Staying In Thailand! Visa?

[Kenzo225]

Hi guys

I've got a single way flight booked for Bangkok in May and need some advice on what visa I need to get with my current itinerary; I hope someone can help!!!

Basically I want to travel around Thailand and bordering countries by land from May until about August/September (probably leave like 3 times for border runs) and then move to Ko Tao to start diving qualifications (I currently hold my advanced open water but want to complete my divemaster and also instructors course) and hopefully stay on Ko Tao teaching diving for as long as possible. Also I would prefer not to have to book my course until I get to Thailand as I would like to keep my options open with time as well as which company I dive with.

Is it possible to get 3 60 day tourist visas and also a one year non-immigrant visa at the same time so I don’t have to fly home before starting my diving? How easy would it be to get a one year NI visa without booking the course, can u say you’re visiting for educational/religious reasons? My nearest consulate is Hull.

Thanks

Kenzo

[Mario2008]

You can not hold two visas at the same time.

Hull will not issue a non-immirgant Ed-visa without paperwork from th school and ill only isue a single.

Depending on your travel plans, a single or double entry tourist visa will be enough, as without a visa you will get 15 days at a land border and 30 days if you enter by air.

Once you register for the course and get the paperwork, you can apply for an ED visa in a neighbouring country. But make sure the course knows they can get a visa and also get extensions of stay for their students.

[steve187]

a three entry tourist visa from hull would give you the best part of 250/270 days in thailand, if you do a 60 day entry and then 30 day extension at local immigration and then a border run to start the process 2 more times, the last entry has to be done prior to the visa expiry date.visa is issued for 6 months, so get as near to travel date as possible, non immigrant 'o' are only issued to over 50 year old's, and people married to Thai's, can not have 2 visa's in passport at the same time.

I am not sure on the latest on getting tourist visa locally, after your 3 entry from hull has finished.

A friend of mine has completed all his diving courses on koh chang, just a thought for you, as it closer to do border runs.

all the best

[arthurwait]

You won't get a one year non B until you get a work permit, which you won't get until you have the qualification and employment or a registered company.

You can do the invest in a company dodge that some people do through dodgy companies for a one year non-b or an education visa which they keep apparently clamping down on, but you still won't have a work permit to legally work.

You'll need a 90 day or is it 60 day tourist visa now for enough time to apply for a work permit etc.

Edit: I'm too tired to check if this is the answer to the question you asked. Sorry if it's not.

[Gone]

A one way ticket to Bangkok is not good. Most airlines will NOT allow you to board.

I you do not get a 60 day tourist visa then your ongoing flight will need to be within 30 days of your arival or you just can't get on the plane.

Even if you just buy a cheap onward ticket to Kuala Lumpur or something that is fine or a return ticket to your country withing the time of the Permission to stay or Visa you come with.

[bobl]

A one way ticket to Bangkok is not good. Most airlines will NOT allow you to board.

That only applies if you do not have a visa. if you have a visa, a one way ticket is no problem.

[CharlieH]

Get your self a minimum of a 60 day Tourist Visa, that will sort out your one way ticket issue, that 60 day Visa can be extended by 30 days which will give you 3 months in total, then get another visa from a neighboring country whilst touring. You will only get 15 day entries (visa exempt) by land borders.(30 days by Air).

[wayned]

I would get a triple entry tourist visa just before you left for Thailand. It will give you almost 270 days stay wilt two border runs and 3 30 day extensions. You do not have to have a ED visa to study, you can study on the tourist visa. When the visa is due to expire, you can get the paperwork from the school and go to a neighboring country to get a ED visa. It will have to be extended every 90 days, 1900 baht, with paperwork from the school. Once you have completed the course you will have to find a job, apply for a work permit and then apply for a Non-B in a neighboring country.

[IMA_FARANG]

Hi guys

I've got a single way flight booked for Bangkok in May and need some advice on what visa I need to get with my current itinerary; I hope someone can help!!!

Basically I want to travel around Thailand and bordering countries by land from May until about August/September (probably leave like 3 times for border runs) and then move to Ko Tao to start diving qualifications (I currently hold my advanced open water but want to complete my divemaster and also instructors course) and hopefully stay on Ko Tao teaching diving for as long as possible. Also I would prefer not to have to book my course until I get to Thailand as I would like to keep my options open with time as well as which company I dive with.

Is it possible to get 3 60 day tourist visas and also a one year non-immigrant visa at the same time so I don’t have to fly home before starting my diving? How easy would it be to get a one year NI visa without booking the course, can u say you’re visiting for educational/religious reasons? My nearest consulate is Hull.

Thanks

--------------------

First point...a double entry or triple entry Tourist visa should be what you need to enter Thailand.

A double entry gets you two entries of 60 days each, and each entry can be extended in country at your local immigration office for a fee. Total of 180 days.

Triple entry is 3 entries, each for 60 days...each theoretically extendable for 30 days. Therefore theoretically possible to get 270 days total.

However both double entry and triple entry visas have an expiration date stamped on them. The expiration date on triple entry visas is normally 180 days after it is issued...so that makes it difficult to get the full 270 theoretical days before the visa expires.

240 days on a triple entry tourist visa is possible (3 x 60 day entries plus 2 x 30 day extensions = 240 days).

Basically you "throw away" that last possible extension.

Hull can give you the details...so call them and explain what you want to do.

Second point...you are highly advised to get a visa BEFORE you come to Thailand. The reason is that your AIRLINE may check your visa when you check-in for your flight. Without a visa or an onward ticket (out of Thailand) they may give you problems at check-in. Note...you do NOT need a return ticket, but to avoid the hassle with the airline you should have a out-of-country ticket at check-in if you do not have a visa.

If you do have a valid Thai visa...no problems with the airline at check-in. That's why you should get your Thai visa before flight check-in day.

Third point...there are many diving schools offering courses and certifications in and around Phuket and other areas where diving is a big thing. Just be sure you pick one that knows the rules and how to extend your stay legally as you take their course. They can't give you a new visa...but with proof you are taking a course the immigration will EXTEND your current visa for the duration of that course. For all practical purposes, it's the same thing...you can legally stay in Thailand while taking that course.

Fourth point...working in Thailand as an instructor is more difficult. It is possible...but you have to be hired first. Then, based on that employment, you get a Work Permit...and with that Work Permit and job...you qualify for a long term stay in Thailand on a non B visa based on employment. It works that way...first get hired, get Work Permit and at the same time a non B visa based on employment. NOT the other way around. Don't believe those agencies that promise you a visa first and a job later, they know very well that's not the way it works...they just want your money up front.

Point five...You need to understand this is a procedure that is done step-by-step. It;s not something that is done all at once. If you follow the immigration rules (yes, sometimes they will seem arbitrary and confusing) the process can be done. A lot of people have done it before...but it does require work and planning what you're doing.

But it is possible.

Final point...Almost certainly you won't be able to get a tourist visa and/or a non O visa at the same time.

Remember....it's a process...so one step at a time.

Good luck, and enjoy Thailand.

[lopburi3]

A three entry tourist visa valid for six months from date of issue will provide almost 270 days if used to the full extent as 60+30 exit 60+(28) exit 60 + 30 depart - there is no reason to "throw away" any extension.