what are my options?

[diginomad]

Hello everyone, I've been a bit of a lurker here but finally decided to join up.

I have searched for similar posts but I think my situation is a bit unique in the sense that I have 2 passports and need some advice.

I apologise in advance if there are other posts regarding dual passport holders as I only found posts where one of the passports was Thai.

My names Paul, originally from South Africa but lived in London prior to coming to BKK, but I am South African born and hold Dual Nationalities (South African and Portuguese)

I was silly not to apply for a visa before I came and came in on my portuguese passport and got myself a 30 day visa on arrival, but now I have about 10 days or so before I have to leave or renew.

Can I get an extension now without leaving the country?

if so where and at what cost?

Also what is the best way for me to make use of both my passports so that I don't have to make that many border runs and try and get out as much as possible?

I thank you for your answers in advance.

[BritTim]

As I understand your issue, it is unrelated to dual nationality.

You received a 30 day "visa exempt entry", not a "visa on arrival" which is something different. You can get a 30 day extension of your permission to stay at an immigration office for 1,900 baht. If you want to stay longer than that, you will need to leave the country and get a visa before returning. Without more details on your situation, it is difficult to advise you on the best visa to get, but a double entry tourist visa from Vientiane or Savannakhet (60 days + 30 days extension, then border run, 60 days + 30 days extension) may be what you are looking for. This does not allow you to work legally.

[Crossy]

You can extend your visa exemption (it's not a Visa on Arrival) by a further 30 days at your local immigration office.

Cost 1900 Baht.

[ubonjoe]

Having 2 passporst will not help until you reach the limit on the number of tourist visas you can get at one embassy or consulate. You would have to fly out to do the passport swap.

Having 2 passports will not help on entry to the country at immigration because thew will link your history from the other one the first time you use the 2nd passport.

[diginomad]

Wow, knew this was the right place to get some answers.

I'm a digital nomad so I can work from Thailand but not work a salaried job in Thailand.

But would love to get my hands on a bank account at some point.

are there many immigration offices around Bangkok or do I need to head to BKK central? I'm in the Lad Phrao area

[Soutpeel]

I'm a digital nomad so I can work from Thailand but not work a salaried job in Thailand.

I wouldn't be saying that too loud, what your doing can be interpreted as being illegal in Thailand, as one needs a work permit to work in Thailand

lekker dag boet

[ubonjoe]

You can only get the 30 day extension at Chaeng Wattana immigration office.

Map and info for getting there is here, http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/location1.html

[smiles793]

Having 2 passports will not help on entry to the country at immigration because thew will link your history from the other one the first time you use the 2nd passport.

Are you sure about the second half of this statement UJ (assuming you're talking about passports of 2 different countries, not just a 2nd passport of the same country) ?

I also have dual nationality, and can't see how the two passports can be easily linked - they are issued by different countries, with different serial numbers of course, (the only thing that is the same is the name and dob, but I wouldn't have thought that this would be linked when you come in as a tourist).

I travelled on one for my first few years here (this is the one I used to use for personal rather than business trips), then switched to the other (because many immigration officials had difficulty reading the first one). But as far as I know they were never linked. I actually thought it would be great if they could link them, so that the full length of my connection with Thailand would be easily visible.

Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

They are linked together. There have been many topics and posts about this.

The first time a passport is used for entry the system does a name and date of birth search. This is done mostly to check for blacklisting.

[Soutpeel]

They are linked together. There have been many topics and posts about this.

The first time a passport is used for entry the system does a name and date of birth search. This is done mostly to check for blacklisting.

yes they linked together when they are the same nationality, but not so sure about when the passports are of two different nationalities

I am a dual national and I am not even sure my own "countries" are aware I hold the "others" passport, never mind Thailand

one suspects the search is name/ DOB/nationality

[smiles793]

Well the passports I hold from the two different countries that I am a citizen of definitely were not linked. I know this from my dealings with immigration for my first work permit here a few years later.

A blacklist check keyed on name plus dob doesn't need to link the passports, it simply needs to recognise that the name/dob combination on a passport is on a blacklist.

[diginomad]

I'm a digital nomad so I can work from Thailand but not work a salaried job in Thailand.

I wouldn't be saying that too loud, what your doing can be interpreted as being illegal in Thailand, as one needs a work permit to work in Thailand

lekker dag boet

hmm didn't know this, dankie :-)

does anyone know if one can get a bank acc on a tourist visa?

[diginomad]

You can only get the 30 day extension at Chaeng Wattana immigration office.

Map and info for getting there is here, http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/location1.html

Many thanks - does one need an appointment?

[Mario2008]

It is a walk in service. Just get a queue ticket.

[Soutpeel]

I'm a digital nomad so I can work from Thailand but not work a salaried job in Thailand.

I wouldn't be saying that too loud, what your doing can be interpreted as being illegal in Thailand, as one needs a work permit to work in Thailand

lekker dag boet

hmm didn't know this, dankie :-)

does anyone know if one can get a bank acc on a tourist visa?

Bank account, you just have to keep trying different branches, some will give you an account others not.

on the on line stuff, if your working in Thailand you need a WP, best thing to do is keep your mouth shut over what your doing, don't tell anyone, I mean anyone as if someone complains or reports you to immigration you could be on a sticky wicket

[OJAS]

I am a dual national and I am not even sure my own "countries" are aware I hold the "others" passport, never mind Thailand

Brits with dual nationality are now required to provide copies of their non-British passport when renewing their British one - see https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports. As a result HMPO will presumably now be increasingly able to link both nationalities. No doubt other countries are following suit with their dual nationals if they haven't done so already.

[Soutpeel]

I am a dual national and I am not even sure my own "countries" are aware I hold the "others" passport, never mind Thailand

Brits with dual nationality are now required to provide copies of their non-British passport when renewing their British one - see https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports. As a result HMPO will presumably now be increasingly able to link both nationalities. No doubt other countries are following suit with their dual nationals if they haven't done so already.

Well they can wait 9 years or till my pp is full and needs renewing only got a new one last year

[dbrenn]

I am a dual national and I am not even sure my own "countries" are aware I hold the "others" passport, never mind Thailand

Brits with dual nationality are now required to provide copies of their non-British passport when renewing their British one - see https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports. As a result HMPO will presumably now be increasingly able to link both nationalities. No doubt other countries are following suit with their dual nationals if they haven't done so already.

That must be a relatively new requirement. I renewed my British passport in Oz a year and a half back and was not asked about dual nationality.

I've got triple nationality, and the rule only mentions dual, so I suppose I'm exempt anyway.

[diginomad]

Does anyone know when is the best time of the day to go to immigration?

Someone told me the queues can last 8 hours. Is it a safer bet getting there first thing in the morning?

[Mario2008]

Does anyone know when is the best time of the day to go to immigration?

Someone told me the queues can last 8 hours. Is it a safer bet getting there first thing in the morning?

You might want to tell which immigration office you will use.

[diginomad]

The one in Bangkok -
Location :
The Govenment Complex Commemorating His Majesty , B Building , Floor 2 (South Zone)
Chaengwattana Road (Soi 7) , Laksi , Bangkok 10210

[Mario2008]

It doesn't matter much what time and I don't think a simple extension of a visa exempt entry will take so long. Maybe go today, because of the holidays on the 4th and 5th both tomorrow and the 6th will be extra busy.

[diginomad]

awesome cheers :-)

[diginomad]

done :-) got an extension for 30 days but now I have to leave again in 30 days and apply for a multiple whatschamacallit