How many Penang Visa Run's for 60 day visa can I do and what other options do I have after?

[phuketberliner]

I am based in Phuket where i own a condo, I have done 2 Penang 60 days ( 30 days more from Phuket Immigration) Visa Run's!

When at Immigration last week the Tourist Police helper said that one is only allowed this one 2 times and that I have to leave Thailand for quiet a few month or even longer!

What are my options next for me to stay on longer, maybe a Visa Run company accepts more cash to get it done somehow or a Educational Visa for one year and learn Thai?

I used to work and have had Work Permits for years and a company handle all this but now I am in between jobs and look for a new job and i must find a way to stay as my life is here in Phuket!

Any advice and thoughts are very appreciated?

Thanks and Best Regards

phuketberliner

[zeichen]

I wonder if they are changing rules again. You are the second person to say such things, but I had always thought that as long as you got a visa, you could keep getting them. The limit on entry used to be for border hopping

[ubonjoe]

There is no official rule at consulates on how many visas you can get.

There is no rule that says you have to leave the country for any period of time after 2 visa entries. Just another example of a poorly informed volunteer.

I suggest you make a longer trip to Laos and get a 2 entry tourist visa.

[IMA_FARANG]

There is no official rule at consulates on how many visas you can get.

There is no rule that says you have to leave the country for any period of time after 2 visa entries. Just another example of a poorly informed volunteer.

I suggest you make a longer trip to Laos and get a 2 entry tourist visa.

----------------------------

There was previously, under another government, a rule that you were allowed only three tourist visas back to back.

That law is no longer in effect ..... since I believe 1995 or 1996.

So, there is no ;longer such a requirement.

However, Phuket is regarded by many in Thai immigration as the "Hub of illegal workers" ... foreigners who work illegally in Thailand without Work Permits .... and therefore many in immigration in Phuket have a deep suspicion of foreigners who use back to back "tourist" visas to stay in Phuket. Especially the Russians.

I'm not saying this is what you are doing, I'm just telling you that back to back tourist visas in Phuket are going to cause immigration to look at you very closely.

Even though there's no official limit, by the 3rd or 4th back to back tourist visa you will be attracting unwanted attention.

There are other possibilities you should check on.

If you are over 50 years a retirement visa/extension is possible.

If you are married to a Thai, a marriage vise/extension is possible.

If neither of these applies a EDcation visa/extension is possible ... to study the Thai language ...for example.

Each of these has it own rules and regulations. Some also have a financial requirement you have to meet.

And, right now, there is no limit on the 30 day visa exempt stamps you get when you fly into Thailand without a visa .... but that depends on your nationality (most Europeans qualify).

Do your research and find what your options are.

If you can afford it I would consider the possibility of spending a month or two in a neighboring country before returning.

The purpose there being to break up that back to back tourist visa cycle.

In other words, don't draw attention to yourself by back to back tourist visas.

[phuketberliner]

Thank you tto the above replies so far!

A few years to go before i am 50 and I am not married to a Thai either!

I think that the Educational Visa be a better option to look at for me just now!

Yes Phuket has sadly drawn some bad characters lately and it's reputation is getting close to where pattaya is or at least was before!

Any more thoughts?

Thanks again you been very kind and helpful.

Best

phuketberliner

[vincentbanner]

Like above this volunteer immigration foreigners don't like to help you anymore.

In pattaya is it the same I ask for a visa for visit my thai child and he told me that my wife have to come with me.

When the thai imigration police here us talk he call me and just arrange the visa and he even didn't look to the letter and the copy pasport of my wife.

This guys just loves the uniform and look fore hopeless backpackers for a chat

On the moment they do some difficult but with your stamps from the ambassy from europe they just have to close there mouth and stamp