Sequential Tourist Visas

[Paulinho]

Hi -

Last Xmas I returned to Thailand - previously I had a company there (WP & Non Imm) and had a few years of Non-Imm Bs etc... so very few visa exempts.

I got a triple entry tourist Visa from the UK last Xmas and stayed for around 6 months travelling.

I am thinking of heading back for a few months having been in the Uk for summer. I want to get a new tourist visa from the UK so I don't have any issues over the next few months if I want to stay and or leave to other countries in the area & return to Thailand as a base.

A - will I be able to get another triple entry tourist visa from the Thai Embassy in UK or will there be issues as I have just had a triple entry visa (though it expired back in July when i returned to the UK).

B - if yes - what will be the likely procedure at immigration?

C - if not - what could be issues / solution if I want to be able to come in and out easily for the next few months. (I may have to return to the UK for some work for a month or two and or travel around s.e. asia)

Thanks

P

[paz]

a - yes

b - no procedure

c - will not happen.

[wayned]

A. Most likely, it will depend on the current regulations in place regarding triple entry visas at the Embassy on the day that you apply.

B. Normal procedures. When you enter you will get 60 days permission to stay and each entry can be extended for 30 days at immigration for 1900 baht. If you want to exit and reenter during your permission to stay, without activating,your next entry, you can purchase a reentry permit. cost; single, 1000 baht, multiple, 3800 baht.

C. If, for some reason, they will only issue you a single or double entry visa and you need more time, currently, you could go to Savannakhet, Laos, and get a double entry visa. They are currently issuing them on the day that you apply.

Good luck!

[Paulinho]

A. Most likely, it will depend on the current regulations in place regarding triple entry visas at the Embassy on the day that you apply.

B. Normal procedures. When you enter you will get 60 days permission to stay and each entry can be extended for 30 days at immigration for 1900 baht. If you want to exit and reenter during your permission to stay, without activating,your next entry, you can purchase a reentry permit. cost; single, 1000 baht, multiple, 3800 baht.

C. If, for some reason, they will only issue you a single or double entry visa and you need more time, currently, you could go to Savannakhet, Laos, and get a double entry visa. They are currently issuing them on the day that you apply.

Good luck!

Thankyou both.

[Paulinho]

Ok - following on from this. ( I just started a new thread but will continue here ).

I called the UK Embassy today - they said there would be no issue 'applying' for another visa.

Here is my concern:

I had a triple entry visa last December. Have been back in the UK for summer.

Would I be challenged if I got another triple entry? Or should I get a double or single, and then re-apply in the region after a few months dependent on my travel plans?

I presume Immigration would want to know more about someone on a longer stay tourist visa. And would be quite annoying if they refused you entry based on this.

I know people are saying back to back tourist visas are ok - but do you think double or triple entry visas might cause issues?

I want to be able to move around the region freely for a few months without having to repeatedly go through acquiring visas in other countries for Thailand.

Thanks

P

[paz]

I want to be able to move around the region freely for a few months without having to repeatedly go through acquiring visas in other countries for Thailand.

You can use visa exempt entry to "move around freely". 30 days extensible for 30 more.

[BritTim]

Ok - following on from this. ( I just started a new thread but will continue here ).

I called the UK Embassy today - they said there would be no issue 'applying' for another visa.

Here is my concern:

I had a triple entry visa last December. Have been back in the UK for summer.

Would I be challenged if I got another triple entry? Or should I get a double or single, and then re-apply in the region after a few months dependent on my travel plans?

I presume Immigration would want to know more about someone on a longer stay tourist visa. And would be quite annoying if they refused you entry based on this.

I know people are saying back to back tourist visas are ok - but do you think double or triple entry visas might cause issues?

I want to be able to move around the region freely for a few months without having to repeatedly go through acquiring visas in other countries for Thailand.

Thanks

P

At this time, there seem to be no issues entering with valid tourist visas, regardless of prior visa history. If there were to be any changes, I think it much more likely that they would take a jaundiced view of visas issued in Laos than those issued in your home country. In your position, I would try for another triple from the UK embassy.

[Paulinho]

Ok - following on from this. ( I just started a new thread but will continue here ).

I called the UK Embassy today - they said there would be no issue 'applying' for another visa.

Here is my concern:

I had a triple entry visa last December. Have been back in the UK for summer.

Would I be challenged if I got another triple entry? Or should I get a double or single, and then re-apply in the region after a few months dependent on my travel plans?

I presume Immigration would want to know more about someone on a longer stay tourist visa. And would be quite annoying if they refused you entry based on this.

I know people are saying back to back tourist visas are ok - but do you think double or triple entry visas might cause issues?

I want to be able to move around the region freely for a few months without having to repeatedly go through acquiring visas in other countries for Thailand.

Thanks

P

At this time, there seem to be no issues entering with valid tourist visas, regardless of prior visa history. If there were to be any changes, I think it much more likely that they would take a jaundiced view of visas issued in Laos than those issued in your home country. In your position, I would try for another triple from the UK embassy.

Thanks for the advice.

[Paulinho]

I want to be able to move around the region freely for a few months without having to repeatedly go through acquiring visas in other countries for Thailand.

You can use visa exempt entry to "move around freely". 30 days extensible for 30 more.

This probably makes more sense given my travel plans. Minimal hassle. Thanks.

[TheSpade]

Ok - following on from this. ( I just started a new thread but will continue here ).

I called the UK Embassy today - they said there would be no issue 'applying' for another visa.

Here is my concern:

I had a triple entry visa last December. Have been back in the UK for summer.

Would I be challenged if I got another triple entry? Or should I get a double or single, and then re-apply in the region after a few months dependent on my travel plans?

I presume Immigration would want to know more about someone on a longer stay tourist visa. And would be quite annoying if they refused you entry based on this.

I know people are saying back to back tourist visas are ok - but do you think double or triple entry visas might cause issues?

I want to be able to move around the region freely for a few months without having to repeatedly go through acquiring visas in other countries for Thailand.

Thanks

P

When are you heading back?

I have a flight booked back to Thailand for December 1st. Will have been out of Thailand for 5 months by this point.

But before that I was 'living' in Bangkok for 1 year. On a double entry to begin with and then 6 back to back border runs. Fine at the time but not so fine now.

Little apprehensive myself that I will ever not be given visa, refused entry on arrival, or let in only to be grilled / have problems every time I need to do a visa extension or activate the next part of the multiple entry visa.

My back up plan is to have a flight booked to Cambodia the day I arrive in BKK in case they refuse to let me enter and I can just fly there. Bangkok Airways fly to PP 5 times a day.

All a bit of a hassle though.

[paz]

Little apprehensive myself that I will ever not be given visa, refused entry on arrival, or let in only to be grilled / have problems every time I need to do a visa extension or activate the next part of the multiple entry visa.

My back up plan is to have a flight booked to Cambodia the day I arrive in BKK in case they refuse to let me enter and I can just fly there. Bangkok Airways fly to PP 5 times a day.

There is no reason to be apprehensive. If asked something you only need to be clear about not working in Thailand and have plenty of money to maintain yourself. You can also literally pull out your money at that point. You would be wasting money in buying a ticket without needing it.