Three Visa Questions

[inasia]

I recently met some older people who said how surprisingly easy it had been for them to get one year multiple entry visas at Mae Sai.

1. I'd never heard of the one year visa? Is this just for retired folk? Could I get one? If so, what do I need to prepare?

2. If not, I'd like to get a six month double entry tourist visa (preferably multiple if they exist). I sometimes work in KL. But I read that they only issue single entry there. How about Mae Sai? (I'm in Chiang Mai now and it's not far). If not, where is the best place, and what evidence do I need to provide? (funds? outbound ticket?). (Don't say the UK, I won't be going there until the Summer).

3. A Chinese friend may join me in Thailand. Are the visa rules similar for them? I suspect they're easier? What if she wants to work?

[ubonjoe]

You can get a 2 entry tourist visa in Vientiane Laos. That would allow you to stay for 60 days and then get a 30 day extension at immigration (1900 baht). Then you would do a border run and use the 2nd entry and do the 60 + 30. again.

After that you would have get another visa.

Visas are not issued within Thailand. The people you are referring to are getting 1 year extensions of stay for reitirement because they are over 50 years old.

You friend should get a tourist visa before they come to Thailand. To work they would have to get a work permit.

For information on a visa run to Vientiane see the last few pages of this long topic.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Vientiane-La...sa-t158561.html

[Lite Beer]

Yes. Vientienne would be the best bet for you.

[PoorSucker]

You cannot get any visa at Mae Sai.

Extension of stay at immigrations office.

[inasia]

Vientienne, Laos = it's a long way to go and a whole page used up in the passport. How much passport real-estate does the single entry or double entry visa take up? KL is still more convenient for me.

My situation is that I don't live continuously in Thailand, but tend to spend as much time outside of Thailand as I do inside. (Although my new years resolution is to take on less work, and spend more time here).

I prefer to travel in and out overland rather than flying, and so avoid the outbound ticket rule. They check at airports, but they don't check when you walk across. Flexible flight tickets are expensive, and I never know exactly when I need to leave Thailand, or where exactly I'm working next. But now getting 15 days instead of 30 makes things a lot more tricky.

[ubonjoe]

For 2 entry tourist visas Khota Bharu Malaysia is another option.

Kl only issues single entry tourist visas.

Any visa takes one page.

[inasia]

Thanks for the heads-up about Khota Bharu. I was thinking about looking around that area of Malaysia anyway (+Tioman, Parenthian)

How long does a double entry six month tourist visa last? Can I wait several months before I use it? Can I choose not to use it on an entry to Thailand, and use an entry stamp first? Instead of a border run after the first three months, can I leave Thailand for several months?, and then return?

[ubonjoe]

It will be issued wtih a 90 day use before date that starts on the day issue. That means you have use both entries within that period of time. So I would say the anwer to most of your questions is no.

You could make an entry without using the visa just don't put the visa number on your arrival card and tell the immigration officer you want to save your visa.

There are several Thai consulates in Europe that will issue multiple entry non immigrant O visas to vist friends. That sounds like the best option for you if you were to travel to Europe. That visa would allow you enter and exit as many times as you wish getting 90 days each entry for a year.

[ausdavo]

I plan to travel in and out of Thailand regularly so am looking for the cheapest and easiest visa option. I also have dual passports (Australian and UK). Can I come in for 30 (or 60 days if applied for outside Thailand) on one passport then leave Thailand for (say) 30 days then come back in on the other passport for a similar time? I never expect to stay in Thailand for more than 90 days in one hit. I am eligible for Over 50 retirement visa but don't see any advantage given my regular exits. I understand the rule re 90 days in any 180 period but 2 passports deals with that!

[PoorSucker]

I plan to travel in and out of Thailand regularly so am looking for the cheapest and easiest visa option. I also have dual passports (Australian and UK). Can I come in for 30 (or 60 days if applied for outside Thailand) on one passport then leave Thailand for (say) 30 days then come back in on the other passport for a similar time? I never expect to stay in Thailand for more than 90 days in one hit. I am eligible for Over 50 retirement visa but don't see any advantage given my regular exits. I understand the rule re 90 days in any 180 period but 2 passports deals with that!

The new rules are 30 days at airport, 15 days at land border.

The 90 days in any 180 period rule is gone.

Anyway the dual passport doesn't work at landborders, they check entry-exit stamps form the other side.

You can only switch passports in transit at airports.

[ubonjoe]

I plan to travel in and out of Thailand regularly so am looking for the cheapest and easiest visa option. I also have dual passports (Australian and UK). Can I come in for 30 (or 60 days if applied for outside Thailand) on one passport then leave Thailand for (say) 30 days then come back in on the other passport for a similar time? I never expect to stay in Thailand for more than 90 days in one hit. I am eligible for Over 50 retirement visa but don't see any advantage given my regular exits. I understand the rule re 90 days in any 180 period but 2 passports deals with that!

The 90 days in 6 months rule has been eliminated since Nov. 25 of last year.

You can go and come as many times as you want using visa exempt entries.

You will get 30 if coming in through an airport and 15 days by land.

You could get a multiple entry non immigrant O visa since you are over 50.

[inasia]

Last check...

I'll be going to Kota Bharu very soon to get that Tourist Visa. I notice that the pinned " Latest Reports Of Getting A Visa In The Region" lists Kota Bharu as a place to get single, not double entry visas. Is this right? Has anyone had difficulties getting visas there recently? Is it closed for Chinese New Year? I won't have any tickets, nor proof of funds. (I really don't want to withdraw such a large amount of cash, and risk having it stolen).

[ubonjoe]

Last check...

I'll be going to Kota Bharu very soon to get that Tourist Visa. I notice that the pinned " Latest Reports Of Getting A Visa In The Region" lists Kota Bharu as a place to get single, not double entry visas. Is this right? Has anyone had difficulties getting visas there recently? Is it closed for Chinese New Year? I won't have any tickets, nor proof of funds. (I really don't want to withdraw such a large amount of cash, and risk having it stolen).

Kota Bharu is giving 2 entry tourist visas.

The reports have not been posted on the pinned topic because they were not in a topic that pertained only to there. They will not ask for tickets or proof of funds.

They will be closed for Chinese New Year.

Here are there office hours and contact info.

Office Hour: Sunday-Thursday

09.00 - 12.30 hrs./ 13.30 - 17.00 hrs.

Tel. (609) 744-5266, 744-5934, 748-2545

Fax. (609) 744-9801

Email. [email protected]

[inasia]

Yes, closed on Monday for Chinese New Year itself, but does it remain closed for any of the Spring Festival? I was planning to get it on Tuesday (27th).

[ubonjoe]

Only Monday the 26th.

[inasia]

Only Monday the 26th.

Actually it is closed today. Tuesday 27th. I just spoke to someone else staying at the Kancana Lodge, who said last week, even the embassy thought they were going to be open. (She wanted to pick up her passport and visa today).

I'm going to try and get in early, and smile a lot, and see if they'll do it in one day tomorrow.

[peacedog]

I recently met some older people who said how surprisingly easy it had been for them to get one year multiple entry visas at Mae Sai.

1. I'd never heard of the one year visa? Is this just for retired folk? Could I get one? If so, what do I need to prepare?

2. If not, I'd like to get a six month double entry tourist visa (preferably multiple if they exist). I sometimes work in KL. But I read that they only issue single entry there. How about Mae Sai? (I'm in Chiang Mai now and it's not far). If not, where is the best place, and what evidence do I need to provide? (funds? outbound ticket?). (Don't say the UK, I won't be going there until the Summer).

3. A Chinese friend may join me in Thailand. Are the visa rules similar for them? I suspect they're easier? What if she wants to work?

Hello,

I'm new here so please bare with me. I'm confused still regarding Visa's. I'm from the US and 38 yrs. old. I plan on going to Koh Samui and plan on trying to live there. Hoping to find work somehow. What exactly do I need to stay for over a year? Even if I can't find work I still plan on staying for at 6 to 7 months. Anyone?

[ubonjoe]

Hello,

I'm new here so please bare with me. I'm confused still regarding Visa's. I'm from the US and 38 yrs. old. I plan on going to Koh Samui and plan on trying to live there. Hoping to find work somehow. What exactly do I need to stay for over a year? Even if I can't find work I still plan on staying for at 6 to 7 months. Anyone?

If you are still in the US you could get a 3 entry tourist visa that would give you almost 9 months total without getting a new visa. You get 60 days each entry that can be extended at immigration for 30 days then leave and re-enter using the next entry doing the 60+30 again then just before the use before date of your visa you leave and use the last entry of your visa.

An Honorary Thai consulate would be the best to contact for your visa. For a list of these consulates use the pulldown at the top of this webapge from the DC embassy website. http://www.thaiembdc.org/AboutEmb/EmbDirect.aspx

If you want to stay longer then you would have to leave and get a new visa at a nearby consulate.

[Lite Beer]

As said a 3 entry tourist visa. When this expires it is not a problem to get another single or double entry from a neighbouring country to Thailand.

[peacedog]

As said a 3 entry tourist visa. When this expires it is not a problem to get another single or double entry from a neighbouring country to Thailand.

Thanks! I plan on leaving soon so I might not have my 3 entry tourist visa when I get to Thailand but I will apply here. Once I get it can I change my visa status in Thailand from a regular visa to a 3 entry one? I also read somewhere that once you use the max out of which ever visa you have you need to leave and wait 90 days before you can re-enter Thailand. Is this correct?

[Mario2008]

Without a visa you need a return ticket to come to Thailand. You can only get a visa from a embassy or consulate abroad, so you then would have to travel to a neighbouring country. You cannot change a visa exmpt entry to a tourist visa. Get a tourist visa in the US, won't take long and can be done by mail.

No, you can get as many visas back to back as you can.

[ubonjoe]

Thanks! I plan on leaving soon so I might not have my 3 entry tourist visa when I get to Thailand but I will apply here. Once I get it can I change my visa status in Thailand from a regular visa to a 3 entry one? I also read somewhere that once you use the max out of which ever visa you have you need to leave and wait 90 days before you can re-enter Thailand. Is this correct?

Unless you are leaving in a very short period of time you should have tine to get a visa before you leave.

Most of the Honorary consulates will turnaround a mail in application the same day they receive it. So that means if you sent it today you could have it by Friday if you sent it overnight with an overnight return.

When you arrive without a visa you get a 30 day visa exempt entry. After 30 days you would have to leave and go to a consulate for a tourist visa.

There has never been a 90 day rule for visas. There was a limit on visa exempt entries but that has been eliminated since November.

[peacedog]

Thanks! I plan on leaving soon so I might not have my 3 entry tourist visa when I get to Thailand but I will apply here. Once I get it can I change my visa status in Thailand from a regular visa to a 3 entry one? I also read somewhere that once you use the max out of which ever visa you have you need to leave and wait 90 days before you can re-enter Thailand. Is this correct?

Unless you are leaving in a very short period of time you should have tine to get a visa before you leave.

Most of the Honorary consulates will turnaround a mail in application the same day they receive it. So that means if you sent it today you could have it by Friday if you sent it overnight with an overnight return.

When you arrive without a visa you get a 30 day visa exempt entry. After 30 days you would have to leave and go to a consulate for a tourist visa.

There has never been a 90 day rule for visas. There was a limit on visa exempt entries but that has been eliminated since November.

Thanks Everyone! One last Question. Is there a difference between applying to the Thai Consulate - General or the Thai Consulate-general (Honorary)?

Thanks again!!

[ubonjoe]

Thanks Everyone! One last Question. Is there a difference between applying to the Thai Consulate - General or the Thai Consulate-general (Honorary)?

Thanks again!!

Yes there is a very big difference and it's called service. If you look at the DC website they tell you it takes 10 days for a mail in. DC, LA, NY, and Chicago all give poor service and are not helpfull.

If you were to send your passport to Houston today so it arrived on Thursday morning you would have it back on Friday with overnight service. Don't send it to arrive on a Friday because they are closed that day.

Walk in's at LA have been reported ti take a couple of days.