Tourist Visa Limits

[Hobgoblin]

Hi,

I'm curious as to whether or not there are any limitations to how many tourist visas can be issued from the Penang embassy. I already have three in my passport (Penang 2 ent., Los Angeles 2 ent., Penang 3 ent.), can I expect any possible rejections on my next "scheduled" renewal in Penang this coming June? I have never done the embassy thing myself, I have relied on the NJ Bookstore on Lebuh Chulia to do all this for me.

For the record, I must use Tourist Visas becuase I don't really qualify for any of the Non-Immigrant visas (I'm not old enough to retire (29) and I don't have enough cash on hand nor credit to setup a company with a house as the assets). I realize using tourist visas bac-to-back is a sticky situation, but I would assume making the effort to obtain a proper visa is better than taking a Cambodia trip every 30 days.

Thanks for any advice

-H

Edited April 16, 2006 by Hobgoblin

[Totster]

Sorry no advice, as I have no experience... but.. I love your avatar !

totster

[lopburi3]

Penang has become less accommodating for both B and O visas recently so asking where the situation will be in June is not something I would want to say. But we have not heard of any plans to not issue visas in a normal manner. The best advise I could give is to keep reading. And if you are working try to make it legal with a work permit if at all possible. You don't need a house to set up a company if that was what you meant.

[Hobgoblin]

Penang has become less accommodating for both B and O visas recently so asking where the situation will be in June is not something I would want to say. But we have not heard of any plans to not issue visas in a normal manner. The best advise I could give is to keep reading. And if you are working try to make it legal with a work permit if at all possible. You don't need a house to set up a company if that was what you meant.

I would like nothing more than to get a legitamate NI visa... but it just doesn't seem possible from my current stance. From what I've heard (please correct me if I'm wrong), if you set up a comany here, you have to have assets tied to it (such as a house) to qualify for a NI visa. My problem is not lack of money per se... I live rather comfortably here renting a house and car. However, I just have incredibly bad credit, so I have to live month to month off of royalties from an Internet-based company I own. I could easily afford any monthly payments to a bank, but getting a loan for such a thing is not possible. I'm only 29, so the retirement visa is not an option.

However, you said that you don't need a house to set up a company here - what exactly are any alternatives that would enable me to secure a proper NI visa for a relatively long-term stay in Thailand?

As a last resort, I could always teach English, however I hear securing a job with a work-permit here is a cumbersome matter, and I'd make a terrible teacher anyhow (I'm impatient as well as being a "night owl").

Thanks,

-H

[Michael W]

I would assume making the effort to obtain a proper visa is better than taking a Cambodia trip every 30 days.

In terms of cost, for a double or triple entry tourist visa from Penang vs. a 2000 baht (jackgolf.com) Cambo visa run every 30 days, it seems to come out about the same when you include air ticket (from BKK), hotel cost, taxi, visa fee, any visa service fees, and the 1900 baht 30 day extension fees. Maybe on a 4-entry visa (if such a thing exists) you come out ahead. The only real advantage to me seems to the hassle factor, i.e. if getting on an all day bus once a month is too much trouble for you. Oh, and if you don't like your passport pages being used up at a fairly accelerated rate.

[Hobgoblin]

I would assume making the effort to obtain a proper visa is better than taking a Cambodia trip every 30 days.

In terms of cost, for a double or triple entry tourist visa from Penang vs. a 2000 baht (jackgolf.com) Cambo visa run every 30 days, it seems to come out about the same when you include air ticket (from BKK), hotel cost, taxi, visa fee, any visa service fees, and the 1900 baht 30 day extension fees. Maybe on a 4-entry visa (if such a thing exists) you come out ahead. The only real advantage to me seems to the hassle factor, i.e. if getting on an all day bus once a month is too much trouble for you. Oh, and if you don't like your passport pages being used up at a fairly accelerated rate.

I've always flown to Penang for my visa runs and not Cambodia because, as you stated, I don't like my passport pages being used up that quick, and I enjoy shopping in Penang... I consider it a mini vacation of sorts.

[astral]

See my other post with a report from the agent in Penang, just last week.

[Beachcomber]

Hi

In answer to the OP ‘HOBGOBLIN’ before I got a one year ‘O’ marriage visa I was on a tourist visa for several years always going to Penang for renewal.

I used to get double entry tourist visa and never had any problem till there were about five visas in my passport. That’s about two and half years of visas.

After the fifth application they asked to see something financial, all I had was Thai bank book with not more than couple of hundred thousand in it and that satisfied them.

To be on the safe side I got a new passport for my next run so it seemed like I was just starting out again.

I have never had any problem but as other posters have said things do change so what was good for one day may not be the same for someone else the next.

I have always used an agent in Penang saves the hassle and they will tell and advise you what is needed saving trips to the Embassy yourself.

Good luck.