Visa Run Clarification

[JMan89]

Hi all,

I would just like it if someone could clear some things up for me regarding visa runs and different visa's.

I currently have a 60 day single entry tourist visa which I have just extended an extra 30 days, it will now expire on 9 November 2015.

I intend on staying longer than my current visa allows and am looking at doing a visa run to Penang, Malaysia.

My question is, do I have an acceptable type of visa to do this run?, and if so what will type of visa will I gain when I re-enter Thailand from Malaysia, will it be the standard 30 day stamp one?

Cheers.

[elviajero]

If you were to enter Thailand from Malaysia without a visa (visa exempt entry) you would be given 15 or 30 days stay dependant on your nationality.

That visa exempt entry could then be extended by a further 30 days as you did with the tourist visa.

[oncearugge]

What nationality are you and how much longer are you wanting to stay ?

No visas are available at borders only visa exempt entries for those who qualify.

[JMan89]

Thanks for the replies. I am a New Zealand citizen.

[elviajero]

Thanks for the replies. I am a New Zealand citizen.

You will get a 15 day stay entering at a land border.

[Suradit69]

My question is, do I have an acceptable type of visa to do this run?,

You don't have a visa, you have an extension of your permission to stay. Your tourist visa was used when you entered Thailand and is no longer valid for use. You do not need a visa to exit Thailand and the old used visa is of new use when you return to Thailand.

A "visa run" implies that you are going out to obtain a new visa in a neighboring country or you plan to return using the visa exempt facility. As a citizen of NZ, you will get 15 day permission to stay on a visa exempt entry at a land border crossing or 30 days if you come in by air. Either of these can be extended for 30 days just as you did with the tourist visa entry already.

Alternatively you could visit a Thai embassy in a neighboring country and apply for a new tourist visa. A single entry tourist visa would give you another 60 + 30 days. Depending on the embassy or consulate you try, you might get a 2 entry tourist visa, which would allow you 60 + 30 days, then you would exit and return to Thailand to get another 60 + 30 days using the second entry allowed on the visa.

[PoorSucker]

If you are going to Penang you can get a new 60 day tourist visa at the Thai consulate there, this can be extended with 30 days.

If you just intend to go to the border you will get only 15 days.

If you book early you can fly from Samui to Penang cheap with Firefly.

http://www.fireflyz.com.my/

[JMan89]

Thanks, firefly is a good option although a fare bit more expensive including a night or two's accomodation. A 30 day visa would be preferable though.

With regard to obtaining a new tourist visa in Penang, I thought you always had to apply at least 2 weeks before your intended travel which would mean spending a fair amount of time there.

[oncearugge]

Thanks, firefly is a good option although a fare bit more expensive including a night or two's accomodation. A 30 day visa would be preferable though.

With regard to obtaining a new tourist visa in Penang, I thought you always had to apply at least 2 weeks before your intended travel which would mean spending a fair amount of time there.

There are no 30 day visas!

You can apply for a tourist visa in Penang without any need for a "2 week prior to travel" notice period. Apply any day Mon-Thurs and pick up the visa the next working day.

[nidieunimaitre]

A tourist visa is for 60 days or 2X 60 or 3X60.

A visa exempt at a land border would be 15 days for a Kiwi - but beware, you could be refused, as some imm offices are having a laugh presently.

A visa exempt at an airport would be 30 days, with little risk of being refused if you have 20.000 cash & a ticket out.

Whatever you get, it can be extended IN Thailand with 30 days (unless that changes too).

[4evermaat]

Thanks, firefly is a good option although a fare bit more expensive including a night or two's accomodation. A 30 day visa would be preferable though.

With regard to obtaining a new tourist visa in Penang, I thought you always had to apply at least 2 weeks before your intended travel which would mean spending a fair amount of time there.

There are no 30 day visas!

You can apply for a tourist visa in Penang without any need for a "2 week prior to travel" notice period. Apply any day Mon-Thurs and pick up the visa the next working day.

Tourist visas can now be done same day (drop off in morning, pick up in afternoon), non-immigrant visa is next day afternoon service.

You can take the overnight Southern train 2nd class air sleeper and it goes right to Butterworth Penang. Take a ferry into GeorgeTown (Chulia St) where most of the visa services are.

Or taxi/bus (102) from Penang airport.

edit: Penang only issues single-entry tourist visas, with possible exception for malaysian residents.

[JMan89]

Thanks, firefly is a good option although a fare bit more expensive including a night or two's accomodation. A 30 day visa would be preferable though.

With regard to obtaining a new tourist visa in Penang, I thought you always had to apply at least 2 weeks before your intended travel which would mean spending a fair amount of time there.

There are no 30 day visas!

You can apply for a tourist visa in Penang without any need for a "2 week prior to travel" notice period. Apply any day Mon-Thurs and pick up the visa the next working day.

Tourist visas can now be done same day (drop off in morning, pick up in afternoon), non-immigrant visa is next day afternoon service.

You can take the overnight Southern train 2nd class air sleeper and it goes right to Butterworth Penang. Take a ferry into GeorgeTown (Chulia St) where most of the visa services are.

Or taxi/bus (102) from Penang airport.

edit: Penang only issues single-entry tourist visas, with possible exception for malaysian residents.

Hmm this seems like the most viable option.

Is this something you have done before, do you have a rough estimate of what it will cost in Thai Baht?

Also, is there a fee for obtaining the tourist visa in Penang?

[oncearugge]

Thanks, firefly is a good option although a fare bit more expensive including a night or two's accomodation. A 30 day visa would be preferable though.

With regard to obtaining a new tourist visa in Penang, I thought you always had to apply at least 2 weeks before your intended travel which would mean spending a fair amount of time there.

There are no 30 day visas!

You can apply for a tourist visa in Penang without any need for a "2 week prior to travel" notice period. Apply any day Mon-Thurs and pick up the visa the next working day.

Tourist visas can now be done same day (drop off in morning, pick up in afternoon), non-immigrant visa is next day afternoon service.

You can take the overnight Southern train 2nd class air sleeper and it goes right to Butterworth Penang. Take a ferry into GeorgeTown (Chulia St) where most of the visa services are.

Or taxi/bus (102) from Penang airport.

edit: Penang only issues single-entry tourist visas, with possible exception for malaysian residents.

Inaccurate and misleading information!

There is nowhere in the region that provides a same day visa service.

If you wish to dispute what I say then post links which prove me wrong.

[oncearugge]

Thanks, firefly is a good option although a fare bit more expensive including a night or two's accomodation. A 30 day visa would be preferable though.

With regard to obtaining a new tourist visa in Penang, I thought you always had to apply at least 2 weeks before your intended travel which would mean spending a fair amount of time there.

There are no 30 day visas!

You can apply for a tourist visa in Penang without any need for a "2 week prior to travel" notice period. Apply any day Mon-Thurs and pick up the visa the next working day.

Tourist visas can now be done same day (drop off in morning, pick up in afternoon), non-immigrant visa is next day afternoon service.

You can take the overnight Southern train 2nd class air sleeper and it goes right to Butterworth Penang. Take a ferry into GeorgeTown (Chulia St) where most of the visa services are.

Or taxi/bus (102) from Penang airport.

edit: Penang only issues single-entry tourist visas, with possible exception for malaysian residents.

Hmm this seems like the most viable option.

Is this something you have done before, do you have a rough estimate of what it will cost in Thai Baht?

Also, is there a fee for obtaining the tourist visa in Penang?

Visa fees in Penang

http://www.thaiembassy.org/penang/contents/files/news-20150731-103408-798023.pdf

You should plan on applying for a visa on day one and receiving the visa on the next working day

[elviajero]

Thanks, firefly is a good option although a fare bit more expensive including a night or two's accomodation. A 30 day visa would be preferable though.

With regard to obtaining a new tourist visa in Penang, I thought you always had to apply at least 2 weeks before your intended travel which would mean spending a fair amount of time there.

There are no 30 day visas!

You can apply for a tourist visa in Penang without any need for a "2 week prior to travel" notice period. Apply any day Mon-Thurs and pick up the visa the next working day.

Tourist visas can now be done same day (drop off in morning, pick up in afternoon), non-immigrant visa is next day afternoon service.

You can take the overnight Southern train 2nd class air sleeper and it goes right to Butterworth Penang. Take a ferry into GeorgeTown (Chulia St) where most of the visa services are.

Or taxi/bus (102) from Penang airport.

edit: Penang only issues single-entry tourist visas, with possible exception for malaysian residents.

The same day service for TR's from Penang was stopped in November last year. Has it changed again recently?

[4evermaat]

The same day service for TR's was stopped in November last year. Has it changed again recently?

Although now you might be correct that they changed it back to next day service. Best to plan for next day service then. Some of the visa services companies might still offer same-day service.

[Kitsune]

How many entries is your visa?

If the expiration date is November 15, it seems that you have a multiple entry visa, which means you only need a visa run to a neighboring country to activate your second entry and get another 2 months extendable 30 days.

[steve187]

Kitsune - where do you get the information to suggest that the op has a 'multi' entry tourist visa, because

a/ i missed the information

and b/ there is such no thing as a multi entry tourist visa,

are you trying to cause confusion

[realenglish1]

If you want a 30 day extension just go to immigration office and for 1900 baht you can extend for 30 days no need to run to Malaysia

[ubonjoe]

The same day service for TR's was stopped in November last year. Has it changed again recently?

Although now you might be correct that they changed it back to next day service. Best to plan for next day service then. Some of the visa services companies might still offer same-day service.

That is old info. It is next day service for all visas now. From http://www.thaiembassy.org/penang/contents/files/news-20141224-104204-778264.pdf

1. Effective 1 November 2014, same-day service for Tourist and Transit visa applications is NO LONGER permitted.

[4evermaat]

Hmm this seems like the most viable option.

Is this something you have done before, do you have a rough estimate of what it will cost in Thai Baht?

Also, is there a fee for obtaining the tourist visa in Penang?

I've done Penang visa run before, but only for non-immigrant visa. The procedure for tourist visa is similar, without all the proof of family ties. The entire trip cost? depends on how you do it. Train from Bangkok to ButterWorth is usually the best bet @ 1200 baht, should arrive in Penang by 15:30-ish, and you can relax. hostels/rooms will be anywhere from 200-3000 baht depending on what you want, availability, etc; I think 600 baht/day is a good budget to have. Mini-van from Hat Yai is like 450 baht and will get you to either Komtar (Georgetown) or Chulia St) in ≈4 hours. If you take the early minivan (05:30 or so), they might stop first at the Thai consulate. Try to book 2-3 days early for the train if possible. A week or more during Ramadan or other major holiday.

And you have to factor cost vs convenience. Flying is quicker, but tickets can be 3500-6000 baht one-way without advance purchase.

Visa cost: someone already answered with this link, or it is attached here.

thai consulate embassy Penang visa fees increase Sept 2015_news-20150731-103408-798023.pdf

Wow , single entry Tourist non-o is now 150 RM (about 1600 baht, prev 110 RM),

Single non-immigrant 300 RM (prev 220 RM)

Multiple non-imm 750 RM (prev 550 RM)

That's a pretty big increase. 36.36% to be exact. Inflation?

edit: i suspect the consulate cancelled the same-day tourist visas because it was too much volume. Although with the fee increase, maybe they will bring it back.

[meltingpot2015]

What nationality are you and how much longer are you wanting to stay ?

No visas are available at borders only visa exempt entries for those who qualify.

No visas are available at borders only visa exempt entries for those who qualify.

Not quite. passport holders of 19 countries are eligible for visa on arrival (if they meet the requirements - proof of onward travel and necessary funds - 10,000 bhat per person or 20,000 bhat per family and proof of onward travel by plane), visa on arrival service available at Swapy airport for example.

As the OP is a Kiwi passport holder, he may be eligible for visa exempt. This link says if you are not eligible for visa exemption or visa on arrival rule (i.e. not a passport holder of one of the visa exempt or visa on arrival eligible countries) then obtain proper visa from Thai embassy/consulate before travelling to Thailand.

Passport holders of visa exempt or visa on arrival qualifying countries can also obtain a single/double/triple entry visa prior to arriving in Thailand, in which case they would be entering using that Visa and not visa exempt or visa on arrival.

In the OP's case best to obtain visa before travelling to Thailand as he has a recent Tourist visa on his passport.

[meltingpot2015]

OP: Going to Malaysia and arriving in Thailand on visa exempt on the same day is probably a bad idea, will definitely set off alarm bells. (even if you had held a tourist visa before)

Note: I am talking about visa exempt. Also, talking about arriving on the same day.

[elviajero]

OP: Going to Malaysia and arriving in Thailand on visa exempt on the same day is probably a bad idea, will definitely set off alarm bells. (even if you had held a tourist visa before)

Note: I am talking about visa exempt. Also, talking about arriving on the same day.

I believe it's only the Cambodian border crossings (and Kanchanaburi) stopping OUT/IN and that applies to visa holders too.

Are you aware of actual restrictions on the Thai/Malaysian border?

[JMan89]

OP: Going to Malaysia and arriving in Thailand on visa exempt on the same day is probably a bad idea, will definitely set off alarm bells. (even if you had held a tourist visa before)

Note: I am talking about visa exempt. Also, talking about arriving on the same day.

I believe it's only the Cambodian border crossings (and Kanchanaburi) stopping OUT/IN and that applies to visa holders too.

Are you aware of actual restrictions on the Thai/Malaysian border?

No I'm not aware of any restrictions yet. Spending a few days in Malaysia wouldn't e all that bad, especially if it's required for the tourist visa process and helps avoid suspision.

[meltingpot2015]

OP: Going to Malaysia and arriving in Thailand on visa exempt on the same day is probably a bad idea, will definitely set off alarm bells. (even if you had held a tourist visa before)

Note: I am talking about visa exempt. Also, talking about arriving on the same day.

I believe it's only the Cambodian border crossings (and Kanchanaburi) stopping OUT/IN and that applies to visa holders too.

Are you aware of actual restrictions on the Thai/Malaysian border?

I am not talking about the recent developments. see link below:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856730-border-run-alternatives/?utm_source=newsletter-20150919-0807&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=featured

Just what is more suitable for the OP, in his situation. He did say he is going to Malaysia not Cambodia, so I am saying that if/when he goes to Malaysia, ensure that he does not arrive in Thailand the same day expecting a visa exempt stamp.

Are you suggesting he should do a same day border run to Malaysia and arrive in Thailand the same day?, as opposed to doing a visa run to obtain a tourist visa and arrive the next day or later.

[elviajero]

OP: Going to Malaysia and arriving in Thailand on visa exempt on the same day is probably a bad idea, will definitely set off alarm bells. (even if you had held a tourist visa before)

Note: I am talking about visa exempt. Also, talking about arriving on the same day.

I believe it's only the Cambodian border crossings (and Kanchanaburi) stopping OUT/IN and that applies to visa holders too.

Are you aware of actual restrictions on the Thai/Malaysian border?

I am not talking about the recent developments. see link below:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856730-border-run-alternatives/?utm_source=newsletter-20150919-0807&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=featured

Just what is more suitable for the OP, in his situation. He did say he is going to Malaysia not Cambodia, so I am saying that if/when he goes to Malaysia, ensure that he does not arrive in Thailand the same day expecting a visa exempt stamp.

Are you suggesting he should do a same day border run to Malaysia and arrive in Thailand the same day?, as opposed to doing a visa run to obtain a tourist visa and arrive the next day or later.

I wasn't suggesting anything. I was asking if the concerns you are passing on are due to official policy at this border.

If I were the OP I would get a tourist visa because thats gives him 60 days as opposed to 15, but if he wants to do an OUT/IN crossing from Malaysia, and enter under visa exemption, I believe it's possible regardless of any "alarm bells".

[Kitsune]

Kitsune - where do you get the information to suggest that the op has a 'multi' entry tourist visa, because

a/ i missed the information

and b/ there is such no thing as a multi entry tourist visa,

are you trying to cause confusion

Because

A/ he said his expiration date is NOV 2015 and single only have 60days expiration

and B/ Multiple = more than one

[JMan89]

Kitsune - where do you get the information to suggest that the op has a 'multi' entry tourist visa, because

a/ i missed the information

and b/ there is such no thing as a multi entry tourist visa,

are you trying to cause confusion

Because

A/ he said his expiration date is NOV 2015 and single only have 60days expiration

and B/ Multiple = more than one

I do not have a multi entry tourist visa or a double entry visa. I have a single entry tourist visa which I have just extended an additional 30 days at the immigration office here on Samui bringing the new date of expiration to the 9th Nov 2015.

[ubonjoe]

Kitsune - where do you get the information to suggest that the op has a 'multi' entry tourist visa, because

a/ i missed the information

and b/ there is such no thing as a multi entry tourist visa,

are you trying to cause confusion

Because

A/ he said his expiration date is NOV 2015 and single only have 60days expiration

and B/ Multiple = more than one

A single entry and some 2 entry visas have a validity of 3 months. They allow a 60 day entry.