Visa Questions

[BeAstMaSter]

I've seen multiple answers so I have a couple scenarios I could use some clarifications on, all these pertaining to U.S. citizen ......

1. If entering from U.S using 30 day visa on arrival, can it be extended in country, and if so how many times and for how long?

2. If in Philippines, can I get a Thai 90 tourist visa from there and travel on to Thailand, or must it be done in U.S. ?

3. If in Thailand on 90 tourist visa, can it be extended/changed in country to 1 year non-imm O type as long as I meet the 90 day funding requirement?

I plan on traveling between Thailand and Philippines and would rather not have to travel back to U.S for visa if at all possible....

as always, many thanks for all answers and help.

[Jingthing]

I'll answer this one --

3. If in Thailand on 90 tourist visa, can it be extended/changed in country to 1 year non-imm O type as long as I meet the 90 day funding requirement?

Tourist visas are good for a 60 day stay. They can be extended an additional 30 days in Thailand. Yes you can do a change of visa status IN Thailand at SOME Thai immigration offices. That's the first step of a two step process, assuming you are asking about retirement extensions, where you need to be at least age 50. If using the 800K bank account method the money must be banked in Thailand for two months before the first extension. Also you must do the extension at the immigration office associated with your new residence home in Thailand. If that office doesn't offer step 1, change of visa status, you can do that part in Bangkok.

[chris5346]

hi,

if you enter on just the 30 day one then you can't do much with that in the future except for maybe extend it 7 days maybe ?

if you can goto the thai embassy in the philipines if convenient then get a tourist visa which is valid for 3 months (60 days free and can extend extra 30 days if you want for 1900 baht), some embassies give out double entries which mean you could potentially stay for 6 months.

you can also pop accross to laos or cambodia in the future and get visas from there if that suits ?

there's many options but even if you were to get married whilst on your 30 day entry you would still have to get a new visa.

you definately don't need to go all the way back home.

how long do you think you'll be in thailand ? i was in the philipinnes and planned to come to thailand for a short time before going back to the u.k, i have been here ever since ! wish i had got a visa from philli.

[MTH]

1. Yes, it can be extended for an additional 7 days.

2. The Philippines isn’t the easiest place to get a visa around here, you might be able to get one, but the requirements they set on non-Filipinos are bordering on ridicules.

A friend of mine was told to his face that they are there for the Filipinos, other citizens should apply elsewhere.

3. Jingthng answered this. I just want to add that for the retirement visa you can either have 800K in the bank, a monthly income of 65K, or a combination of the two.

[Jingthing]

If the OP isn't seeking a retirement extension, another option is the education visa (study Thai 4 hours a week). I am not real clear on what the OP's actual goal is.

[NancyL]

At least the OP told us he's American. That's a help in coming up with good recommendations. As Jingthing said, he needs to let his know his ultimate goal, i.e. to retire in Thailand, study here, marry a Thai citizen, etc. Plus it would help if he let us know where he plans to live in Thailand.

For example, a person over 50 who meets the financial requirements can do a "two-step" retirement visa extension in Chiang Mai. i.e. enter the country on 30-day visa exempt status, during that period get a 90-day O visa and then extend that visa during its last 30 days for 12 months due to retirement.

Chiang Mai is really good for retirees who meet all the qualifications. May not be true elsewhere.

[kdc1899]

If you meet the criteria for a non immigrant o then you should be able to obtain that visa in America B4 you leave America. A multiple entry version of that visa will allow you to come and go as you please. A single entry version of the non o only adds a few steps to the eventual multi entry version.

I've heard that staying in the phillipines is much easier than staying in Thailand so your only concern is how to come and go, to and from Thailand.

If you won't be entering from The States you can still get the non o (if you meet the criteria) from any Thai Consulate.

If you meet the criteria for obtaining a non o Thai Visa then you do not really need to arrive in Thailand on a tourist visa.

The funding thing does not matter if you dont mind doing visa runs, but, If you plan on maintaining the non o beyond 15 months then just go to the American Embassy in BKK and get a letter that shows you have monthly income (derived outside of Thailand) at the level required for either the marriage non o or the retirement non o.

[TerryLH]

"1. If entering from U.S using 30 day visa on arrival, can it be extended in country, and if so how many times and for how long?"

You aren't eligible for a visa on arrival.

What you are talking about is a visa exempt entry.

It can be extended (sort of)one time for 7 days. Immigration will probably ask to see an air ticket out of Thailand within those 7 days.

"...get a tourist visa which is valid for 3 months (60 days free..."

Tourist visas are no longer free, and haven't been for quite some time.

[BeAstMaSter]

Thanks for all the answers, tells me all I need to know........

Chris5346 , dunno how long, which is why I wanted to pop in for 30-60 days and have a peek and see if it's to my liking.

lived in Angeles Philippines for 5+ years so am accustomed to the laid back lifestyle

Dunno how long I'll ultimately stay in Thailand, if I like it, then permanently

NOT necessarily looking for a wife, am quite content, but if one comes along in future ..........

Definitely a retirement visa,am over 50, and deposited funds not a problem, will have more than needed.

Areas of interest are Jomtien, Hua Hin, and Chiang Rai, but that could also change if I found somewhere else I was content.

Didn't want to start process in USA because I need to travel to P.I to take care of business, don't know how long it'll take

hopes to make a 30-45 day stop in Thailand and see if it caught my attention, then go to PI, then back to Thailand

from all the answers it appears I can, so thank you all