Yet Another Visa / Long Stay Enquiry..!

[theVenerable]

Hi

I know I can get a 6 or maybe 9 month Visa, Then I'd 'have' to go back to UK and re apply for another one...

or...

If I just went to stay in Cambodia for a few weeks, could I re-apply for my visa there?

Then when its ready, come back over for my 6 /9 month stay in Thailand.

Then repeat the process over and over if need be?

Or am i missing something, and is it not possible?

Thanks

[necronx99]

You don't need to go back to the uk. Any bordering country will do. It does not have to be a stay of weeks.

[webfact]

moved to "Thai visas, residency and work permits" forum

/Admin

[lopburi3]

Actually virtually no boarding country will provide a 3 entry tourist visa for staying long term and many will not provide 2 entry and some will not even provide any. There has normally been at least one that will provide one or two entry but no guarantee for future. Currently Cambodia will only provide single entry and takes about 4 days to obtain.

[theVenerable]

You don't need to go back to the uk. Any bordering country will do. It does not have to be a stay of weeks.

Thanks for the reply.

Well, I know I can do 'visa runs', that only take a few hours.

(only actually in cambodia for about 30 minutes).

But after the 6 months are up, You need to do something more major I believe?

Like re-applying for a visa while in another country, and re-entering Thailand when you have got the visa??

This would surely take a week or so?

Am I totally wrong about how this process works?

Sorry, but can someone enlighten me?

Thanks

[moe666]

guess that you will apply for a tourist visa. Apply for a double or triple entry tourist visa before you leave the UK this could give you up to 9 months witha triple entry. You come to stay in Thailand for 2 months go to immigration before the first entry visa expires and extend 30 days giving you 90 days. Before 30 day extension expires make a border run and activate the second entry, follow instructions for first entry. if you want to leave the country for a few weeks during the validity of one of your entries get a reentry permit and you will not lose your visa.

It would be helpful if you posted your current location and what visa you are own if in SE asia

[theVenerable]

guess that you will apply for a tourist visa. Apply for a double or triple entry tourist visa before you leave the UK this could give you up to 9 months witha triple entry. You come to stay in Thailand for 2 months go to immigration before the first entry visa expires and extend 30 days giving you 90 days. Before 30 day extension expires make a border run and activate the second entry, follow instructions for first entry. if you want to leave the country for a few weeks during the validity of one of your entries get a reentry permit and you will not lose your visa.

It would be helpful if you posted your current location and what visa you are own if in SE asia

Thanks for the reply.

I am in UK at moment by the way.

I kind of understand the whole 6/ 9 months double/triple Visa thing, and what it Involves.

I'm trying to find out what happens AFTER that.

Do I have to go back to the UK and re-apply for the double or triple entry tourist visa?

Or can I just stay over in Cambodia for a few weeks and re-apply for the double/triple entry visa from there?

And in theory, just keep on doing that every 6 or 9 months, and not 'have' to go back to the UK just to get a new visa.

Thanks

[theVenerable]

Actually virtually no boarding country will provide a 3 entry tourist visa for staying long term and many will not provide 2 entry and some will not even provide any. There has normally been at least one that will provide one or two entry but no guarantee for future. Currently Cambodia will only provide single entry and takes about 4 days to obtain.

Sorry, I missed your reply.

Thanks.

So no bordering country would supply a double entry visa?

hmm

So the best I could get is a 3 month visa if I stayed in Cambodia to get it every 3 months for a few days.

Good to know, thanks.

With that in mind, What is the nearest 'non-bordering' country that may grant me a double or triple entry visa?

Thanks

[necronx99]

guess that you will apply for a tourist visa. Apply for a double or triple entry tourist visa before you leave the UK this could give you up to 9 months witha triple entry. You come to stay in Thailand for 2 months go to immigration before the first entry visa expires and extend 30 days giving you 90 days. Before 30 day extension expires make a border run and activate the second entry, follow instructions for first entry. if you want to leave the country for a few weeks during the validity of one of your entries get a reentry permit and you will not lose your visa.

It would be helpful if you posted your current location and what visa you are own if in SE asia

Thanks for the reply.

I am in UK at moment by the way.

I kind of understand the whole 6/ 9 months double/triple Visa thing, and what it Involves.

I'm trying to find out what happens AFTER that.

Do I have to go back to the UK and re-apply for the double or triple entry tourist visa?

Or can I just stay over in Cambodia for a few weeks and re-apply for the double/triple entry visa from there?

And in theory, just keep on doing that every 6 or 9 months, and not 'have' to go back to the UK just to get a new visa.

Thanks

Some countries will give doubles, I think there are reports of Laos doing this.

Even if you only get singles, staying the few days in cambo or laos is probably better ad cheaper than flying back to the uk.

You have to do the border run anyway..

[theVenerable]

guess that you will apply for a tourist visa. Apply for a double or triple entry tourist visa before you leave the UK this could give you up to 9 months witha triple entry. You come to stay in Thailand for 2 months go to immigration before the first entry visa expires and extend 30 days giving you 90 days. Before 30 day extension expires make a border run and activate the second entry, follow instructions for first entry. if you want to leave the country for a few weeks during the validity of one of your entries get a reentry permit and you will not lose your visa.

It would be helpful if you posted your current location and what visa you are own if in SE asia

Thanks for the reply.

I am in UK at moment by the way.

I kind of understand the whole 6/ 9 months double/triple Visa thing, and what it Involves.

I'm trying to find out what happens AFTER that.

Do I have to go back to the UK and re-apply for the double or triple entry tourist visa?

Or can I just stay over in Cambodia for a few weeks and re-apply for the double/triple entry visa from there?

And in theory, just keep on doing that every 6 or 9 months, and not 'have' to go back to the UK just to get a new visa.

Thanks

Some countries will give doubles, I think there are reports of Laos doing this.

Even if you only get singles, staying the few days in cambo or laos is probably better ad cheaper than flying back to the uk.

You have to do the border run anyway..

This is true..

But a double would be great., because, as far as I am aware, I only need to make a border run every six months?

The first entry Visa can be handled by the local immigration office.

So If Laos, or somewhere 'near' did offer a double entry, it would of course save me having to do it every 3 months.

Is there anyway to find out for 'sure' about if any countries would offer a double Visa?

Or would it just be 'luck' on the day?

Thanks again

[lopburi3]

Your understanding is wrong. You can not stay longer than 90 days (60 plus 30 extension) and then must exit country to obtain a new visa entry.

Normally checking this forum is your best source of current information for local visa issue as it does change almost monthly.

[theVenerable]

Your understanding is wrong. You can not stay longer than 90 days (60 plus 30 extension) and then must exit country to obtain a new visa entry.

Normally checking this forum is your best source of current information for local visa issue as it does change almost monthly.

But I was told that the local immigration office can extend my visa after the first 90 days.

Therefore making it only required to go to Cambodia every 6 months?

sorry, im a bit confused now.

So if i Absolutely HAVE to go to Cambodia every 3 months anyway, then it wont matter, and I can just get the single entry visa every time I go there, and stay over for about 4 days while my visa is processed.

Can you please confirm, I HAVE to go to Cambodia every 3 months, regardless what Visa I have?

Thanks

[lopburi3]

You were told wrong.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Absolutely no need to return to your home country in any scenario I've ever heard of.

The only countries with problems that I know of are the low-cost neighboring ones.

Japan, Korea, Australia/NZ any further-away, fully-developed nation shouldn't shouldn't be a problem.

Not sure about Hong Kong, heard Singapore can be difficult?

Why not just start learning Thai, get a student visa?

Or if you're over 50, retirement?

[theVenerable]

Absolutely no need to return to your home country in any scenario I've ever heard of.

The only countries with problems that I know of are the low-cost neighboring ones.

Japan, Korea, Australia/NZ any further-away, fully-developed nation shouldn't shouldn't be a problem.

Not sure about Hong Kong, heard Singapore can be difficult?

Why not just start learning Thai, get a student visa?

Or if you're over 50, retirement?

Thanks

A student visa requires turning up to learn in classes.?

I'm 38,

[Mario2008]

You need to attend school for at least 4 hours a week.

Some language school seem to offer online lessons.

[theVenerable]

You need to attend school for at least 4 hours a week.

Some language school seem to offer online lessons.

Intersting.

Would that give me a 12 month visa if I did sign up to study?

Learning some thai maybe beneficail anyway

[lopburi3]

Not from a local Consulate but it would not be required as you can extend your stay for 1,900 baht at immigration every 90 days with school paperwork.

[IMA_FARANG]

Okay, here's the thing.

If you have no previous tourist visas in your passport getting that first double or triple entry is relatively easy.

However, you probably won't find any Thailand consulate in a neighboring country that is willing to give you a triple entry.

Double entry visas for the first time tourist visa user is relatively easy, the problems start after that.

Currently Savanaket in Laos has been issuiing double entry visas when you already have one other tourist visa in your passport.

Cambodia won't do that now...a single entry only at best if you already have a tourist visa in your passport is all they are giving.

"Back-to-back" tourist visas (and particularly "back-to-back" double or triple entry visas) are increasingly difficult to get.

Even if you do manage to get a 2nd double entry....your 3rd one will be much harder.

The Thai immigration simply doesn't believe you are a "tourist" for a year or 18 months in a row.

They will be very suspicious that you are not really working in Thailand...which you can't do on tourist visas.

That's the reality of the situation.

The first double or triple entry in your home country if you have no previous tourist visas is relatively easy.

Trying to go "back-to-back" with a 2nd double entry will raise questions.

Trying for a 3rd double entry will require serious explanantions, and be very dificult to get.

The 4th double entry is virtually impossible anywhere.

And some consulates are just saying NO to those "perpetual tourists" that are trying to use the "back-to-back" tourist visas game.

[theVenerable]

Okay, here's the thing.

If you have no previous tourist visas in your passport getting that first double or triple entry is relatively easy.

However, you probably won't find any Thailand consulate in a neighboring country that is willing to give you a triple entry.

Double entry visas for the first time tourist visa user is relatively easy, the problems start after that.

Currently Savanaket in Laos has been issuiing double entry visas when you already have one other tourist visa in your passport.

Cambodia won't do that now...a single entry only at best if you already have a tourist visa in your passport is all they are giving.

"Back-to-back" tourist visas (and particularly "back-to-back" double or triple entry visas) are increasingly difficult to get.

Even if you do manage to get a 2nd double entry....your 3rd one will be much harder.

The Thai immigration simply doesn't believe you are a "tourist" for a year or 18 months in a row.

They will be very suspicious that you are not really working in Thailand...which you can't do on tourist visas.

That's the reality of the situation.

The first double or triple entry in your home country if you have no previous tourist visas is relatively easy.

Trying to go "back-to-back" with a 2nd double entry will raise questions.

Trying for a 3rd double entry will require serious explanantions, and be very dificult to get.

The 4th double entry is virtually impossible anywhere.

And some consulates are just saying NO to those "perpetual tourists" that are trying to use the "back-to-back" tourist visas game.

Cool...

well.. not cool lol.

So EVEN if i travel back to the UK and apply for my double or triple entry visas, after the second or third time in a row, they may refuse me.

Very uncool actually..

Puts me in the s*** and I've no idea how people say they can manage to blag it and stay out there 'indefinately'.

My problem is, i don't have the money to keep travelling back and forth from Uk to Thailand... but now it seems even if i did have it, I'm still not guaranteed a double entry visa after doing it a few times.

Is it really that hard!?!?

The thing about forums is... everyone say something different.

I personally havn't got a clue what one is most accurate.

Thanks

Cant even get a single visa every 3 months in cambodia.?.. say it isn't so

Leaves me optionless basically..

Not worth my time and Money Travelling to Thailand anymore.

[CHANGOVER]

As Mario & Lopburi say -

an Ed visa sounds best for you and extend your stay for 1,900 baht at immigration every 90 days with your school paperwork.

[Ohyesuare]

If you are planning on staying indefinitely, just get an education visa. 4 hours a week of studying is nothing and then you don't have to do the border runs either. That said I am on my third consecutive double entry tourist visa, the first I got in my country and other two I got in Laos. I did fly back home before I activated the second entry on my first tourist visa so maybe that is why I got the third one.

[theVenerable]

problem is, I don't think I can afford the tuition fees as well as the visa charge.

if money wasn't an issue, I'd fly to UK every 6 months or so.

I could chance the Cambodia run every 3 months.

I may get about 2 successes then I'm in done for.

Guess I'll be staying in "Grey Britain" then.

Joy.

Thanks

[BigJohnnyBKK]

I'm sorry but I'm going to be even more negative based on this new information - lack of funds.

The expenses involved with maintaining your visa status are such a totally minor tiny part of overall expenses if you're worried about that, seriously, unless you're running from the law or some other equally desperate reason, don't come.

This is *not* a friendly place for farang with little money, there are so many down-and-out guys that came with a lot and lost it all, and everyone makes fun of them, I can't even imagine coming here without enough to get established.

For actually settling here, I'd say USD $15K would be the minimum not counting airfare, and unless you're already qualified and experienced as an English teacher or have other ways of making a decent living ($1.5K+/month) say on the Internet, you'll probably burn through that in six months.

For someone just arriving here from the west without the language or much local knowledge, anything less than that will only provide a totally shitty third-world lifestyle that most of us have only acculturated to over a long period of time like the frog in the soup pot.

Edit: It is my opinion that the Immigration PTB make living here long-term difficult and expensive specifically to discourage less-wealthy foreigners from settling here. Obviously part of it is the revenue for their coffers, but not all. They're very happy to accept those with plenty of money, but - and I think this is also the attitude of most educated Thais - they've already got enough poor people of their own thank you. And many of the local TV posters agree with this wholeheartedly. . .

[TerryLH]

"So EVEN if i travel back to the UK and apply for my double or triple entry visas, after the second or third time in a row, they may refuse me.

Very uncool actually.."

What you are trying to do is one of the big reasons they do it that way.

[Ohyesuare]

problem is, I don't think I can afford the tuition fees as well as the visa charge.

The tuition fees include the visa charge, I agree with the other posters if you are so poor to be worried about paying for visa's don't bother coming here. I bet you won't get medical insurance and if you get sick you will be even more fuc_ked if you can't pay for it.

[IMA_FARANG]

No, not really...there are ways to stay long term in Thailand....you just need to meet the requirements.

What I said was that you can't expect to use back-to-back tourist visas for a long term stay.

You can get a visa to study in Thailand...an Ed visa to study Thai...which you can extend here in Thailand while studying at one of the approved schools.

Or if you can find a job....working in Thailand legally....you can get a visa and extend your stay that way.

If you have the capital to invest in Thailand then a B business visa is possible also.

Or you can bite the bullet and marry a Thai....and extend here based on that marriage.

If you're over 50 then you can qualify by retirement and stay in Thaiand that way,

All these possibilities however, have certain requirements for you to be eligable for them.

It;s just that the days of the perpetual tourist in Thailand isn't really possible in Thailand these days,

One of the current cheapest and easiest long term stay is that Ed education visa/extension to study Thai with an approved language school.

If you're willing tto spend some time in neighboring countries also...Malaysia, Cambodia, or Laos....it's more likely to be acceptable to Thai innigration. So put a 1 month stay in Cambodia in between the Thai tourist visas and they may like that a lot better. But there's no gaurentee about that.

Tourist visas are theoretically for tourists. Tourists travel around, they don't just stay in one country and they visit the neighboring countries in between stays in Thailand. (That's a hint).

It;s just that those back-to-back multi entry visas are going to raise that question in the minds of Thai immigration....How do you get your funds to stay in Thailand that long, sir?

They will think you MUST be working illegally in Thailand....so you won't be given those back-to-back visas for very long.

And all those legal long term stay methods that are possible require some effort, expense, and imagination on your part.

But it can be done.

[loong]

It used to be really easy-peasy to get an 1 year multi entry Non immigrant "O" visa from the Hull consulate. The Non "O' gives you 90 days every time you enter Thailand so can give you up to 15 months with a border run every 90 days.

Not sure what the current situation is.

The best consulate in the UK by far is Cardiff. They are extremely helpful. You could give them a ring and discuss your options. They will tell you if they are able to give you a non immigrant visa and you can do it by post if you are too far away to travel there.

I'm on retirement extention now, but about 2 and a half years ago I got a 1 year multi-entry from Cardiff. All I needed was a bank statement (UK bank) to show that I had enough funds for 1 year and I needed a family member to sign that they would pay for repatriation costs if I ended up potless in Thailand.

[lopburi3]

problem is, I don't think I can afford the tuition fees as well as the visa charge.

The tuition fees include the visa charge, I agree with the other posters if you are so poor to be worried about paying for visa's don't bother coming here. I bet you won't get medical insurance and if you get sick you will be even more fuc_ked if you can't pay for it.

The 3 month extensions are paid by student at 1,900 baht each time AFAIK.

[beechguy]

It used to be really easy-peasy to get an 1 year multi entry Non immigrant "O" visa from the Hull consulate. The Non "O' gives you 90 days every time you enter Thailand so can give you up to 15 months with a border run every 90 days.

Not sure what the current situation is.

The best consulate in the UK by far is Cardiff. They are extremely helpful. You could give them a ring and discuss your options. They will tell you if they are able to give you a non immigrant visa and you can do it by post if you are too far away to travel there.

I'm on retirement extention now, but about 2 and a half years ago I got a 1 year multi-entry from Cardiff. All I needed was a bank statement (UK bank) to show that I had enough funds for 1 year and I needed a family member to sign that they would pay for repatriation costs if I ended up potless in Thailand.

I don't think an "O" is an option according to recent reports.