Confirmed: Visa run crackdown effective from August 12, 2014: Thai Foreign Ministry

[george]

VISA CRACKDOWN

Confirmed: Visa run crackdown effective from August 12, 2014: Thai Foreign Ministry

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok has informed the foreign Embassies and Consulates in Thailand and the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates worldwide about the visa run crackdown, the former in a letter dated June 23, 2014, of which thaivisa.com obtained a copy of today.

For the first time in writing, the ministry confirms the Thai Immigration Bureau's current crackdown on border runners.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the crackdown is aimed to prevent visa runners who abuse the visa exemption scheme from working illegally in Thailand.

In the letter The Foreign Ministry is confirming earlier information that visa runners will be prohibited from entering Thailand as of August 12, 2014.

Long stay visa applicants are advised to acquire appropriate (Non-Immigrant) visas at Thai Embassies or Consulates prior to their arrival.

Previously the Immigration Bureau has announced a crackdown for border runners. The published letter may also be a strong indication that the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates now also might have been instructed to be restrictive in issuing multiple back-to-back tourist visas.

Thaivisa com will seek further clarification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from The Royal Thai Immigration Bureau, which we hope to obtain and subsequently publish shortly.

Letter No. 0303/C. 10893 attached (below).

Source: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok, Thailand

-- 2014-06-30

[brewsterbudgen]

I thought it was in-out border runs that were being clamped down on, but it seems more far reaching than that.

[Loaded]

Does it mean no more visa exemptions or just no more than 1 visa exemption? Or is it talking about tourist visas?

[sotsira]

I think anything that is back to back will be prohibited, whether it's a tourist visa or an

visa exemption entry.

[Loaded]

So, no more double-entry tourist visas?

[sotsira]

So, no more double-entry tourist visas?

No, you can still apply for a double or triple entry tourist visa, but once it's used up,

you probably wouldn't be issued another one soon after.

[Pattszero]

So, no more double-entry tourist visas?

No, you can still apply for a double or triple entry tourist visa, but once it's used up,

you probably wouldn't be issued another one soon after.

That's not what the OP says - it says to be restrictive in back to back visas.

It couldn't be any clearer.

[fry30]

So if you have used a tourist visa then have 2 or 3 visa exemptions can you get another tourist visa or is it considered as a back to back tourist visa too?

[sotsira]

So, no more double-entry tourist visas?

No, you can still apply for a double or triple entry tourist visa, but once it's used up,

you probably wouldn't be issued another one soon after.

That's not what the OP says - it says to be restrictive in back to back visas.

It couldn't be any clearer.

Depends on what they consider a double or triple entry tourist visa to be?

My definition is it's a single visa, that permits you to enter 2 or 3 times.

[Pattszero]

So, no more double-entry tourist visas?

No, you can still apply for a double or triple entry tourist visa, but once it's used up,

you probably wouldn't be issued another one soon after.

That's not what the OP says - it says to be restrictive in back to back visas.

It couldn't be any clearer.

Depends on what they consider a double or triple entry tourist visa to be?

My definition is it's a single visa, that permits you to enter 2 or 3 times.

I would consider it to be two or three visas.

Someone with more knowledge than me can confirm that if you don't re-enter before the allocated date then the visa is cancelled. That tells me that they look at it as two visas too - as you must qualify for each portion.

In saying that, tourist visas are not mentioned in the letter - I wonder if George was given additional info?

[Pralaad]

I believe there is, at least there was a non o( others)

This was a 1 year visa issued to people who had a letter of invitation from a Thai .

Not sure if it still exist or issued, but this might be the only choices for those wanting to stay long term but under the retirement age.

Yes ED is still an option but I think they will start testing the skills

[alrat]

But no problem if you buy illegal visas then. Btw I have a legit visa.

[bubba]

The letter refers to the "visa exemption scheme". This is not the same as possessing a tourist visa, so it would appear not refer to tourist visas or multiple entry tourist visas.

[falkan]

why tight up the visa rules? it will just make more people overstay their visas..

[george]

The letter refers to the "visa exemption scheme". This is not the same as possessing a tourist visa, so it would appear not refer to tourist visas or multiple entry tourist visas.

The letter is issued to Embassies and Consulates, and they have nothing to do with the "visa exemption scheme". It is likely to somehow address the issuing of tourist visas as well as visa exemption, as we understand it, and as The Immigration Bureau understands it.

But the info is not clear IMO. Hopefully we will get a clarification.

[sotsira]

The letter refers to the "visa exemption scheme". This is not the same as possessing a tourist visa, so it would appear not refer to tourist visas or multiple entry tourist visas.

The OP does mention in the last sentence that back to back Tourist Visas would be restrictive.

Previously the Immigration Bureau has announced a crackdown for border runners. The published letter is said to be a strong indication that the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates now has been instructed to be restrictive in issuing back-to-back tourist visas.

[Suradit69]

But no problem if you buy illegal visas then. Btw I have a legit visa.

Btw I have a legit visa.

But consider yourself an expert in the largely imaginary illegal visa buying market.

[happysanook]

Does it mean no more visa exemptions or just no more than 1 visa exemption? Or is it talking about tourist visas?

Yea, terrible wording here in the OP.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the crackdown is aimed to prevent visa runners who abuse the visa exemption scheme from working illegally in Thailand.

What exactly will be cracked down on Aug 12?

[brewsterbudgen]

The letter refers to the "visa exemption scheme". This is not the same as possessing a tourist visa, so it would appear not refer to tourist visas or multiple entry tourist visas.

The letter is issued to Embassies and Consulates, and they have nothing to do with the "visa exemption scheme". It is likely to somehow address the issuing of tourist visas as well as visa exemption, as we understand it, and as The Immigration Bureau understands it.

But the info is not clear IMO. Hopefully we will get a clarification.

Indeed, it"s as clear as mud!

Sent from my GT-S7270L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[eeworldwide]

Can any please explain - or point me in the direction of a relevant thread, that would perhaps shed some light or clarify how this might affect those visiting spouses ( and not working) in Thailand?

For example - Joe arrives in Thailand on a tourist visa for 30 days, visits immigration and extends for another 60 days since he is visiting his spouse and children. At the end of this period, Joe must leave Thailand by air to a neighbouring country - and then returning the next day, would then re-enter Thailand on another 30 day tourist visa. Thus - Joe begins the cycle again... and possibly again - unless he returns to his homeland for a period of time for whatever reason. Under these new rules, will Joe be adversely affected?

[muckwallet]

Not exactly the best move considering the current tourist numbers, but they seem to want to go down the route of punishing countries who don't have visa on arrival for Thais. Hopefully, the reciprocal will mean that Thais will be scrutinised when applying for visas, exempted from owning property, companies and opening bank accounts in other countries.

How will this effect ED visas?

[Suradit69]

The letter refers to the "visa exemption scheme". This is not the same as possessing a tourist visa, so it would appear not refer to tourist visas or multiple entry tourist visas.

Ummm ...

Thai Embassies and Consulates now has been instructed to be restrictive in issuing back-to-back tourist visas.

Embassies issue visas. Immigrations deals with visa exempt entries. The letter is written to embassies.

[sotsira]

I believe there is, at least there was a non o( others)

This was a 1 year visa issued to people who had a letter of invitation from a Thai .

Not sure if it still exist or issued, but this might be the only choices for those wanting to stay long term but under the retirement age.

Yes ED is still an option but I think they will start testing the skills

The days when getting a Non O for visiting Thai friends have long gone,

You need to be over 50 or married, but even then it isn't that straight forward.

[technologybytes]

This letter is very clearly talking about people abusing visa exemption. I don't see any confusion.

A double or tripple entry visa is one visa good for 2 or 3 entries, that's not the same as a back to back visa,

For the record, no visa ever expires. The period before which the entry must occur can pass, and the number of entries may be used up, but the visa can does not expire. There is a critical difference, it's only the entry stamp that expires.

[FritsSikkink]

So if you have used a tourist visa then have 2 or 3 visa exemptions can you get another tourist visa or is it considered as a back to back tourist visa too?

It is about visa exemptions, no problems with visas.

[Greer]

A Non-Immigrant O type visa is for either retirement or marriage and a number of other categories - that's what the "O" stands for - OTHER.

That kind of visa can only be ISSUED at a Thai consulate or Embassy, meaning outside Thailand.

A Non-Immigrant visa can only be EXTENDED by the Immigration Department inside Thailand, and the TYPE of Non-Immigrant O visa will be defined by the extension category for which you apply and are granted the extension. This is where it becomes a Marriage Visa, or say a Retirement Visa etc.

This kind of visa is completely different from the ones mentioned above, and which are the subject of the letter.

[Bender]

I did notice that each time(2006, 2010 and now), the army or democrats grabbed the power, few weeks later they did tigthen the rules....

[harrycallahan]

For example - Joe arrives in Thailand on a tourist visa for 30 days, visits immigration and extends for another 60 days since he is visiting his spouse and children. At the end of this period, Joe must leave Thailand by air to a neighbouring country - and then returning the next day, would then re-enter Thailand on another 30 day tourist visa. Thus - Joe begins the cycle again...

Why even have a stay limit if this is allowed? Just to screw 'Joe' around?

He'll be told to book the next flight out and not try again for x months. In fact once it happens often enough and airlines get sick of whinging 'Joes' asking for refunds they'll probably check their passports and tell them not to bother trying a re-entry.

[NHJ]

there's no need to worry for people who do visa run with 'B' or 'O' visa, this letter is aimed at those who abused the exemption visa scheme i guess mainly against citizens of countries who were given 90 days per entry.

Those who abused that scheme won't be allowed to redeem themselves by attempting to buy a proper visa at an embassy.

that's all folks

[eeworldwide]

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For example - Joe arrives in Thailand on a tourist visa for 30 days, visits immigration and extends for another 60 days since he is visiting his spouse and children. At the end of this period, Joe must leave Thailand by air to a neighbouring country - and then returning the next day, would then re-enter Thailand on another 30 day tourist visa. Thus - Joe begins the cycle again...

Why even have a stay limit if this is allowed? Just to screw 'Joe' around?

He'll be told to book the next flight out and not try again for x months. In fact once it happens often enough and airlines get sick of whinging 'Joes' asking for refunds they'll probably check their passports and tell them not to bother trying a re-entry.

There's certainly nothing wrong with a Joe having a spousal visa and visiting his wife and children ( who are Thai) but the limit imposed is ludicrous. I have been married for 12 years and have 4 children by the same wife and Im still stuck in this stupid cycle because I don't have a business based in Thailand. My business is a very successful one in the UK, but I choose to live here. Im just trying to clearly work out if my cycle of travel and visa extension will be affected by this new tightening of the rules.