Trying to get back into Thailand

[Bob13]

Hello everyone. I'm from USA and would like to get a tourist visa.

 

What if I drive to Thailand from Cambodia on a motorbike? Obviously I can't fly out of Thailand on a motorbike. Do I still need to have a plane ticket flying out of Thailand to USA?

 

I don't want to buy a bus ticket yet because I don't know if or when my tourist visa will be finished. Do I still need to show a plane or bus ticket going  into Thailand? 

 

I never make hotel reservations because I like to look at the room before staying. Do I need to show proof of address?

 

I plan to look for work in Thailand. If the only possible way to get a job is by applying person, how can I possibly get a work permit? Is there some other type of visa I can get?

 

Do I get 15 or 30 days for visa on arrival? Do I need proof of residence and plane tickets as well? I hope you can answer some of my questions. Thanks. 

[ubonjoe]

You only need a ticket out of Thailand not back to the US. You can use a low cost one way ticket from any airport here to any nearby country to meet the requirement. Phnom Penh has not been reported as wanting hotel reservations.

You can look for work, apply and have job interviews on a tourist visa. Once you find a job, your employer can apply for the work permit and then you would be able to get a single entry non-b visa.

You get a 30 day visa exempt entry (you cannot get a visa on arrival) by air or land. If flying into the country you may need to show a ticket out the country within 30 days of arrival to board your flight. No need for proof of residence or reservations. You only need a address to put on the arrival card.

[BritTim]

Welcome to the forums!

 

Thailand does not have visa on arrival for most nationalities. Instead, (free) visa exempt entries are available for most developed country nationals. These provide a 30-day entry, extendable (once) by a further 30 days at an immigration office in Thailand on payment of 1,900 baht. If traveling by land, no onward flight ticket will be needed, but only two visa exempt land entries are allowed per calendar year. If entering visa exempt by air, more visa exempt entries will be possible, but your airline may require an onward ticket out of Thailand before allowing you to check in.

 

In Phnom Penh, it should be able to get a 60-day Thai tourist visa using an agent without difficulty. As with the visa exempt entry, this can be extended at an immigration office inside Thailand.

 

Once you find a job, you will need a Non B visa and work permit. Ensure, when accepting a position, that your employer will sponsor you for the work permit. There are conditions, and it is harder than in Cambodia. Undocumented working is to be discouraged. It can land you in serious hot water.

[Bob13]

Hey, thanks for the info.

 

Is there such thing as a full refundable plane ticket, or are they only partially refundable?

 

I read somewhere that US citizens get a 30 day visa exempt entry traveling by land. Is that true? 

[Upnotover]

4 minutes ago, Bob13 said:

I read somewhere that US citizens get a 30 day visa exempt entry traveling by land. Is that true? 

 

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

You get a 30 day visa exempt entry (you cannot get a visa on arrival) by air or land

 

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, Bob13 said:

Hey, thanks for the info.

 

Is there such thing as a full refundable plane ticket, or are they only partially refundable?

 

I read somewhere that US citizens get a 30 day visa exempt entry traveling by land. Is that true? 

It is possible to get refundable tickets but you will pay a lot up front for them. Low cost carriers will refund the taxes charged minus the cancellation fees.

All nationalities eligible for visa exempt entries get 30 days at at land border crossings. The 15 day rule not longer exists since the limit of only 2 entries per calendar year at a land border crossings went into effect.

[Bob13]

If I were to hand in my visa application this afternoon in Phnom Penh, would I get it back tomorrow or Thursday? 

 

A fellow traveler told me if I buy a motorbike in a neighboring country and drive it to Thailand, I would have to pay about 200 USD at the boarder for insurance. Is that true? 

[ubonjoe]

39 minutes ago, Bob13 said:

If I were to hand in my visa application this afternoon in Phnom Penh, would I get it back tomorrow or Thursday? 

 

No you could not.

They only accept application during the morning and pickup is in the afternoon about 3 days later. Most people use agents to apply for their visas.

44 minutes ago, Bob13 said:

A fellow traveler told me if I buy a motorbike in a neighboring country and drive it to Thailand, I would have to pay about 200 USD at the boarder for insurance. Is that true? 

I cannot help you with that question. Best to ask it in the motor forum. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/78-thailand-motor-forum/

[frimu]

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

No you could not.

They only accept application during the morning and pickup is in the afternoon about 3 days later. Most people use agents to apply for their visas.

I cannot help you with that question. Best to ask it in the motor forum. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/78-thailand-motor-forum/

Just been. Pickup is 2 days later in the afternoon for tourist visas.

[Bob13]

Is the tourist visa still free?

 

Do I need to print out a copy of my plane ticket or can I just show them a receipt on my phone?

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, Bob13 said:

Is the tourist visa still free?

 

Do I need to print out a copy of my plane ticket or can I just show them a receipt on my phone?

For most nationalities (including US citizens) the tourist visas are no longer free.

It is a general rule that anything the Thai consulates require must be printed. That includes copies of flight reservations. Depending on the agent you use in Phnom Penh, the onward flight reservation may or may not be necessary.