visa exemption and 50 days stay

[stapoz]

Hello all,

I live in Poland and I'm new here. I traveled to Thailand 6-7 times before but always for not longer than 30 days. In a week I fly to bkk for 50 days and I have no tourist visa (going to use 30 days visa exemption as usual). I little worry about this especially when they announced some restrictions in August 2014. Of course I have return ticket on 10 March (50 days since enter Thai), so I can't show it on the border.

I've few questions in the visa-exempt context (not tourist visa):

1. Should I expect any problems on the border?

2. Is is easy to get a 30-days extension for a visa exemption in an Immigration Office (eg in bkk or chiang mai)? What should be the reason of the extension? (there is such a question on the form). Do they make any stamp to the passport if the application is rejected? (if so, what then???) Do they require any tourist proof (I usually pay by cash, without earlier reservations - so have nothing to show)

3. Do they make any troubles for re-enter border (right after the previous visa exempt has finished)? Is it better to re-enter land or air border?

My return ticket is from bkk, so I must have a valid visa at the fly out day because I have plans to come Thai for a long time in the future.

I know every case is different, and I'll never got 100% certainty, but I'd like to hear your experiences.

I could go and got tourist visa before fly, but is very inconvenient (thai embassy is 300 km away from my city, and must wait 2-3 days for the visa)

[The Fat Controller]

Your airline may deny you boarding in Poland as your return date is more than 30 days after your arrival and you do not hold a visa.

[paz]

You best choice is to get a tourist visa first because you save money and a trip to immigration in doing that.

If you don't, to board without a return ticket in 30 days read:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754481-boarding-to-thailand-without-return-ticket/

[ukrules]

As for getting extensions, it's easy.

The reason for extending is 'Tourism' and they never really refuse you unless you're not eligible for an extension in which case you will probably get a '7 day stamp' instead of the usual 30 days.

I suggest you get the visa. Can't you get it by mail ?

[stapoz]

I've read this but why airline can do this? What if I want travel around all countries in Asia in 100 days? Should I make a visa for each country before fly? Maybe I go bkk and next week will fly to Cambodia or Singapur, then next country and come back bkk after a month? Why they can require me to make a 60 days tourist visa, if I'm allowed to enter Thai for 30 days and I'm going to stay eg 10 days only?

[ukrules]

I've read this but why airline can do this? What if I want travel around all countries in Asia in 100 days? Should I make a visa for each country before fly? Maybe I go bkk and next week will fly to Cambodia or Singapur, then next country and come back bkk after a month? Why they can require me to make a 60 days tourist visa, if I'm allowed to enter Thai for 30 days and I'm going to stay eg 10 days only?

It's a stupid rule and not often enforced but it exists because there is a small possibility that Thai immigration might deny you entry to the country as you have not got an onward flight within 30 days - this is a reuirement of visa exempt entrance to the country.

If you were denied entrance to the country I believe there is a penalty for the airline.

[paz]

I've read this but why airline can do this? What if I want travel around all countries in Asia in 100 days? Should I make a visa for each country before fly? Maybe I go bkk and next week will fly to Cambodia or Singapur, then next country and come back bkk after a month? Why they can require me to make a 60 days tourist visa, if I'm allowed to enter Thai for 30 days and I'm going to stay eg 10 days only?

You are allowed to stay 30 days visa exempt. Extension doesn't count. That is Thai immigration rules to which airlines must obey, otherwise they would have to pay to transport you back.

[stapoz]

That makes me fear. So no one here has traveled Thailand without a tourist visa with a return ticket in more than 30 days?

I'm really starting to think about getting tourist visa before fly...

[paz]

That makes me fear. So no one here has traveled Thailand without a tourist visa with a return ticket in more than 30 days?

I'm really starting to think about getting tourist visa before fly...

As mentioned before already, tourist visa is the best choice.

Then if you read the thread linked above, you will learn how to board visa exempt and without a return ticket within 30 days.

[stapoz]

If I would buy a ticket right before a fly to Thai eg bkk-Cambodia (fly within 30 days after enter Thai) - will they treat it equally the return ticket? Everywhere I've read is written "return ticket".

I'll fly by Lufthansa and I know Germans are very restrictive, so I think I'll better apply for a tourist visa on Monday

[ukrules]

If I would buy a ticket right before a fly to Thai eg bkk-Cambodia (fly within 30 days after enter Thai) - will they treat it equally the return ticket? Everywhere I've read is written "return ticket".

I'll fly by Lufthansa and I know Germans are very restrictive, so I think I'll better apply for a tourist visa on Monday

An 'onward ticket' within the 30 days limit is just as good as a return ticket.

[stapoz]

Thanks for your valuable advises. I'm going to drill deeper: Is a reservation ticket as good as a real one? It's not easy to certify if it was paid or not. There is a passenger name, reservation number, fly dates, etc on it.

I'm going to apply for a tourist visa anyway, but just wonder if it would be enough to have a flight reservation only - looks almost same - just a printout and each electronic ticket seller has it's own design of it - eg. my ticket is in Polish language and looks completely different if I buy at different seller (agent/issuer) - even if it's for the same flight for the same airline.

[paz]

Thanks for your valuable advises. I'm going to drill deeper: Is a reservation ticket as good as a real one? It's not easy to certify if it was paid or not. There is a passenger name, reservation number, fly dates, etc on it.

I'm going to apply for a tourist visa anyway, but just wonder if it would be enough to have a flight reservation only - looks almost same - just a printout and each electronic ticket seller has it's own design of it - eg. my ticket is in Polish language and looks completely different if I buy at different seller (agent/issuer) - even if it's for the same flight for the same airline.

You should respond in that thread - however not all methods listed there are with reservations. Some use real tickets.

[NeverSure]

It would be so sweet to have a tourist visa and avoid the hassle of immigration and all.

Others are right. It's the airline that is penalized by having to fly you out if you aren't admitted into Thailand. That's why it's the airline that might deny your boarding. I've never had it happen but I don't know about your airline or situation.

BTW, have a great trip.

[IMA_FARANG]

I've read this but why airline can do this? What if I want travel around all countries in Asia in 100 days? Should I make a visa for each country before fly? Maybe I go bkk and next week will fly to Cambodia or Singapur, then next country and come back bkk after a month? Why they can require me to make a 60 days tourist visa, if I'm allowed to enter Thai for 30 days and I'm going to stay eg 10 days only?

It's a stupid rule and not often enforced but it exists because there is a small possibility that Thai immigration might deny you entry to the country as you have not got an onward flight within 30 days - this is a reuirement of visa exempt entrance to the country.

If you were denied entrance to the country I believe there is a penalty for the airline.

--------------------

In fact he way the rule reads is that IF the passenger is not allowed access to the destination country the AIRLINE is responsible for the costs of removing the passenger that was not accepted.

That is precisely why the airline asks for a onward ticket or visa, so they (the airline) won't be stuck with the expense of removing the passenger.

It's an unlikely situation, but the airline doesn't want to take the risk of the cost of removing the passenger.

On the other subject, getting a tourist visa before you leave your home country is usually the best option.

For one thing, a tourist visa gives a 60 day stay, with a possible 30 day extension for another 1900 Baht in country.

That is cheaper than any ticket to a neighboring country, and avoids any hassle from the airline at check in time.

That is why getting a tourist visa before you leave is usually the best idea.

[IMA_FARANG]

Let me add t hat since the August 2014 changes to visa exempt entries you can now get a second visa exempt entry at immigration for a 1900 Baht fee.

That means you can now stay a total of 60 days with that 2nd visa exempt entry that you get from immigration, added to the one you got on arrival at the airport.

Tat is new since August 2014.

[ubonjoe]

Let me add t hat since the August 2014 changes to visa exempt entries you can now get a second visa exempt entry at immigration for a 1900 Baht fee.

That means you can now stay a total of 60 days with that 2nd visa exempt entry that you get from immigration, added to the one you got on arrival at the airport.

Tat is new since August 2014.

You don't get another exempt entry you get a 30 day extension of stay at immigration.

[stapoz]

Today got my visa. Thanks for advices

By the way, I could got up to 4 entry visa valid 6 months (each entry allows 2 months of stay) - so can stay in Thai 6-7 months without any worry (visa + 30 days extension). In Poland 1 entry visa cost is $35 - so for 3 entry which is enough for 6 months of stay about $100

[paz]

Today got my visa. Thanks for advices

By the way, I could got up to 4 entry visa valid 6 months (each entry allows 2 months of stay) - so can stay in Thai 6-7 months without any worry (visa + 30 days extension). In Poland 1 entry visa cost is $35 - so for 3 entry which is enough for 6 months of stay about $100

You can have only to 3 entries tourist visa. 4 entries does not exist. You can stay almost 9 months with triple entry.