Coming back in - visa or visa exempt ?

[mika911]

I intend clearing my 5 month overstay over the next few days leaving for 10/12 days approx

Not decided where yet but narrowed it down to - Singapore/Bali/KL /Manila

Irish --My passport is full of 30 day visa exempt over the last 4 years and a few recent previous overstay stamps (of 2-4 months overstay )which never cause any problems before on re-entry --(and i only have 4 full blank pages left )

I am under 50 - i dont work here and i have a bank account here showing reg transfers coming in to support my stay here

My question is will i be ok coming back in under the normal 30 visa exempt having been out of Thailand for 10/12 days or will i have to go get a tourist visa ?????

(All tourist visas use 1+ pages ??)

Tks

[Mario2008]

flame post removed.

[ubonjoe]

If you are going to be out of the country for a bit why not get a tourist visa instead of doing a exempt entry.

You can get a 3 entry tourist visa in Bali. You would need to show tickets out for each entry. The will accept them 90 days apart.

In Manila you can get a 2 entry with a ticket out.

Yes the visa will be a full page sticker but by getting one with more than one entry it is just one.

[Mario2008]

Reply to removed post removed as well.

[Maestro]

There is an element of risk with a new visa-exempt entry, as it depends on whether the immigration officer dealing with you on your arrival will accept your documents as sufficient in order not to suspect you of working illegally in Thailand. These are the guidelines that have been issued to immigration officers.

[mika911]

If you are going to be out of the country for a bit why not get a tourist visa instead of doing a exempt entry.

You can get a 3 entry tourist visa in Bali. You would need to show tickets out for each entry. The will accept them 90 days apart.

In Manila you can get a 2 entry with a ticket out.

Yes the visa will be a full page sticker but by getting one with more than one entry it is just one.

Main reason I would prefer a exempt entry this time is simply space in the passport --- I have been thinking ( but not fully decided yet ) of buying the Thai Elite Card so would prefer to use one of remaining full pages for the PE visa that comes with the card

You have moved Bali up in my list tho with your suggestion Thank you

But in your opinion will I still be ok to come back in on the visa exempt (with my history ) with that time outside the country ??

Even if they denied me the 30 day exempt @ immigration at Swampy i would still be allowed in for a shorter time ???( still giving me time to get the Elite card for future visa needs )

Tks

[mika911]

flame post removed.

[mika911]

There is an element of risk with a new visa-exempt entry, as it depends on whether the immigration officer dealing with you on your arrival will accept your documents as sufficient in order not to suspect you of working illegally in Thailand. These are the guidelines that have been issued to immigration officers.

I read those guidelines just now thank you

So i would have to have a ticket showing out of Thailand within 30 days and 20.000 cash as a minimum ???

Not working here is the main reason they want to restrict people coming in (i totally understand and agree with that )---But i have plenty of proof showing regular transfers in to my Thai bank account and credit card cash withdrawals

( from my home bank ) if i was questioned etc which should help my case ??

Tks

[ubonjoe]

If you are going to be out of the country for a bit why not get a tourist visa instead of doing a exempt entry.

You can get a 3 entry tourist visa in Bali. You would need to show tickets out for each entry. The will accept them 90 days apart.

In Manila you can get a 2 entry with a ticket out.

Yes the visa will be a full page sticker but by getting one with more than one entry it is just one.

Main reason I would prefer a exempt entry this time is simply space in the passport --- I have been thinking ( but not fully decided yet ) of buying the Thai Elite Card so would prefer to use one of remaining full pages for the PE visa that comes with the card

You have moved Bali up in my list tho with your suggestion Thank you

But in your opinion will I still be ok to come back in on the visa exempt (with my history ) with that time outside the country ??

Even if they denied me the 30 day exempt @ immigration at Swampy i would still be allowed in for a shorter time ???( still giving me time to get the Elite card for future visa needs )

Tks

They would probably let you in on a visa exempt entry. But you should be prepared to show them a ticket out within 30 days and 10k baht in cash.

They would deny you entry there would be no shorter stay given.

You could get the elite visa arranged while you were out of the country and get it when you entered the country.

[gilo]

My overstay was extremely long and i flew to KL returned 4 days later visa exempt at Suvarnabhumi in early August. I was however taken to the side and asked a lot of questions, signed various papers including being made aware of new (pending) over stay rules (again having signed them when I paid the overstay fine on departure a few days previously) and after about 30 minutes or so was given visa exempt 30 days (which i was able to extend). On reflection though getting a tourist visa would i think have been the better route to re-enter, for although I was re-admitted it was no prodigal son's return but very stressful as the I/O disappeared a few times and left me sweating it out, and quite rightly so! Her final words to me was never to overstay again and given the reams of papers that I signed I intend not to. So basically, while you may try for a visa exempt my experience would perhaps suggest the actual tourist visa route might be preferable. I have subsequently obtained a double entry tourist visa and was not questioned about the 11 year overstay either by the Embassy or the I/O on re-entering Thailand. Good luck.

[paz]

Main reason I would prefer a exempt entry this time is simply space in the passport ---

To save a page you can go get the tourist visa in a country that requires no visa, or use e-visa, like Malaysia and Cambodia.

Anyway your first priority when you return should be getting a new passport.

[steve187]

Go back to home country get a new passport as your nearly out of pages,and get the longest term visa that you can, do it correctly. You say you can afford a Thai elite card yet you have numerous overstay stamps,

The tightening up of all immigration rules and visa's is caused by too many people sailing close to the wind.