Visa And Re-entry Question(s)

[bornslippy]

Hello all, I plan another trip to SE Asia next year and will probably need around 3 entries to Thailand over maybe an 8 month period. I aim to get a tourist visa for Thailand before I go (from London). I'm aware that you get 60 days and can extend etc, but am just wondering if you can get a re-entry permit with a tourist visa? I am anticipating a 60 day stay in Thailand at first, but with a side trip to Cambodia and Vietnam for 2-3 weeks maybe (within that 60 day period).

Anyone know if I get a re-entry permit and still come back in on the same visa as long as it's within the 3 months of issue? Or would it mean that I lose the visa and have to come back in on the 30 day visa waiver - or 15 days if I don't fly.

The alternative, of course, is to get a multiple entry tourist visa - but from what I understand this would mean using 2 entries in a 60 day period. I plan to come back to Thailand after visiting other countries, so it's either a case of getting another visa then (e.g., in KL) or using the 30 visa waiver on entry.

Secondly, does anyone know how many combinations of tourist visas and 30 visa waivers you can use. What I'm wondering is whether you can still use the 3 x 30 days visa waiver entry system once you have had either a single or multiple entry tourist visa? Or are you better off getting another visa in another country?

I'm just trying to figure out the best combination to get and this sort of info seems to be only accessible from other people's experiences. Hope it makes sense, and any advice would be most appreciated.

Bornslippy

[thaiphoon]

Would suggest given the amount of travelling you obtain a 12 month multiple entry Non-O visa from the Thai consulate in Hull on the basis of visiting friends. You can apply by post and passport with visa is usually back within a few days. That will give you 90 day permission to stay on each entry. Come and go as many times as you like whilst your visa is valid, with no need to obtain extensions of stay, re-entry permits or a new visa.

http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/downloads-and-visas.aspx

[Maestro]

…will probably need around 3 entries to Thailand over maybe an 8 month period…

Because you are in the UK it is easy for you to get a multiple-entry non-O visa, valid for an unlimited number of entries into Thailand within one year from the visa’s issue date. Purpose of the trip: visit friends. Thaiphoon’s recommendation of this visa is valid for another reason: the triple-entry tourist visa you have in mind would be valid for travel to Thailand for only six months from its issue, ie not suitable for your travel itinerary.

But to answer your original question, for others to whom this might apply: yes, one can get a re-entry permit to keep the 60-day permission to stay from a tourist-visa entry alive.

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Maestro

[bornslippy]

Thanks thaiphoon - a 12 month non-O visa sounds like a more straightforward solution. Are they easy to get though? What kind of evidence do you have to supply for visiting friends for example? It also says extended stay as a valid reason? And why Hull, simply because you can do it by post rather than 2 separate trips to London (I live quite near London though).

And Maestro, thanks for the info on re-entry permits. So I guess that would put the 60 day visa on hold when you left? That's really useful and does make sense for those of us who want to visit surrounding countries. Mind you, the non immigrant O visa gives the most flexibility over the longest time I guess.

Would suggest you obtain a 12 month multiple entry Non-O visa from the Thai consulate in Hull on the basis of visiting friends. You can apply by post and passport with visa is usually back within a few days. That will give you 90 day permission to stay on each entry. Come and go as many times as you like whilst your visa is valid, with no need to obtain extensions of stay, re-entry permits or a new visa.

[Maestro]

…And Maestro, thanks for the info on re-entry permits. So I guess that would put the 60 day visa on hold when you left? That's really useful and does make sense for those of us who want to visit surrounding countries…

Yes, that’s how it works. Let’s say you enter with a tourist visa on 6 NOV 2009 and get permission to stay until 04 JAN 2010. You get a single-entry re-entry permit for 1,000 Baht. You leave Thailand on 25 NOV, return on 07 DEC and receive again permission to stay until 04 JAN.

...And why Hull, simply because you can do it by post rather than 2 separate trips to London (I live quite near London though).

Government-staffed consulates such as the consular section of the Thai embassy in London have a myriad of other functions and often find it below their dignity to have to perform such mundane tasks as rubber-stamping visas and thus make it difficult to apply for them. An honorary consul, eg the one in Hull, has the primary function of issuing visas and takes pride in giving a good service. Travelling to Thailand several times within a 12-month period for tourism is a perfectly valid reason for issuing a multiple-entry non-O visa – “O” stands for other, ie a purpose other than specified for other types of non-immigrant visas – but London likes to restrict it severely whereas Hull uses its full potential.

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Maestro

[bornslippy]

Great. Makes sense to apply in Hull then and also gives me the convenience of doing so by post (rather than losing two days to go to London. I found in another post that you don't necessarily have to provide evidence for a non immigrant O visa - people recommending that you complete the form as requested and send off with the money etc. As it's valid for 12 months, it makes sense to apply a bit earlier I suppose. Seems to cost £100 from what I can gather as well. I know that tourist visas are free up until March, but it appears this is only for single entry ones.

Good to know regarding the re-entry permit as well. As I understand it now, the visa doesn't get 'frozen' when you exit and enter again with a re-entry permit. Still, it's useful to know that there is this flexibility as well.

Many thanks for your help, and hopefully others will benefit also.

[bornslippy]

Rather than start a new topic post, I thought it would be better to find out something else here. Hope that's ok.

I going to apply for a 2 entry tourist visa at one of the cosultates - probably Hull. Should you use the nearest consulate to where you live, or doesn't it matter? (I live in the south east, so Birtmingham is probably nearer).

Secondly, I see that the fee for tourist visas is exempt until March 2010. Does this apply for multiple entry tourist visas as well - or just single entry? I can always get a single entry and get another tourist visa in KL or something, as I will be visiting there at some point.

Finally, I read somewhere on this forum that there is a £15 administration charge for processing visas (+ cost for returning passport) - which seems fair enough if it's free. I will pay by card anyway, so they will deduct accordingly I guess, and I don't need to be concerned with how much I have to send.

Thanks in advance,

Bornslippy

[Mario2008]

You can apply at Hull, you do not need to use the nearest consulate.

[thaiphoon]

Strictly speaking only single entry tourist visas are free under current MFA promotion running until 4th March 2010, but some consulates are providing other entry tourist visas free of charge. A member reported 3 weeks ago obtaining a double entry tourist visa for free from the Thai Honorary Consulate at Liverpool with no admin charge. You may care to have a look at this thread. With extensions and a border run in the middle that would give you nearly 6 months stay.

Liverpool consulate: http://www.royalthaiconsul.com/

Thereafter you would need a new visa. Vientianne, Laos is currently issuing double entry tourist visa for free (but who knows what will happen after 4th March 2010), or alternatively you could apply for single entry tourist visa at any embassy/consulate in the region.

[bornslippy]

Thanks Mario and Thaiphoon!

It's interesting that Liverpool issue a multiple entry visa for free, when the other consulates (e.g., Hull) do not or, at least, appear to charge £58 plus the admin and postage fee.

On the consulate's website in Liverpool, it does say that tourist visas are issued free of charge - doesn't imply that this a fee is charged when multiple entries are applied for:

"If you are planning to visit Thailand as a tourist for more than 30 days you must apply for a Tourist Visa, this costs £28 per entry. From 25th June to 4th March 2010 Tourist Visas will be issued free of charge."

Thanks for the link to the post describing this as well. That suggests there is no admin charge, although elsewhere people suggest that there is one. It only really matters from the point of view of delays etc, as I would presume that not sending the money for the admin fee would result in the passport being returned. I will ring to check anyway, and post the outcome.

As the multiple entry tourist visa has 6 month validity, it suits me better as it will cover my first stay in Thailand (Jan - March) and second (June sometime). I plan to be elsewhere in SE Asia between March and June.

Many thanks,

Bornslippy

[thaiphoon]

Please keep us updated as this is relatively new news. FYI tourist visas are issued with a defined number of entries, and in your case would be applying for a double (2) entry tourist visa. A multiple entry (Non-Immigrant) visa is something different and gives unlimited entries whilst visa is valid. Remember not to apply for your visa too early, as the 6 month 'use before' date will run from the date the visa is issued by the consulate. Good luck.

[bornslippy]

Just a quick update -

I have just applied for and received a double entry tourist visa from the Liverpool Consulate. Only cost me the special delivery postage. No admin fee or visa fee, as free until March 2010.

"Good for two journeys to Thailand. Must be utilised before 10th June 2010"

That suggests to me that the last possible day of entry on the 6 month visa is 9th June 2010, and then 60 days from there. Is that correct or have I mis-calculated?

Bornslippy

[lopburi3]

Correct. But you can also extend another 30 days for 1,900 baht at an immigration office inside Thailand. If you wish to use both entries the first one would have to be made earlier.

[bornslippy]

So does that mean if I enter Thailand on my second entry e.g., 30th May, I will get a 60 day stamp (+ and can also apply for an additional extension of 30 days)?

Or, am I not understanding this properly and I would have to leave by 10th June when my visa expires?

[thaiphoon]

So does that mean if I enter Thailand on my second entry e.g., 30th May, I will get a 60 day stamp (+ and can also apply for an additional extension of 30 days)?

That is correct. You must do the border run and re-enter the country by 9th June at the latest to activate your second 60 day entry.

[bornslippy]

Great. So entering on my second entry on 9th June means I could stay until around 6th September (with a 30 day extension), even though my visa expires June.

[thaiphoon]

Correct. It is your permission to stay that allows you to stay in the country, not your visa.

[bornslippy]

Thanks Thaiphoon. I thought that was the case, then suddenly thought the visa may expire after 6 months like some places. That suits my travel plans anyway, as I would like to enter Thailand in time for the World Cup!

[ajarnyoo]

I would like to ask something regarding this, I have multiple non - immigrant b visa expiring on 17 feb 2010 ( that's the last stamp ) and this holiday i'm planning to go to Malaysia via train or plane with my friends. when i come back to Thailand after few days, will this visa still be valid or i will get a tourist visa then?Please help me about this, thanks..

[Mario2008]

Look at your VISA. It says something like utilize before **-**-****. As long as you enter Thailand again before that date, you will get a new permission to stay in Thailand for 90 days. If you enter Thailand on or after that date, you will need a new visa.

Do not mistake your VISA, which you got from an embassy, with the stamp you got from immigration when you entered Thailand.

[priorstp]

Call the visa people in hull they are very helpfull and friendly and will help you to decide what visa to get but i would suggest the 12 month multi entry would give you all the flex you need, any 30 day visa is finnished when leaving Thailand and renewed for another 30 days on reentry by air or 15 by land and days will not be carried over from previous visa they will be lost!.

[thaiphoon]

You are talking about 30 day visa exempt entry, which is not a visa. It is possible to protect remaining days on a visa, if desired, when leaving the Kingdom for a short trip by obtaining a re-entry permit.