When is a SETV considered used?

[syke1912]

I just received a SETV a few days ago from Penang and am now back in Thailand. However, I need to leave the country for a couple of days this weekend unexpectedly.

I'm from a G7 country. Can I leave Thailand and re-enter on a 30 day visa exempt entry, thus not using or cancelling my SETV?

Or will my SETV be considered used?

[Gulfsailor]

I just received a SETV a few days ago from Penang and am now back in Thailand. However, I need to leave the country for a couple of days this weekend unexpectedly.

I'm from a G7 country. Can I leave Thailand and re-enter on a 30 day visa exempt entry, thus not using or cancelling my SETV?

Or will my SETV be considered used?

When you entered Thailand I assume you used your SETV. That's when it was officially used up. But you did receive a 60 day permission to stay stamp. On that you can get a re entry permit from a local immigration office or at an airport. You can use that re entry permit to leave Thailand and come back in keeping your current permission to stay date valid.

[ubonjoe]

Your singe entry visa was used when you entered the country..

You could get a single re-entry permit (1000 baht) to keep the remainder of your 60 day entry when you return to the country.

[Karlo]

Can a re-entry permit be obtained from most local immigration offices in Thailand..... Is there a reference number for this form to help immigration understand what's required

[Guest]

Related question. Is this possible?

1) Travel to Penang, apply for single entry visa. (1900 baht)

2) Come to thailand, with visa exemption, get 15 days permit to stay.

3) Extend the permission for further 30 days at local immigration (1900 baht)

4) After 45 days, exit to Ranong or other border. Come back and only then use the single entry visa.

5) After another 60 days, extend the visa for another 30 days for 1900baht

This would give 135 days of stay with visa costs of 5700 baht. The other benefit is that the border run could be then possibly done at Ranong, instead of traveling to Malaysia.

[ubonjoe]

Can a re-entry permit be obtained from most local immigration offices in Thailand..... Is there a reference number for this form to help immigration understand what's required

It can be applied for at any immigration office if you have a local address to put on the application form. You can also get one at either airport in Bangkok 24 hours a day but you should be sure you have a photo for the application form.

Download TN8 form here. http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/tm9.pdf

[ubonjoe]

Related question. Is this possible?

1) Travel to Penang, apply for single entry visa. (1900 baht)

2) Come to thailand, with visa exemption, get 15 days permit to stay.

3) Extend the permission for further 30 days at local immigration (1900 baht)

4) After 45 days, exit to Ranong or other border. Come back and only then use the single entry visa.

5) After another 60 days, extend the visa for another 30 days for 1900baht

This would give 135 days of stay with visa costs of 5700 baht. The other benefit is that the border run could be then possibly done at Ranong, instead of traveling to Malaysia.

It is unlikely they would allow you to get a visa exempt entry if you have a valid tourist visa in your passport. People have tried it and been forced to use the visa.

[asdecas]

Can a re-entry permit be obtained from most local immigration offices in Thailand..... Is there a reference number for this form to help immigration understand what's required

It can be applied for at any immigration office if you have a local address to put on the application form. You can also get one at either airport in Bangkok 24 hours a day but you should be sure you have a photo for the application form.

Download TN8 form here. http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/tm9.pdf

Ubon Joe, that link you provided above is for the wrong form.

[ubonjoe]

Ooops clicked one form down form the correct one. trying again. http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/tm8.pdf

[sometimewoodworker]

Related question. Is this possible?

1) Travel to Penang, apply for single entry visa. (1900 baht)

2) Come to thailand, with visa exemption, get 15 days permit to stay.

3) Extend the permission for further 30 days at local immigration (1900 baht)

4) After 45 days, exit to Ranong or other border. Come back and only then use the single entry visa.

5) After another 60 days, extend the visa for another 30 days for 1900baht

This would give 135 days of stay with visa costs of 5700 baht. The other benefit is that the border run could be then possibly done at Ranong, instead of traveling to Malaysia.

It is unlikely they would allow you to get a visa exempt entry if you have a valid tourist visa in your passport. People have tried it and been forced to use the visa.

And even if you do manage to enter without using the visa (getting a visa exempt entry) the SETV may even be canceled as you leave, or try to extend the visa exempt entry.

Winning the lottery is more likely.

[Suradit69]

Can a re-entry permit be obtained from most local immigration offices in Thailand..... Is there a reference number for this form to help immigration understand what's required

When you return to Thailand, on the arrival card use the number on your re-entry permit where it asks for visa number.

[seancbk]

Related question. Is this possible?

1) Travel to Penang, apply for single entry visa. (1900 baht)

2) Come to thailand, with visa exemption, get 15 days permit to stay.

3) Extend the permission for further 30 days at local immigration (1900 baht)

4) After 45 days, exit to Ranong or other border. Come back and only then use the single entry visa.

5) After another 60 days, extend the visa for another 30 days for 1900baht

This would give 135 days of stay with visa costs of 5700 baht. The other benefit is that the border run could be then possibly done at Ranong, instead of traveling to Malaysia.

It is unlikely they would allow you to get a visa exempt entry if you have a valid tourist visa in your passport. People have tried it and been forced to use the visa.

Also isn't a visa exempt entry 30 days? You'd be flying in from Penang presumably.