I'm heading to Thailand around the first week of November and I plan to apply for a multiple entry Tourist Visa because I will be staying for a while and may decide to change my return flight to an undecided date.

My question is whether I can book at return flight for a date that lies within one of the 2nd or 3rd entry times. I guess I'm not sure how much the Embassy cares when granting the Tourist Visa.

Any help? Sorry if this exists elsewhere I'm in a bit of a hurry.

Thanks in advance.

First, there is no such thing a a multiple entry Tourist visa. They are issued for either 1, 2 or 3 entries. The validity of the visa is "usually" 3 months for a single and 6 months for a double or triple. , but it's up to the consulate/embassy that issues it and it has been reported that some issue triple entry visas with only 3 months validity - useless. The time starts on the day that the visa is issued All entries must be made by the "must enter by" date on the visa.

The travel documentation that you need to get the visa depends on where you get it and what that particular embassy/consulate requires. It has been reported that some, I think Holland, requires a travel itinerary showing all three entries to get a triple. It's best to contact the embassy/consulate direct to see exactly what they require as the requirements are different and they do change. A recent report states that you can no longer apply by courier at some consulates.

First, there is no such thing a a multiple entry Tourist visa. They are issued for either 1, 2 or 3 entries. The validity of the visa is "usually" 3 months for a single and 6 months for a double or triple. , but it's up to the consulate/embassy that issues it and it has been reported that some issue triple entry visas with only 3 months validity - useless. The time starts on the day that the visa is issued All entries must be made by the "must enter by" date on the visa.

The travel documentation that you need to get the visa depends on where you get it and what that particular embassy/consulate requires. It has been reported that some, I think Holland, requires a travel itinerary showing all three entries to get a triple. It's best to contact the embassy/consulate direct to see exactly what they require as the requirements are different and they do change. A recent report states that you can no longer apply by courier at some consulates.

Just wondering if you could elaborate further or extend when you say "The validity is usually 3 months for a single and 6 months for a double or triple".

If I got a "double" entry Visa for example and enter on 01-01-2013, does that mean my last day of stay in the country will be on the 30-06-2013 and that I would have to have used up my "Double Entry" Visa by this date.

Also when you say "must enter by" date how is this calculated. For example, I begin my first entry on the 01-01-2013, stay 60 days and leave on about the 01-03-2103, but do not extend at Immigration for an extra 30 days and instead go back to my home country for say 5 weeks. I return roughly on about 07-04-2013, use up my 60 days, but this time want to extend for 30 more days at Immigration. I am all good in this scenario, or is there a limit on how long before I re-activate my second entry ????

Thanks

It means that your final entry to Thailand must be made before the expiry date.

Usually 6 months from the date of issue. So don't apply too early.

Thanks for the reply Lite Beer.

So technically as per my example dates above, a situation like this would be fine, there would be no problem of me being away for 5 or 6 weeks after my first entry and before I activated my second entry of my "Double Entry" tourist Visa.??

Yes

As long as visa is valid for 6 months when issued.

Cheers.

I heard although easy to get, typically would a triple entry Tourist Visa be valid for 9 months ??

No, 6 months. meaning you must make the third entry within 6 months, once inside Thailand on the third entry it doesn't matter that the visa has expired. Only your permission to stay matters.

No, it wouldn't.

You are confusing yourself. How long the visa is valid for is not the same as how long you will be given permission to stay here.

The visa will be valid for either 3 months or for 6 months from the date of purchase. Not from when you enter the country the first time.

That date won't change no matter when you enter. Once that date passes, you won't be able to enter on that visa again.

It ends when it's validity is up, or the entries are used up - whichever comes first.

Yes I understand the 6 months from the date of purchase [valid for approx. 180days], meaning within that 6 month period i can make 2 entries, even if the 2nd entry is on, lets say the 170th day [which should be before expiry] I think that part is all clear.

So in terms of validity, there is no difference between a "double entry" and a "triple entry" visa, they are both valid for 6 months from the date of purchase ?

Cheers

No difference in validity of the visa itself. Only in the number of entreis you have.

Enter on your thrid entry 1 day before the visa expires and you still get a stay of 60 days and can extend it by 30 days.

On the question of extending another 30 days at Immigration, can I assume there is virtually 100% of approval.

I am sure there has been the odd applicant being refused, but I'll assume in nearly all application they are approved?

Thanks again guys for the replies.

It is almost 100% approval.

Yes I understand the 6 months from the date of purchase [valid for approx. 180days], meaning within that 6 month period i can make 2 entries, even if the 2nd entry is on, lets say the 170th day [which should be before expiry] I think that part is all clear.

So in terms of validity, there is no difference between a "double entry" and a "triple entry" visa, they are both valid for 6 months from the date of purchase ?

Cheers

It is a little confusing, but depends where you get the Visa.......... 'Bali' is the only place in Asia that will issue a Triple valid for 6 months, many other places also issue but are valid for 3 months only...

It is like this you enter Thailand the stamp say's 60 days, before the 60 days you go to Immigration and get a 30 extension, then go over a border and get stamped back in with a new 60 days, so even on a Triple entry but valid for only 3 months, the most you will get is a few days under 6 months...... If you get the valid for 6 months with the extension the same visa is good for a few days under 9 months.

You MUST look at the ENTER BEFORE date and get your last 60 days [cross the border] before this date + you can still get the 30 days extension from Immigration costing 1,900 baht each time..

Edited September 4, 201312 yr by ignis

With a triple entry visa which is valid for 6 months if you make the third entry on the "must enter by date" on the visa you will get another 60 days permission to stay which can be extended for another 30 days for 1900 baht. Hence the statement that you can get almost 270 days with a triple entry visa.

Sounds much like the conversation I had with my wife this morning on the way home from the market. She was upset because I drank four cans of beer while I was playing chess with the local barber while she spent 2.5 hours shopping for everything that everybody asked them to buy. We'll pay you later.

You can get 3 Thailand tourist visas from a thailand embassy or counsulate. A tourist visa is good for TWO months. You can then apply for an extension of 30 days. Which then is a total stay in thailand of 90 days for your first tourist visa. You then have to physically leave thailand and reenter using your 2nd visa which is good for 60 days. You can then get an extension for another 30 days for another 90 days. Then leave thailand and reenter. using the 3rd tourist visa. Which makes a total of three 90 day periods. Hope this is clearer for you.

But not all Consulate will issue 3 entry visas to everyone and even if they do it may only have a 3 month validity so could not be used for more than a six month stay.

Normally yes. But you would need too confirm with embassy or consulate where you plan on applying.

 

You can get 3 Thailand tourist visas from a thailand embassy or counsulate. A tourist visa is good for TWO months. You can then apply for an extension of 30 days. Which then is a total stay in thailand of 90 days for your first tourist visa. You then have to physically leave thailand and reenter using your 2nd visa which is good for 60 days. You can then get an extension for another 30 days for another 90 days. Then leave thailand and reenter. using the 3rd tourist visa. Which makes a total of three 90 day periods. Hope this is clearer for you.

 

No that is not clearer...... a Triple Entry to use as you say, the only place in Asia I know about is 'Bali' as I pointed out in my post before......... Both places in Laos will issue but MUST be all used within 90 days,,,,,,, I have asked a few time... I have asked other Consulates also and get the same answer... Triple Entry same as Double Entry valid 90 days

Edited September 5, 201312 yr by ignis