Visa Strategy (180Day, 3 Entry Plus 30 Day Bkk Entry Visa)

[Kalapana]

Aloha!

Long time lurker first time poster.

45 y/o US citizen and spouse.

Looking to come to BKK, stay for a week, go to KL for the Moto GP, Back to BKK and then start an extended stay in Thailand.

Looking to get a 180/3 entry out of Portland. Would really rather not burn one entry up on the first week, as I would like to make it stretch to 270 or so before taking a longer run to Vietnam.

Looking for advice on either of these 2 strategies.

1. Ask the immigration officer at BKK to not use the 180 day vise, rather give us a 30 day on arrival visa. Activate the 180 day when returning from KL.

2. Get a second passport, and use the one without the 180 on the first entry into BKK. 2nd passport may be useful during the Vietnam run, as well as later travels toward Europe.

Thanks!

[Mario2008]

1. Just ask the immigration officer and try it. He might or might not allow it. If you try it, do not enter your visa number on the arrival card!

2. Might create problems, as they can pick-up that you are using two passports and will want an explanation why you use two paspsorts and not use your visa.

[lopburi3]

Why not just spend the week having a vacation in Malaysia/Singapore (or Vietnam is that is where wife is from) and then proceed to Thailand after? No risk is losing visa entry that way.

[Kalapana]

Had thought of skipping Bangkok and going directly to Kuala Lumpur.

Would really like that first week though. Once we return from KL we are going directly to our long-term location, and not sure when we'll get a chance to get back to Bangkok.

I guess I have to weigh how much I want the first week versus the possible risk of losing 90 days.

My understanding is it's fully legal for US citizens to have two passports. What could be the objection?

[Kalapana]

Oops.. Forgot to add that my wife is a US citizen as well.

If they questioned me about two passports and iexplain what I'm doing, is it illegal? I have to admit to being a bit unclear on all the visa permutations.

[Mario2008]

It is not illegal, but could raise questions. Including why you aren't using the visa in the other passport. They might be less inclined to allow you a visa exempt entry.

But if they will find out and how they will react to it remains anyones guess.

[TerryLH]

Don't forget that all three entries must be made prior the expiration of the visa, and that it's validity will start when it is issued, not when it's first used.

What basis would you be able to get a second US passport for? I'm not aware that the US routinely does that.

Terry

[tolsti]

Get a second passport? on what grounds might you get that? Given the Alohoa crap I guess it will be Hawaiian.... made of pineapple,like the pizza.

Please search, read and digest the Visa Section on here. Don't expect others to do it for you. It's not Honolulu any more George.