Thai Elite Visa or tourist exempt?

[Kai1988]

Hi guys, first timer here.

I understand that there have been many posts about the Thai elite visa on this forum, but was looking for some advice. I've been in a relationship with my Thai partner for the past 2 years and I travel up to see her once a month for about 7-10 days each time on tourist visa exempt (30 days). So that's probably about 15-20 visa exempt stamps in the passport so far... I've heard from my girlfriend that there's been some news online recently about Thai immigration clamping down on frequent visitors (?) and we really don't want to run the risk of me getting stopped at the immigration or not being allowed to enter. I can afford the half a million baht but being only 28, it's still a substantial amount of money that can be put towards making more money (or saving toward that million dollar sinsot!!) so I guess my question is... with 20k baht and a return air ticket every trip, is it safer for me to get the Thai elite visa? Or would it be okay to continue on visa exempt...?

Not too familiar with Thai immigration laws since they seem to be changing all the time so any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

[stoneyboy]

Continue with visa exemption until you are advised otherwise by immigration,if you haven't been flagged and spoken to yet then you may well find it happens soon.

Until it does carry on as you are I say.

[Kai1988]

@stoneyboy I've been asked to get a tourist visa by an immigration officer at Don mueang airport once but when I went to the Thai embassy they told me that there's no need for me to get a tourist visa since I'm always there for less than 30 days... so that's a bit confusing haha.

[stoneyboy]

If you have proof of working outside Thailand and can show this upon entering the country then I see no reason why you shouldn't be allowed entry each time.

Maybe you just got unlucky with one of the many immigration officers on the day.

I for one wouldn't be rushing out buying the Thai Elite visa for minimal trips of 7/10 days a time in the country.

[RabC]

What about a multi entry tourist visa, still cheaper than Thailand Elite for the purposes you require.

[elviajero]

It is very unlikely you would be denied entry. The worst case is likely an interview about what you do in Thailand and a warning to get a visa before the next entry.

[Kai1988]

If you have proof of working outside Thailand and can show this upon entering the country then I see no reason why you shouldn't be allowed entry each time.

Maybe you just got unlucky with one of the many immigration officers on the day.

I for one wouldn't be rushing out buying the Thai Elite visa for minimal trips of 7/10 days a time in the country.

What sort of proof would I require? I'm a director of my family business but I usually carry my business card with the designation of sales manager. Would that suffice?

[Kai1988]

@RabC I've read that the multi entry tourist visa requires proof of long term residence... and here's where it gets slightly tricky. I usually stay with my girlfriend and her family when I go up to visit her. Everyone's cool with it (since we help out with the groceries and the electricity bills) except for her eccentric spinster aunt who stays with them. Unfortunately the house is jointly owned by her dad and the aunt, who absolutely refuses to endorse me as an alien staying with them. We are looking at getting a place for just the two of us, but that will only be in a couple of months...

[Kai1988]

@elviajero I've had a couple of immigration officers asking me what I'm doing in Thailand so often but they usually just leave it like that when I tell them I'm coming to visit my girlfriend. I always carry more than 20k baht, my business cards and proof of a return air ticket when I travel into Bangkok but so far I haven't been asked for them...

[DogNo1]

FYI, a tourist is, by definition, not a long-term tesident so an METV could work in your case. But why not just continue your visa-exempt entries until you are instructed to do otherwise. There's really no reason to deny you entry so long as you can convince them that you're not working in Thailand.

[BritTim]

One of these days you just might be denied entry flying in for a visa exempt entry, but I consider it unlikely. I think a multiple entry tourist visa is worth considering if you can conveniently get one in your home country. Ask the nearest consulate what their requirements are.

[JayBird]

I could not see your nationality. If you are a G7 you *should* have no problem going in and out as often as you like. They indicated they do not care how often you visit within a year now (the old restriction is lifted). And they are often much more kind/lenient towards G7 people.

If you are NOT G7 people, then I can not say -- sorry.

You COULD apply for a Multi Entry Tourist Visa -- but this requires a lot of docs, paperwork, and (usually?) a job. As they ask for a letter from your employer.

You could apply for a single entry tourist visa (60 day) -- this is usually easier to obtain especially if you get it in the country of your nationality. Although unsure how many you can get back to back. (If G7 I expect no problem). You could also mix & match SETV with a Visa Exempt entries.

The Thailand Elite visa should not be necessary unless you plan to stay in Thailand continuously. If you do not need to stay in continuously there are usually much better options.

[TerryLH]

" I've read that the multi entry tourist visa requires proof of long term residence... and here's where it gets slightly tricky."

The proof is required for the country you apply fore the visa in, not for Thailand.

[IMA_FARANG]

Some visa exempt entry applicants have run afoul of a new rule.....you may be taken aside and questioned on your ability to pay your expenses, and maybe be asked to explain your reasons for repeatedly entering Thailand after 6 consecutive visa exempt entries.

So far there have not been any reports of anyone being actually denied entry.....but some people have been stopped after 6 consecutive visa exempt entries and questioned.

A wise man would avoid the possibility of that happening to him.

(i.e. 5 in a row is enough).

Get a tourist visa if possible.

[Kai1988]

@JayBird I'm not G7. I'm from Singapore, and I've actually been to the Thai embassy in Singapore to enquire about the possibility of getting a tourist visa but they informed me that there shouldn't be an issue since I usually don't stay more than 30 days... but they also admitted that at the end of the day that the IO usually has the final say.

@TerryHL ah ok I see, I might check out the possibility of getting that then...

@IMA_FARANG so what would a wise man do after 5 visa exempts in a row? Lol

[LawrenceChee]

Kai - I hold a Singapore passport and have been going in / out for the last 6 years

Been asked a few times but when I say I love Thailand and this is the best vacation for holiday , they smile stamp it and say okay have fun !

I know a few hotel managers friends ...so I normally put their hotels in a running order when asked for the address in the event they really check on the reservations

S far no issues ...don't waste money on the Thai Elite / METV

Wait till they give you the letter ...if not it's fine

[Kai1988]

@lawrence Thanks for your reply, good to see another Singaporean on this forum.

You mentioned "wait till they give you the letter ...if not it's fine" - what kind of letter is this?

[LawrenceChee]

@lawrence Thanks for your reply, good to see another Singaporean on this forum.

You mentioned "wait till they give you the letter ...if not it's fine" - what kind of letter is this?

The official letter that tells you to get a proper visa but a Singapore passport you rarely get problems as we are one of the original targets of the METV so they do want us here that frequently

My passport now issued since Oct has about 17 -20 stamps already for Thai 30 day exempt ...just got in on Saturday no questions asked again.

[JayBird]

Yes, there should be no reason for you to get a Thailand Elite visa. That really is meant more towards people who stay there for long periods of time.

Thailand mainly cares about keeping track of people who come in/out, and making sure people are not staying inside inappropriately (or with wrong visa).

Flying in and out, staying for a short time each time, and a sizable passage of time outside Thailand each time, should not cause any problems. You fit the 'frequent tourist' 'constantly tagged (going in & out)' and 'staying out long time' (thus proving you are not trying to live/work in Thailand).

That being said, its wise to try to keep up to date with any changes they make -- they do tend to change regulations so you should be aware if they add something like 'max 3 months out of 6'.

Note: Since you ARE from Singapore there should not be much of an issue. They seem to have bilateral agreement with Singapore (Thais can go there visa exempt).

[HerbalEd]

If you have proof of working outside Thailand and can show this upon entering the country then I see no reason why you shouldn't be allowed entry each time.

Maybe you just got unlucky with one of the many immigration officers on the day.

I for one wouldn't be rushing out buying the Thai Elite visa for minimal trips of 7/10 days a time in the country.

What sort of proof would I require? I'm a director of my family business but I usually carry my business card with the designation of sales manager. Would that suffice?

Instead of just a business card, have a formal statement verifying your employment put on your company's stationary (with company letterhead & logo

) and have it signed by the most senior person at your company (but obviously not yourself) ... e.g., CEO, president, or whomever).

[HerbalEd]

I love my Thai Elite Visa. It's hassle free and I can come and go as often as I want. However, it is expensive. I recommend that you continue doing what you've so far been doing without any problems. If and when, what your doing no longer works, then you might want to go with the Thai Elite Visa.

[flyingdoc]

Getting a Visa is a good idea, but in the U.K they have made it so difficult, many people. myself included, have just given up and risk Visa exempt entry. The problem is two fold. Firstly, postal applications have now been stopped, necessitating travelling to the Embassy or Consulate, then returning another day to collect the passport and visa. Secondly, if you are travelling in and out of Thailand, only a single entry visa is now obtainable. The METV in the U.K. is onerous to obtain, to say the least. All the recent changes seem to be for the worst!

[ubonjoe]

Getting a Visa is a good idea, but in the U.K they have made it so difficult, many people. myself included, have just given up and risk Visa exempt entry. The problem is two fold. Firstly, postal applications have now been stopped, necessitating travelling to the Embassy or Consulate, then returning another day to collect the passport and visa. Secondly, if you are travelling in and out of Thailand, only a single entry visa is now obtainable. The METV in the U.K. is onerous to obtain, to say the least. All the recent changes seem to be for the worst!

You can apply at the embassy in London by post. http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/401 Most of the consulates will issue a tourist visa while you wait.

The METV is not that hard to get unless you are referring to showing the money in bank,

[JayBird]

Getting a Visa is a good idea, but in the U.K they have made it so difficult, many people. myself included, have just given up and risk Visa exempt entry. The problem is two fold. Firstly, postal applications have now been stopped, necessitating travelling to the Embassy or Consulate, then returning another day to collect the passport and visa. Secondly, if you are travelling in and out of Thailand, only a single entry visa is now obtainable. The METV in the U.K. is onerous to obtain, to say the least. All the recent changes seem to be for the worst!

No postal service, that can be a pain. But one of the recent changes if I'm not mistaken is to remove the limit of how many visas or visa-exempt entries you can get per year (there used to be a limit if I recall).

I can understand METV being harder to get. From THEIR point of view: Why would someone need an METV and that need not be covered by one of the other Visa types (Business, Marriage, School, Retired, etc.).

The way the METV is set up is really to give a person unlimited entry/exit to Thailand during a 6 month period. Its being USED for the purpose of staying almost continuously for 9 months (via 2 visa runs). But I think it was not meant for that.

And how many people need unlimited entry/exit to Thailand for a 6 month period (and do not qualify under Business/etc.). So yes, I can understand why they clamped down so much on it.

On the plus side there *ARE* options. Just not all super easy or super cheap. But still, options

In the mean time, I would still say: Unless you plan to continuously stay for long periods of time, Visa Exempt should be sufficient

[Kai1988]

I love my Thai Elite Visa. It's hassle free and I can come and go as often as I want. However, it is expensive. I recommend that you continue doing what you've so far been doing without any problems. If and when, what your doing no longer works, then you might want to go with the Thai Elite Visa.

@HerbalEd If the immigration officer issues me a formal letter asking me to apply for a visa the next time around, will it affect my ability to apply for the Thai Elite Visa?

[ubonjoe]

I love my Thai Elite Visa. It's hassle free and I can come and go as often as I want. However, it is expensive. I recommend that you continue doing what you've so far been doing without any problems. If and when, what your doing no longer works, then you might want to go with the Thai Elite Visa.

@HerbalEd If the immigration officer issues me a formal letter asking me to apply for a visa the next time around, will it affect my ability to apply for the Thai Elite Visa?

No it wouldn't. You would be doing what they asked you to do.

[gerry1011]

If I may... Thailand Elite is not only about the visa.

The Thailand Elite membership also provides you, besides the PE visa and other privileges, with a superb assistance at the airport.

If you travel often in and out of the country, it is a wonderful perk. Better than any airline assistance. But it comes at a price, indeed.

[Kai1988]

If I may... Thailand Elite is not only about the visa.

The Thailand Elite membership also provides you, besides the PE visa and other privileges, with a superb assistance at the airport.

If you travel often in and out of the country, it is a wonderful perk. Better than any airline assistance. But it comes at a price, indeed.

@gerry1011 For sure. The freedom to fly in at any time or day and not having to worry about the queues at the immigration and no more hassle at the counters would be very, very welcomed.

Having said that, if I can get away with visa exempt for the time being, I'm inclined to do so simply because I could put the 20k to work and generate more income for myself in the mean time. It might not be much... but I still have many, many more years of working to go. ):

LOL.

[ericthai]

Use your company and apply for an APEC card this will give you 90 days each stay and it is intended for business travelers that frequently travel.

[linguini]

Thailand Elite isn't cheap, but hassel free and I got one, happy with it. However, I recently couldn't find my Thailand Elite card and was told by TE that a replacement card costs 4,000 baht . I asked if I really need the card and the answer is vague. Don't think I want to pay up for the replacement, but not sure if I will still able to use TE services provided without the card. Let's see how it goes.