Two Passorts, 6-Month 2-Entry Tourist Visas

[AngThong]

Hi,

I hold a passport in two different EU countries, the same Thai visa rules apply for citizens of both countries.

I'm in Thailand on my second 6 month double entry tourist visa within a year (both from Hull in the UK), this time I don't want to go to Europe in between. Was thinking of doing back-to-back visas in Kuala Lumpur and/or Penang, though I will consider other places if necessary.

Would I be more likely to be granted back-to-back visas if I keep switching between passports? 6 months on one passport (2+1 & 2+1 months), then 6 months on the other? I should probably not use both passports at the same embassy/consulate/immigration office. I was thinking that maybe they don't have a central database where they see that these two passports belong to the same guy, in which case they'd probably be more likely to grant me new back-to-back 6 month tourist visas, thinking I've been abroad the last 6 months.

I'm not sure how long I'll be staying in Thailand and so at this stage prefer 6 month double entry tourist visas to non-immigration visas. If I later decide to take the non-immigration route, I should probably stick to just one passport.

[Mario2008]

Better apply for a double entry visa in Laos, other locations in the area will probably only give single entry tourist visas.

[AngThong]

Better apply for a double entry visa in Laos, other locations in the area will probably only give single entry tourist visas.

Thanks, I didn't know that. It's a bit of a stretch to Laos since I'm on Ko Pha Ngan... Maybe it'd be easier to do 3 month visas in Malaysia - I'll have to do a border run every 3 months anyway. I wonder if there's much of a difference in price?

[Mario2008]

Visas have a fixed price, the only difference is the currency rate as you pay in local currency. What does matter is the visa for the country where you apply for the visa/do a border run to.

Note that changing passports can only be done with air travel, at land borders they check for exit stamps from the country you are coming from and will not allow you to swap passports. Maylasia doesn't like people with dual passports any way and regards them as highly suspicious.

[AngThong]

Hmm, thanks. I'll keep that in mind. Any other places within a reasonable flight distance from Thailand where 6 month tourist visas are a possibility? Philippines? China?

[ubonjoe]

Bali is the nearest location where you can get 3 entry tourist visa with a 6 month validity.

China is a no for any visa unless a resident.

Philippines is only a single entry and embassy has been reported as not being friendly.

[AngThong]

So no 180 day tourist visas in Laos either?

[Mario2008]

A double entry tourist visa is available in Laos.

[AngThong]

Double entry yes, but 90 days or 180 days?

[ubonjoe]

So no 180 day tourist visas in Laos either?

The way you wrote you previous I assumed you meant 6 month validity. There is no such thing as a 6 month tourist visa.

You can get almost 6 months total stay from a two entry visa.

If I recall correctly the embassy in Burma issues 2 entries also with a 90 day validity period.

[AngThong]

Yes, well, it's same same for me - what I meant is 6 month validity - I know it's 60 days, then another 30 from a visit to an immigration office, a border run and then another 60+30 = 60+30 & 60+30 = 180. I currently have such a visa, issued in Hull in the UK, and I'd like another one of the same kind once this one runs out. Meaning I only need to apply for a new visa every 6 months, even if I have to visit some other country every 90 days.

BTW you don't need to apply for a re-entry permit between your 90 days periods on this visa before you leave Thailand, do you? I've been assuming all you need to do is a border run once you've spent the first 90 days, then you'll get your remaining 90 days (well, 60, then 30) upon re-entry. Re-entry permits are only needed for 12 month visas, no?

[lopburi3]

The validity of the visa is how long you have from date of issue to use all entries. When issued in this area that will be 90 days so you often will not be able to stay a full 90 days before you have to exit/return to make use of the second entry but you will only lose a day or two. Visas issued elsewhere could be valid for six months from date of issue so you could stay 90 days and then visit another country for a bit and then return for up to 90 days.

[ubonjoe]

You math is off a bit 90 X 3 = 270 which is what you can get from a 3 entry visa that has 6 months of validity but will loose some because visa expiration starts on the day it was issued.

As said a 2 entry will give you almost 6 months but you must make 2nd entry before visa expires.

[AngThong]

True. I lost 2 weeks on this one. But 166 days is still a lot more than 90 days...

[AngThong]

You math is off a bit 90 X 3 = 270 which is what you can get from a 3 entry visa that has 6 months of validity but will loose some because visa expiration starts on the day it was issued.

As said a 2 entry will give you almost 6 months but you must make 2nd entry before visa expires.

So let me get this straight... Do all double-entry tourist visas have a validity period of 180 days? I've been under the impression that most of them only are valid for 90 days (which makes "double entry" sort of moot, though maybe some people need to visit some other country after 40 days or something), and that a few rare embassies/consulates do issue double (or triple) entry tourist visas with a validity period of 180 days. So all double entry tourist visas give you 180 days stay (60+30 & 60+30) or not? (Disregarding the couple of days you lose because of the date it's issued from.)

As for triple entry, I guess you'll only get close to 270 days if you make your third entry on the very last date of validity, no? Where do they issue triple-entry tourist visas, Laos/Burma?

[Mario2008]

The validity of the visa depends on the consulate you apply at. In Asia, most consulates will give a validity of only 3 months for a double or even triple entry, where most in Europe will give a validity of months.

[AngThong]

OK. But some embassies in Asia (Bali? Laos?) do issue visas with 6 month validity, sometimes at least? If it is of any use, I can easily prove that I'm making all my money in Europe by working over the internet (bank statements, tax records etc.) since illegal work on tourist visas seems to be the main reason they limit them. I have zero need or plans to ever work in Thailand.

Edit: I just realised that I can get nearly 180 days on a double entry visa with 3 months of validity... duh. Slow brains in this heat...