Need a little help with figuring a best way to extend my stay for few months

[LatvianAce]

I am a Latvian citizen currently in Chiang Mai with a single entry tourist visa (60 days stay until Jan 5, 2016) from Thai embassy in Oslo, Norway. My girlfriend is also here, but she has a double entry tourist visa as she has to fly back home for a few days in December.

We were initially planning to travel elsewhere in SEA on Jan 5, 2016, but now are looking into options of staying in Thailand for few more months.

I've read through the forum and, If I understand correctly, my gf will receive another 60 days when she reenters Thailand on December 15, and can later extend that entry by 30 more days, thus having and option of staying in Thailand until mid-March, 2016. Can somebody confirm?

Now, I could also extend my visa for 30 more days at immigration office (does Chiang Mai have one?), but that would only let me stay until Feb 5, 2016. Which is no good

I've read about the option to add another entry at the airport, but I don't understand: a) if that is still available with introduction of 6 month METV; and b ) would that reset my 60 days or not, and if yes, would I be able to extend that by 30 as as standard tourist visa.

Or is there some other sneaky way I could use to stay in Thailand until Mid-march, 2016? Unfortunately for reasons unknown Latvia is in the shitlist and only has 15 day VOA, so that's really not an option.

Will appreciate any help. Thank you.

[ubonjoe]

It seems the best option would be for both of you to go to a nearby embassy or consulate to obtain a single entry tourist visa when your 30 day extension ends. That way you both would have the same permit to stay dates.

You can apply for the 30 day extension at the Promenada immigration office in Chiang Mai. Info on it's location is here Immigration Promenada One Stop Service v2

All you can get at an airport is a re-entry permit that would only keep your current entry valid if you wanted to o make a short trip out of the country. It gives no additional days. You would get the same permit stay from you 60 day entry and/or the 30 day extension. You can also get the re-entry permit at an immigration office. A single-entry permit costs 1000 baht.

[elviajero]

• How many days are you planning to be outside of Thailand from Jan 5th? Actual dates would be helpful.

Depending on your travel dates and duration your girlfriend could get a re-entry permit (1,000 baht) from immigration in CM or at the airport to keep her 2nd entry alive while you're traveling. That could then be extended by 30 days.

Your only choice will be to get a new SETV from an embassy/consulate from one of the neighbouring countries during your SEA travels.

[LatvianAce]

Thank you for your help. We have tickets to Kuala Lumpur on the the Jan 5th, and can come back whenever we want or need. Likely 13th.

Yes, I now see that getting new single entry visas in KL would be the right approach as that would give us 60 or even 90 more days I'm looking for.

They won't mind that we've just had a another visa?

[ubonjoe]

KL is unpredictable for getting visas. Normally they will not object to you having a previous tourist visa. Be prepared to show financial proof and tickets out of the country if asked for.

It might be worth making a side trip to Penang for the visas where they are friendlier.

[elviajero]

Thank you for your help. We have tickets to Kuala Lumpur on the the Jan 5th, and can come back whenever we want or need. Likely 13th.

Yes, I now see that getting new single entry visas in KL would be the right approach as that would give us 60 or even 90 more days I'm looking for.

They won't mind that we've just had a another visa?

If you're only out of the country for only a week it would be worth your girlfriend getting a re-entry permit at the airport. She will only need a new visa if you want to stay longer than mid March.

[LatvianAce]

Thank you for your help. We have tickets to Kuala Lumpur on the the Jan 5th, and can come back whenever we want or need. Likely 13th.

Yes, I now see that getting new single entry visas in KL would be the right approach as that would give us 60 or even 90 more days I'm looking for.

They won't mind that we've just had a another visa?

If you're only out of the country for only a week it would be worth your girlfriend getting a re-entry permit at the airport. She will only need a new visa if you want to stay longer than mid March.

Yeah, I understand that she could do it, but don't really see the point. If I understand correctly, it is not cheaper or more convenient, plus new SETV adds the flexibility if we want to extend for 30 extra days. And I will still need to go to Thai embassy in KL to get my visa, so getting 1 or 2 makes no real difference, does it?

Or am I missing something?

[elviajero]

Thank you for your help. We have tickets to Kuala Lumpur on the the Jan 5th, and can come back whenever we want or need. Likely 13th.

Yes, I now see that getting new single entry visas in KL would be the right approach as that would give us 60 or even 90 more days I'm looking for.

They won't mind that we've just had a another visa?

If you're only out of the country for only a week it would be worth your girlfriend getting a re-entry permit at the airport. She will only need a new visa if you want to stay longer than mid March.

Yeah, I understand that she could do it, but don't really see the point. If I understand correctly, it is not cheaper or more convenient, plus new SETV adds the flexibility if we want to extend for 30 extra days. And I will still need to go to Thai embassy in KL to get my visa, so getting 1 or 2 makes no real difference, does it?

Or am I missing something?

There is no new SETV. It's the same as the one you're going to arrive with. Old and "new" can be extended by 30 days.

I'm simply pointing out that she doesn't need a new visa if only staying until mid March. But as you have to get a new visa anyway it would make sense for you both to get a new visa as it will give you both the option to until mid April.