Immigration interrogation again :-(

[ubonjoe]

Phukhet is known to be the worst airport for entering if you have several visa exempt entries.

A multiple entry non-o visa allows unlimited 90 day entries for a year from the date of issue. You don't need a re-entry permit.

Not sure you will be able to get one in Australia now. There have been recent reports of denials for those applying based upon marriage.

If you had time before you leave you could go to Penang and get the visa if you can show 100k baht in the bank or proof of income. You would need your daughter's birth certificate showing you as her father plus a copy and a copy of her house book registry. You apply the morning of one day pick it up the next afternoon.

Hello

Does you know or does anyone know if I was to apply by post to Canberra Australia would I need to send my daughters original Birth Certificate or would a certified copy be sufficient?

Because it's in Thai does it need to be translated?

Thanks

A copy would be accepted. A translation would not be needed when applying at the embassy.

[jacksam]

It's probably been wrote countless times on other posts, but an online visa service just like Vietnam Etc etc. Would be great.

They could get more money that way, as against the visa exemption.

It's comical some countries can get a visa on arrival Ethiopia, Kazakhstan....proper regulars! Smirk!!

Visa exemption for vietnam is available for several countries

[johnno2]

Its still there in the minisitry of foreign affairs webpage.........http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15380-Questions-&-Answers-on-Thai-Visa.html

Furthermore, foreigners who enter the Kingdom under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of

not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry.

[ubonjoe]

Its still there in the minisitry of foreign affairs webpage.........http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15380-Questions-&-Answers-on-Thai-Visa.html

Furthermore, foreigners who enter the Kingdom under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of

not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry.

I am not sure the Q&A section would be considered official. It certainly has been out of date since 2008 when the police order that I posted (#22) a download for earlier went into effect,

[RC8]

The London embassy site is confusing. One page says:

"Foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption category may only do so for 30 days at one time with a maximum of 3 times in a 6 month period."

Another page says:

"Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration which does not exceed 90 days and is within a 6-month period from the date of first entry."

It suggests a limit of 90 days in 6 months AND a limit of 3 entries in 6 months!

I hope this is not a new rule as I currently do TVE 10+ times a year.

[BritTim]

The London embassy site is confusing. One page says:

"Foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption category may only do so for 30 days at one time with a maximum of 3 times in a 6 month period."

Another page says:

"Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration which does not exceed 90 days and is within a 6-month period from the date of first entry."

It suggests a limit of 90 days in 6 months AND a limit of 3 entries in 6 months!

I hope this is not a new rule as I currently do TVE 10+ times a year.

It is a very old rule that was only in force for a short period, and is long discontinued. Many websites have not been updated to reflect that, and some consular officials seem also to be unaware of the current rules.

There are currently no hard limits. However, immigration officials on entry receive an alert if you are a frequent user of visa exempt entries. This alert is intended to prompt the official to scrutinize your entry more closely than usual to ensure you are a genuine tourist. If you enter through some land borders, the official may (illegally) refuse you entry purely based on a claim that the computer ordered him to do it.

[RC8]

Thanks for the clarification

[RC8]

This year I will reach the golden age of 50 meaning I can access the A-O visa for old codgers. I would like to get one so that I can make more permanent ties to the country (heath insurance, car etc). Given my shift pattern is 2 on 3 off, is it possible for me to do this? From what I've read at some point I need to stay until the last 30 days of a 3 month SETV to apply for extension to stay for retirement. I can't do that without taking a lot of time off work.

[BritTim]

I think you must be able to make this work based on a 2-week on 3-week off schedule. Your best option is to enter on a single entry Non O visa (90 days) at the beginning of a three week off period. Get a single re-entry permit on this. You will be returning to Thailand about 35 days after your first entry. Get another single re-entry permit. Your next return will be about 70 days after the initial entry. At this point, apply for your one-year extension on the basis of retirement. (I omit minor details like cash in the bank.)

[johnatong]

This year I will reach the golden age of 50 meaning I can access the A-O visa for old codgers. I would like to get one so that I can make more permanent ties to the country (heath insurance, car etc). Given my shift pattern is 2 on 3 off, is it possible for me to do this? From what I've read at some point I need to stay until the last 30 days of a 3 month SETV to apply for extension to stay for retirement. I can't do that without taking a lot of time off work.

An O/A visa can only be obtained from a Thai Embassy/Consulate in your home country.

An extension of stay based on retirement cannot be applied for directly from an SETV.

You must determine what you want.

If you want an O/A visa you must return home to obtain it, otherwise you must have an "O" visa entry if you wish to apply for an extension of stay. (see post 39)

[RC8]

It's definitely an A-O I want.

Ahhh thanks for the info johnatong and brit tim.

So I just apply in the UK for my A-O. Can i get a multiple re-entry permit in Bangkok?

If so it's a lot simpler than I thought.

[johnatong]

It's definitely an A-O I want.

Ahhh thanks for the info johnatong and brit tim.

So I just apply in the UK for my A-O. Can i get a multiple re-entry permit in Bangkok?

If so it's a lot simpler than I thought.

An O/A visa is 'multiple entry' and therefore no re-entry permit is required whilst the visa is valid.

[BritTim]

It's definitely an A-O I want.

Ahhh thanks for the info johnatong and brit tim.

So I just apply in the UK for my A-O. Can i get a multiple re-entry permit in Bangkok?

If so it's a lot simpler than I thought.

A Non Imm O-A (Long Stay) visa from the UK is a possibility, but do not expect the process to be that simple. The requirements, in general, are more stringent than for an extension on the basis of retirement in Thailand. For the Non Imm O-A visa, for starters, you need medical and police reports, both notarized. The visa carries some advantages, but the extension is easier to get.

[RC8]

I do not qualify for a Non O visa so far as I can see (no wife or kids). Does that mean I can only apply for the O-A route?

[BritTim]

I do not qualify for a Non O visa so far as I can see (no wife or kids). Does that mean I can only apply for the O-A route?

In fact, you can easily get a single entry Non O visa at many places, but not in the UK. For instance, they are available in Penang (see http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/visa-run-penang.php). Vientiane and Savannakhet are also suitable places in the region. I had forgotten that the UK only issues Non O visa for intended retirement to those with a state pension.

[RC8]

Thanks for the info guys.

I think I'll give O-A a try in the UK first. I will start to get the documents and apply after my birthday in August.

Thanks again. You've been a great help.

[Ajahnski]

Although the interrogations are inevitably stressful, I am not sure you need to change what you are doing. A little bit of aggravation and five minutes extra to enter the country is not the end of the world. I do not see they have any justification under Section 12 of the Immigration law to deny you entry (whether they would like to or not).

Also, the Licensing Facilitation Act that recently went into effect puts strict limits on their discretion. They are required to have all the documents that they may require posted in an agency manual that is also available online. They are not allowed to ask for more, and may not deny you for any reason outside of what is required by their manuals.

Also, though it doesn't specifically say so, the way the law is written clearly envisions government officers in an assisting role instead of an adversarial one. (TBS, I also know it will take time to change the culture of corruption here.)

[sipidan]

On Friday, I landed in Perth and sent off my NON-IMMIGRANT Multiple entry visa application to the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra.

Today Monday 18th April, they received my app, fingers crossed

[freedomnow]

Are people getting these hassles on entry from Laos visa-free overland or is it just the airports that are hardline ?

[sipidan]

Good write up from Stickman further down in his column regarding Immigration very similar to my case.

http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/StickmanWeeklyColumn2015/Songkran-2016.htm

[Evilbaz]

On Friday, I landed in Perth and sent off my NON-IMMIGRANT Multiple entry visa application to the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra.

Today Monday 18th April, they received my app, fingers crossed

Just did this for an OA Visa.

Sent on Friday morning and the passport received (country post office) 10 days later.

[sipidan]

On Friday, I landed in Perth and sent off my NON-IMMIGRANT Multiple entry visa application to the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra.

Today Monday 18th April, they received my app, fingers crossed

Just did this for an OA Visa.

Sent on Friday morning and the passport received (country post office) 10 days later.

That would be great 10 days later.

I have a window of 15 working days

Before I'm due to fly back to Bkk.

[sipidan]

Just used Thai Embassies visa tracking service and it says approved and on its way back to me

Hopefully its the multiply entry which I applied for and not a single

Pretty quick service, it does say 3 days processing on there website which is what it has been

[sipidan]

From posting my passport from Perth at 12.30 Friday 15th April to Canberra

I received it back with my multiply entry O visa at 11.30 Friday 22nd April

Well happy