No more double entry tourist visa - Malaysia

[pinkpanther99]

I see there is already a thread running about similar news from embassies in Oslo and Helsinki.

I've just seen this posted by HD Visa - https://www.facebook.com/hdvisa/posts/895575237195447

Our Visa trip to Kota Bharu on November 8th is the last trip where you can apply for a Double Entry Tourist Visa. After that, on 13th of November, new regulations will come into effect and you can only apply for a Single Entry Tourist Visa on our trips.

The Department of Foreign Affairs answered our questions about the new 6 month Visa and the details we got are the following:
- you can apply for this visa only in your country of residence
- it is valid for 6 months
- you can enter Thailand for 60 days per entry while this visa is valid
- after that you either extend your stay by 30 days at any Immigration Office in Thailand or you go on a Border Bounce and get another 60 days.

I shared something last week from them, they seem to be ITK on this.

METV signals the end of double entry tourist visa, it seems.

[jspill]

Nice to see there's the ability to extend each entry to 90 days.

Edited October 23, 2015 by jspill

[oncearugge]

HD Visa actually says this on their website

"Many people asked us about the new Tourist Visa regulations. Fact is, that they are not in place yet. There is a meeting planned for Mid-November where details will be agreed upon and rules are coming into effect. What we know by now is the following:

– There will be a 6 month tourist visa that you can apply to ONLY in your country of residency (not on one of our visa trips).

– There will be a single entry tourist visa that you can apply to outside of your country of residency, for instance on our visa trip

– There will be no more multiple entry tourist visa available outside of your country of residency

Nothing more is known and it makes no sense to speculate before the Immigration make it official."

[pinkpanther99]

I wasn't speculating about anything, just reposting what HD visa had posted to their Facebook page.

[ThaiWai]

So with the METV the farther away your home country is the greater the expense and hassle. Kinda blows if you are from the Americas. Oh well, round and round we go.

[silverado]

So with the METV the farther away your home country is the greater the expense and hassle. Kinda blows if you are from the Americas. Oh well, round and round we go.

???? hassle ?

but are you really a tourist if you stay more than 6 months in a foreign country ?

[Suradit69]

So with the METV the farther away your home country is the greater the expense and hassle. Kinda blows if you are from the Americas. Oh well, round and round we go.

???? hassle ?

but are you really a tourist if you stay more than 6 months in a foreign country ?

Yes, tourist visas for tourists. What a radical concept. If you want to stay here long-term, do it with the appropriate visa or extension.

Can't meet the qualifications, feel free to opt for another country. Chad or Haiti are lovely this time of the year.

[oncearugge]

So with the METV the farther away your home country is the greater the expense and hassle. Kinda blows if you are from the Americas. Oh well, round and round we go.

???? hassle ?

but are you really a tourist if you stay more than 6 months in a foreign country ?

As a younger man I spent a whole gap year traveling but never stayed in one country for six months + !

The secret to being a successful tourist/traveler is to know/understand and respect both the law and the "spirit" of the law.

[Thaidream]

A very big mistake if they take away the double entry tourist Visa. A radical loss of income because people will not travel back to their home country for an METV. Overall tourism will drop as Thailand will not be seen as tourist friendly. Why would I want to pay 5000 Baht for a multiple entry Visa when I only need 2 entries. They may think they are clever and see this as an income maker but they are wrong. Westerners think differently and they are prudent in how they spend their travel funds. What makes more sense for attracting tourism is the METV plus the double and triple entry Visas. The more flexible choices one has the better they will feel and it will generate more income. Marketing 101.

Edited October 23, 2015 by Thaidream

[oncearugge]

A very big mistake if they take away the double entry tourist Visa. A radical loss of income because people will not travel back to their home country for an METV. Overall tourism will drop as Thailand will not be seen as tourist friendly. Why would I want to pay 5000 Baht for a multiple entry Visa when I only need 2 entries. They may think they are clever and see this as an income maker but they are wrong. Westerners think differently and they are prudent in how they spend their travel funds. What makes more sense for attracting tourism is the METV plus the double and triple entry Visas. The more flexible choices one has the better they will feel and it will generate more income. Marketing 101.

Millions of people enjoy a holiday in Thailand. The vast majority neither want or need a double entry tourist visa because they need to return home and return to their jobs.

Very few have the luxury of being able to afford being away from home for 120 + days.

I doubt Thailand will miss a few out of Millions!

[Soutpeel]

A very big mistake if they take away the double entry tourist Visa. A radical loss of income because people will not travel back to their home country for an METV. Overall tourism will drop as Thailand will not be seen as tourist friendly. Why would I want to pay 5000 Baht for a multiple entry Visa when I only need 2 entries. They may think they are clever and see this as an income maker but they are wrong. Westerners think differently and they are prudent in how they spend their travel funds. What makes more sense for attracting tourism is the METV plus the double and triple entry Visas. The more flexible choices one has the better they will feel and it will generate more income. Marketing 101.

Big mistake or not they are doing it....and dont think this will have any affect on overall tourism anyway....as the ones it really affects are not really tourist to begin with...

But why dont you offer your marketing expertise to them and show them the error of their ways ?

[Thaidream]

They will start to miss the millions if people get the impression that Thailand is not really tourist friendly and there are too many hoops to jump through. Even Cambodia has an E Visa and it's Visa structure more friendly. The more choices you give a person the better it is. If Thailand is worried about people working on a tourist Visa they need to increase the enforcement of this or actually get the labor department to talk to the Immigration department to lessen the bureaucracy involved in both Visa and Work Permit. If the goal is to get rid of illegal workers- then this plan will work but it will also get rid of some normal tourist business I doubt there will be many people learning English though.

[Thaidream]

Dear Mr Southpeel- I have no intention of offering my services to the Government- Whether I am right or wrong really does not matter. I see the result of this scheme a little different than you One thing we agree on is that the rationale behind the METV has nothing to do with tourism. There are much simpler ways to stem illegal workers but I shall leave that to you imagination.

[elviajero]

A very big mistake if they take away the double entry tourist Visa. A radical loss of income because people will not travel back to their home country for an METV. Overall tourism will drop as Thailand will not be seen as tourist friendly. Why would I want to pay 5000 Baht for a multiple entry Visa when I only need 2 entries. They may think they are clever and see this as an income maker but they are wrong. Westerners think differently and they are prudent in how they spend their travel funds. What makes more sense for attracting tourism is the METV plus the double and triple entry Visas. The more flexible choices one has the better they will feel and it will generate more income. Marketing 101.

It's a necessity, not a mistake. Tourist numbers are growing and so are the numbers of people living in Thailand on tourist visas. There are many that live here legitimately but many more that don't and have screwed it up for the rest.

Genuine tourists will be unaffected. Not many need more than 3 months and those that do can get a second single entry in a neighbouring country, use visa exempt enter or buy the new METV.

Only long term residents will be affected, but many will probably still find ways to stay. They only need to sell 1 METV for every 2.5 double entry tourist visas. I don't see a "radical loss of income" anytime soon.

[tribalfusion001]

They will start to miss the millions if people get the impression that Thailand is not really tourist friendly and there are too many hoops to jump through. Even Cambodia has an E Visa and it's Visa structure more friendly. The more choices you give a person the better it is. If Thailand is worried about people working on a tourist Visa they need to increase the enforcement of this or actually get the labor department to talk to the Immigration department to lessen the bureaucracy involved in both Visa and Work Permit. If the goal is to get rid of illegal workers- then this plan will work but it will also get rid of some normal tourist business I doubt there will be many people learning English though.

I doubt the ecomony will miss the illegal workers like teachers on tourists visas. 6 months will enough for most people to stay in Thailand at one time, plenty of Chinese tourists coming in. Language schools will be ok, but schools will find a lack of teachers as most don't have degrees.

[elviajero]

They will start to miss the millions if people get the impression that Thailand is not really tourist friendly and there are too many hoops to jump through. Even Cambodia has an E Visa and it's Visa structure more friendly. The more choices you give a person the better it is. If Thailand is worried about people working on a tourist Visa they need to increase the enforcement of this or actually get the labor department to talk to the Immigration department to lessen the bureaucracy involved in both Visa and Work Permit. If the goal is to get rid of illegal workers- then this plan will work but it will also get rid of some normal tourist business I doubt there will be many people learning English though.

They are offering a new multiple entry tourist visa which gives tourists more freedom to come and go. Last year they changed the rules so that visa exempt entry can be extended for 30 days. How does that give anyone the impression that Thailand is not tourist friendly!

[Soutpeel]

Dear Mr Southpeel- I have no intention of offering my services to the Government- Whether I am right or wrong really does not matter. I see the result of this scheme a little different than you One thing we agree on is that the rationale behind the METV has nothing to do with tourism. There are much simpler ways to stem illegal workers but I shall leave that to you imagination.

Yes but the simpler ways of dealing with illegal works...would be seen as illegal in itself

[Soutpeel]

They will start to miss the millions if people get the impression that Thailand is not really tourist friendly and there are too many hoops to jump through. Even Cambodia has an E Visa and it's Visa structure more friendly. The more choices you give a person the better it is. If Thailand is worried about people working on a tourist Visa they need to increase the enforcement of this or actually get the labor department to talk to the Immigration department to lessen the bureaucracy involved in both Visa and Work Permit. If the goal is to get rid of illegal workers- then this plan will work but it will also get rid of some normal tourist business I doubt there will be many people learning English though.

They are offering a new multiple entry tourist visa which gives tourists more freedom to come and go. Last year they changed the rules so that visa exempt entry can be extended for 30 days. How does that give anyone the impression that Thailand is not tourist friendly!

Thailand is tourist friendly....its just getting less friendly to those calling themselves tourists who are not really tourists and playing the system and living long term in Thailand and claiming "residency"

[Thaidream]

It can be even more tourist friendly by simply keeping the double and triple entry Visa. However, since the real goal has nothing to do with tourism- it will eliminate long term residents and unfortunately some of these people have wife's and children. The people who are working as bar managers and bar owners illegally will still be here doing what they do. In addition, those people with deep pockets can always find away around the Visa issue. Frankly, I think Thailand is way overcrowded with too many tourists and way over developed in so called tourist areas that it is detrimental to the country long term but that is another discussion. If it makes some people happy to see families broken up over visa issues then that is your choice. It is not mine.

[elviajero]

It can be even more tourist friendly by simply keeping the double and triple entry Visa. However, since the real goal has nothing to do with tourism- it will eliminate long term residents and unfortunately some of these people have wife's and children. The people who are working as bar managers and bar owners illegally will still be here doing what they do. In addition, those people with deep pockets can always find away around the Visa issue. Frankly, I think Thailand is way overcrowded with too many tourists and way over developed in so called tourist areas that it is detrimental to the country long term but that is another discussion. If it makes some people happy to see families broken up over visa issues then that is your choice. It is not mine.

If someone has a family then they can apply for a visa/extension of stay to visit that family. No families need be broken up!

[bigjohn72]

However, since the real goal has nothing to do with tourism- it will eliminate long term residents and unfortunately some of these people have wife's and children.

I agree with you about the first part.

About the second part:

A person whose has a wife, and/or children can apply for a Non-O visa, based on marriage, or taking care of a child.

[MobileContent]

A very big mistake if they take away the double entry tourist Visa. A radical loss of income because people will not travel back to their home country for an METV. Overall tourism will drop as Thailand will not be seen as tourist friendly. Why would I want to pay 5000 Baht for a multiple entry Visa when I only need 2 entries. They may think they are clever and see this as an income maker but they are wrong. Westerners think differently and they are prudent in how they spend their travel funds. What makes more sense for attracting tourism is the METV plus the double and triple entry Visas. The more flexible choices one has the better they will feel and it will generate more income. Marketing 101.

The company for which I work brings in 300,000 tourists into the country per year and no tourists really complains as most of them stay 1-2 weeks. We have some tours that offers multiply destinations Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia and once again no one complains as they are able to enter Thailand via land for another 30 days and our office sends the list directly to the immigration departments in all countries for a smooth and speedy transfer at the border and they are treated with up most respect when entering any country with our agency.

I would say further the double entry doesn't make sense for a genuine tourist because with a single entry a tourist is able to extend for another 30 days plus leave for the land border to get another 30 days which gives him 120 days. A real tourist doesn't stay that long but anyone who is a genuine tourist will still be able to visit a neighboring country to apply for another tourist visa. Lets say you want to visit Malaysia, you can always drop by at the Thai embassy to apply for another visa or return to Thailand and stay for another 30 days.

I think it is great that they start closing the loopholes but tourism will not be hit by this.

Edited October 23, 2015 by MobileContent

[oncearugge]

However, since the real goal has nothing to do with tourism- it will eliminate long term residents and unfortunately some of these people have wife's and children.

I agree with you about the first part.

About the second part:

A person whose has a wife, and/or children can apply for a Non-O visa, based on marriage, or taking care of a child.

But not if they have problems meeting the financial requirements of an extension or they are working illegally.

In such cases a trip to Laos for a multi entry visa would at least resolve the visa issue.

[MobileContent]

It can be even more tourist friendly by simply keeping the double and triple entry Visa. However, since the real goal has nothing to do with tourism- it will eliminate long term residents and unfortunately some of these people have wife's and children. The people who are working as bar managers and bar owners illegally will still be here doing what they do. In addition, those people with deep pockets can always find away around the Visa issue. Frankly, I think Thailand is way overcrowded with too many tourists and way over developed in so called tourist areas that it is detrimental to the country long term but that is another discussion. If it makes some people happy to see families broken up over visa issues then that is your choice. It is not mine.

Why would that be? A farang married to a Thai can any way stay in Thailand by applying for the O visa. A farang that is married to a Thai should never apply for a tourist visa as he should have an O visa.

[steven100]

Tourist visa runs are going to be a thing of the past soon. They want it so that you apply and receive your single entry TV from your home country.

As per Thailand Immigration law you must provide the correct visa upon entry for which your intended purpose of stay.

If you are staying in Thailand for an extended period get the correct visa.

[bigjohn72]

However, since the real goal has nothing to do with tourism- it will eliminate long term residents and unfortunately some of these people have wife's and children.

I agree with you about the first part.

About the second part:

A person whose has a wife, and/or children can apply for a Non-O visa, based on marriage, or taking care of a child.

But not if they have problems meeting the financial requirements of an extension or they are working illegally.

In such cases a trip to Laos for a multi entry visa would at least resolve the visa issue.

I can't speak for others, but if i move to another part of the world to start a family, i would make sure that i have enough funds to take care of them...

[jspill]

No official limit on consecutive tourist visas has ever been set, that sort of implies Thailand doesn't mind perpetual tourists. Bit of logic there rather than assumptions.

[oncearugge]

No official limit on consecutive tourist visas has ever been set, that sort of implies Thailand doesn't mind perpetual tourists. Bit of logic there rather than assumptions.

The."limit" comes from Embassy's/Consulates who restrict the number of tourist visas they will issue back to back.

[elviajero]

No official limit on consecutive tourist visas has ever been set, that sort of implies Thailand doesn't mind perpetual tourists. Bit of logic there rather than assumptions.

I think you're right. The problem is the genuine perpetual tourist will suffer because of the abuse of the system.

[jspill]

No official limit on consecutive tourist visas has ever been set, that sort of implies Thailand doesn't mind perpetual tourists. Bit of logic there rather than assumptions.

The."limit" comes from Embassy's/Consulates who restrict the number of tourist visas they will issue back to back.

Which varies, as you know, by embassy staff, and people can just try a different consulate.

No official limit in law, as much as you may like there to be one.