30 day tourist pass question

[thebestman36]

I'm planning a return trip from USA to thailand this coming winter and am a bit confused about re-entry into thailand. If I'm coming to Thailand without a visa, spending 21 days in Thailand before leaving for Cambodia, and then re-entering Thailand 3 weeks later for another 7 day stay, what kind of visa requirements would I need to meet or any kind of paperwork needed? Would I still not need any visa in this scenario? Thanks for the help. I tried to look up answers but just got more confused.

[MrDK]

Visa on Entry should be sufficient (no formal paperwork).

You are allowed a maximum of 90 days over a 180-day period and no more than 30 days in a row using this method. The actual method of counting may limit your total stay my one day per entry, but that will no affect you. Based in the time-line you are giving, you will be using 22 + 8 of the allowable 90 days and your max stay is 22 days.

[thebestman36]

Thanks! I was hoping it would be that easy. Now all I'll need is our visas for Cambodia and Vietnam.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by thebestman36

Thanks! I was hoping it would be that easy. Now all I'll need is our visas for Cambodia and Vietnam.

As a US citizen, I believe you need you apply for a visa for Vietnam in the US. (citizens of several Asian countries and citizens of Scandinavia are exempt). VN Embassy : Consular Services : Visa info

I think I have read that you can get entry-visa on arrival for Cambodia, but have to bring passport photo(s) and xx US$; search this site for more info. Otherwise you can apply for eVisa and even use a JPG image as the photo. Embassy of Cambodia, Washington DC

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by MrDK

As a US citizen, I believe you need you apply for a visa for Vietnam in the US. (citizens of several Asian countries and citizens of Scandinavia are exempt). VN Embassy : Consular Services : Visa info

I think I have read that you can get entry-visa on arrival for Cambodia, but have to bring passport photo(s) and xx US$; search this site for more info. Otherwise you can apply for eVisa and even use a JPG image as the photo. Embassy of Cambodia, Washington DC

Cambodia is entry on arrival, $20 or $25 in US currency, plus small snapshot, but if you don't have a pic, they just charge you $1 more, and hey presto! You're in. It's all very low key there.

I didn't go to Vietnam, too much of a huury to get back in LOS I guess. If it was visa on entry, I may have, because then you can do it spur of the moment, and that's how I usually make travel decisions. Seems like they would make more tourist $ if they changed to visa on entry.

BUT, I was told you can easily get the visa in Phnom Penh or Bangkok, and it takes about 3 days to get it. You don't have to get it in the US, IINM.

[daklaw]

So if I stay in BKK for one day this May 14-15 and come back on Aug 27 for one night also, do I need to get a separate visa? Or will the entry visa be sufficient?

This is because my itinerary gave me long layovers in BKK while traveling to other countries.

[MrDK]

The "Visa on Entry" will be sufficient. You will be getting one for each entry - no problem.

[LivinLOS]

Sorry to nit pick.. but he will get a visa exempt 30 day stamp.. VOA is for 15 days (usually) for countries that dont receive visa exemptions, those are real visa's placed into the passport unlike the exempt stamp.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Sorry to nit pick.. but he will get a visa exempt 30 day stamp.. VOA is for 15 days (usually) for countries that dont receive visa exemptions, those are real visa's placed into the passport unlike the exempt stamp.

May I assume that your nit pick is to cover the bases for any reader not qualifying for 30 days, because the poster is from the US. Either way he will only be staying 2 days each entry.

[LivinLOS]

Yeah honestly no trying to be a d1ck about a technicality or name.. Its just they are different things with different rights and durations.. So forums posts get very confused if they get used the wrong way..

The papers, most posters, etc etc often list the visa exempt stamp as a VOA.. But it isnt.. You can have as many VOA's in 6 months as you like.. Its the visa exempt days they are counting.

[TanMan]

I always called them stamps without a visa... or a 30 day stamp on arrival before... Visas are legal documents that are placed in passports giving you certain rights within a country to move around, or not move around. If you don't have a legal document placed in tour passport by the Thai embassy from wherever you are, then you don't have a visa, so why use the term????

[LivinLOS]

Seems pretty much everyone has in the past.. Even immigration have muddied the waters by using VOA when they were talking about visa exempt stamps.. Leads to many possible screwups..

[daklaw]

Hmmm. Ok, well I think I'll be fine then.
If they try to make me pay for a visa on my return flight I'll just stay in the airport..
I don't want to pay just to get in because my layover is only 8hrs on the return flight.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by daklaw

Hmmm. Ok, well I think I'll be fine then.
If they try to make me pay for a visa on my return flight I'll just stay in the airport..
I don't want to pay just to get in because my layover is only 8hrs on the return flight.

You will have no problem getting the Visa Waiver Stamps. 8 hours is an appropriate time to head for Sukhumvit for a little fun.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by daklaw

Hmmm. Ok, well I think I'll be fine then.
If they try to make me pay for a visa on my return flight I'll just stay in the airport..
I don't want to pay just to get in because my layover is only 8hrs on the return flight.

Just a note.. If your dont qualify for visa exempt entry you cant just buy a visa at the airport..

I am not saying thats what would happen to you but thats the way immigration works.

[daklaw]

Don't worry, I qualify for the visa exempt entry. But thanks for the heads up.
I often travel to the Philippines, so I'm quite familiar with visa handling.
Over there they give you an entry visa good for 15-30 days I think, then you have to apply for an extension if you want to stay longer.

[Caerphilly]

Advice on the following appreciated as its playing on my mind following something I read yesterday regarding check-in procedure. That thread recommended you check Thai Air site but all I can find there is info on 15 day VOA.

I intend to check in with Thai 31 and a bit days before I depart BKK and intend to travel on the Visa on arrival stamp.

I will actually be in Thailand for 30 days plus approx up to 2hrs of day 31

Do I need a proper visa? What are the implications of the 2hour overstay? Will Thai let my board the flight without a "proper" visa?

I suppose the last one is the most important as don't want to be left standing at the airport!

Thanks in advance
Dave

[LivinLOS]

First point.. Its possible that the airline wont let you board to come here without a flight out of the country within 30 days.. Very very slim given your issue but it is possible, ask for and get clarification in writing from the airline and carry it..

Second.. Technically you would be into overstay territory but if you check in early, and are through customs, and if customs dont ask to look at your ticket, you may slip through unnoticed.. Customs clearance is in advance of your flight time. If they see your ticket is past midnight though they can and do charge the per day fee, even for a light thats just 20 mins past midnight if the guy is being a PITA.

Lastly if transiting out of BKK you dont pay any overstay fee on the first day over overstay (but pay double on day two) so first day free, second day 1000 baht, each day after 500 baht per day.. I dont think this operates in HKT airport, seem to remember having to pay a one day overstay fee there.

In your case I would advise just overstaying the two hours.. I nearly never think thats good advice if you can get a visa but you will already be in the airport leaving by the time any visa or visa exempt entry expires.. Just confirm with the airline they will let you board.

[MajorTom]

Originally Posted by Caerphilly

Will Thai let my board the flight without a "proper" visa?

I suppose the last one is the most important as don't want to be left standing at the airport!

Thanks in advance
Dave

Most likely... I have done the same thing myself in the past. Would be very surprised if you get in trouble with this. But if you can get a tourist visa, it doesn't cost that much and will leave no doubt.

As for staying 31 days without visa, this is no problem. Buy an extension at a local immigration office. 1900B for 7 days.

[Caerphilly]

thanks both for your advice - I suppose this emphasises the "value" of the board

I'll contact Thai as suggested to get confirmation

I assume I'd need to get a visa from Hull consulate or I did note there was a consular office in Cardiff IIRC - do you know how much is a "proper" visa is likely to cost if obtained in UK?

thanks again

ps from what I've just read on Thai Visa I think i have to be upfront and report to overstay office at BKK (leave Phuket during day 30) just in case I'm pulled for the overstay of an hour or so - as "they are obliged to arrest you" and the "detention procedure kicks in"

Thai Visa extract
Warning - Note that overstaying is technically breaking the law and while there is little problem with it if you 'surrender' yourself to Immigration at the airport, it can be a very different story if you are stopped by the police beforehand for whatever reason and are found to have overstayed - no matter for how long. This may well lead to you being detained in one of the feared Immigration Detention Center for a few days while your case is processed.

[faultytowers]

Check-in staff at Heathrow have asked to see my return ticket the last two trips I've made , to ensure I was going to be out of LOS in 30 days. Don't know what they would do if you were only a few hours over.

Got 'caught' with the "one day O.K , two day 'overstay'" once , hit passport control before midnight but flight wasn't till 2 a.m , so they charged me for the extra day !!!!! .

As has been said , double check with Thai but it would be a real pain if you get to the airport and they wouldn't let you check-in , safest way is to get a 'proper' tourist visa.

[faultytowers]

Originally Posted by Caerphilly

thanks both for your advice - I suppose this emphasises the "value" of the board

I'll contact Thai as suggested to get confirmation

I assume I'd need to get a visa from Hull consulate or I did note there was a consular office in Cardiff IIRC - do you know how much is a "proper" visa is likely to cost if obtained in UK?

thanks again

You can get visa from either Hull or Cardiff , if will cost £25. You can download forms and go in or send by post.


Note : This is the 'official' rule from the Hull website about the "Visa Exemption Rule".

b) Must be possession of a confirmed flight ticket (e-ticket acceptable) to show they will be exiting Thailand within 30 days of entry. Open tickets do not qualify. Traveling overland out of Thailandto check-in for a flight from an airport in another country (Malaysia,Singapore, etc) is not accepted.

[MajorTom]

25 GBP for a single entry tourist visa.
http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/pdfs/Lc...isa%20Fees.pdf

Noticed on that hull website, visa applications can be "submitted to this Consulate by post or in person"

What about mailing this from Thailand, then when you get your passport back: Do a border run and re-enter on your visa. Would this be possible/legal?
Wonder if anyone ever tried..

Edit: Might look a bit stupid to apply for a visa when you are currently stamped into the country..

[Caerphilly]

Cheers for the links - await a response from Cardiff Consulate

On their web page it "suggested" 30 day stay would require a "proper" visa. i'm in the same situation you describe with a 1.30am flight out of Bangkok