What if I can't get another Tourist visa?

[Rachel99]

I've been living in Thailand for over three years. I arrived on a 60 day Tourist Visa, found a teaching job, did a few visa-runs and then went to Penang for my Non-Immigrant B. I Stayed at the school for over 2 years on Non -B extensions. I decided to leave and move on but I didn't have a new job lined up so I went back to Penang for a Tourist Visa, which I got.I Found a new job, went back to Penang for another Non-Imm B but just a short-term contract, so the visa couldn't be extended. I therefore went back to Penang again to get another Tourist visa but this time the agent was very concerned about if it would be granted -he said it would be obvious to them I was looking for work....He phoned them and after a long chat said it should be OK but warned me that I may still have trouble getting in at the border. He advised me to get a new passport1 Anyway I risked it and managed to get back in to Thailand. I then found another job, went back again and got another Non-B visa. However I've not been happy at the school so I've handed in my notice for the end of the month. My visa expires January 8th, and as I've quit and don't have anything else lined-up I can't get an extension. My only choice seems to be to return to Penang to try to get another Tourist visa. What I need to know is:

1) If I can't get a Tourist Visa, can I still get back into Thailand to collect my things from my apartment before leaving the country? If I'm refused the Tourist Visa, does this mean I can't get the 15 day visa exemption at the border, if I show up without any visa? Will it be on their system that I'm suspected of trying to enter for work purposes?

2) If I can get another Tourist visa but It's refused at the border, will they still allow me back in on a visa exemption or some kind of temporary visa so I can collect my things and fly back home to the UK from Bangkok? Or will I be stranded at the border?

3) If I am stranded at the border, any idea where I can catch a van back to Penang?

4) If I book a flight to Cambodia as evidence of my ongoing travel, should I be asked for evidence, do you think it will be accepted?

5) Finally if I'm refused entry at the border, return to Penang and then book a flight to Bangkok to try to get in. Upon arrival in Bangkok, will I be more likely to get in on a visa exemption or some kind of visa in arrival, so I can collect my things and arrange a flight home?

[ubonjoe]

I see no reason for you to have any problem getting a visa or entering the country.

Normally embassies and consulates only count the number of tourist visas you have from them not other visas.

If you are worried about Penang perhaps go to another embassy or consulate. You could easily get a 2 entry tourist visa in Laos.

[Rachel99]

Thanks Ubonjoe. So you think I'll get through at the border OK too -do you think I should buy a ticket to Cambodia just in case, as proof of onward travel? Has anyone ever been refused entry at the border, and been unable to collect their things, that you know of? I'm just trying to work out a back-up plan if the worst case scenario should happen.

[ubonjoe]

Months ago there were a few people denied entry at a border but were told to fly in instead.

If you have a valid visa you will not have a problem.

It might be wise though to have 20k baht in cash if you enter at Sadao. There have been reports of them asking for it,

[csabo]

Yeah, what's the love affair with Penang? I would think for appearances you might want to change up your application location. At least you would look like a SEA tourist not a border runner. Not to mention see a little more of the world while you can. Good luck.

[Kasset Tak]

I would suggest Savannakhet instead. I had no problem getting a double entry tourist visa after my last non-b there and it's same day service! When arriving back to Thailand no-one was asked to prof of fund (20,000Baht).

You could go to immigration 1 and convert your tourist visa if you get a new job. But it's easier to go to any embassy... Yesterday I went there to do exactly that and got a "NO" because of some document so I asked if I could extend my tourist visa (21 December is my last day on my second entry) so I can get the documents fixed and then apply again, short answer "NO! You are working, you get non-b visa!"...

[bbi1]

I see no reason for you to have any problem getting a visa or entering the country.

Normally embassies and consulates only count the number of tourist visas you have from them not other visas.

If you are worried about Penang perhaps go to another embassy or consulate. You could easily get a 2 entry tourist visa in Laos.

What's the maximum number of tourist visas you can get from the same embassy/consulate?

[ubonjoe]

It varies from one embassy or consulate to another.

I have read that 3 is the max at Penang.

Vientiane is 3 double entries but some people have gotten 4. I think Savannakhet is the same.

Singapore is one unless you have some time out of the country before trying of another one.

Not sure about the other nearby embassies and consulates.

[bbi1]

It varies from one embassy or consulate to another.

I have read that 3 is the max at Penang.

Vientiane is 3 double entries but some people have gotten 4. I think Savannakhet is the same.

Singapore is one unless you have some time out of the country before trying of another one.

Not sure about the other nearby embassies and consulates.

Are we talking about back to back tourist visas or it doesn't matter if it's a few months before you go back to the same embassy/consulate that the rules are still the same?

[devaram]

come bback to thailand on the train from butterworth then its no problem you will have 30 days which you ccann extend for another 30 at immigration then go to lao to get a doubble entry

[ubonjoe]

It varies from one embassy or consulate to another.

I have read that 3 is the max at Penang.

Vientiane is 3 double entries but some people have gotten 4. I think Savannakhet is the same.

Singapore is one unless you have some time out of the country before trying of another one.

Not sure about the other nearby embassies and consulates.

Are we talking about back to back tourist visas or it doesn't matter if it's a few months before you go back to the same embassy/consulate that the rules are still the same?

Back to back visa applications at the same place. If you get a visa from another embassy or consulate it will break the chain of visas.

[totally thaied up]

It varies from one embassy or consulate to another.

I have read that 3 is the max at Penang.

Vientiane is 3 double entries but some people have gotten 4. I think Savannakhet is the same.

Singapore is one unless you have some time out of the country before trying of another one.

Not sure about the other nearby embassies and consulates.

Are we talking about back to back tourist visas or it doesn't matter if it's a few months before you go back to the same embassy/consulate that the rules are still the same?

Back to back visa applications at the same place. If you get a visa from another embassy or consulate it will break the chain of visas.

Ubonjoe

I have gone back to Australia every 3 months an spend about 8 weeks back at my home. Before, I had a ED Visa an studied Thai for 18 months, but due to very bad health, I returned to Australia for 12 months.

I have since gained 2 single entry visa's from Brisbane an plan in February to gain a double entry visa to travel back to Thailand for 6 months. If all goes well, I might go to Lao for a month an re-apply for one more double entry visa before coming back to Australia for three to four months in 2016. It all depends upon my parents health as they are elderly.

Now, is it okay for me to apply from Brisbane again for the double entry visa as I have applied here twice before for the single entries or do I need to apply now in Canberra? Do, I need to break this chain of events? Like I said, I spend about 3 months back in Australia before applying.

I am now retired due to bad health an do not work. I have a very good income stream for life. I am 46 years old. I plan on retirement in Thailand in 4 years time. I still classify myself as a tourist as really, I am on holiday, I am not working an have good funding. Yes, I do have the funds for a TE Visa but my parents health is not the best an upon their deaths, I would need to spend upto 2 years in Australia sorting out their business. I would be just wasting money if something happened an at their age, anything can happen.

Thank you for your help

[ubonjoe]

Brisbane will issue you another visa without a problem.

It is only the nearby embassies and consulates that have limits on getting visas.

[totally thaied up]

Thank you very much for your quick reply. You do a wonderful job here.

[Metapod]

whats wrong with looking for work on a tourist visa?

the declaration you sign only says working is prohibited, not looking for work.

[Digitalnomade]

you can look for work or work illegally. work is a human right.!(and Thailand has signed human rights)

what I heard last day? , Canada charges now 1000$ for work permit vs 200$ last year, and now people work illegally because employers don't want to fork 1000$ just to hire a waitress.!

[jpeg]

Thanks Ubonjoe. So you think I'll get through at the border OK too -do you think I should buy a ticket to Cambodia just in case, as proof of onward travel? Has anyone ever been refused entry at the border, and been unable to collect their things, that you know of? I'm just trying to work out a back-up plan if the worst case scenario should happen.

Just go to any visa agent and pay the 'upped' fee of 4000 baht (400 ringit) to enable you to carry on the tedious in/out but 'valid' Tourist Visa process

[alocacoc]

It varies from one embassy or consulate to another.

I have read that 3 is the max at Penang.

Vientiane is 3 double entries but some people have gotten 4. I think Savannakhet is the same.

Singapore is one unless you have some time out of the country before trying of another one.

Not sure about the other nearby embassies and consulates.

Are we talking about back to back tourist visas or it doesn't matter if it's a few months before you go back to the same embassy/consulate that the rules are still the same?

Back to back visa applications at the same place. If you get a visa from another embassy or consulate it will break the chain of visas.

Is this definitely so? Next time i will go anyway to Savannakhet instaed of Vientiane. This will break my chain of visas. I hope you keep right.

The other solution would be to provide them with a rental contract and a bank book.

[Digitalnomade]

there is no " break of chain of visa", please would you stop to believe of these rumours....

worse case could happen to you is a stamp "last visa", after this go to your home country and get a visa there.