Could I get some advice from all experts onboard?
(Yes, I should have gone for a tourist-visa BEFORE I came here, but that's too late now, and travelplans have since changed)
I am here on a usual 30 day stamp (visa extemption), arrived on 16 Nov, and now need to stay until 28th Dec when I go to HK for 4 days and then plan to return here for a few weeks again. I would do (almost) anything to avoid a visarun by land!
I thought I would either
-go to Cambodia for a couple of days bef 15 Dec (but the friends I know there are sooo boring, so not favourite option)
or
-go to immigration (or is it policestn) in HH and get a two week extension??
or
- other option?
In either case, I'd like to avoid falling into the category of not being allowed to get back in again for another 6 months, since I periodically come over every month -but usually stay less than 3 weeks.
Thanks in advance
another visa 'situation'
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elem
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another visa 'situation'
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Things have changed with regard to visa exempt stamps since you came over. You will only get 15 days on such status if you arrive in Thailand by land. If you come in at the airport, you will get 30 days.
I'm afraid that I can't see much option for you other than doing a border run and getting the 15 days. That should see you OK until you go to HK on 28th.
If you go to Imm (and it's there you'll need to go rather than the police station) the best you can hope for is a 7 day extension to a 30 day stamp. You'll almost certainly have to show a flight ticket out of Thailand before the 7 days is up. Cost will be 1,900 Baht and there's no guarantee of getting the extra days.
If I were you, I'd do Ranong/Burma for the 15 day stamp. It's a bit of a trek, but can be done in a day.
The good news is that it seems the maximum 90 days in Thailand on 30 or 15 day visa exempt stamps has been scrapped. There's no mention of it in the new Police Order. I can't be 100% sure about that as I havn't tried it myself. If you go the visa exempt route, then take note if Imm in Ranong or Aranya Prathet mark your entry stamp with a "1". If they do, query it. It means they're still counting days. Also remember that there's no limit to the number of times you can enter Thailand. The limit is on the number of days spent here in a 6 month period. That was 90 and the clock starts ticking from the date of your first entry.
Hope that helps. Note also, not that it seems you're thinking about it, but Phnom Penh is not renowned as the friendliest Thai Embassy in SE Asia if you want a Tourist Visa. They normally view themselves as being there for Cambodians, not westerners.
I'm afraid that I can't see much option for you other than doing a border run and getting the 15 days. That should see you OK until you go to HK on 28th.
If you go to Imm (and it's there you'll need to go rather than the police station) the best you can hope for is a 7 day extension to a 30 day stamp. You'll almost certainly have to show a flight ticket out of Thailand before the 7 days is up. Cost will be 1,900 Baht and there's no guarantee of getting the extra days.
If I were you, I'd do Ranong/Burma for the 15 day stamp. It's a bit of a trek, but can be done in a day.
The good news is that it seems the maximum 90 days in Thailand on 30 or 15 day visa exempt stamps has been scrapped. There's no mention of it in the new Police Order. I can't be 100% sure about that as I havn't tried it myself. If you go the visa exempt route, then take note if Imm in Ranong or Aranya Prathet mark your entry stamp with a "1". If they do, query it. It means they're still counting days. Also remember that there's no limit to the number of times you can enter Thailand. The limit is on the number of days spent here in a 6 month period. That was 90 and the clock starts ticking from the date of your first entry.
Hope that helps. Note also, not that it seems you're thinking about it, but Phnom Penh is not renowned as the friendliest Thai Embassy in SE Asia if you want a Tourist Visa. They normally view themselves as being there for Cambodians, not westerners.
JohnnyK, I was talking to the girl that does the visa runs on the 3rd floor of the Shopping Mall last week and that is exactly what she advised me if I wanted to have an extended stay from Australia.
There is one available from Australia at a cost $45.00 and gives you 60 days, and then you can still legally do 2 x 15 day extensions if you want.
I do not know why more people do not do that to save all the hassles of extra Visa Runs.
By the way what is the cost of a 15day extension
There is one available from Australia at a cost $45.00 and gives you 60 days, and then you can still legally do 2 x 15 day extensions if you want.
I do not know why more people do not do that to save all the hassles of extra Visa Runs.
By the way what is the cost of a 15day extension
Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"
I think JohnnyK is about right here. With a bit of organization it's easy to sort out(by post or in person) and gives you pretty much a hassle free 3 months.
Why have all the 'drama-rama' when you get here. Even if your planning to maybe stay longer, it still gives you plenty of time to 'get your act together'.
Why have all the 'drama-rama' when you get here. Even if your planning to maybe stay longer, it still gives you plenty of time to 'get your act together'.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
That's right. Normally, no matter which country you're applying in, consulates are more user friendly than The Embassy. The Double entry TV gives you as good as 6 months stay with two 30 day extensions and one border run to activate the second entry.Super Joe wrote:Chelsea, can't you get the double-entry tourist visa ? when you do a run you activate the second 60 days.
Plus you can go to Hua Hin Immigration and get 2 no. 30 day extensions on it.
Someone correct me if this is wrong.
SJ
chelsea - cost of extension would be 1,900 Baht. Not sure about the 2x15 day extensions. It's normally a one-off 30 day extension for TVs.
Super Joe/lomuamart thanks for that, I was not aware that it could work like that, but is worth bearing in mind if I did come for a longer stay anytime. I can also apply for a double entry one before leaving at a cost of $90.00 instead of $45.00. Still only valid for the 60 days though. Both single/double entry visa's available within 2 days.
I am also sure if you did make a point of applying for a visa 1st off it looks a bit better in the eyes of the immigration when you apply for an extension
I am also sure if you did make a point of applying for a visa 1st off it looks a bit better in the eyes of the immigration when you apply for an extension
Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"
I agree that getting a visa makes sense, but it’s not always that easy or cheap which is why I, and many others, tend to keep coming in on visa exemption stamps and staying less than 30 days.johnnyk wrote:I'm not trying to be narky but why, oh why don't people GET A VISA? :idea:
A 60-day single entry is CDN$35/20 quid.
A small price for a worry-free trip.
If you are in a country other than your own and you need your passport for ID purposes or work and there is no Thai consulate nearby, it makes things a bit more difficult.
I’m often in situations where getting a visa would mean losing at least a days pay and spending 100 euros plus on train fares or flights and possibly a night in a hotel.
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dtaai-maai
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I'm sure we've been down this road already recently, but never mind! Chelsea, if you get a double entry tourist visa you will get 60 days on arrival. You can then extend that for 30 days for 1900 baht. Then do a quick border crossing at Ranong - on return you will get another 60 days which you can also extend. So a double entry tourist visa would effectively see you through 6 perfectly legal months in Thailand.chelsea wrote: I can also apply for a double entry one before leaving at a cost of $90.00 instead of $45.00. Still only valid for the 60 days though.
This is the way