back-to-back tourist visa border run denied

[nowretired]

"The US just concluded a reciprocal agreement with China for 10 year visas"

Tell the US to pull the finger out and conclude similar agreements with all other countries .

Would the Chinese agreement have anything to do with the massive US $ dept owed to China ? .

No... nothing to do with that. The 10 year US tourist visa is common. For whatever reason the US already gives them to Thais as I said. Thailand does not reciprocate. I think the US should rethink this given the fact that Thailand has become so restrictive on its 30 day stamps. When they were virtually unlimited it was a different story.

There is no restriction on what you call 30 day stamps .

There is only restriction on those who attempt to use repeated back to back "30 day stamps" as a means of staying long term or working illegally .

[moto77]

"The US just concluded a reciprocal agreement with China for 10 year visas"

Tell the US to pull the finger out and conclude similar agreements with all other countries .

Would the Chinese agreement have anything to do with the massive US $ dept owed to China ? .

No... nothing to do with that. The 10 year US tourist visa is common. For whatever reason the US already gives them to Thais as I said. Thailand does not reciprocate. I think the US should rethink this given the fact that Thailand has become so restrictive on its 30 day stamps. When they were virtually unlimited it was a different story.

There is no restriction on what you call 30 day stamps .

There is only restriction on those who attempt to use repeated back to back "30 day stamps" as a means of staying long term or working illegally .

So you think you could show me someone that has recently obtained 6 30 day stamps back to back (equivalent to a 180 day entry in the US)? Sorry, you're wrong. There is a limit. It just isn't stated. Again, that broad discretion that immigration officers have that you don't seem to understand even though its plain to everyone else.

[anotheruser]

follow the leader to cambodia or vietnam, i think not.

simply get a proper visa.

even if you have a proper visa, you still run into headaches.

Whereas, you can go to to Vietnam and Cambodia and stay a year by just extending your visa - without ever having to leave the country...expensive, sure, but so are visa runs for Thailand. And both countries are cheaper than Thailand, but not as nice in my opinion - hence, why I am a tourist in Thailand and not there

Thailand is worth the extra money. Soon, I will be on the beach in Phuket, drinking my expensive beer, with the touts, jet-ski scammers, fat Russians, loud and proud Arabs

So Thailand wouldn't let you leave or wouldn't let you back in? I am slightly confused you don't seem to be stuck in Myanmar right?

[BritTim]

"The US just concluded a reciprocal agreement with China for 10 year visas"

Tell the US to pull the finger out and conclude similar agreements with all other countries .

Would the Chinese agreement have anything to do with the massive US $ dept owed to China ? .

No... nothing to do with that. The 10 year US tourist visa is common. For whatever reason the US already gives them to Thais as I said. Thailand does not reciprocate. I think the US should rethink this given the fact that Thailand has become so restrictive on its 30 day stamps. When they were virtually unlimited it was a different story.

There is no restriction on what you call 30 day stamps .

There is only restriction on those who attempt to use repeated back to back "30 day stamps" as a means of staying long term or working illegally .

So you think you could show me someone that has recently obtained 6 30 day stamps back to back (equivalent to a 180 day entry in the US)? Sorry, you're wrong. There is a limit. It just isn't stated. Again, that broad discretion that immigration officers have that you don't seem to understand even though its plain to everyone else.

There is a counter point I would make. When you enter the US with a visa, you are questioned about the purpose of your visit and how long you intend to stay. If you really intend a 6 month stay, you will need to justify it pretty well or there is a good chance you will be denied entry. That is after a Thai might well have been grilled at interview before even being issued a visa. As a general rule, entry to Thailand with a visa, and, in most cases visa exempt entry, is permitted automatically. For a US citizen to get tourist visas for Thailand is trivial. It is an apples and oranges comparison.

[nowretired]

"The US just concluded a reciprocal agreement with China for 10 year visas"

Tell the US to pull the finger out and conclude similar agreements with all other countries .

Would the Chinese agreement have anything to do with the massive US $ dept owed to China ? .

No... nothing to do with that. The 10 year US tourist visa is common. For whatever reason the US already gives them to Thais as I said. Thailand does not reciprocate. I think the US should rethink this given the fact that Thailand has become so restrictive on its 30 day stamps. When they were virtually unlimited it was a different story.

There is no restriction on what you call 30 day stamps .

There is only restriction on those who attempt to use repeated back to back "30 day stamps" as a means of staying long term or working illegally .

So you think you could show me someone that has recently obtained 6 30 day stamps back to back (equivalent to a 180 day entry in the US)? Sorry, you're wrong. There is a limit. It just isn't stated. Again, that broad discretion that immigration officers have that you don't seem to understand even though its plain to everyone else.

Yes I can !

I have a friend who is married to a Thai . He works outside Thailand and returns every other month using a visa exempt entry. Never a problem and his passport is stuffed with 30 day stamps!

Sorry you are very wrong !

[anotheruser]

The United States also states quite clearly under the conditions of the visas that they give that... It isn't a guaranteed right of passage but simply lets you ask permission for the right to enter at the relevant port of call and that you can be rejected for any reason.

[Phatcharanan]

If you stay somewhere for one year I do not think you could be called a tourist

What a silly comment.

If you stay in 6 countries 2 months, can you be called a tourist?

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrr............probably

[nowretired]

I remember some years ago now being "interrogated"by a US I immigration Officer . He was arrogant , overbearing and threatening.

It was only when I demanded to see/talk with his supervisor that the heat of the situation dissipated. I insisted on registering a formal complaint which was accepted by the boss.

Since that time I have never experienced any further problem with US immigration ...................Coincidence ?

[eaglesflight]

Yes, I am sure it is a coincidence. You're not seriously suggesting that your complaint has so scared US immigration authorities that they now roll out the red carpet for you whenever you arrive?

[moto77]

The United States also states quite clearly under the conditions of the visas that they give that... It isn't a guaranteed right of passage but simply lets you ask permission for the right to enter at the relevant port of call and that you can be rejected for any reason.

And so does Thailand and every other country in the world.

In fact, the rejection rate is less than .1%.

[moto77]

So you think you could show me someone that has recently obtained 6 30 day stamps back to back (equivalent to a 180 day entry in the US)? Sorry, you're wrong. There is a limit. It just isn't stated. Again, that broad discretion that immigration officers have that you don't seem to understand even though its plain to everyone else.

Yes I can !

I have a friend who is married to a Thai . He works outside Thailand and returns every other month using a visa exempt entry. Never a problem and his passport is stuffed with 30 day stamps!

Sorry you are very wrong !

You've replied to a question you were not asked. I said back-to-back, which is EVERY MONTH. Not EVERY OTHER MONTH.

[moto77]

There is a counter point I would make. When you enter the US with a visa, you are questioned about the purpose of your visit and how long you intend to stay. If you really intend a 6 month stay, you will need to justify it pretty well or there is a good chance you will be denied entry. That is after a Thai might well have been grilled at interview before even being issued a visa. As a general rule, entry to Thailand with a visa, and, in most cases visa exempt entry, is permitted automatically. For a US citizen to get tourist visas for Thailand is trivial. It is an apples and oranges comparison.

It's not really.

1. The main point is that the visa lasts for 10 years for $160, not the length of the stay.

2. And you won't have a problem unless you try to stay more than 180 days in a year if you have a reason. We have lots of Brits in Florida who do just that: arrive for 180 days in the winter months. Why? They have winter homes.

You cannot get such a visa in Thailand and that is my point. The US should not be giving such visas to Thais when there is no reciprocal visa available.

Your point about the interview process is a red herring. If Thailand wants me to interview at their consulate in Miami once every 10 years, I'm happy to do so.

[jacksam]

Everyone complains about the cost of USA visas, but when you figure that they are valid for 10 years (with 180 day stays), they cost $16 per year. One thing I don't get is why the US issues 10 year visas to Thais when Thailand does not issue 10 year visas to US citizens (like China, India and Brazil do). The US just concluded a reciprocal agreement with China for 10 year visas. A 30 day visa waiver with no option for a visa run is NOT equivalent to a 10 year visa with 180 day stamps.

I'm Australian and would love to take my Thai gf to USA for a trip. My chances of her getting a tourist visa would be Zip. Would love to hear of a non USA national bringing a Thai squeeze to the greater USA. I recently took her to Japan. Thai get 15 visa exempt there. Wonderful

[jacksam]

Which nationals are you talking about. Yes maybe myself as a fat cat Australian can perhaps obtain visa to USA.

If your a Thai chick without solid employment ....keep dreaming.

Last week at Singapore airport the tgf was held up because could no show her return flight.( yes my mistake and she couldn't locate it on her cell)

The IO looked across at me. He said ...is she with you.

My reply ...yes. OK he said ..no problem. Don't you love being from one of the superior countries.

There is a counter point I would make. When you enter the US with a visa, you are questioned about the purpose of your visit and how long you intend to stay. If you really intend a 6 month stay, you will need to justify it pretty well or there is a good chance you will be denied entry. That is after a Thai might well have been grilled at interview before even being issued a visa. As a general rule, entry to Thailand with a visa, and, in most cases visa exempt entry, is permitted automatically. For a US citizen to get tourist visas for Thailand is trivial. It is an apples and oranges comparison.

It's not really.

1. The main point is that the visa lasts for 10 years for $160, not the length of the stay.

2. And you won't have a problem unless you try to stay more than 180 days in a year if you have a reason. We have lots of Brits in Florida who do just that: arrive for 180 days in the winter months. Why? They have winter homes.

You cannot get such a visa in Thailand and that is my point. The US should not be giving such visas to Thais when there is no reciprocal visa available.

Your point about the interview process is a red herring. If Thailand wants me to interview at their consulate in Miami once every 10 years, I'm happy to do so.

[elviajero]

There is no restriction on what you call 30 day stamps .

There is only restriction on those who attempt to use repeated back to back "30 day stamps" as a means of staying long term or working illegally .

So you think you could show me someone that has recently obtained 6 30 day stamps back to back (equivalent to a 180 day entry in the US)? Sorry, you're wrong. There is a limit. It just isn't stated. Again, that broad discretion that immigration officers have that you don't seem to understand even though its plain to everyone else.

Yes I can !

I have a friend who is married to a Thai . He works outside Thailand and returns every other month using a visa exempt entry. Never a problem and his passport is stuffed with 30 day stamps!

Sorry you are very wrong !

@ motto77

And I have a mate that works in Cambodia Monday to Friday. He flies in to Swampy every Friday without a visa. He's been doing this for years. He's got over 20 visa exempt entries this year alone.

There is no limit. Visa exempt entries have been on the radar since 2006/07 when they decided to crack down on illegal workers. Up until then many foreigners stayed here full time using visa exemption and did border runs every month without any hassle.

You're claiming more rules that aren't stated anywhere based on a misunderstanding of the purpose of IO's orders and lack of knowledge.

[freedomnow]

The title of this thread is misleading.

It concerns the visa-exempt run being blocked (after a visa exempt trail starts to emerge on a passport) specifically at Mae Sai and nothing more.