How long do you have to stay outside of Thailand?

[ANoobie]

.. to re-enter and not be considered to be doing a visa run?

As a U.S. citizen it looks like I get a visa waiver in Thailand for 1 month and 3 months in Malaysia. I'm considering spending 1-2 years in SE Asia because of how insanely cheap it is (among other reasons..), but it seems Thailand's visa situation is kind of difficult for staying long-term.

[ubonjoe]

It would be best to get a tourist visa before traveling to here. You will eventually have problems trying to do stay here on visa exempt entries.

If you can qualify for it you could get a multiple entry tourist visa that allows unlimited 60 day entries for 6 months. You can extend each entry for 30 days. You can get almost 9 months of total stay from the visa by doing an entry just before it expires and extend it for 30 days.

If you cannot get the multiple entry tourist visa you could get a single entry visa that would give a total stay of 90 days by extending the 60 day entry from it for 30 days.

[jacksam]

You mention time in sth east Asia and not just thailand. Also mention time out before reentry. Can't see why you don't just enter on visa exempt. Extend if you wish. Spend time in another country such as Vietnam (I'm there as I type this) . It's MUCH cheaper than los especially if you enjoy a beer. At some point you could obtain a setv to thailand while your spending time visiting other countries. Mix some more visa exempt stamps. You can easily manage year or two. Seems 6 stamps starts to cause issues. However if you travel a lot and spend extended time in other countries you would not have a problem. Having said all that a METV would suit you perfect as it enables you to travel everywhere and no need for reentry permit. There is extensive thread running on METV

[Lite Beer]

Get a Visa before setting out.

You might not be allowed on the flight without one.

[jacksam]

Get a Visa before setting out.

You might not be allowed on the flight without one.

On what basis would he not be granted a visa exempt entry? Where's the news release that visa exempt entries are not granted to USA citizens. Also the 2 million Chinese that come here

[ubonjoe]

Get a Visa before setting out.

You might not be allowed on the flight without one.

On what basis would he not be granted a visa exempt entry? Where's the news release that visa exempt entries are not granted to USA citizens. Also the 2 million Chinese that come here

I see no where that he said anything about not being able to get a visa exempt entry. Just the correct advice on needing a ticket out of the country within 30 days of arrival if you don't have a visa. Many people have been denied checking in for or boarding their flight for not having one.

[TerryLH]

"On what basis would he not be granted a visa exempt entry?"

Nobody said that.

[Lite Beer]

Airlines can, and do, disallow entrance to the flight if you do not satisfy Immigration regulations.

[jacksam]

And I mentioned him travelling around Asia. Mainly because he mentioned spending time in ASIA. Yes he will need ticket out that's a given. I just flew bkk/ hcmc return for 1600baht. Cheap option to a setv.

[steve187]

And I mentioned him travelling around Asia. Mainly because he mentioned spending time in ASIA. Yes he will need ticket out that's a given. I just flew bkk/ hcmc return for 1600baht. Cheap option to a setv.

thread runnng at the moment about being refused tourist visa at hcmc

a multi entry tourist visa as others have suggested, or a single entry with a re-entry permit if short times spent outside Thailand

[jacksam]

And I mentioned him travelling around Asia. Mainly because he mentioned spending time in ASIA. Yes he will need ticket out that's a given. I just flew bkk/ hcmc return for 1600baht. Cheap option to a setv.

thread runnng at the moment about being refused tourist visa at hcmc

a multi entry tourist visa as others have suggested, or a single entry with a re-entry permit if short times spent outside Thailand

The post about hcmc being difficult is the first I have ever seen. Also hcmc consulate normally does not ask for flight OUT of thailand.

I agree (as I posted) the METV would be good option. Depends if he satisfies requirements.

[ANoobie]

I'm outside of the U.S. right now and don't plan on returning before traveling to Thailand, so that rules out the METV, correct?

But you're saying I could enter Thailand on the visa exemption and then after 30 days travel to a Thai embassy outside of the country and get a SETV? Is it hard to get a SETV? Are they really stringent about checking how much money you have in the bank, etc?

[jspill]

Airlines can, and do, disallow entrance to the flight if you do not satisfy Immigration regulations.

It's mostly American airline carriers that ask. From the UK/EU I've never been asked, no one I know has either.

It's not an immigration regulation to have one, some airlines are just worried about their bottom line as they'd have to repatriate you if you got denied entry to Thailand for some other reason, like being on a blacklist.

[ubonjoe]

Airlines can, and do, disallow entrance to the flight if you do not satisfy Immigration regulations.

It's mostly American airline carriers that ask. From the UK/EU I've never been asked, no one I know has either.

It's not an immigration regulation to have one, some airlines are just worried about their bottom line as they'd have to repatriate you if you got denied entry to Thailand for some other reason, like being on a blacklist.

It is in a ministerial regulation that a ticket out of the country within 30 days is required for a visa exempt entry. It is not just the airlines that require it.

It is mentioned in the IATA requirements that airlines use. Enter the required info here and you will find it mentioned. https://www.klm.com/travel/kz_en/prepare_for_travel/travel_planning/travel_clinic/visaform.htm

I have seen many reports on this forum of people being denied boarding by airlines from all parts of the world.

[swampdonkey]

Airlines can, and do, disallow entrance to the flight if you do not satisfy Immigration regulations.

It's mostly American airline carriers that ask. From the UK/EU I've never been asked, no one I know has either.

It's not an immigration regulation to have one, some airlines are just worried about their bottom line as they'd have to repatriate you if you got denied entry to Thailand for some other reason, like being on a blacklist.

I have always been asked if I had a visa

When flying from the uk or Ireland and staying if staying more than 30 days.

[lordblackader]

Airlines can, and do, disallow entrance to the flight if you do not satisfy Immigration regulations.

It's mostly American airline carriers that ask. From the UK/EU I've never been asked, no one I know has either.

It's not an immigration regulation to have one, some airlines are just worried about their bottom line as they'd have to repatriate you if you got denied entry to Thailand for some other reason, like being on a blacklist.

I have always been asked if I had a visa

When flying from the uk or Ireland and staying if staying more than 30 days.

Happens when flying out of Australia as well, but I only get asked when flying directly.

[realenglish1]

Get a Visa before setting out.

You might not be allowed on the flight without one.

He is American why would he NOt be allowed out on a Flight to Thailand

You do not know your facts

[ubonjoe]

Get a Visa before setting out.

You might not be allowed on the flight without one.

He is American why would he NOt be allowed out on a Flight to Thailand

You do not know your facts

I did a reply to an earlier post similar to yours.

Without a visa and no ticket out of the country within 30 days the airline can deny boarding the flight.

[Lite Beer]

Get a Visa before setting out.

You might not be allowed on the flight without one.

He is American why would he NOt be allowed out on a Flight to Thailand

You do not know your facts

Oh yes I do.

[lemerou]

The post about hcmc being difficult is the first I have ever seen. Also hcmc consulate normally does not ask for flight OUT of thailand.

I'm the one who posted about being rejected in HCMC.

Just to add more details: i have been rejected, this is true (i didn't make it up) and i had all my papers in order following their rules.

I also have seen another report of a guy in the same situation as me (rejected in HCMC) on another board.

However, i have to add i have seen several people before me being granted the visa without any problems.

This would suggest that the lady didn't like something about me or my situation (maybe too many long stay in Thailand).