Which Visa?

[chicoelnino]

Myself and my girlfriend are moving to Thailand in July. We are both from Ireland.

We don't know which visa we should get.

I thought the best option would be a triple entry tourist visa which would give us 60 days x 3 before we need to worry about visa runs? Is this true?

We plan on just travelling and relax for a few months.

I'd really appreciate it if someone could tell us which visa options would be the best for us.

The triple entry tourist visa is working out at €105 per person, which I think is very good value.

[beechguy]

That's probably the only visa you are qualified for, and makes sense to me for your circumstances. Also, hopefully you already know, that each entry is elgible for a 30 day extension for 1900 Baht, and you need to make the 3rd entry before the "Use By" or "Enter Before" date written on the visa.

Edited May 31, 2013 by beechguy

[chicoelnino]

That's probably the only visa you are qualified for, and makes sense to me for your circumstances. Also, hopefully you already know, that each entry is elgible for a 30 day extension for 1900 Baht, and you need to make the 3rd entry before the "Use By" or "Enter Before" date written on the visa.

I don't understand the last part of this mate? So if I enter Thailand on July 15th and my triple entry visa gives us 6 months, then???...........

That's the part I'm not sure about :/

[beechguy]

That's probably the only visa you are qualified for, and makes sense to me for your circumstances. Also, hopefully you already know, that each entry is elgible for a 30 day extension for 1900 Baht, and you need to make the 3rd entry before the "Use By" or "Enter Before" date written on the visa.

I don't understand the last part of this mate? So if I enter Thailand on July 15th and my triple entry visa gives us 6 months, then???...........

That's the part I'm not sure about :/

No, each time you enter Thailand, you will be stamped permitted to stay for 60 days, near the end of that, time you will need to apply for a 30 day extension, or exit the country and re-enter for another 60 day period. You will not legally enter and stay for 6 months, but your visa will most likely be valid to be used for 6 months.

[chicoelnino]

Ah yes, I understand what you mean now.

Yeah, I knew we would have to leave and re-enter after 60 days. And this is fine by us

So if we wanted to visit Cambodia or another country for a week in the middle of our stay...we can with no problems? So for example, after 28 days we want to visit Cambodia, we can leave and come back in after a week and continue to stay in there until the 60 day visa is up? And then just leave/re-enter again?

[beechguy]

Ah yes, I understand what you mean now.

Yeah, I knew we would have to leave and re-enter after 60 days. And this is fine by us

So if we wanted to visit Cambodia or another country for a week in the middle of our stay...we can with no problems? So for example, after 28 days we want to visit Cambodia, we can leave and come back in after a week and continue to stay in there until the 60 day visa is up? And then just leave/re-enter again?

Yes, you can exit, and when you re-enter you will be using your 2nd entry, and will be permitted to stay for another 60 day period.

[chicoelnino]

I see. So really it would be a waste if we left before the 60 days to go travel as when we'd return, it would start or 2nd or 3rd visa.

Ok, I understand now. Thanks very much for your help buddy.

One last question, on the visa form, it says "proposed address in Thailand". What do I put on this, considering we have no idea where we'll rent from initially?

[notmyself]

Ah yes, I understand what you mean now.

Yeah, I knew we would have to leave and re-enter after 60 days. And this is fine by us

So if we wanted to visit Cambodia or another country for a week in the middle of our stay...we can with no problems? So for example, after 28 days we want to visit Cambodia, we can leave and come back in after a week and continue to stay in there until the 60 day visa is up? And then just leave/re-enter again?

If you mean that you will be able to use the remainder of the 60 days then no. When you re-enter it will be a new enter (2nd of 3 for example) and you will lose the ability to extend your first entry for 30 days. May be able to get a re-entry permit (1000 Baht) to avoid this but not sure if you can get one on a tourist visa.

You mentioned about visa runs in the region which suggests you both plan on being here for some time. If that is the case then it may pay to use the triple entry you will get from Ireland in the bast way you can. Your 105 Euros will get you 6 months (ish) but it can also get you close to 9 if used well.

[chicoelnino]

Ah yes, I understand what you mean now.

Yeah, I knew we would have to leave and re-enter after 60 days. And this is fine by us

So if we wanted to visit Cambodia or another country for a week in the middle of our stay...we can with no problems? So for example, after 28 days we want to visit Cambodia, we can leave and come back in after a week and continue to stay in there until the 60 day visa is up? And then just leave/re-enter again?

If you mean that you will be able to use the remainder of the 60 days then no. When you re-enter it will be a new enter (2nd of 3 for example) and you will lose the ability to extend your first entry for 30 days. May be able to get a re-entry permit (1000 Baht) to avoid this but not sure if you can get one on a tourist visa.

You mentioned about visa runs in the region which suggests you both plan on being here for some time. If that is the case then it may pay to use the triple entry you will get from Ireland in the bast way you can. Your 105 Euros will get you 6 months (ish) but it can also get you close to 9 if used well.

Yes, that's what we were thinking as well. Thanks for the info dude

[notmyself]

I see. So really it would be a waste if we left before the 60 days to go travel as when we'd return, it would start or 2nd or 3rd visa.

Ok, I understand now. Thanks very much for your help buddy.

One last question, on the visa form, it says "proposed address in Thailand". What do I put on this, considering we have no idea where we'll rent from initially?

I've used the address of my local bar for the last 4 years without a problem. It's a real address if nothing else.

Don't get your visa until closer to the time of leaving because it starts when it is issued and not when you enter the country. If you are not leaving until July then you could lose at least a month if you apply now. I send a cover letter and my flight details when I apply and ask them to post date the visa, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.

Edited May 31, 2013 by notmyself

[notmyself]

Ah yes, I understand what you mean now.

Yeah, I knew we would have to leave and re-enter after 60 days. And this is fine by us

So if we wanted to visit Cambodia or another country for a week in the middle of our stay...we can with no problems? So for example, after 28 days we want to visit Cambodia, we can leave and come back in after a week and continue to stay in there until the 60 day visa is up? And then just leave/re-enter again?

If you mean that you will be able to use the remainder of the 60 days then no. When you re-enter it will be a new enter (2nd of 3 for example) and you will lose the ability to extend your first entry for 30 days. May be able to get a re-entry permit (1000 Baht) to avoid this but not sure if you can get one on a tourist visa.

You mentioned about visa runs in the region which suggests you both plan on being here for some time. If that is the case then it may pay to use the triple entry you will get from Ireland in the bast way you can. Your 105 Euros will get you 6 months (ish) but it can also get you close to 9 if used well.

Yes, that's what we were thinking as well. Thanks for the info dude

Make sure you come back to this thread. Someone will say if you can get a re-entry permit or not on a tourist visa which 'could' be of use to you if you can.

[chicoelnino]

I thought the visa was issued for the "date of arrival in Thailand" which is on the form to fill in?

It also recommends to apply for the visa 4 weeks before leaving.

[notmyself]

I thought the visa was issued for the "date of arrival in Thailand" which is on the form to fill in?

It also recommends to apply for the visa 4 weeks before leaving.

Nope, date of issue which is why I get mine a couple of days before I leave so I can get as close to 270 days as I can. I did read a post some time back where someone had to wait weeks for their visa but this could have been because of the issue date and date of travel. One would hope that it would be issued closer to the time of departure so the applicant got the most time out of it but who knows. I post mine (for example) on a Wednesday and get it back on a Friday every time but that is Hull UK which has a good name. You could go in person close to departure date (Dublin?) but don't know how that would work out for you. Give them a call perhaps?

Visas in the region can be had (3 months validity) but you sometimes (often I hear) have to provide additional documentation, can take up to 4 days (which isn't an issue if you fancy a break somewhere) and you may not be able to apply at the same place more than a couple of times. It's a long way down the road but you could end up not being able to apply for a new visa anywhere in the region. I don't get visas in the region because I'm here for the long haul and at some stage I may actually have to get one in SE Asia.

If you both are thinking about a couple of years max. then it isn't really an issue but what you do spend your hard earned Euros on, get the most out of it. If you do it right then you could turn up in July and spend every day on the beach until October with the exception of one single day when you have to go to your local immigration office. Niiiiiiice

[bunnydrops]

Just use the first hotel or guesthouse you use when you arrive for the address. But if you don't know yet. Try Agoda.com

[Lite Beer]

The Visa will have a six month validity which will start on the day of issue, so do not apply too early.
You will have to make your final entry before the expiry date.

Time it right and you will get almost 9 months stay out of it.

[notmyself]

The Visa will have a six month validity which will start on the day of issue, so do not apply too early.

You will have to make your final entry before the expiry date.

Time it right and you will get almost 9 months stay out of it.

What about a re-enrty permit on a tourist visa?

[lopburi3]

Unless you know where you will be staying just put "hotel".

A re-entry permit can obtained but use but would not extend the amount of time allowed by entries - only keep alive a current entry.

[chicoelnino]

Ok, so I'm here coming near the end of my first 2 months in Thailand. I've a triple entry visa, so as I understand - after 2 months I can go and get an extra 30 days before I've to leave/reenter to start my second visa?

Am I correct in thinking this? If so, then were do I go to get this stamp and how much does it cost?

Thanks.

[PoorSucker]

Welcome back to the forum.

You go to nearest immigrations office, bring 1900 baht for the extension and some passport photos.

Where are you located now?

[chicoelnino]

Welcome back to the forum.

You go to nearest immigrations office, bring 1900 baht for the extension and some passport photos.

Where are you located now?

Hey! I'm in between phuket town and Patong. About 5 mins from Central festival shopping center. So I presume I go to patong immigrations?

[Sceptict11]

You can go to the immigration office in Phuket town or to the office in Patong .

[chicoelnino]

You can go to the immigration office in Phuket town or to the office in Patong .

Thanks. And after those 30 days, I must leave and re-enter the country in order to activate my second 60 day visa?

Does it have to be right on the 30 days, or can I miss a day or two?

Just want to make sure I can miss a day or two if I had to(and pay a fine of course)

[lopburi3]

You must make your return while your visa is still valid for entry and any overstay could be cause for arrest if noted prior to border. It would be best to leave a bit early rather than late.

[chicoelnino]

You must make your return while your visa is still valid for entry and any overstay could be cause for arrest if noted prior to border. It would be best to leave a bit early rather than late.

That's fair enough. Thanks.