Extending triple entry tourist visa vs getting a new one

[ronmnk]

I've got a triple entry tourist visa from an embassy in Germany and hold a German passport. Currently here with my first entry. I'm planning to stay in Thailand more long term, am not going to work here though, got funds.

Now wondering whether it's better to extend each visa entry at the government office here to get the most out of the visa or if I shouldn't and then just get a new one in Germany every 6 months. I have to travel back there once in a while anyways and getting a Visa there takes nowhere as long as getting an extension here.

I also don't mind leaving the country every 2 months instead of leaving every 3 months, as I like to see other countries nearby.

If my plan is to stay in Thailand as long as possible using tourist visas, is one approach better than the other? With every tourist visa I get it obviously the chance if getting the next one gets lower. But do extensions have the same negative impact?

[Mario2008]

Getting extensions is of no consequence, they only cost more. Being outside of Thailand from time to time will have a more positive impact then having done extensions or not.

[ronmnk]

Getting extensions is of no consequence, they only cost more. Being outside of Thailand from time to time will have a more positive impact then having done extensions or not.

Thanks

Is leaving Thailand every 2 months for a week better than leaving every 3 months for a week?

If not, it's probably best to get the extensions, since they don't have any negative impact on getting the next visa and therefor allow for a longer time in Thailand until I will have issues with getting another tourist visa.. right?

[Suradit69]

Getting extensions is of no consequence, they only cost more. Being outside of Thailand from time to time will have a more positive impact then having done extensions or not.

Thanks

Is leaving Thailand every 2 months for a week better than leaving every 3 months for a week?

If not, it's probably best to get the extensions, since they don't have any negative impact on getting the next visa and therefor allow for a longer time in Thailand until I will have issues with getting another tourist visa.. right?

You only have six months from the date the visa was issued to make your first, second and third visa entries. So what you choose to do in terms of entries or using extensions depends more on your plans and when your visa expires. Some embassies/consulates may ask questions if you keep coming back for another visa, but if your spending some time in Thailand and then your spend some time back in Germany, you should be regarded as a genuine tourist. They won't worry about you getting extensions or not. That's expected.

If you get a fresh visa issued in Germany a couple times a year, immigrations isn't going to bother about it.

[jethro69]

Besides extensions are more expensive, they mess your passport up pretty quick, it's a bit more than half a side gone, especially with the standard ~30 pages passports. Germans can get (for a premium fee) a 40-50 pages passport AFAIK.

As mentioned before, check your expiry date, probably you're only good for 2 extensions on a triple visa. (valid 6m / 180day)

[BuckBee]

Extensions are ok if need them but as above you only likely benefit from 2 extensions on a triple entry unless you pre-plan so visa issued as close as possible to planned arrival date to thailand.

You can pick up another double entry tourist for about 4,800bt all in if go to savannakhet, with 3 entry & 2 entry you got 10 months & a couple of 30day extensions would do you a year. Going back to germany is good if really do need go back otherwise expensive & time consuming.

[jethro69]

Extensions are ok if need them but as above you only likely benefit from 2 extensions on a triple entry unless you pre-plan so visa issued as close as possible to planned arrival date to thailand.

You can pick up another double entry tourist for about 4,800bt all in if go to savannakhet, with 3 entry & 2 entry you got 10 months & a couple of 30day extensions would do you a year. Going back to germany is good if really do need go back otherwise expensive & time consuming.

I assume the 4800 in savannakhet includes the travel costs, as a double is only 2000 in Vientiane.

[TerryLH]

"As mentioned before, check your expiry date, probably you're only good for 2 extensions on a triple visa. (valid 6m / 180day)"

&

"Extensions are ok if need them but as above you only likely benefit from 2 extensions on a triple entry ..."

If you are able to make three entries, you can do the last extension. It doesn't matter when the actual visa expired, it's the permission to stay date that is important.

[BuckBee]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Extensions are ok if need them but as above you only likely benefit from 2 extensions on a triple entry unless you pre-plan so visa issued as close as possible to planned arrival date to thailand.

You can pick up another double entry tourist for about 4,800bt all in if go to savannakhet, with 3 entry & 2 entry you got 10 months & a couple of 30day extensions would do you a year. Going back to germany is good if really do need go back otherwise expensive & time consuming.

I assume the 4800 in savannakhet includes the travel costs, as a double is only 2000 in Vientiane.

yes that a rough cost for everything, tour bus, boarder bus, lao visa, thai visa, hotel, tuktuks (based on my lao trip travel)

[BuckBee]

"As mentioned before, check your expiry date, probably you're only good for 2 extensions on a triple visa. (valid 6m / 180day)"

&

"Extensions are ok if need them but as above you only likely benefit from 2 extensions on a triple entry ..."

If you are able to make three entries, you can do the last extension. It doesn't matter when the actual visa expired, it's the permission to stay date that is important

* Not always - If you have lost time from original issue of visa to you arrival using 2 extensions on your first 2 entries becomes a bit of a waste as the second one could only have a week or 2 before you need make final entry before actual visa expiry is reached.

Visa is valid for 6months, 2 entries plus 2 extensions = 6months, minus time lost from issue to entry in thailand means most people gain very little from that 2 entry extension as if do not use you 3rd entry before visa expiry you loose it.

For majority of people who not trying milk the 3 entry tourist for every last day 1 extension within first 2 entries followed by 1 on the last 3rd entry works favourably, You can buy a 2 entry tourist which is 120days for same price as 30day extension so extensions not always the best route ...

[ronmnk]

For majority of people who not trying milk the 3 entry tourist for every last day 1 extension within first 2 entries followed by 1 on the last 3rd entry works favourably, You can buy a 2 entry tourist which is 120days for same price as 30day extension so extensions not always the best route ...

Yeah, seems like that to me too. I've only entered Thailand about 3 weeks after I got the visa. I could probably milk the triple entry visa the most by extending each entry, but not staying the full 90 days. But in the end it would be such a small difference, not worth the hassle.

Will do two extensions though. Is there any information at which point getting a new visa can become an issue. Been in Thailand since September last year with some 1-4 week breaks. So far got:

One visa exempt with extension

One tourist visa with extension

Now the triple entry tourist visa which I plan to extend two times, with one week outside of Thailand between every entry

After that, I will be back in Germany for 2 or 3 weeks. Should I expect issues if I apply for another triple entry visa then?

[ubonjoe]

You will not have a problem getting another 3 entry tourist visa.

[BuckBee]

No I can not see you having an issue with that.

Just be prepared with some cash or bank books or login for bank account from phone just on the off chance you get pulled for friendly questioning, once see you have finances outside thailand that can support your stay you on your way.

Unlikely you will be picked up though as normally only happens on repeat tourists with short breaks & regional flights & from say Singapore or HongKong, Happened to me from Singapore & a friend from Taiwan, no real bother but they are paying more attention on tourist visas.

If you don't want go back Germany just use Savannakhet for a double ...

[BuckBee]

For majority of people who not trying milk the 3 entry tourist for every last day 1 extension within first 2 entries followed by 1 on the last 3rd entry works favourably, You can buy a 2 entry tourist which is 120days for same price as 30day extension so extensions not always the best route ...

Yeah, seems like that to me too. I've only entered Thailand about 3 weeks after I got the visa. I could probably milk the triple entry visa the most by extending each entry, but not staying the full 90 days. But in the end it would be such a small difference, not worth the hassle.

Will do two extensions though.

Exactly right ronmnk .

When you have a scenario like yours of 3 weeks between issue & entry to thailand it means you could only use your 2nd entry extension for 6-7days as if went past that your visa would be expired & you loose the 3rd entry.

You got to be stupid to waste a day at immigration along with 2.000Bt for 7 days unless it really works for you somehow.

Doing 2 extensions like yourself is the smart way of doing it then get a new visa either local region or home :-)

[BusyB]

For my longer trips I also use a 6m 3x ENTRY TR VISA.

It gives you the possibility of spending up to 270 days or so in LOS.

You can extend each 60 day entry by 30 days, then have to leave and return to activate the next entry. Extension was THB1900 last time I did this I think. It took much less than an hour filling out a simple form, drinking coffee and reading at Hua Hin immi. (And forking over the dosh of course!)

However watch out - you must activate the last entry while the VISA is still valid.

I get 3 entries because I sometimes travel out of LOS anyway b4 the 60 days is up. I'd just rather have them in my pocket, like small change. For the €90 cost it makes life much easier, because I'm often in LOS for longer than a 30 day "visa exempt" entry. Saves all the hassle with border runs (of which I only ever did one in an emergency and wasn't impressed with service etc to say the least. It was a complete pain.) or having to extend after 30 days already.

All the best

[IMA_FARANG]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

"As mentioned before, check your expiry date, probably you're only good for 2 extensions on a triple visa. (valid 6m / 180day)"

&

"Extensions are ok if need them but as above you only likely benefit from 2 extensions on a triple entry ..."

If you are able to make three entries, you can do the last extension. It doesn't matter when the actual visa expired, it's the permission to stay date that is important.

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

If you do the final exit/entry on the day before your visa expires.....even though your visa expires the next day your "permission to stay" stamp on entry will keep you here for 60 days. And then it is possible to extend that stay at your local immigration for another 30 days by paying 1900 Baht for that extension even if your visa is expired.

[wump]

The Thai consulates in Germany do not care about seeing any proof as long as you spend some time outside Thailand and include your plane ticket in the application. You get the visa by mail and I get a triple entry every year, no worries at all.

That said, spending only 3 weeks in Germany is a bit short. Spend the summer there for 2-3 months and and you'll be on the safe side.