Thailand Expats

mjochim · #1 24-01-2006, 02:16

Okay, I subscribe to the adage, "the only dumb question is the one you don't ask," so I have a few regarding the 60-day tourist visa's.

First of all, I don't plan to work (illegally or otherwise) while staying in Thailand on my next visit so I don't really want to go throught the paperwork of trying to get a Non-Imm visa...

I'm also sure that I'll want to stay past the 60 days (with a 30-day extension granted in Thailand).

First Question: When I fill out the application for the tourist visa, it asks for "length of stay" --- should I fill in the date for 60 days (or slightly less), or for close to 90 days, knowing I'll (probably) receive the extension? (This will determine what date I book a cheap out-of-Thailand flight to comply with the requirements...or a round-trip ticket all the way home -- something easily changeable if my plans change.)

Second Question: If, at the end of the 30-day extension, I decide I want to stay in Thailand even longer (highly likely, although I MIGHT want to return home for a short while) --- can I just leave Thailand for a day or so and then return and use the 30-day visa-on-arrival?

Or, should I leave the country and apply for a new 60-day tourist visa?

(I know, you're probably thinking, "Why not just apply for a double- or triple-entry tourist visa in the first place?" --- well, I'm not sure if I'll be able to stay that long.... and, depending on the answers to the above questions, is it much easier because I'll still be having to apply to extensions to the multiple-entry visas and leaving/returning every 90 days anyway...)

Finally, if I'm already in Thailand on the tourist visa and then decide to I want to get a job there -- can I apply for the Non-Imm visa and work permit while in the country, or would I need to do that at home? (Another scenario, if I'm in Thailand and then decide I want to take the TEFL course in Phuket so they would help me get an English-teaching job -- I don't require A LOT of money, I'd just get bored not working -- would I then have to apply for a student visa or would the school take care of that?)

Serious questions, but I don't want to take any chances with Immigration (I have a friend who's persona non grata and I certainly don't want THAT stamp in my passport)...the only risks I want to take in life these days are with the BG's!

LivinLOS · #2 24-01-2006, 08:55

I would say get a double or even triple entry, its very little cost and its insurance against wanting to stay longer...

Using your tourist visa you get the initial 60 days.. Then you can extend it an additional 30 at an immigration office for 1900 baht at thier discretion it nearly always is ok but I would say try it in Patong instead of fcuk-knows-a-buri or Nakhon-Nowhere..

At any time, as long as you are from a country that normally gets 30 day visa on arrivals, then you can do a visa run to a nieghbouring country and get 30 more days on arrival coming back in.

As to working and non imm visa's.. You can never get a new via issued inside Thailand. .So your answer would be no you cannot apply for a non imm O while here.. Just to clarify before anyone shoots that statement down, you can get visa's changed from one type to another (O to a B or an ED or etc) and Visa's can be extended without leaving the country.. However I do not think a tourist visa can be turned into a non imm visa.. non imm's can be converted between the different styles but my impression is a non imm and a tourist are considered different types (check Thaivisa)..

Lastly work permits.. They come from a totally different department.. A work permit is tied to a visa (so if you allow your visa to expire I think your WP does too) but is a totally extra level on top of it.. First have your visa, then find the employer, then apply for WP.. I have never done the WP routes so not really up on them...

I would think you could do a TEFL course while on a tourist visa alone.. Ask the school but I think that would be acceptable..

stevem · #3 24-01-2006, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

A work permit is tied to a visa (so if you allow your visa to expire I think your WP does too) but is a totally extra level on top of it

You are correct, visa expires so does your WP.

mjochim · #4 24-01-2006, 15:56

Okay, so if I were to apply for a double- or triple-entry tourist visa (no guarantee they will be approved as the consulate I need to use is notorious for only issuing single-entry) -- what date should I give on the application for my "length of stay": 60 days? or 90 days (which assumes my extension will be approved)?

(I plan to get a one-way to Bangkok -- just over USD$450 from LAX on China Airlines, MUCH LESS than any other airline I've found -- and purchase a cheap one-way to Cambodia or Malaysia to satisfy the ticket out-of-Thailand requirement which I may or may not cancel.)

LivinLOS · #5 24-01-2006, 16:16

Double ask for 120 days (2x 60)..

I hear Houston is a very 'friendly' consulate.. apply there..

I also thought trourist visa's were near automatic.. Are you sure its not single entry non imm's they are famous for giving out ??

mjochim · #6 29-01-2006, 16:47

Several buddies of mine had problems getting double-entry tourist visas from the El Paso Thai Consulate-General. Figured I'd try L.A. or Dallas...

LivinLOS · #7 29-01-2006, 17:54

Again I hear Houston consul is known to be easy to apply to..

I have never heard of double or triple entry tourist visa's being refused.. I thought it was only non imm (B or O) visa's which were made single entry..

mjochim · #8 29-01-2006, 18:07

I'll give Houston a try...

crab · #9 16-02-2006, 11:15

I got myself a multiple entry (3X) tourist visa in Marseille. So far, so good.

Can anyone advise whether it's possible these days to get the 30-day extension in Patong? The post that used to be called Immigration at the end of Bangla now seems to be Police. Or do they still do immmigration there? Or do I need to go into Phuket?

Cheers.

LivinLOS · #10 16-02-2006, 12:12

immigration office is down on beach Rd..

Each 'entry' can be extended 30 days.. You have the 180 day limit to the expiry of the visa so if you use it wisely you can get 9 months out of a 3x 60 day triple entry and 3x 1900 baht 30 day extensions.

mjochim · #11 18-02-2006, 18:12

My passport came back from the Houston consulate yesterday - stamped with a nice double-entry tourist visa. 48 days to go 'til I land in LOS...

crab · #12 18-02-2006, 23:06

Thanks, LivinLOS.

In fact, I've now discovered Immigration's own very decent English language website: http://www.phuketimmigration.com/imm...formation.html