60 day double entry visa query

[simple1]

Hi, a friend of mine was recently granted a 60 double entry tourist visa (A$90) at the Brisbane Consulate. His first entry provided for 60 days. The Consulate informed him that at the end of the 60 day period he just crosses the border and re-enters to obtain a further 60 days at no additional cost. Is this correct or does he need to go to a local country Embassy to obtain a further 60 days & can then re-enter Thailand by land?

Thanks for assistance by Mario or lopburri

[wayned]

Each entry can be extended for 30 days additional in Thailand for 1900 baht. However, the second entry must be made on/before the "must enter by" date on the visa. To activate the second entry you can either do it by land or air. You must enter the neighboring country but can immediately turn around and reenter Thailand.

[lopburi3]

He has an option to extend each entry for 30 days at immigration or he can exit/return for the 2nd 60 day entry at any time (and extend that if he wants later). All entries must be made before the use before (expiration date) on the actual visa). Stay and extensions can be beyond that date.

[MeowBundit]

Advise him obtain 30 days extension first, then border run, then 60 days 2-nd entry + 30 days extension. He will have close to 6 month stay permit in total.

[oztaurus]

1. Do you still get the 2nd full 60 days if you enter via a land border? I was under the impression that there were different rules for land borders and arriving by air (though I may be thinking of entry permit on arrival situations, not purchased visas)
2. My (Australian) passport is due for renewal at the end of March 2014 so my 2nd entry (18th Sept 2013) should be fine for the 6 month validity rule, not sure about the 2nd extension which will be mid-November - anyone experience difficulties with the extra 30 day extensions if the passort has less than 6 month validity?
3. I have heard (from a fellow Aussie in Huahin) that getting a non-imm B can be done without needing an invitation from a Thai company if you have an Australian ABN. - Anyone with comments or experience on this point? Has anyone used this method at an embassy outside Australia? (I was thinking of KL or Singapore)

Advice much appreciated, I have been away from LOS for over 4 years and feel somewhat out of the loop with the current state of play.

[lopburi3]

1. You are thinking for normal visa exempt being 30 days by air or 15 days by land - if you have a visa you get the normal visa permitted stay regardless of how you arrive.

2. There is no problem for Oz passport as long as it covers the period of permitted stay. But be aware travel to other countries could be an issue.

3. Have no idea what that is. But obviously you do not need a Thai business invitation if you are working for an Oz company and doing travel for that company (sourcing and such). But you still need company letter stating purpose and likely would be expected to obtain in Oz.

[ubonjoe]

• Do you still get the 2nd full 60 days if you enter via a land border? I was under the impression that there were different rules for land borders and arriving by air (though I may be thinking of entry permit on arrival situations, not purchased visas)
• My (Australian) passport is due for renewal at the end of March 2014 so my 2nd entry (18th Sept 2013) should be fine for the 6 month validity rule, not sure about the 2nd extension which will be mid-November - anyone experience difficulties with the extra 30 day extensions if the passort has less than 6 month validity?
• I have heard (from a fellow Aussie in Huahin) that getting a non-imm B can be done without needing an invitation from a Thai company if you have an Australian ABN. - Anyone with comments or experience on this point? Has anyone used this method at an embassy outside Australia? (I was thinking of KL or Singapore)

Advice much appreciated, I have been away from LOS for over 4 years and feel somewhat out of the loop with the current state of play.

You will get 60 days entering by land. You are thinking of entering without a visa that only gives 15 days by land.

No 6 month rule. Only need passport validity grater than allowed entry. To apply for a visa you need 6 months.

Australia would be nearest location to get a multiple entry B without a work permit. What is a ABN?

[oztaurus]

Thanks for all the info,

Ubonjoe - an ABN is an Australian Business Number - mean that you have a registered business in Australia which can be checked by any interested party using an official government website - verifiable credibility that you are, in fact, a bonafide businessperson. (even if you are not, you have convinced at least one government official somewhere that you are, therefore every other government official everywhere in the civilised world can confidently assume that you are legit. LOL)

[simple1]

Thanks for all the info,

Ubonjoe - an ABN is an Australian Business Number - mean that you have a registered business in Australia which can be checked by any interested party using an official government website - verifiable credibility that you are, in fact, a bonafide businessperson. (even if you are not, you have convinced at least one government official somewhere that you are, therefore every other government official everywhere in the civilised world can confidently assume that you are legit. LOL)

Just having an ABN will not provide a B visa for Thailand. Your friend was probably referring to the Australia Thailand FTA that does provide mechanisms for Australians to establish a business in Thailand, but only in some agreed business segments. More info at:

http://www.dfat.gov.au/fta/tafta/

[ubonjoe]

Non immigrant B visas are often issued with a letter from a company stating a reason for your travels. They also normally state that company will be responsible for your expenses.

A honorary consulate would be the best place to get it.

[YeaBiGgiEs]

To answer the question and stick on topic, YES. At the end of 60days you simply do a "visa run", cross the border my any means and return and it will activate the 2nd 60days.

Now a 60day double entry is basically a 120 day visa, Now you can also extend that 1st 60days an additional 30days for 1900BAHT giving you 90days, then you do the visa run and return for your 2nd set of 60days and again after the 2nd set of 60days do another 30day extension for 1900BHT giving you 90 days TOTAL 180 days (Almost 6 months)

Mind those dates you must enter or exit by, that can appear tricky.

I am Yea BiGgiEs and I have spoken!