Am I Just Screwed?

[joeyoeyey]

Basically I'm an idiot for not looking at this sooner... but the school I'm teaching with also never notified me of this problem, so I can't take all the blame.

My plane ticket from San Fran (USA) leaves in two days and I don't have any Visa of which to speak.

I've learned from this site, and from calling the Thai Consulate, that I cannot obtain a visa while inside the country of Thailand.

I guess my option now is:

Post-pone my plane ticket >> Mail/Go to the Thai Consulate in L.A. or D.C. >> Get Visa >> Go.

I just want to know if there is NO OTHER WAY I can get a Visa while on the 30-day non-visa stay in Thailand?

Since I plan to stay until at least mid August, I suppose that means I have to get a Non-Imm Visa.

And to get a Non-Imm I need some kind of motivating factor like a letter from Thai employer and/or proof of my applying for a Work Permit?

Am I just Screwed?

[britmaveric]

Book a cheapie flight out of thailand near end of your first 30days, once you come back the clock resets itself. (could also apply at the thai embassy while you are out of the country for visa - not sure the turn around time though)

[joeyoeyey]

Book a cheapie flight out of thailand near end of your first 30days, once you come back the clock resets itself. (could also apply at the thai embassy while you are out of the country for visa - not sure the turn around time though)

Wow, will China Air even let me on the plane if they see that I have no VISA and an open return date? What if I were to go to Thailand, then cross the border at Ventiane or Penang and apply for a VISA there? Or fly to Singapore?

I think it will just be easier if I apply for a Non-immy at the LA consulate and postpone refund/buy a new ticket for a few days later...

[britmaveric]

As long as you have proof of onward travel ie leaving before end of your 30days you would be technically fine.

[joeyoeyey]

As long as you have proof of onward travel ie leaving before end of your 30days you would be technically fine.

Question: If I arrived in Thailand and took the 30-day free pass, hopped a train/bus to Vientiene and got a Visa there, then cross back over into Thailand--would that fly?

Or do I have to have plane ticket proof of travel within 30 days upon my arrival?

I guess I could purchase a plane ticket NOW to Ventiane from Bangkok and use that as proof of travel in San Fran and/or at the BKK airport upon arrival?

Edited May 9, 2006 by joeyoeyey

[falang74]

As long as you have proof of onward travel ie leaving before end of your 30days you would be technically fine.

Question: If I arrived in Thailand and took the 30-day free pass, hopped a train/bus to Vientiene and got a Visa there, then cross back over into Thailand--would that fly?

Or do I have to have plane ticket proof of travel within 30 days upon my arrival?

I guess I could purchase a plane ticket NOW to Ventiane from Bangkok and use that as proof of travel in San Fran and/or at the BKK airport upon arrival?

I flew in with a China Airlines set up as you speak of. I was hassled a bit at the immigration counter upon entry but explained that I was going to apply for multiple entry at the local immigration office. This worked for me. I can't guarantee it will work for another.

Change the date, don't leave it open call China airlines have them put a return date within 30 days and then once in country call them and tell them you would like to move it out. They will move the date back and back and back. I had to do this during a long hospitalization. China Airlines is flexible on return and has no charge unlike the initial departure which does have a charge. If you don't feel secure that way, can you put off the flight, China will charge you 100.00 to move the departure date. Then handle your visa here.

I am waiting on clarification myself from my school regarding my student visa. I met a guy in Cambodia who was having problems with his student Visa after returning from Cambo.

Here is my example: I am studying in Thailand but my letter of acceptance will not be here before I depart. It seems to me, and my advisor that all I must do is get the letter from my school after arrival and take it to immigration. Similarly an employer letter shoulld suffice. I was initially told even with the letter I would have to apply for a 60 or 90 day (I forget) and then in country I would go and apply for my year long student visa.

I will update as soon as I hear back.

Chok Dii,

Aaron

[joeyoeyey]

As long as you have proof of onward travel ie leaving before end of your 30days you would be technically fine.

Question: If I arrived in Thailand and took the 30-day free pass, hopped a train/bus to Vientiene and got a Visa there, then cross back over into Thailand--would that fly?

Or do I have to have plane ticket proof of travel within 30 days upon my arrival?

I guess I could purchase a plane ticket NOW to Ventiane from Bangkok and use that as proof of travel in San Fran and/or at the BKK airport upon arrival?

I flew in with a China Airlines set up as you speak of. I was hassled a bit at the immigration counter upon entry but explained that I was going to apply for multiple entry at the local immigration office. This worked for me. I can't guarantee it will work for another.

Change the date, don't leave it open call China airlines have them put a return date within 30 days and then once in country call them and tell them you would like to move it out. They will move the date back and back and back. I had to do this during a long hospitalization. China Airlines is flexible on return and has no charge unlike the initial departure which does have a charge. If you don't feel secure that way, can you put off the flight, China will charge you 100.00 to move the departure date. Then handle your visa here.

I am waiting on clarification myself from my school regarding my student visa. I met a guy in Cambodia who was having problems with his student Visa after returning from Cambo.

Here is my example: I am studying in Thailand but my letter of acceptance will not be here before I depart. It seems to me, and my advisor that all I must do is get the letter from my school after arrival and take it to immigration. Similarly an employer letter shoulld suffice. I was initially told even with the letter I would have to apply for a 60 or 90 day (I forget) and then in country I would go and apply for my year long student visa.

I will update as soon as I hear back.

Chok Dii,

Aaron

Ok, so that still doesn't help me with my question/plan...

I plan to change my return date with China Airlines to be within 30 days after my arrival in Bangkok. Then, once in Thailand, I will go by train/bus to Ventiane and apply for a VISA (be it a tourist visa or non-Imm visa) at the consulate there.

Is this a feasible plan?

I guess I'm inquiring about the ability to leave the country on bus (i.e. Nong Khai --> Vientiane) with a 30-day free pass, then be able to apply for and return with a tourist OR Non-Imm (ed) Visa.

Okay hope to hear back soon, domestic flight is supposed to leave tomorrow

[lopburi3]

You do not meet entry requirements without a confirmed ticket out of Thailand within 30 days and a ticket to Vientiane might not help as you do not have a Visa which is required for travel to Laos. You need both the ticket and documents for next destination by rules. A ticket to Singapore or Hong Kong should be acceptable. But from reports China Air is accommodating (they need customers) so don't believe a change of date would cost much, and perhaps nothing.

[ProfessorFart]

If your ticket is a return ticket then surely technically speaking you have a ticket out of Thailand no matter what the date is?

[jdinasia]

You do not meet entry requirements without a confirmed ticket out of Thailand within 30 days and a ticket to Vientiane might not help as you do not have a Visa which is required for travel to Laos. You need both the ticket and documents for next destination by rules. A ticket to Singapore or Hong Kong should be acceptable. But from reports China Air is accommodating (they need customers) so don't believe a change of date would cost much, and perhaps nothing.

Visa on arrival at Laos is not an issue ... so he wouldn;t need that ... but a return ticket via China Air should be fine. Doubt they will look at the date

[lopburi3]

Forgot Laos is now visa on arrival (I departed in 1975)

But a return ticket is not acceptable. You must have onward travel within the 30 days of your permitted entry. Immigration normally does not question this (except for some nationalities) but it is the regulation and many airlines will be checking it.

[thaiflyer1]

Forget it...........brains not in gear yet this morning.

Edited May 10, 2006 by thaiflyer1

[dive_mistress]

Relax!! Relax!!!

You need a letter from your employer to get the Non Immigrant visa, and possibly about an inch more of paperwork.

Typically you come to Thailand and get the paper work and do a visa run. Get used to VIsa runs. ITs a part of lie here for many of us.

So once you arrive you get your paper work fly to malaysia for about $40 one way. go to the embassy, drop it all off and then pick it up the next day (check for malysian and thai holidays though). then come back with the non immigrant and then the school can apply for the actual workpermit, assuming they will give you one as is not always the case, and the you must leave again in 90's for the New non-imm visa, ideally for a long time.

YOu dont have to plan your trip to LAOS!

Just come. It will be ok.

It may have been better to have a TOURIST visa which give you 60 days but if you are going to start working right away then you have 30 days to leave anyways so it can be a waste too.

YOu can also mail your visa to the Thai consulate if you are sitll in america and not have to physically go to LA.

YOu should get used to checking eveyrthing YOURSELF. BUt stop panicking or you will never survive here! People dont leave Thailand saying how effecient the Thais were.. more like friendly but not effecient.

[joeyoeyey]

For the record:

We arrived in Thailand with our return date set for June 5th (within 30 days of our arrival) but the immigration clerk never asked for any kind of paperwork/itinerary/ticket. She just stamped me and let me in.

Where do I find $40 tickets to Penang?

[Thaiquila]

For the record:

We arrived in Thailand with our return date set for June 5th (within 30 days of our arrival) but the immigration clerk never asked for any kind of paperwork/itinerary/ticket. She just stamped me and let me in.

Where do I find $40 tickets to Penang?

Congrats on your entry. Not surpised by your story as it is quite rare for Thai immigration to check documents. Maybe they do if people look "bizarre" in some way.

One budget airline is air asia at airasia.com, which now seems to running about 4400 baht rountrip, a lot higher than $40 (especially if you meant RT). You can buy online with a credit card or check this site for selected agents where you can pay cash (or also at Tesco Lotus stores):

http://www.airasia.com/site/en/page.jsp?re...0travel%20agent

[lopburi3]

It would have been the airline that gave you a problem. Immigration almost never asks - but the airlines do as they have to pay fine and fly you out in case of problem.

I would wait for paperwork to obtain a non immigrant visa before making a visa run if you can. Air fare prices are not as cheap as before due to oil price and the only time you can fly for really cheap price is during promotions (which usually does not fit for those with time requirements). You also have the option of both train and bus travel to Malaysia.