Applying For A Multi Entry Visa In Brisbane

[LeonJ24]

Hi,

Has anyone had any recent experience getting a multiple entry visa (http://www.thaivisa.com/422.0.html) in Brisbane's Thai consulate? Do they issue them? Are there difficulties involved?

Their website does not have specific details relating to the visa (link above) only for other Non Immigrant visa's ie; Work, ED, etc. Last year when I applied for 1 they said they 'could not issue me this one, only a 6 month one or something', so I went and talked to a TEFL school and ended up getting an ED visa with their help. As I went through this process they said something along the lines of 'oh, you should have just gotten this 1 year multi entry visa'. So I'm pretty confused about what I can actually get and what they do, the girl at reception didn't seem to understand much English which made it much harder.

I only want to get a 1 year visa to stay with my Girlfriend in Thailand for another year, (maybe I'll get married then, see what happens). I use the internet for my work, so I can work anywhere.

Any suggestions as to what I should write/say to avoid the problems I had last year much appreciated. I don't want to have to get another ED visa...

[lopburi3]

To visit GF is not a valid reason for issue of a non immigrant O visa I am afraid. Also working in Thailand legally requires a work permit regardless of how it is done.

[machans88]

Last july i got a letter from my school in thailand saying i wanted an ed visa,i took this to the consulate in south brisbane near the mater hospital,within 10mins and 240 oz dollars later i had what i thought was an ed visa,it turned out to be a 12 month multi entrant visa and i didnt have to study thai ,i just had to do visa runs every 3months.

[LeonJ24]

Last july i got a letter from my school in thailand saying i wanted an ed visa,i took this to the consulate in south brisbane near the mater hospital,within 10mins and 240 oz dollars later i had what i thought was an ed visa,it turned out to be a 12 month multi entrant visa and i didnt have to study thai ,i just had to do visa runs every 3months.

Yeah, that's what I ended up with after trying to get an ED visa when that was all I wanted in the first place.

I was under the impression that they gave out these visa's for people simply wanting to stay longer and visiting friends and family, seems I was wrong.

You basically can't get a tourist visa longer than 3 months then right?!

[Mario2008]

You can get a double entry tourist visa, giving you two entries into Thailand of 60 days and each entry can be extended by another 30 days.

It means you can stay 60 days plus a 30 day extension, than go to a neighbouring country and return to Thailand (the same hour is no problem) for another 60 days and get another 30 day extension for 1,900 baht. Youmust use both entries before the visa expires, which is most times 6 months from date of issue.

[LeonJ24]

You can get a double entry tourist visa, giving you two entries into Thailand of 60 days and each entry can be extended by another 30 days.

It means you can stay 60 days plus a 30 day extension, than go to a neighbouring country and return to Thailand (the same hour is no problem) for another 60 days and get another 30 day extension for 1,900 baht. You must use both entries before the visa expires, which is most times 6 months from date of issue.

Ok, just to confirm I have this right.

1. You get 2x60 days entries, at the end of 60 days, you have to go to immigration, play 1900 baht and get an additional 30 days for 90 days total

2. You leave the country, you then return before the expiration of the visa

3. You then repeat step 1, giving you 180 days total in the country.

[Mario2008]

Correct.

Of course if you return to Thailand the same day you leave it, it will be only 179 days because the last day and the first day overlap.

[mickba]

You can get a double entry tourist visa, giving you two entries into Thailand of 60 days and each entry can be extended by another 30 days.

It means you can stay 60 days plus a 30 day extension, than go to a neighbouring country and return to Thailand (the same hour is no problem) for another 90 days and get another 30 day extension for 1,900 baht. Youmust use both entries before the visa expires, which is most times 6 months from date of issue.

Typo' ?

[Mario2008]

Thanks for pointing it out. I have corrected it now.

[masuk]

Last year I joined a large number of expat teachers who were going to do 12 months of volunteer teaching in Chiang Mai. I was issued with an ED visa from Brisbane, and headed off to Chiang Mai. The program had been cancelled and I was told I could NOT do any volunteer teaching, but HAD to do 12 months of Thai language or leave!

I chose to leave, and hopefully one day we'll all get our 'program fees' returned!!

[phuketcowboy]

<P>Hi Leon,</P>

<P> </P>

<P> just to correct what Mario said....when you get your visa for 2 months which you will then extend for the cost of 1990 baht, he is not quite correct when he said that you have roughly 6 months to start the second lot of 60 days...you have exactly 3 months in which to leave after the first extension , which will give you 90 days . On your return you will utilise the next 60 days , which you will then extend again for the same cost of 1990 baht. for another 3 days .</P>

<P> Please remember all this is at the mercy of the immigration officers at the point of entry and it is now entirely up to you to organise your depature and re-entry back to the Kingdom.</P>

<P>Also keep in mind the stamp on the visa will say that you have to enter before the visa actuall runs out...NOT on the day that is stamped...eg if it is stamped that your 2nd visa must be activated by say March29th...you must be back by the 28th...not the 29th...not even a minute into the 29th of March or your visa is null and void.</P>

<P>If you read the Thai immigration laws..all tourists visa state that a foreigner..in this case an Australian can only be in Thailand the maximum of 90 days, then they must leave even for 1 day and start again.</P>

<P>Of couse retirement, spouse and work visas are different ,but more involved//</P>

<P>I hope that helps you..?<IMG class=bbc_emoticon alt= src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif"> </P>

<P> </P>

<P> </P>

<P> </P>

[beechguy]

<P>Hi Leon,</P>

<P> </P>

<P> just to correct what Mario said....when you get your visa for 2 months which you will then extend for the cost of 1990 baht, he is not quite correct when he said that you have roughly 6 months to start the second lot of 60 days...you have exactly 3 months in which to leave after the first extension , which will give you 90 days . On your return you will utilise the next 60 days , which you will then extend again for the same cost of 1990 baht. for another 3 days .</P>

<P> Please remember all this is at the mercy of the immigration officers at the point of entry and it is now entirely up to you to organise your depature and re-entry back to the Kingdom.</P>

<P>Also keep in mind the stamp on the visa will say that you have to enter before the visa actuall runs out...NOT on the day that is stamped...eg if it is stamped that your 2nd visa must be activated by say March29th...you must be back by the 28th...not the 29th...not even a minute into the 29th of March or your visa is null and void.</P>

<P>If you read the Thai immigration laws..all tourists visa state that a foreigner..in this case an Australian can only be in Thailand the maximum of 90 days, then they must leave even for 1 day and start again.</P>

<P>Of couse retirement, spouse and work visas are different ,but more involved//</P>

<P>I hope that helps you..?<IMG class=bbc_emoticon alt= src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif"> </P>

<P> </P>

<P> </P>

<P> </P>

Mario is correct that a person will have 6 monhs to make the second entry if they obtain their visa in their home country, 3 months is generally the time given if obtained in a neighboring country. The extension fees are 1900 Baht. With the exception of the O-A Visa, all Non-immigrant Visas allow a stay of 90 days per entry, extensions of permission to stay can be obtained to stay longer, but they aren't visas.

[lopburi3]

1. The price is 1,900 baht for all extensions of stay. It is an extension of your stay - not of your visa.

2. A tourist visa extension of stay is 30 days.

3. A two entry tourist visa often has a validity of six months from issue (which means you must enter before that date for final 60+30 days).

4. Have not seen any report for years of immigration not accepting arrival on expiration date of visa - it used to be questioned but often allowed - now it appears to be allowed.

[wump]

I applied for a Non-Immigrant ED visa in Brisbane a while ago, no worries, very friendly lady, done in 20 minutes. Was told I had to get multiple entry because I would have to leave the country every 3 months (which is untrue, but she wouldn't listen to me).

Applied for another one in Cambodia last week and was told "you only get single entry" and now have to wait 5 days for processing...

[Iamemjay]

I've never had any problems with Brisbane - they are very trusting, helpful and generous. I've never once actually produced supporting documentation for either an Ed or B 12 month multi-entry - they've always just accepted my word. On the one occasion that there was a more complex question I simply rang the Consul General (Bill Dunne) beforehand and cleared it with him. The next day when I dropped in they were expecting me and issued it without question.