Anyone Hear Of A 6-mo Tourist Visa?

[leezer]

hey,

made application to houston, texas consulate for a multiple entry tourist visa. received my passport with a stamp that says 3 entries and a visa expiration date of march 26, 2006.

i have read so many threads here that deal with 30-day, 60-day visas, visa runs, etc. am i reading something into the passport stamp that isn't really there, or do i really have a 6-month visa which precludes visa runs, et al.

any ideas? thanks,

leez

xo

[Firefan]

Your visa is valid for 3 entries within 6 months. Each entry is for 2 months stay (+30 day extension without visa run) so every 3 months you need to leave still. If well timed visa runs/extensions you can stretch it into 9 months (w. 2 visaruns and 3 x 30 day extensions).

Cheers!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Your visa is valid for 3 entries within 6 months. Each entry is for 2 months stay (+30 day extension without visa run) so every 3 months you need to leave still. If well timed visa runs/extensions you can stretch it into 9 months (w. 2 visaruns and 3 x 30 day extensions).

Cheers!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly

[leezer]

Your visa is valid for 3 entries within 6 months. Each entry is for 2 months stay (+30 day extension without visa run) so every 3 months you need to leave still. If well timed visa runs/extensions you can stretch it into 9 months (w. 2 visaruns and 3 x 30 day extensions).

Cheers!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sounds like all i need to know iat this point is that after 3-months in country, i make a visa run. i'm sure that it will all make sense eventually.

thanks all,

leezer

xo

[Firefan]

That's it! A visarun with an organised bus to Cambodia incl. lunch and visa fees will take about 6-8 hours and cost you B 2000 so you get a little trip out of it! Cheers!

Edit; actually; don't forget to apply for the 30 day extension when getting close to the first 2 months expirery. I.e. you are right you can stay 3 months, but you will need to ensure you obtain the extension at emmigration.

Cheer!

Edited October 4, 2005 by Firefan

[Maestro]

sounds like all i need to know iat this point is that after 3-months in country, i make a visa run. i'm sure that it will all make sense eventually. 

It will begin to make sense to you after your first entry into Thailand.

All you have in your passport at the moment is your brand new multiple-entry tourist visa with the indication that “this visa must be utilized before March 26, 2006”. This date means that your entry – or your last entry of several entries – must be made not later than 26 March 2006.

When you arrive in Thailand using your visa for the first time, say on 5 October 2005, your passport will, using this example, get a stamp saying “…permitted to stay until 03 DEC 2005”. This date, 3 December 2005, is the last date by which you must go to the Immigration Office, any Immigration Office in Thailand, to apply for your 30-day extension. You may download the form for it here. Go and apply, in person, any time during the last 30 days of your permitted period to stay. Best not to leave it until the last moment.

Enjoy your extended stay in Thailand!

Edited October 4, 2005 by maestro

[thaiflyer1]

All you have in your passport at the moment is your brand new multiple-entry tourist visa with the indication that “this visa must be utilized before March 26, 2006”. This date means that your entry – or your last entry of several entries – must be made not later than 26 March 2006.

Just to point out there is no such thing as a multiple entry tourist visa and he doesnt have "several entries"...............what he has is a tourist visa good for 3 entries into the Kingdom.

Otherwise what you say is correct............60 day stay upon entry which can extended in country by 30 days at Immigration then exit Thailand and back in for another 60 days and repeat.

[Maestro]

Just  to  point  out  there  is  no  such  thing  as  a  multiple  entry  tourist  visa  and  he  doesnt  have  "several  entries"...............what  he  has  is  a  tourist  visa  good  for  3  entries  into  the  Kingdom.

Learnt something; thank you thaiflyer.

Therefore, if I got it right now, a multiple-entry non-O visa (not what leezer has) is good for an unlimited number of entries within its validity period; a tourist visa is issued for a specified number of entries – one, two or three entries – always valid (utilize before...) for entry within 6 months, regardless of the number of permitted entries.

[Adagio]

Are 30 day extensions to this sort of visa easilly obtainable? The literature all says 'at the discretion of the immigration officer'. If I wear a nice clean shirt am I likely to have any problem getting this? Also where can I find a list of offices within the country where I can get this done.

[Adagio]

Are 30 day extensions to this sort of visa easilly obtainable? The literature all says 'at the discretion of the immigration officer'. If I wear a nice clean shirt am I likely to have any problem getting this? Also where can I find a list of offices within the country where I can get this done.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, please ignore the second part of this question, there's a list of offfices at the top of this thread. Thanks George.

Edited October 4, 2005 by Adagio

[leezer]

sounds like all i need to know iat this point is that after 3-months in country, i make a visa run. i'm sure that it will all make sense eventually. 

It will begin to make sense to you after your first entry into Thailand.

All you have in your passport at the moment is your brand new multiple-entry tourist visa with the indication that “this visa must be utilized before March 26, 2006”. This date means that your entry – or your last entry of several entries – must be made not later than 26 March 2006.

When you arrive in Thailand using your visa for the first time, say on 5 October 2005, your passport will, using this example, get a stamp saying “…permitted to stay until 03 DEC 2005”. This date, 3 December 2005, is the last date by which you must go to the Immigration Office, any Immigration Office in Thailand, to apply for your 30-day extension. You may download the form for it here. Go and apply, in person, any time during the last 30 days of your permitted period to stay. Best not to leave it until the last moment.

Enjoy your extended stay in Thailand!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thank you, maestro and firefan for the correction in my thinking regarding the 3-month stay. both your posts have outlined the necessary steps perfectly. arrival on 09 oct; download form and find an imm office sometime prior to 09 dec; then look for a bus to make a cambodian visa run somewhere around the 8th of jan. (repeat as needed

the joy of learning new stuff in new places. it doesn't get any better.

thanks again. from all the good information that has come to me via this forum, i have a feeling a few rounds on me will be in order!

blessings to all,

leezer

xo

[Maestro]

arrival on 09 oct; download form and find an imm office sometime prior to 09 dec; then look for a bus to make a cambodian visa run somewhere around the 8th of jan. (repeat as needed

When your arrive in Thailand on 9 Oct. you’ll see that they stamp you permission to stay until 7 Dec. Thought I’d mention it, in case you wouldn’t look at it. They count by day, not month, and the last day is also counted.

At any rate, always verify those stamps they put in your passport. They have been known to make the occasional mistake and whomever this happens to must himself make sure to get it corrected.

Have a nice trip!

[thaiflyer1]

Therefore, if I got it right now, a multiple-entry non-O visa (not what leezer has) is good for an unlimited number of entries within its validity period; a tourist visa is issued for a specified number of entries – one, two or three entries – always valid (utilize before...) for entry within 6 months, regardless of the number of permitted entries.

Correct.

Adagio..........30 day extensions are pretty much routine, you won't have any problems obtaining one.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

A single entry visa is only valid for 90 days. ie. the entry must be made within 90 days of the date of issue.

[Maestro]

single entry tourist visa in 1999

A single entry visa is only valid for 90 days. ie. the entry must be made within 90 days of the date of issue.

Things must have changed then since I last got a single entry tourist visa in 1999. That one was issued on 2 FEB 1999 and was valid for entry before 1 AUG 1999.

[chang35baht]

sounds like all i need to know iat this point is that after 3-months in country, i make a visa run. i'm sure that it will all make sense eventually. 

It will begin to make sense to you after your first entry into Thailand.

All you have in your passport at the moment is your brand new multiple-entry tourist visa with the indication that “this visa must be utilized before March 26, 2006”. This date means that your entry – or your last entry of several entries – must be made not later than 26 March 2006.

When you arrive in Thailand using your visa for the first time, say on 5 October 2005, your passport will, using this example, get a stamp saying “…permitted to stay until 03 DEC 2005”. This date, 3 December 2005, is the last date by which you must go to the Immigration Office, any Immigration Office in Thailand, to apply for your 30-day extension. You may download the form for it here. Go and apply, in person, any time during the last 30 days of your permitted period to stay. Best not to leave it until the last moment.

Enjoy your extended stay in Thailand!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is my understanding that when you receive your visa you have 6 months to utilize it. Hence: Leezer you must make your first entry before March 26 and not your last as the Maestako pointed out. I mean it`s less than 9 months from now till then so it would be impossible for you to get the 9 months that you can take from the 3x2month entries + 3x1 month extensions.

If I`m wrong I`m sure the guys will point this out

[lopburi3]

A tourist visa is not designed to be used to stay in Thailand so there is not intent to allow nine months stay. You obtained a three entry visa so you could tour other countries and return several times is the design.

The validity of the visa is six months. The last entry must be made before that six month period (26 March 2006 in example). If person arrives soon after visa issued for 60+30, exits/enter 60+28 (or so), exit/enter 60+30 the total time will be almost nine months. The final exit/enter must be before the 26th of March but then they get 60 days plus and extension of 30. Visa validity is not a concern once you have the permitted to stay stamp as it is only used to enter the country.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

single entry tourist visa in 1999

A single entry visa is only valid for 90 days. ie. the entry must be made within 90 days of the date of issue.

Things must have changed then since I last got a single entry tourist visa in 1999. That one was issued on 2 FEB 1999 and was valid for entry before 1 AUG 1999.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nothing has changed at all. The Embassy affixed the wrong date stamp ... that's all

[chang35baht]

My apologies to Khun Maestro and thanks to Khun Lopburi for setting us straight.