Specific questions about visas (USA citizen)

[malone76]

Hi, I am brand new to this forum and I am 40 years old and I am from the USA.  I will be coming to Thailand in January.  I have searched this board and while there is a lot of information, I found it very confusing at times.  I am going to Phuket to pursue getting my Divemaster certification. I may then decide to try and work in Thailand after that.  I am in no rush and was hoping to just relax for a month or so before I even start my certification training (which will take 6-8 weeks). 

 

First of all I read that if you come in and don't have a plane ticket to leave within 30 days, you may be denied entry.  This is an issue for me as my return plane ticket is for four months later. What type of visa could I get to help with this problem? If I get in on a 30 day tourist visa, can I really just make border runs (every 30 days) for the time I am here?  Is there a limit to how many time I can do this?

 

Thanks!

[ubonjoe]

You should at least get a single entry tourist visa from the embassy in DC or one of the official consulates in LA, New Your or Chicago. You can apply to in person or by mail. You can also apply in person at one of the honorary consulates listed here. http://thaiembdc.org/royal-thai-honorary-consulates-general-in-the-u-s/

A single entry tourist visa visa would allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days at an immigration office.

Or you could get a multiple entry tourist visa that allows unlimited 60 day entries for 6 months from the date of issue. Each entry can also be extended for 30 days. You can only apply for this visa at the embassy or one of the official consulates.

[malone76]

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Or you could get a multiple entry tourist visa that allows unlimited 60 day entries for 6 months from the date of issue. Each entry can also be extended for 30 days.

 

This sounds ideal for my situation.  What is the cost involved in this?

[ubonjoe]

The fee is $40 for a single entry tourist visa or $200 for a multiple entry tourist visa.

Requirements and fees can be found here on embassy website. http://thaiembdc.org/visas/

[malone76]

Thank you very much for your help.  It is exactly the info I was looking for!  Now my only question is will I have trouble getting in to Thailand with a return airplane ticket that is 4 months out?

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, malone76 said:

Thank you very much for your help.  It is exactly the info I was looking for!  Now my only question is will I have trouble getting in to Thailand with a return airplane ticket that is 4 months out?

A return or onward ticket is not required if you have a valid visa for entry or to board the flight.

[malone76]

i just read on the site that a requirement for the visa is showing your plane ticket with a return flight.  I have this, but it will be farther away than the visa is good for (for the single entry visa).  Will this be a problem when applying for the visa?

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, malone76 said:

i just read on the site that a requirement for the visa is showing your plane ticket with a return flight.  I have this, but it will be farther away than the visa is good for (for the single entry visa).  Will this be a problem when applying for the visa?

If needed they will accept a onward ticket to a nearby country. Purchasing a low cost one way ticket in advance can be so cheap you could trash it and not loose a lot of money.

Check to see if there is honorary consulate near you. They probably would not ask for any ticket.

[keeniau96]

A visa per Ubonjoe advice is the way to go. The honorary consulate at Portland has a good reputation for friendly and efficient service by mail eg. USPS express mail.