Double or Triple Entry Tourist Visa?

[BV70]

This is just a quick question.... I'm in the process of applying for a tourist visa for Thailand and I need to clear up a little confusion over double and triple entry tourist visas.

As far as I'm aware you get a 3 month window with both a double and triple entry, however I'm getting people telling me on various facebook forums it is possible to stay in Thailand for 9 months with a triple entry. I can't work out how this is possible. Even if you return to Thailand on the final day of the visa 'enter before date', surely you can only get 60 days with the option to add 30 at immigration. Which, if timed to the day, will only permit a total 6 months stay. Therefore surely the only real difference between double and triple entries is literally the number of times you can enter/exit Thailand on the one visa.

Can someone confirm that this is correct and that those telling me triple entry = 9 months stay are misinformed, or am I missing something?

Many thanks.

[paz]

Triple entry visa are normally valid for 6 months. Ask the consulate or embassy.

[ubonjoe]

A tourist visa with 3 entries would have a 6 month validity period from the date of issue. That is how long you have to use the visa to use all the entries the visa allows not the amount of time you can be in the country.

That means you can get a total of 90 days per entry by extending the 60 day entry by 30 days. That gives you about 270 days, But a realistic number is about 260 days because you will loose the days from the time the visa is issued until you enter the country,

You just have to be sure you use the 3rd entry before the visa expires.

[BV70]

Thanks guys... So a triple entry gives you a 6 month window, not 3 as I thought was the case for both double and triple entry. I had been on both consulate and immigration websites but the information is, at best, sketchy.

[tsigane]

Thanks guys... So a triple entry gives you a 6 month window, not 3 as I thought was the case for both double and triple entry. I had been on both consulate and immigration websites but the information is, at best, sketchy.

I just got such a visa and it's valid for 3 months only. Initially, I asked for tripple entry, but changed my mind to double after I was told that the tourist visas are issued with 3 month validity. I got a triplle entry tourist visa valid for 6 months last year at the same consulate. So rules certainly changed at this consulate, at least.

[BV70]

Yes, that is what I have been told by the consulate in Laos and also back in the UK, that triple entry has a 3 month window. However I'm prepared to poliely dig in and request a 6 month window if, as is stated here, that a triple entry should have such a 6 month window and I have an itinerary/finances to prove my tourist status. Maybe each consulate has their own set of rules, or make a decision based on the individual applicant in front of them, although I've not read of any rule changes that clearly state tourist visas can be limited according to the issuers opinion on the day....

[paz]

Yes, that is what I have been told by the consulate in Laos and also back in the UK, that triple entry has a 3 month window.

Laos does not issue triple entry visa, so they have no word on that.

UK-issued triple entry are valid six months as explained to you before.

[ubonjoe]

From London embassy website. http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/45

"4. VALIDITY OF A VISA

- Single entry tourist visa will be valid for 3 months (you must enter Thailand within the validity of visa from the date of issue)
- double/triple entry will be valid for 6 months (you must enter Thailand on your final visit before expiry date)"

[The Maltese Falcon]

From London embassy website. http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/45

"4. VALIDITY OF A VISA

- Single entry tourist visa will be valid for 3 months (you must enter Thailand within the validity of visa from the date of issue)

- double/triple entry will be valid for 6 months (you must enter Thailand on your final visit before expiry date)"

Ubonjoe,

Hi how you doing?

Called the London embassy 2 times about the double entry with a Maltese passport and they assured me that I can get 60 days on each entry with no problems. Do you think they know what they are talking about or they just want to sell me a visa and let me pick up all the pieces when I get to Thailand. To be honest I wish I did not buy the airline ticket.

Thanks.

[JusMe]

Just last week got my double entry tourist visa - issued October 14/14 and valid until April 13/15

Enough time for entry, extension, trip out, re-entry and extension.

[Digitalnomade]

it s easy to get a visa in Lao. you should not worry too much. usually I go to LOS with no visa, and I spend a night in Lao for a double entry visa.

[defib]

So, next year, I am going to retire in UK, and wish to spend six months here, six months Thailand. This would keep my NHS cover here whereas, 3 months here, 9 months Thailand with 800k baht deposit in Thai bank, would lose NHS cover my GP assures me. However, I would want ALL that six months in Thailand. Now, if I get a double/triple entry from London Embassy, does it start from the day I walk out of the Embassy or, when I leave UK at the airport, or, when I arrive at Bangkok Airport? If it starts when I leave the Embassy, to get the most from it, I should jet off that day!? Or certainly within a day or two say.

Also, I am right in thinking, this. You get 60 days arriving at Bangkok. Then, you could go to local immigration office and get 30 days more. Then, you could do a border run say to Laos, and get 60 more days again on entry. Then, go back to local immigration office and get 30 days more. Then..... that is 180 days stayed, in fact the full six months! Have I got that right!? Obviously with my retirement now so near, I really need to be sure that my knowledge is correct so appreciate confirmation, or, telling me I am, wrong! Thanks.

[paz]

it s easy to get a visa in Lao. you should not worry too much. usually I go to LOS with no visa, and I spend a night in Lao for a double entry visa.

As often mentioned. Double entry tourist visa is issued in Savannakhet on the same day. No need to spend the night.

[JusMe]

So, next year, I am going to retire in UK, and wish to spend six months here, six months Thailand.

From the full post, it seems that if you can manage it, the O-A visa would probably be best. That way you can arrive and stay six months, head back to the UK for six months, and arrive again for another six months as long as you arrive one day before that visa expires. You'd have obtained it in the UK as close as possible to your initial departure.

Beyond that, back in the UK, you'd have to begin the process all over again.