Offshore workers

[Franky Bear]

For years I have been 28/28 in Middle East and now Kazakhstan. I always got the 30 visa you get at immigration as I was always out country before it was up. I did do a few Cambodia visa runs.

I've been with my mrs 8 years and we have a 6 year old. I'm on all the docs. I fly back to work Sunday. I'm kinda worried. Should I be ok?

I'm thinking of doing my 28 off in Glasgow and getting a multi entry, coming back November and getting married.

That's my plans in Laymens terms right now. Is it the right idea. Or would I be ok coming back in a months time.

I will be getting a second passport as I need one for work so would use that for coming I to Thailand. So it'd be a fresh passport. I do know they can still see my travels with the biometric chip....

[arunsakda]

I have a condo here, no family. I'm a similiar overseas worker case but not pure in and out. Usually 1 week to 3 weeks max but only 5 or 6 times a year. I have residences in 2 other nations also. The more I read these forums more I worry, but for now I will wait and see. The only option for me is Elite card if visa exempts become limited.

I have never been asked anything by Imm since 1997 but next month when I arrive I'll be carrying paystubs and tax receipts from my job and bank statements. I don't have hotel bookings as I stay in my own place. Cooler heads have been telling me it will be OK. Supposedly guys from Singapore and China fly in to play golf "almost every weekend".

[meom]

In theory we should be ok although some overzealous immigration official might question if we're actually tourists with a home here etc.

I haven't been back in my home country for 18 years so and sort of consider Thailand as my home even though I spend more time outside Thailand at work.

If it's not ok then they might as well do away with the visa exemption.

[arunsakda]

They have flogged off quite a few condos and homes to Farangs who come once or twice a year only, rest of time empty. These people dont work here, but they have "homes". They are tourists in my opinion.

[Timwin]

First it was just a visa exempt entry crackdown, then it spread to tourist visas. Yesterday they actually denied in the Malaysian border a lot of legit tourist visa holders. They are using some rules that were supposed to start from August 12th.

It is a mess, entry subjected to immigration officer's "discretion" while there are no clear rules! That could mean anything, border and officer lottery basically. I'd avoid Thailand for a couple of months unless you are in the process of getting some other visa.

[mrtoad]

Frankly you should apply for a non imm O visa, based on marriage wife and a dependent.

[Choonpon]

So what if we are tourists with homes in Thailand? Are we not allow to own our own accommodation? What will the immigration do then?

[meom]

First it was just a visa exempt entry crackdown, then it spread to tourist visas. Yesterday they actually denied in the Malaysian border a lot of legit tourist visa holders. They are using some rules that were supposed to start from August 12th.

It is a mess, entry subjected to immigration officer's "discretion" while there are no clear rules! That could mean anything, border and officer lottery basically. I'd avoid Thailand for a couple of months unless you are in the process of getting some other visa.

LOL.

A couple of years ago there was similar confusion when they said you could stay max 180 days in a year.

TV had like a hundred threads with posters asking how to count their days in, out etc.

Pretty hilarious.

[bergenser1]

I also work 28/28 rotation and have been in/out on visa exempt stamp for over 5 years now, I usually stay in Bangkok for 23-26 days, but occasionally I spend a weekend in Cambodia just for the change of pace.

I am a registered as a resident in a Scandinavian country and I own property there too. I always have reservations in a hotel/serviced apartment and a return ticket back to Europe upon arrival in Thailand.

Personally I'm not worried at all about this visa-run crackdown, I don't think rotational workers is the target since most of us can document 5/6+months of the year outside Thailand anyway.

Scheduled to arrive over the weekend so I will see first hand then, If I get any problems I guess that Cambodia/Vietnam or the Philippines will welcome my hard earned $ with open arms.

[arunsakda]

If they said you could stay 180 days a year I could deal with that in my personal situation. For now there is no clear information on how many visa exempt arrivals per year shall be allowed, or what the minimum interval between those arrivals shall be limited to??

[96tehtarp]

The change in rules applies to back-to-back tourist visa/exempt-stamp users who have been doing that as a way to live here. The stamps in your passport show that you do not fit that profile. You might expect some extra scrutiny but should be OK. You are not in the targeted group.

While here on your 28 days get a 1 year non-immigrant multiple entry visa in Savanakhet.

Good Luck.

[NancyL]

First it was just a visa exempt entry crackdown, then it spread to tourist visas. Yesterday they actually denied in the Malaysian border a lot of legit tourist visa holders. They are using some rules that were supposed to start from August 12th.

It is a mess, entry subjected to immigration officer's "discretion" while there are no clear rules! That could mean anything, border and officer lottery basically. I'd avoid Thailand for a couple of months unless you are in the process of getting some other visa.

LOL.

A couple of years ago there was similar confusion when they said you could stay max 180 days in a year.

TV had like a hundred threads with posters asking how to count their days in, out etc.

Pretty hilarious.

Yeah, really hilarious reading about these highly paid people who worry about being denied entry into Thailand. Over the years, they've done nothing but contribute to the Thai economy and they've always done everything according to the rules. I have several as neighbors and I love 'em. They make for great neighbors -- they're gone most of the time and and when they're here they're interested in relaxing. They invest money in their condos and are polite. I'd hate to see them denied entry.

[Franky Bear]

Frankly you should apply for a non imm O visa, based on marriage wife and a dependent.

Sorry, should have said, I am not married now. But will do ASAP

[arunsakda]

Double post

[Pattszero]

OP - I wouldn't get married just to get a visa.

No-one knows what the attitude to your work pattern will be - and the so-called "cooler heads" are as clueless as anyone.

I wonder if the Thaivisa management have the connections to ask what immigration's view will be of oil workers that rotate in the way that you and so many others do.

A lot of us are keen to find out.

[Franky Bear]

I always have a return ticket to my rig anyway. I work for a good company. They will understand my situation. So they will draught a letter stating I am fully employed in Kazakhstan with my day rate $$ and that they fully medically insure me in Thailand. I think I will take copies of our daughter birth vert etc too to show him along with my Bangkok bank book and wage slip for the last year.

Sound like a plan?

[Franky Bear]

OP - I wouldn't get married just to get a visa.

No-one knows what the attitude to your work pattern will be - and the so-called "cooler heads" are as clueless as anyone.

I wonder if the Thaivisa management have the connections to ask what immigration's view will be of oil workers that rotate in the way that you and so many others do.

A lot of us are keen to find out.

Mate, with out being all slushy we want too. 7 years together. We're a good team.

[Franky Bear]

The change in rules applies to back-to-back tourist visa/exempt-stamp users who have been doing that as a way to live here. The stamps in your passport show that you do not fit that profile. You might expect some extra scrutiny but should be OK. You are not in the targeted group.

While here on your 28 days get a 1 year non-immigrant multiple entry visa in Savanakhet.

Good Luck.

Mate I have about 5 Cambodian back to backs from when I had to,stay off work,over the 28'days.

[arunsakda]

First it was just a visa exempt entry crackdown, then it spread to tourist visas. Yesterday they actually denied in the Malaysian border a lot of legit tourist visa holders. They are using some rules that were supposed to start from August 12th.

It is a mess, entry subjected to immigration officer's "discretion" while there are no clear rules! That could mean anything, border and officer lottery basically. I'd avoid Thailand for a couple of months unless you are in the process of getting some other visa.

LOL.

A couple of years ago there was similar confusion when they said you could stay max 180 days in a year.

TV had like a hundred threads with posters asking how to count their days in, out etc.

Pretty hilarious.

Yeah, really hilarious reading about these highly paid people who worry about being denied entry into Thailand. Over the years, they've done nothing but contribute to the Thai economy and they've always done everything according to the rules. I have several as neighbors and I love 'em. They make for great neighbors -- they're gone most of the time and and when they're here they're interested in relaxing. They invest money in their condos and are polite. I'd hate to see them denied entry.

Thanks Nance!

[mrtoad]

Frankly you should apply for a non imm O visa, based on marriage wife and a dependent.

Sorry, should have said, I am not married now. But will do ASAP

If you have a child, I believe you can get a suitable visa without getting married.

[Pattszero]

I always have a return ticket to my rig anyway. I work for a good company. They will understand my situation. So they will draught a letter stating I am fully employed in Kazakhstan with my day rate $$ and that they fully medically insure me in Thailand. I think I will take copies of our daughter birth vert etc too to show him along with my Bangkok bank book and wage slip for the last year.

Sound like a plan?

The more information you have to hand to show that you don't work in Thailand the better - also, if you can have a return flight ticket to Kazakhstan to hand that will be a great help. I'm not an oil worker but I do rely on several visa exempts per year as I do use Thailand as a hub for exploring Asia.

There are thousands upon thousands of people in a similar situation to you, and it would be great if TV could ask for clarification.

[mrtoad]

I agree with ones the other posters, there are a lot of off shore workers who are on rotations, then spend there month off back here. I know quite a few. They are certainly not abusing visas and spend money in their local economies. It will be interesting to see what immigration do about this. Appears really they haven't thought about a number of things

[casualbiker]

Frankly you should apply for a non imm O visa, based on marriage wife and a dependent.

Sorry, should have said, I am not married now. But will do ASAP

If you have a child, I believe you can get a suitable visa without getting married.

Yep. Legalize the child as in register that you are the father then you should be able to get a non O or extension of stay based on the child. Proof of 40kbaht a month or 400,000baht in a Thai bank account in your name for minimum 2 months.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Franky Bear]

Frankly you should apply for a non imm O visa, based on marriage wife and a dependent.

Sorry, should have said, I am not married now. But will do ASAP

If you have a child, I believe you can get a suitable visa without getting married.

Yep. Legalize the child as in register that you are the father then you should be able to get a non O or extension of stay based on the child. Proof of 40kbaht a month or 400,000baht in a Thai bank account in your name for minimum 2 months.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I read this takes months? I am on her birth cert, the a pour stuff, she has her Thai and UK passports

[96tehtarp]

The change in rules applies to back-to-back tourist visa/exempt-stamp users who have been doing that as a way to live here. The stamps in your passport show that you do not fit that profile. You might expect some extra scrutiny but should be OK. You are not in the targeted group.

While here on your 28 days get a 1 year non-immigrant multiple entry visa in Savanakhet.

Good Luck.

Mate I have about 5 Cambodian back to backs from when I had to,stay off work,over the 28'days.

Ouch.

Your stamp history still shows you're not living here and you leave Thailand regularly for approximately a month each time .

I'm sure they will give you some extra scrutiny, however you still don't fit the profile they are targeting. You will have already been gone for 28 days when returning. If I were you I would bring some supporting documents, perhaps your child's birth certificate, pay-stubs showing foreign income etc.

One of the TV experts might recommend otherwise.

Congratulations on your decision to get married.

You can also get a non-imm O based on parenthood. That's in another topic.

[Franky Bear]

Ouch.

Your stamp history still shows you're not living here and you leave Thailand regularly for approximately a month each time .

I'm sure they will give you some extra scrutiny, however you still don't fit the profile they are targeting. You will have already been gone for 28 days when returning. If I were you I would bring some supporting documents, perhaps your child's birth certificate, pay-stubs showing foreign income etc.

One of the TV experts might recommend otherwise.

Congratulations on your decision to get married.

You can also get a non-imm O based on parenthood. That's in another topic.

Yes I will. Have pay slips,,by Bkk bank book, my work will write a letter saying I am full time employed in Kazakhstan on a 28/28 rotation. And copies of my daughters passports and birth Certs along with pictures of us all

[96tehtarp]

Yep. Legalize the child as in register that you are the father then you should be able to get a non O or extension of stay based on the child. Proof of 40kbaht a month or 400,000baht in a Thai bank account in your name for minimum 2 months.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I read this takes months? I am on her birth cert, the a pour stuff, she has her Thai and UK passports

Yes.

You are stuffed, I think. 28 days isn't enough time. Mine took nearly three months from my date of entry.

[96tehtarp]

Ouch.

Your stamp history still shows you're not living here and you leave Thailand regularly for approximately a month each time .

I'm sure they will give you some extra scrutiny, however you still don't fit the profile they are targeting. You will have already been gone for 28 days when returning. If I were you I would bring some supporting documents, perhaps your child's birth certificate, pay-stubs showing foreign income etc.

One of the TV experts might recommend otherwise.

Congratulations on your decision to get married.

You can also get a non-imm O based on parenthood. That's in another topic.

Yes I will. Have pay slips,,by Bkk bank book, my work will write a letter saying I am full time employed in Kazakhstan on a 28/28 rotation. And copies of my daughters passports and birth Certs along with pictures of us all

You will have been gone for 28 days and that's not back to back. You should be just fine then.

If you get an overzealous immigration agent just smile and be calm. It will go up to the next level, and you can show them your supporting docs and work pattern and tell them that you will shortly be applying for the non-immigrant visa.

[Franky Bear]

Yes.

You are stuffed, I think. 28 days isn't enough time. Mine took nearly three months from my date of entry.

But if we marry we avoid all that shit I think?

[beammeup]

I am in the same boat 28/28, I have been doing it for 18 years with the occasional non O visa to renew drivers licence. I spend over 180 days out of Thailand so am not taxable so I think I shouldn't have a problem to continue with the 30 day visa exempt. Franky, If during any year you have spent more than 180 days in Thailand and haven't payed tax on your income you are breaking the law. This is what they are tying to stop (I think). I am going to continue until I have a problem then I will get a non immigrant O based on marriage if need be.