30 day visa exempt on arrival - 2 times already plus 60 days extension each time. Can I get a 3rd?

[shadowmaster1971]

I am Australian citizen (but not an Australian resident). I'm a Hong Kong resident with valid work permit and employed in Hong Kong .

I have for the passed 7 years typically been in thailand every weekend , visiting my wife and children. Giving the nature of previous jobs and travel necessities it made sense for them to stay in thailand and I fly in/out each weekend.

My current job doesn't necessitate for me to be in Hong Kong. Only once every 3 months.

So with my current situation I arrive in thailand on 30 day exempt and received 60 day extension based on supporting family etc. this extension took me to being able to stay till mid march 2014. In mid march I went to hong Kong for 3/4 days. I returned to thailand received another 30 days visa exempt and received another 60 days extension like before this takes me up to 16 June, whereby I will fly back to Hong Kong.

I wondering with all the issues with visas etc, am I going to have problems getting back into thailand on 30 day exempt upon return in late June .? Noting the following:

1. My current passport is fairly new. 9 months old.

2. My passport shows my Hong Kong employment visa and I carry HK ID card.

3. My passport shows the above stamps for the 2 entries into thailand on 30 day exempt and stamps for extensions.

4. I can show bank statements for salary in Hong Kong and salary payments in Australia.

5. It is my intention to get another 30 day exempt on arrival in June, and obtain another 60 day extension like before , then obtain a non immig "O" visa.

Thanks in advance.

Adam

[Mario2008]

Enforcement by air should not take place untill August 12, so you should be OK.

With proof that you work in Hong Kong you would probably be alright anyway, as their main concern is that people work illegally.

[ubonjoe]

You should consider making a trip to Savannakhet Laos and getting a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage.

That way you would have no worries.

[MikeandDow]

You can get a 60day extension to visit wife on any type of visa or entry, you can get a re-entry permit as well, you will not have a problem.

[Pattaya Pat]

You should consider making a trip to Savannakhet Laos and getting a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage.

That way you would have no worries.

Is it also possible to get this same type of visa in Penang? I 'heard' that somene did recently.

[shadowmaster1971]

@ubonjoe - yes agree that's the plan it is to get "O" visa in Lao when I get back.

Adam

[ubonjoe]

You should consider making a trip to Savannakhet Laos and getting a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage.

That way you would have no worries.

Is it also possible to get this same type of visa in Penang? I 'heard' that somene did recently.

I have seen no reports of one being issued yet. Some reports that an agent had said it is possible with 400k baht in the bank.

[Pattaya Pat]

You should consider making a trip to Savannakhet Laos and getting a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage.

That way you would have no worries.

Is it also possible to get this same type of visa in Penang? I 'heard' that somene did recently.

I have seen no reports of one being issued yet. Some reports that an agent had said it is possible with 400k baht in the bank.

Maybe that was how he got it then. Thanks.

[JB300]

Enforcement by air should not take place untill August 12, so you should be OK.

With proof that you work in Hong Kong you would probably be alright anyway, as their main concern is that people work illegally.

Surely if you've got proof that you're working but have been in Thailand for 3 months then you're proving that you are working from (in) Thailand which is illegal without a work permit.

Don't know what the solution is, but it seems to be a problem faced by many people who do Online/Tele work from Thailand.

[shadowmaster1971]

My 60 days extensions of my 30 day exempt visa, was obtain by going to Pattaya immigration, bringing copy of usual paper work, family book marriage certificate kids birth certificate etc pay a fee of 1900 baht.

Adam

[shadowmaster1971]

Enforcement by air should not take place untill August 12, so you should be OK.

With proof that you work in Hong Kong you would probably be alright anyway, as their main concern is that people work illegally.

Surely if you've got proof that you're working but have been in Thailand for 3 months then you're proving that you are working from (in) Thailand which is illegal without a work permit.

Don't know what the solution is, but it seems to be a problem faced by many people who do Online/Tele work from Thailand.

@jb300 - I understand what you are saying. But I'm on a retainer and actually do no work in thailand. Only when I'm in Hong Kong do I attend to work matters.

But if someone was visiting Thailand as a tourist and answered an email from work whilst in thailand (for a job they hold in another country) would that constitute working in thailand? Or someone from singapore coming to play golf and you visit one of your regional offices in Bangkok for a meet and greet. Is that by definition working in thailand?

I have lots of friends in Thailand they own and operate a business in Hong Kong, singapore they conduct their business whilst in thailand, but everything relates to Hong Kong.

I thought the governments mandate is stop people coming to thailand to work and generate income in thailand, taking away jobs from Thais or setting up business in thailand illegally, not to stop people performing their job in a country outside of thailand whilst in thailand.

Adam

[JB300]

Enforcement by air should not take place untill August 12, so you should be OK.

With proof that you work in Hong Kong you would probably be alright anyway, as their main concern is that people work illegally.

Surely if you've got proof that you're working but have been in Thailand for 3 months then you're proving that you are working from (in) Thailand which is illegal without a work permit.

Don't know what the solution is, but it seems to be a problem faced by many people who do Online/Tele work from Thailand.

@jb300 - I understand what you are saying. But I'm on a retainer and actually do no work in thailand. Only when I'm in Hong Kong do I attend to work matters.

But if someone was visiting Thailand as a tourist and answered an email from work whilst in thailand (for a job they hold in another country) would that constitute working in thailand? Or someone from singapore coming to play golf and you visit one of your regional offices in Bangkok for a meet and greet. Is that by definition working in thailand?

I have lots of friends in Thailand they own and operate a business in Hong Kong, singapore they conduct their business whilst in thailand, but everything relates to Hong Kong.

I thought the governments mandate is stop people coming to thailand to work and generate income in thailand, taking away jobs from Thais or setting up business in thailand illegally, not to stop people performing their job in a country outside of thailand whilst in thailand.

Adam

Adam, I do know exactly what you mean & doing something similar in the UK for the next couple of weeks in that I'm visiting family but will be answering emails / dialing into conference calls etc... Which the UK considers to be not working there (though there are some new rules about being no more than 31 days doing it > 3 hours a day), am not aware of anything similar in Thailand.

What I was trying to highlight was that it might not be a good thing to prove you're working outside of Thailand whilst staying for long periods in the country or immigration might assume (seems they only need to suspect) that you are working for your HK Client whilst in Thailand.

Cheers

JB

[shadowmaster1971]

Enforcement by air should not take place untill August 12, so you should be OK.

With proof that you work in Hong Kong you would probably be alright anyway, as their main concern is that people work illegally.

Surely if you've got proof that you're working but have been in Thailand for 3 months then you're proving that you are working from (in) Thailand which is illegal without a work permit.

Don't know what the solution is, but it seems to be a problem faced by many people who do Online/Tele work from Thailand.

@jb300 - I understand what you are saying. But I'm on a retainer and actually do no work in thailand. Only when I'm in Hong Kong do I attend to work matters.

But if someone was visiting Thailand as a tourist and answered an email from work whilst in thailand (for a job they hold in another country) would that constitute working in thailand? Or someone from singapore coming to play golf and you visit one of your regional offices in Bangkok for a meet and greet. Is that by definition working in thailand?

I have lots of friends in Thailand they own and operate a business in Hong Kong, singapore they conduct their business whilst in thailand, but everything relates to Hong Kong.

I thought the governments mandate is stop people coming to thailand to work and generate income in thailand, taking away jobs from Thais or setting up business in thailand illegally, not to stop people performing their job in a country outside of thailand whilst in thailand.

Adam

Adam, I do know exactly what you mean & doing something similar in the UK for the next couple of weeks in that I'm visiting family but will be answering emails / dialing into conference calls etc... Which the UK considers to be not working there (though there are some new rules about being no more than 31 days doing it > 3 hours a day), am not aware of anything similar in Thailand.

What I was trying to highlight was that it might not be a good thing to prove you're working outside of Thailand whilst staying for long periods in the country or immigration might assume (seems they only need to suspect) that you are working for your HK Client whilst in Thailand.

Cheers

JB

JB,

Point taken, I see what you mean, and make note of that when entering again.

But I believe I should be fine, with combination of being able to support myself and that I am looking after family etc, I hope no problems , fingers crossed.

Adam.

Adam

[Pattaya Pat]

Do you need to be married to get the 60 day extension for supporting family or just show child birth cert?

[shadowmaster1971]

Do you need to be married to get the 60 day extension for supporting family or just show child birth cert?

I've only had to show family book and marriage certificate. If you're not married but have children, I believe showing birth certificate should be ok, however provided it shows your the father and children have your surname. Forum has some topics on this point.

Adam

[Pattaya Pat]

Do you need to be married to get the 60 day extension for supporting family or just show child birth cert?

I've only had to show family book and marriage certificate. If you're not married but have children, I believe showing birth certificate should be ok, however provided it shows your the father and children have your surname. Forum has some topics on this point.

Adam

Oh ok, I have that,, so pretty annoyed that I never knew about this before, would have saved money and time doing visa runs

[ubonjoe]

There have been lots of posts on this forum over the years about the 60 day extension being possible if you are the parent of a Thai child.

If you went through the process of having legitimizing your parenthood you could get multiple entry non o visa and one year extensions of stay as well.

[Pattaya Pat]

There have been lots of posts on this forum over the years about the 60 day extension being possible if you are the parent of a Thai child.

If you went through the process of having legitimizing your parenthood you could get multiple entry non o visa and one year extensions of stay as well.

Well I managed to miss them all. I assume they will now be clamping down on this too?

As far as the other thing goes, for me I am still with the Mother, so would be easier just to get married.

[ubonjoe]

There have been lots of posts on this forum over the years about the 60 day extension being possible if you are the parent of a Thai child.

If you went through the process of having legitimizing your parenthood you could get multiple entry non o visa and one year extensions of stay as well.

Well I managed to miss them all. I assume they will now be clamping down on this too?

As far as the other thing goes, for me I am still with the Mother, so would be easier just to get married.

Marriage is one option but the other might be easier than you think. Read about it here: How To Gain Parental Rights As A Father

[Maestro]

Surely if you've got proof that you're working but have been in Thailand for 3 months then you're proving that you are working from (in) Thailand which is illegal without a work permit.

Don't know what the solution is, but it seems to be a problem faced by many people who do Online/Tele work from Thailand.

Are you saying that documents showing that a person is resident in Hong Kong, is employed by a company in Hong Kong and has a work permit issued by a Hong Kong authority valid for working in Hong Kong is evidence that this person is working in Thailand?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[JB300]

Surely if you've got proof that you're working but have been in Thailand for 3 months then you're proving that you are working from (in) Thailand which is illegal without a work permit.

Don't know what the solution is, but it seems to be a problem faced by many people who do Online/Tele work from Thailand.

Are you saying that documents showing that a person is resident in Hong Kong, is employed by a company in Hong Kong and has a work permit issued by a Hong Kong authority valid for working in Hong Kong is evidence that this person is working in Thailand?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

No I'm suggesting that documents which show a person is employed by a company in Hong Kong but has spent 3 months in Thailand without being in HK for work #Could# lead immigration to assume (they only need to suspect remember) that they're doing work for the HK company from Thailand (which counts as working in Thailand).

Follow on posts covered this...

[JB300]

Enforcement by air should not take place untill August 12, so you should be OK.

With proof that you work in Hong Kong you would probably be alright anyway, as their main concern is that people work illegally.

Surely if you've got proof that you're working but have been in Thailand for 3 months then you're proving that you are working from (in) Thailand which is illegal without a work permit.

Don't know what the solution is, but it seems to be a problem faced by many people who do Online/Tele work from Thailand.

@jb300 - I understand what you are saying. But I'm on a retainer and actually do no work in thailand. Only when I'm in Hong Kong do I attend to work matters.

But if someone was visiting Thailand as a tourist and answered an email from work whilst in thailand (for a job they hold in another country) would that constitute working in thailand? Or someone from singapore coming to play golf and you visit one of your regional offices in Bangkok for a meet and greet. Is that by definition working in thailand?

I have lots of friends in Thailand they own and operate a business in Hong Kong, singapore they conduct their business whilst in thailand, but everything relates to Hong Kong.

I thought the governments mandate is stop people coming to thailand to work and generate income in thailand, taking away jobs from Thais or setting up business in thailand illegally, not to stop people performing their job in a country outside of thailand whilst in thailand.


Adam

Adam, I do know exactly what you mean & doing something similar in the UK for the next couple of weeks in that I'm visiting family but will be answering emails / dialing into conference calls etc... Which the UK considers to be not working there (though there are some new rules about being no more than 31 days doing it > 3 hours a day), am not aware of anything similar in Thailand.

What I was trying to highlight was that it might not be a good thing to prove you're working outside of Thailand whilst staying for long periods in the country or immigration might assume (seems they only need to suspect) that you are working for your HK Client whilst in Thailand.


Cheers


JB

JB,

Point taken, I see what you mean, and make note of that when entering again.
But I believe I should be fine, with combination of being able to support myself and that I am looking after family etc, I hope no problems , fingers crossed.

Adam.


Adam

I also think you'll be fine & am sure can show immigration many pictures of you & your family to show why you're in Thailand.

If it was me & I was questioned about why I'd spent so long in Thailand, I'd just say business in HK was slow & I'd had an extended holiday/sabbatical but things were picking up again so I'd be spending more time working in HK, but would still be returning when ever I could to spend time with my family, then maybe get the Tourist/Marriage/Dependents/Retirement visa on my next trip out.

But I honestly don't believe they'll question you as it's obvious you have every right to have extended stays in-country or you wouldn't be able to get the dependents extension.

[shadowmaster1971]

Enforcement by air should not take place untill August 12, so you should be OK.

With proof that you work in Hong Kong you would probably be alright anyway, as their main concern is that people work illegally.

Surely if you've got proof that you're working but have been in Thailand for 3 months then you're proving that you are working from (in) Thailand which is illegal without a work permit.

Don't know what the solution is, but it seems to be a problem faced by many people who do Online/Tele work from Thailand.

@jb300 - I understand what you are saying. But I'm on a retainer and actually do no work in thailand. Only when I'm in Hong Kong do I attend to work matters.

But if someone was visiting Thailand as a tourist and answered an email from work whilst in thailand (for a job they hold in another country) would that constitute working in thailand? Or someone from singapore coming to play golf and you visit one of your regional offices in Bangkok for a meet and greet. Is that by definition working in thailand?

I have lots of friends in Thailand they own and operate a business in Hong Kong, singapore they conduct their business whilst in thailand, but everything relates to Hong Kong.

I thought the governments mandate is stop people coming to thailand to work and generate income in thailand, taking away jobs from Thais or setting up business in thailand illegally, not to stop people performing their job in a country outside of thailand whilst in thailand.


Adam

Adam, I do know exactly what you mean & doing something similar in the UK for the next couple of weeks in that I'm visiting family but will be answering emails / dialing into conference calls etc... Which the UK considers to be not working there (though there are some new rules about being no more than 31 days doing it > 3 hours a day), am not aware of anything similar in Thailand.

What I was trying to highlight was that it might not be a good thing to prove you're working outside of Thailand whilst staying for long periods in the country or immigration might assume (seems they only need to suspect) that you are working for your HK Client whilst in Thailand.


Cheers


JB

JB,

Point taken, I see what you mean, and make note of that when entering again.
But I believe I should be fine, with combination of being able to support myself and that I am looking after family etc, I hope no problems , fingers crossed.

Adam.


Adam

I also think you'll be fine & am sure can show immigration many pictures of you & your family to show why you're in Thailand.

If it was me & I was questioned about why I'd spent so long in Thailand, I'd just say business in HK was slow & I'd had an extended holiday/sabbatical but things were picking up again so I'd be spending more time working in HK, but would still be returning when ever I could to spend time with my family, then maybe get the Tourist/Marriage/Dependents/Retirement visa on my next trip out.

But I honestly don't believe they'll question you as it's obvious you have every right to have extended stays in-country or you wouldn't be able to get the dependents extension.

FYI an update.

I returned to Bangkok on Wednesday (18/6) via DMK, having been in Hong Kong for 72hours.
I arrived at about 9.30pm. Despite having 2x30 day exempts with 2x60 day extensions. Immigration didn't bat an eyelid. Stamped with another 30 day exempt and through immigration in 5 mins. I was prepared though! We'll dressed having flown straight from work, had copies of family book, marriage certificate, wife's /kids passports, kids birth certitifcates, pay slips from work, and the big obvious work permit stamp in the passport from HK SAR.

I will probably do another 60 day extension on current 30 day exempt, then apply for non "O" visa.


Adam