Hi all,

Many thanks to the generous posters on this forum for sharing their knowledge. If anyone has any advice on my immediate plans, I'd be very grateful!

If I've understood the consensus opinion here correctly, current visa run crackdowns are about 'bounces' - i.e. people leaving the country and getting a visa exemption for thirty days, repeatedly - and not about getting an SETV or METV from the Thai embassy in Penang, for example. As a result, it's the number of visa exemption entries in a given (but mysterious) period that gets people stopped at immigration. Is this right?

If the above is correct, when my current visa exemption entry and extension runs out, I'm planning to spend a week in Penang before returning on a SETV, and then extending it, giving me ninety days for that entry from Penang. Is it possible - currently at least - for this process to be repeated indefinitely, as long as different points of entry are used? Or are there restrictions on how many times one can enter on a SETV in a given amount of time, for example?

FYI, I have a SETV entry (extended for thirty days) in Feb and a visa exemption entry from August (soon to be extended for thirty days) in my passport currently. 

Also, if anyone would be kind enough to point me towards a good source - here or elsewhere - of current information on the Thai language visa I've seen mentioned, I'd be very grateful. Apologies if I've missed the relevant thread.

Thanks all!

6 minutes ago, Bishop Woodforde said:

If I've understood the consensus opinion here correctly, current visa run crackdowns are about 'bounces' - i.e. people leaving the country and getting a visa exemption for thirty days, repeatedly - and not about getting an SETV or METV from the Thai embassy in Penang, for example. As a result, it's the number of visa exemption entries in a given (but mysterious) period that gets people stopped at immigration. Is this right?

Yes.

8 minutes ago, Bishop Woodforde said:

If the above is correct, when my current visa exemption entry and extension runs out, I'm planning to spend a week in Penang before returning on a SETV, and then extending it, giving me ninety days for that entry from Penang. Is it possible - currently at least - for this process to be repeated indefinitely, as long as different points of entry are used? Or are there restrictions on how many times one can enter on a SETV in a given amount of time, for example?

Each Embassy and Consulate in the neighbouring countries has an unpublished limit of how many SETV's they will issue to the same person. Penang is reported as having a limit of 3. However, once you reach the limit at one location there is nothing, currently, stopping you applying elsewhere. They appear to go by a physical count of the visas you already have in your passport so a timely new passport can extend the possibility of perpetual tourism.

 

As long as you have a valid SETV you should have no problem entering as many times as you want. The control of the overuse of tourist visas seems to be down to the Consular services. However, if entering multiple times with a SETV you should expect, at anytime, to get questioned about what you do in Thailand.

You have it right, but do have a backup-plan in mind, in case things change, because they could.  Alternatives include Cambodia, The Philippines, Vietnam, and even a 90+90 visa-free stay in Malaysia (more in a row, and they may complain).

 

Also, always have 20K Baht worth of some currency and/or travelers-checks when entering Thailand.  I also keep a bank book (Bangkok Bank) which shows all my money comes from abroad - i.e. proof that I have no reason to work in Thailand.  I have yet to need either, but others have.

 

I would also suggest avoiding certain 'problem' entry points, such as Poipet and Sadao.

2 hours ago, elviajero said:

Each Embassy and Consulate in the neighbouring countries has an unpublished limit of how many SETV's they will issue to the same person. Penang is reported as having a limit of 3. However, once you reach the limit at one location there is nothing, currently, stopping you applying elsewhere. They appear to go by a physical count of the visas you already have in your passport so a timely new passport can extend the possibility of perpetual tourism.

 

As long as you have a valid SETV you should have no problem entering as many times as you want. The control of the overuse of tourist visas seems to be down to the Consular services. However, if entering multiple times with a SETV you should expect, at anytime, to get questioned about what you do in Thailand.

 

But wouldn't visiting another Embassy/Consulate to obtain a new TV after you have reached your limit at another Embassy/Consulate be a "workaround"?

 

Quote from your post on a previous thread 

"It is a workaround! You are recommending that when someone reaches a limit at one Embassy that they move to another.

workaround; a method for overcoming a problem or limitation in a program or system"

 

And according to a post you made on another thread they are "clamping down" and 

"It's the ones that don't go home that is the issue" I am not sure if that's just your issue but anyway...

 

Yet here you are telling another poster it is currently ok to stay here longterm on TV's and to move to another Embassy/Consulate when they have reached their limit at another

 

 

 

 

 

 

As already advised, you should be able to stay here on consecutive SETVs for an extended period. My own impression, though, is that this is frowned upon while currently tolerated. I expect a crackdown on people doing this at some stage, though it has not happened yet. The advice always to have a backup plan for what you will do if denied entry is good advice. It might happen.

1 hour ago, darrendsd said:

 

But wouldn't visiting another Embassy/Consulate to obtain a new TV after you have reached your limit at another Embassy/Consulate be a "workaround"?

 

Quote from your post on a previous thread 

"It is a workaround! You are recommending that when someone reaches a limit at one Embassy that they move to another.

workaround; a method for overcoming a problem or limitation in a program or system"

 

And according to a post you made on another thread they are "clamping down" and 

"It's the ones that don't go home that is the issue" I am not sure if that's just your issue but anyway...

 

Yet here you are telling another poster it is currently ok to stay here longterm on TV's and to move to another Embassy/Consulate when they have reached their limit at another

The troll wants to derail yet another topic!

 

Yes, applying at different locations is a workaround for the limits imposed at each location so that one can stay in Thailand long term. How can you possibly not understand that!

 

They are "clamping down" on Tourist Visas. You used to be able to get an unlimited number of TR's locally to Thailand, that was then limited to 3/4 Double TR's, and last November they did away with Double Entry Tourist Visas, which means we have gone from unlimited visas to 3/4 SETV's from the same location. All of these changes make it harder for someone to stay here long term. 

 

Clamp down; suppress, prevent, stop, put a stop to, put an end to, stamp out; crack down on, come down hard on, limit, restrain, restrict, check, keep in check, control, keep under control.

 

I haven't told the OP it's "ok to stay here longterm". The OP's first question about "visa run crackdowns" was specifically about Visa Exempt Entries. His second question was about how many times one can enter with SETV's. I've answered his questions!

Edited September 12, 20169 yr by elviajero

29 minutes ago, elviajero said:

The troll wants to derail yet another topic!

 

Yes, applying at different locations is a workaround for the limits imposed at each location so that one can stay in Thailand long term. How can you possibly not understand that!

 

They are "clamping down" on Tourist Visas. You used to be able to get an unlimited number of TR's locally to Thailand, that was then limited to 3/4 Double TR's, and last November they did away with Double Entry Tourist Visas, which means we have gone from unlimited visas to 3/4 SETV's from the same location. All of these changes make it harder for someone to stay here long term. 

 

I haven't told the OP it's "ok to stay here longterm". The OP's first question about "visa run crackdowns" was specifically about Visa Exempt Entries. His second question was about how many times one can enter with SETV's. I've answered his questions!

 

Yes you have answered his questions however when I said exactly the same thing in another thread a few days ago I was berated although to be fair you did seem to misread my posts a lot 

 

So when I say one thing it causes a issue with you and you question it but it's ok for you to give out exactly the same advice,

 

Ok no problem, I understand

 

Quote " As long as you have a valid SETV you should have no problem entering as many times as you want"

 

If you are telling a poster that he can enter as many times as he wants then you are saying he can stay here longterm, that is pretty obvious to anyone

 

PS your workaround theory, how does that work if people do not reach the maximum amount allowed at each Embassy? Say they got one each at 7 or 8 different Embassy's then started the round again, have you thought about that? I doubt it

 

 

Edited September 12, 20169 yr by darrendsd

Thanks all for your advice - much appreciated.

Ultimately it's not likely to be the truly long term solution for me, but a good bridging option while plans are made.

14 hours ago, BritTim said:

As already advised, you should be able to stay here on consecutive SETVs for an extended period. My own impression, though, is that this is frowned upon while currently tolerated. I expect a crackdown on people doing this at some stage, though it has not happened yet. The advice always to have a backup plan for what you will do if denied entry is good advice. It might happen.

 

The IO would need a valid reason to deny entry if you have a visa, lack of funds is one of the reasons. The decision to deny entry to a visa holder is not taken lightly.

3 hours ago, muzmurray said:

 

The IO would need a valid reason to deny entry if you have a visa, lack of funds is one of the reasons. The decision to deny entry to a visa holder is not taken lightly.

 

I am not disagreeing with you, but would put a slightly different slant on it. I am assuming entry at an airport. At a land border, they can simply deny you entry without following any correct procedures.

 

If they decide to deny entry, it is likely to be because the IO claims the traveler cannot provide evidence of sufficient funds to support himself without working illegally. (That is the official reason for denying entry to those using too many visa exempt entries.) Once an IO denies you entry, you have the right to appeal, but the appeal process involves being in detention for days while your appeal is processed. Many in a position to prevail on appeal will not be willing to go through the process. I 100% agree that this is something that might happen only to a tiny number of travelers on tourist visas. However, I still think a crackdown on those living here full-time on tourist entries is likely at some point.