First SETV after a couple of exemptions + extensions

[SZQddy]

Hi,

 

Thanks for reading and any advice appreciated. I know there's lots of these questions and I'm trying to read up as much as I can.

 

Basically I want to apply for my first SETV (UK Passport).

 

My entire history in Thailand:

• 1 week holiday with visa exemption (2016-08-07 to 2016-08-14) - from Singapore
• 2 month stay with visa exemption + extension (2016-09-02 to 2016-10-31) - from Singapore
• (stayed in Japan for 3 months, couldn't get SETV from Osaka Consulate as they require resident card!)
• 2 month stay with visa exemption + extension (2017-01-27 to 2017-03-27) - from Japan

 

I'm deciding what to do next (I quit my job in Singapore and am travelling/relaxing for a year :)). Would there be any issues if I were to go somewhere and apply for a SETV immediately or should I wait a while? Are 3 visa exemptions and 2 extensions in a year deemed a lot? If I get a SETV can immigration still block my entry?

 

Also, my current extension stamp says 27th March. Must I leave before the end of the 27th or is that the final night I can stay? I only ask because I'm searching for flights and noticed that they are much cheaper on the 28th :)

 

Thank you.

[ubonjoe]

Embassies and consulates do not consider visa exempt entries when you apply for a tourist visa. They only look for previous tourist visas issued by them.

Don't plan on getting one in Singapore. They will not issue one if you have just been here when you apply.

You must leave by midnight on the 27th or you would be on a overstay. If you are leaving from either airport in Bangkok you will not be fined 500 baht for one day of overstay

[SZQddy]

Thank you ubonjoe for your fast reply. Did you mean to say "Embassies and consulates do NOT consider visa exempt entries when you apply for a tourist visa" as your second sentence seems to imply? :)

 

I'm not planning on going to Singapore, I know how difficult they can be. Currently planning a trip to Seoul for a week or two if I can find a reasonably priced flight otherwise I will probably just go to Vietnam or Malaysia maybe. SETV hopefully shouldn't be a problem. I'm just worried that immigration when I return to Bangkok may ask questions due to my current stay here being so close.

 

Regarding the 27th, just unlucky that it falls on a Monday which seems to be very expensive for flights. Will a <1 day overstay cause problems when I return?

 

Thanks again

[ubonjoe]

50 minutes ago, SZQddy said:

Thank you ubonjoe for your fast reply. Did you mean to say "Embassies and consulates do NOT consider visa exempt entries when you apply for a tourist visa" as your second sentence seems to imply? :)

 

I'm not planning on going to Singapore, I know how difficult they can be. Currently planning a trip to Seoul for a week or two if I can find a reasonably priced flight otherwise I will probably just go to Vietnam or Malaysia maybe. SETV hopefully shouldn't be a problem. I'm just worried that immigration when I return to Bangkok may ask questions due to my current stay here being so close.

 

Regarding the 27th, just unlucky that it falls on a Monday which seems to be very expensive for flights. Will a <1 day overstay cause problems when I return?

 

Thanks again

There is now a not in what I wrote.

If you enter on a tourist visa they will not pay any attention to the visa exempts you had before.

A one day overstay is really nothing that is why they don't fine people for them. The can be caused by flight cancellations, delays and etc or even by a person miscounting the days. 

[elviajero]

1 hour ago, SZQddy said:

Regarding the 27th, just unlucky that it falls on a Monday which seems to be very expensive for flights. Will a <1 day overstay cause problems when I return?

No. If you do overstay by one day you might get an overstay stamp in your passport, but even then a 1 day overstay shouldn't cause you any problems.

[SZQddy]

Decided to spend a couple of nights in Ho Chi Minh to get the SETV (fly on Monday). I was considering the ThaiVisaService van to Vientiane as they arrange a lot of it for you but decided against it as I'd prefer not to waste a whole page on my passport for a Laos visa and the long journey. Also, cost is about the same and I imagine HCMC is more interesting so would be nice to spend a couple of days there.

 

I'm taking a bit of a risk as I will leave most of my belongings here but as it's my first SETV the risk is low :)

 

Anyway, does anyone know what the SETV fee is in HCMC right now (for UK passport)? I heard it was free for a while but then reduced to 1K Baht, but the HCMC Consulate website still says 40USD. I want to prepare everything tomorrow.

 

Thank you.

[BritTim]

3 hours ago, SZQddy said:

Anyway, does anyone know what the SETV fee is in HCMC right now (for UK passport)? I heard it was free for a while but then reduced to 1K Baht, but the HCMC Consulate website still says 40USD.

Free and reduced costs for tourist visas do not apply to all nationalities at this point. You will need to pay US$40.

Note that the HCMC Thai consulate will want to see a confirmed  onward flight out of Thailand to coincide with the end of your visit. They may also ask to see copies of a bank statement showing the equivalent of 20,000+ baht. If requested, do not stress too much about the financial proof. They will accept anything that does not look fake, even an ATM receipt (cash not OK though). They will look closely at the onward flight reservation, however.

The HCMC consulate is a great place to apply, but you need to follow their rules.

[SZQddy]

Thank you BritTim, advice is appreciated.

 

I was a little confused as the ThaiVisaService website says the fee is free for certain countries otherwise 1K Baht. 1K Baht isn't US$40 but no problem, it's only a little more. Onward travel is a pain as I have no fixed plans but I'll book something cheap.

 

Thanks again.

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, SZQddy said:

Thank you BritTim, advice is appreciated.

 

I was a little confused as the ThaiVisaService website says the fee is free for certain countries otherwise 1K Baht. 1K Baht isn't US$40 but no problem, it's only a little more. Onward travel is a pain as I have no fixed plans but I'll book something cheap.

 

Thanks again.

You will find that most embassies and consulates use an exchange rate favorable to themwhen converting baht to local currency. The $40 number is what most embassies and consulates use for the 1000 baht fee for a tourist visa when they want US dollars.

The think the only locations worldwide that accept baht for the fee is in Laos.The fee is 1000 baht there.

[SZQddy]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

You will find that most embassies and consulates use an exchange rate favorable to themwhen converting baht to local currency. The $40 number is what most embassies and consulates use for the 1000 baht fee for a tourist visa when they want US dollars.

The think the only locations worldwide that accept baht for the fee is in Laos.The fee is 1000 baht there.

Ah ok, I understand now. Thank you.

[SZQddy]

Just thought I would let you know that I got the SETV HCMC no problems. Cheap flight with Lion Air was smooth and on time, submitted documents (only 10 min wait), picked up next day, returned to BKK the following day. It was a very pleasant and stress free process. Staff were friendly and it was a nice change of scenery.

 

Fee was 40USD and I only submitted proof of funds (ATM slip). I didn't provide any proof of onward journey and they never asked :)

 

Thanks for all the advice

[SZQddy]

Hi,

 

I think I may extend my SETV (expires on the 26th May). I've been here almost 4 months already (Visa Exemption + Extension + SETV). Does anyone envisage any problems? Thanks

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, SZQddy said:

Hi,

 

I think I may extend my SETV (expires on the 26th May). I've been here almost 4 months already (Visa Exemption + Extension + SETV). Does anyone envisage any problems? Thanks

You can extend the 60 day permit to stay that your tourist visa allowed for 30 days without a problem.

[SZQddy]

Great! Thank you for your super quick reply.