Need a little help on visa exemption

[Aayers]

Hi All,

I am a little confused here with the recent new crackdown on visa runs and hope to get some help here.

I am in Thailand on visa-exempt entry and had extended my stay for additional 30 days for 1900 baht.

However, I wish to continue staying in Thailand but border runs will only get me extension of 15 days.

I am wondering if I take a flight out to neighboring countries and get back in Thailand on the same day, will I face any potential issues getting into the country again?

Thank you for any clarification.

[Singerman]

How long do you intend staying ?

You might be better advised to obtain a tourist visa from one of the nearby countries which, with an extension, will provide a 90 day stay.

[Aayers]

Thanks. I will look into the possibility of a 90 day stay tourist visa.

Actually, I need another month or 2 of tourist visa before I commence work (Pending confirmation in January if everything goes smoothly).

[Singerman]

Thanks. I will look into the possibility of a 90 day stay tourist visa.

Actually, I need another month or 2 of tourist visa before I commence work (Pending confirmation in January if everything goes smoothly).

Are you talking about "visa exempt" entries which are not tourist visas ?

[Aayers]

Yes. I entered via visa exemption rule. So I'm unsure as to the options available to me.

[Singerman]

Yes. I entered via visa exemption rule. So I'm unsure as to the options available to me.

You can obtain a Tourist visa or try for another visa exempt entry. If you only have the one visa exempt entry another will likely be available.

[jspill]

The Thai consulate in Laos issues 90 day tourist visas, well 60 days followed by a 1900 baht extension at immigration, e.g. Chaeng Wattana building in Bangkok. It's called a single entry tourist visa, cost 1000 Baht. That's probably your best option, or Penang consulate.

[Aayers]

Thanks both! I will probably try for another visa exempt entry first before applying for a tourist visa. Guess I'll have to take a short trip away!

[jspill]

^ If so you can minimize your chances of getting denied entry by carrying 20k Baht in cash and a printout of a flight ticket out of the country. Those are the two things they might ask to see as 'proof' that you're not working in the country before you get your work permit. And yes make it a short trip out rather than flying back in on the same day.

It's supposed to be roughly 6 visa waivers in a year before they ask questions, but at the moment they're being quite strict with people and you did have the 30 day extension, so best to be prepared just in case.

[elviajero]

You should be granted another visa exempt entry, but expect to be questioned about what you're doing when in Thailand.

[ubonjoe]

Thanks both! I will probably try for another visa exempt entry first before applying for a tourist visa. Guess I'll have to take a short trip away!

You will have no problem getting another visa exempt entry. If you are from a G7 country you would get 30 days at a border crossing.

[JDGRUEN]

Getting a Single Entry Tourist Visa is not difficult and requires nearly as much travel expense, time and effort as another Exemption Entry... You go to Vientiane, Laos... you can fly there directly... Or you can fly to Udon Thani - easy to do ... then a bus to Nong Khai ... cross over the bridge and go the 25-30 kilometers to the Thai Embassy in Vientiane. There are comfortable and cheap Guesthouses in both cities...

Or fly to Penang, Malaysia --- easy ... go to the New Banana Guesthouse and if you do not want to deal with the simple paperwork - hire an agent there who will do it for you...

A Single Entry Tourist visa - as has been said - gets you 60 days and then a 30 day Extension available at the local Thai Immigration office with a 10 minute visit...

[Aayers]

Thanks all,

I have roughly 4 visa waivers over the past year. Will take the cash and buy a flight ticket out just in case, would not want to have any issues.

Since I should get another visa exempt, I wouldn't apply for a tourist visa but keep this option as a back up instead.

Will make the run within the next two weeks and provide any updates