status)

The official page kinda mixes up the visa on arrival and tourist visa IMO. But it does say "evidence of travel from thailand (air ticket paid in full)" is required. I guess I'll have to buy some cheap ticket that I'll never use? Kinda stupid rule IMHO.

No need to buy an onward ticket out of Thailand. I looked at the information page (in German only) once more and it says that the onward ticket is needed only when one has no visa.

But what confuses me now is this:

4. VALIDITY OF A VISA

The validity of a visa is 3 months or 6 months

Does that mean my 3 entry visa expires in 6 months (180 days) at the latest? Does it mean that my last entry needs to be within 6 months, or that I have to leave the Kingdom within 6 months.

Let's say I enter thailand on my last entry on May 1st. Well the 6 months period would be used up on May 10th (because I arrive on Nov. 11), do I then have to leave even my visa would be valid for another 60 days but the overal visa period has run out?

First, let’s be clear about the validity period of the visa. The visa stamp will have two dates on it, the date when the visa is issued and the date before which it must be used for travel to Thailand. If the consulate stamps your triple-entry tourist visa in your passport tomorrow, 20 OCT 2008, it will have an issue date of 20 OCT 2008 and a “must be utilized before” date of 18 APR 2009 or 19 APR 2009 depending on whether the consulate uses 180 days or 6 months (theoretically it should be 6 months but some use 180 days). Your first arrival in Thailand with that visa has no influence on the validity of the visa itself. All three arrivals in Thailand with that visa must be made before the “must be utilized before” date stamped on the visa.

Strangely, the consulate's information page does not mention the 6-month validity of a triple-entry tourist visa. It says generically for all types of tourist visas and non-immigrant visas that “the first entry must be made within three months from the visa’s issue date as otherwise the visa expires”. To be on the safe side I think you should call them tomorrow morning and explain that based on your travel plans your visa should be valid for six months. Jot down the tentative dates of the three arrivals in Thailand before you make the call in case they ask you about it.

--

Maestro

[coronadian]

Thank you for your very informative post, Maestro!

Well when I tried to post the URL it said I don't have permission, so no I can't post urls :-)

That’s correct. Once you have a few more posts and are no longer a “newbie” the system will allow you to post URLs where appropriate. ( I see that with your last post you have already shed your newbie status)

I feel so honored :-)

The official page kinda mixes up the visa on arrival and tourist visa IMO. But it does say "evidence of travel from thailand (air ticket paid in full)" is required. I guess I'll have to buy some cheap ticket that I'll never use? Kinda stupid rule IMHO.

No need to buy an onward ticket out of Thailand. I looked at the information page (in German only) once more and it says that the onward ticket is needed only when one has no visa.

Confusing.....you are right, that's what it says right there. How I could have overlooked that is a mystery to me...hmmm. Thnx :-)

But what confuses me now is this:

4. VALIDITY OF A VISA

The validity of a visa is 3 months or 6 months

Does that mean my 3 entry visa expires in 6 months (180 days) at the latest? Does it mean that my last entry needs to be within 6 months, or that I have to leave the Kingdom within 6 months.

Let's say I enter thailand on my last entry on May 1st. Well the 6 months period would be used up on May 10th (because I arrive on Nov. 11), do I then have to leave even my visa would be valid for another 60 days but the overal visa period has run out?

First, let’s be clear about the validity period of the visa. The visa stamp will have two dates on it, the date when the visa is issued and the date before which it must be used for travel to Thailand. If the consulate stamps your triple-entry tourist visa in your passport tomorrow, 20 OCT 2008, it will have an issue date of 20 OCT 2008 and a “must be utilized before” date of 18 APR 2009 or 19 APR 2009 depending on whether the consulate uses 180 days or 6 months (theoretically it should be 6 months but some use 180 days). Your first arrival in Thailand with that visa has no influence on the validity of the visa itself. All three arrivals in Thailand with that visa must be made before the “must be utilized before” date stamped on the visa.

Strangely, the consulate's information page does not mention the 6-month validity of a triple-entry tourist visa. It says generically for all types of tourist visas and non-immigrant visas that “the first entry must be made within three months from the visa’s issue date as otherwise the visa expires”. To be on the safe side I think you should call them tomorrow morning and explain that based on your travel plans your visa should be valid for six months. Jot down the tentative dates of the three arrivals in Thailand before you make the call in case they ask you about it.

--

Maestro

You're right again, but 3 months validity doesn't make any sense for a triple entry visa, would be quite useless. To make sure I'll call them tomorrow.

It's also bad that the validity starts not on arrival, but when the visa is issued. I assumed otherwise. Basically I lost three weeks. Oh well.

I assume after I have used the tourist visa, I can get back in on a 30 days visa on arrival again immediatly? Or even buy another tourist visa? Just in case I want to stay longer :-)

[Maestro]

...I assume after I have used the tourist visa, I can get back in on a 30 days visa on arrival again immediatly? Or even buy another tourist visa? Just in case I want to stay longer :-)

Yes, you can, without any problem.

--

Maestro

[coronadian]

Ok, I got this information from the consulate regarding tourist visas:

- single entry visas need to be used within 3 months

- double entry within 5 months

- triple entry visas within 6 months

Only the entry date counts, so if you use youre last entry one day before the visa expires, you are still allowed to stay for two months.

With a tourist visa, they confirmed that you do NOT need proof of onward travel.

Basically confirms what maestro has told me. Competent answers, thnx mate!

BTW I think they changed the info pdf of their website, as now it states only for 30 day visas proof of onward travel is required, I remember the pdf differently (from when we discussed it).

Is there an FAQ somewhere on this site, maybe this info should be added?

[Mario2008]

Don't forget. A tourist visa can be extended by 30 days at an immigration office for 1,900 baht. Keep the exire date of your visa in mind though.