Current Visa Dilemma - Advice Needed!

[KrisDelta]

Hello,

I am seeking some advice regarding my current Visa situation.

I am currently staying in Phuket at a Mixed Martial Arts Camp for educational purposes only.

As a UK Passport Holder, before leaving England, I acquired a 'Single Entry Non Immigration 90 Day Educational Visa', which expires on October 29th.

My original intentions were to stay in Phuket for 90 days, and once the Visa expired, travel elsewhere, but those plans have now changed.

I would like to extend my stay in Phuket for a further 3-6 months - for training at the MMA Camp only.

As I had only acquired a 'Single Entry Non Immigration 90 Day Educational Visa' before leaving the UK, I need to know what options are available to me in order to extend my stay in the most cost effective manner?

Your help and advice would be greatly appreciated at this time, and I look forward to hearing from you all.

[Mario2008]

Ask the school if they can help you with getting an extension of stay based on your study of muay Thai. If they cannot, it seems that you will have to go to Laos or Cambodia to apply for a double entry tourist visa, which would be good for up to 6 months.

[CharlieH]

If the school cant help or advise I would suggest Malaysia as its closer to you and probably more cost effective, 2 x 60 day tourist visa, each extendable by 30 days will give you six months in total.

[KrisDelta]

Ask the school if they can help you with getting an extension of stay based on your study of muay Thai. If they cannot, it seems that you will have to go to Laos or Cambodia to apply for a double entry tourist visa, which would be good for up to 6 months.

If the school cant help or advise I would suggest Malaysia as its closer to you and probably more cost effective, 2 x 60 day tourist visa, each extendable by 30 days will give you six months in total.

Thank you both for your replies.

In what capacity do you believe the school would be able to help me?

Who do I need to contact to press the matter of extending my stay?

I have recently been given the impression that I may be able to alter my visa from within Thailand from a single entry to a multiple entry with the school's assitance, correct, or not?

If you have any thoughts on the above comments, please do share them, it's all relevant!

[Maestro]

You can't change your single-entry non-ED visa to a multiple-entry non-ED visa within Thailand, but if your school is recognised by the Ministry of Education your school school should be able to get you the necessary papers for extensions of stay, within Thailand from your local immigration office. These extensions will be valid for 90 days each as long as you continue your education.

[KrisDelta]

Does anybody else have any other insights for this topic?

Anybody speaking from experience, or anyone who can offer genuine advice, it would help me out!

[Mario2008]

You had your answer, there is no other option.Ask the school if they qualify for an extension of stay. They should know. If not, go abroad and get a (double entry) tourist visa.

[KrisDelta]

You had your answer, there is no other option.Ask the school if they qualify for an extension of stay. They should know. If not, go abroad and get a (double entry) tourist visa.

I understand that I have recieved an answer, yes, but there are other questions that need to be answered in order to solve this problem entirely.

It's very difficult to get specific answers anywhere; forums, consulates, etc; I can only rely on communicating with people who have experience with the matter, or professionals with knowledge of the situation.

I am using this forum for that purpose, and so far I have only recieved brief insights, which lead to more questioning.

Instead of shutting people out, or closing threads just to clear the front page, why don't you try and contribute to the problem until it's solved entirely?

For example, I have been told to ask my school to acquire 'extension of stay' papers from the local immigration office, failing that, go abroad and get a double entry visa:

- Which country closest to Phuket, Thailand, should I consider travelling too (Burma, Laos, Cambodia) in order to acquire this Double Entry Tourist Visa?

- Which country is most likely too issue said TV without problems?

- When applying, what information would they ask of me to qualify for this Visa, if any?

- Which is the most cost effective country to travel too from Phuket?

[Mario2008]

Your school will know if they qualify or not, if they do they will also know which docuemtns to give you.Provided you don't have any tourist visa's already, your best bet might be Vientianne Laos for a double entry tourist visa. That would cost 2,000 baht (in local curency). A Double entry would give you up to 6 months of stay in Thailand. You enter Thailand for 60 days, extend with another 30 days for 1,900 baht and after 90 days leave the country and come right back for another 60 days and extension of 30 days.Given the widespread flooding I will refrain from giving travel advise. Here you cna find more information about getting a tourist visa in the region:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/189375-latest-reports-of-getting-a-visa-in-the-region/Lost of information, including on travel options and where to stay.

[KrisDelta]

Your school will know if they qualify or not, if they do they will also know which docuemtns to give you.Provided you don't have any tourist visa's already, your best bet might be Vientianne Laos for a double entry tourist visa. That would cost 2,000 baht (in local curency). A Double entry would give you up to 6 months of stay in Thailand. You enter Thailand for 60 days, extend with another 30 days for 1,900 baht and after 90 days leave the country and come right back for another 60 days and extension of 30 days.Given the widespread flooding I will refrain from giving travel advise.

Can the 'double entry visa' be applied for in Burma?

[Mario2008]

Not sure, not many reports about Burma so it is a big quetion if you wll get a single or double there.

[guavagirl]

As far as I know double entry visas are only issued in Laos. Burma is just a crossing for people needing to stamp in and out. There is no Thai Consulate close by without having to fly. Malaysia is closer than Laos but they don't give out double entry TV.

[KrisDelta]

As far as I know double entry visas are only issued in Laos. Burma is just a crossing for people needing to stamp in and out. There is no Thai Consulate close by without having to fly. Malaysia is closer than Laos but they don't give out double entry TV.

The entire process baffles me!

Applying for my 'Single Entry Non Immigration Educational Visa' back home in England was easier than ordering from McDonalds, and it took less time to process aswell! Five minutes max.

But, because I didn't highlight 'Multiple Entry' instead of 'Single Entry' I've gotta burn through cash just to find a temporary means to extend my stay here in Phuket? Ridiculous.

The fact a mere sticker or stamp for an extra cost of £45.00 when applying for the original Visa would have saved me so much time, energy, and cash, it just seems so utterly retarded!

[moe666]

Look no one can hold your hand for you, Mario2008 is one of the visa experts here and knows his stuff. Do a bit of reserch on this forum and you will glem some info that may be of some help. if it is too much trouble to make a visa run then go back to England where it was much easier and get a multiply entry and then come back.

Getting a visa in Burma will be very expensive as you will need to fly to yangon and then there is no guarantee one will be issued.

You have your answers if they are not good enough thats your problem

[KrisDelta]

Look no one can hold your hand for you, Mario2008 is one of the visa experts here and knows his stuff. Do a bit of reserch on this forum and you will glem some info that may be of some help. if it is too much trouble to make a visa run then go back to England where it was much easier and get a multiply entry and then come back. You have your answers if they are not good enough thats your problem

I bet you browse through forums looking for moments like this to try and make yourself feel better, right? Great advice too, "go back to England", sure, I'll just throw a grand on flights. Moron. Stay out of it.

The information I received in this thread has helped too an extent, so thanks for your input, so far.

For those of you reading into this thread, and attempting to solve similar problems, after everything I have read through, here is the conclusion I have come too:

In order to attain a 'Double Entry Tourist Visa' - the following locations were suggested: (in order of distance from Phuket) PENANG, MALAYSIA - PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - VIENTIANE, LAOS.

Although VIENTIANE, LAOS is the furtherst from Phuket, it is the only Thai Embassy that has a reputation for gaurenteeing a 'Double Entry Tourist Visa' on request at 2,000 Baht. The others are problematic and unreliable.

Return Journeys via Air (using sky scanner) amount to around £400 (do your own currency conversion). There are cheaper ways to make the jounrey, but this is the most direct way for the inexperienced traveller. In planning the flights, I set aside five days, leaving on day one, and returning on day five, leaving three days inbetween travel days, just in case there are any problems which require that amount of time to resolve unforeseen issues, i.e, the process of a visa application, which has a reputation for being an 'apply and pick up next day' service, but you never know, right...

VISA APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

* Your passport (and copy of)

* Two passport sized photos

* A black or blue pen

* Print out the application online ahead of time if possible

* Research the consulate or embassy’s opening hours

* Confirm they are authorized to issue the type of visa you want

* Know the exchange rate in the country you’re entering so you’re not rolled over by touts at the border

* Research plug converters, currency and a place to stay in the city.

Reading the above may make it all seem so very straight forward. It takes time and effort to read through all sorts of true and false accounts relating to your options depending on the legitimacy of those accounts regarding the times and dates they were experienced, etc. This is the most clear and concise way I could convey my thoughts on what I've been told. If anybody reading this sees any contradictions in what has been written, please do not hesitate to correct my findings. Thanks again.

[lopburi3]

As this has turned into a flame fest it is closed.