visas and the 90 day rule?

[snowmaan 0]

so i have heard a rumour that the 90 day rule is out the window is this right?

i might have the chance to go expat the start of next year so pattaya is the only choice

also if i need it how hard is it for brits to get a yearly visa any tips and tricks to make it go more smoothly?

[jacko 8,813]

I have certainly not heard rumour that the 90 days in 180 limitation has been tossed!

 

No tricks necessary, apply for a Non-Imm-O visa (multiple) from the consulate in Hull.

[HILLY 9]

I have certainly not heard rumour that the 90 days in 180 limitation has been tossed!

 

No tricks necessary, apply for a Non-Imm-O visa (multiple) from the consulate in Hull.

 

True Jacko but he still has to do a visa run every 90 days but can keep coming back all year.

[touristman 1]

My 1 year Non-Imm 'O' visa from Hull runs out in October.

 

Is it true that i can leave Thailand before the visa expires and return the day before it

expires, and get a stamp for a further 3 months so that i only need to go back to Blighty in Jan 08 ?

[kolobos 0]

My 1 year Non-Imm 'O' visa from Hull runs out in October.

 

Is it true that i can leave Thailand before the visa expires and return the day before it

expires, and get a stamp for a further 3 months so that i only need to go back to Blighty in Jan 08 ?

 

Yes it is.

[Eneukman 1]

so i have heard a rumour that the 90 day rule is out the window is this right?

i might have the chance to go expat the start of next year so pattaya is the only choice

also if i need it how hard is it for brits to get a yearly visa any tips and tricks to make it go more smoothly?

 

How old are you snowman? If you're 50 or over, you may be able to qualify for a retirement visa.

 

Alan

[jacko 8,813]

True Jacko but he still has to do a visa run every 90 days but can keep coming back all year.

I like my visa runs...went to Bali last time, UK the trip before. Since I like to do a trip 'home' every 6-7 months, I think the Non Imm O visa is a far easier than the retirement option. All those daft letters from banks and doctors, and 3 monthly 'reporting'. Forced into keeping a small fortune in a low interest bank account! I like to keep my interaction with Thai 'officials' minimal! Edited August 29, 2007 by jacko

[HILLY 9]

I like my visa runs...went to Bali last time, UK the trip before. Since I like to do a trip 'home' every 6-7 months, I think the Non Imm O visa is a far easier than the retirement option. All those daft letters from banks and doctors, and 3 monthly 'reporting'. Forced into keeping a small fortune in a low interest bank account! I like to keep my interaction with Thai 'officials' minimal!

No doctors letters required any longer Jacko and I like to go out when it suits me not them. In the last 4 months Malaysia, Indonesia (Bali) and Maldives. To hell with the home trips I am finished with the place I hope. Retirement visa took me 3 hours this year and works for me.

[Emil 0]

I like my visa runs...went to Bali last time, UK the trip before. Since I like to do a trip 'home' every 6-7 months, I think the Non Imm O visa is a far easier than the retirement option. All those daft letters from banks and doctors, and 3 monthly 'reporting'. Forced into keeping a small fortune in a low interest bank account! I like to keep my interaction with Thai 'officials' minimal!

 

I agree with Hilly about the retirement visa if one can qualify. Took me less than an hour to renew mine last month. Depending on the amount of your monthly income you can reduce the amount required on deposit in a Thai bank to zero. Also if your are taking various trips out of LOS the amount of 90 day reports to immigration can be reduced. Last year I didn't have to make any trips to immigration for the 90 day report of address.

[touristman 1]

thanks for your reply kolobos.

 

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As for the retirement visa, you don't even need funds in the bank.If you get the right lawyer, then he will arrange the 800k (or whatever it is now) to be deposited in your account for the day required.......for a small commission of course.Ask around, it's fairly common.

[Dr Mick 111]

As long as you get 65000 bhts month you need no money in bank ,hope my company let me

have early retirement next year

[jacko 8,813]

thanks for your reply kolobos.

 

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As for the retirement visa, you don't even need funds in the bank.If you get the right lawyer, then he will arrange the 800k (or whatever it is now) to be deposited in your account for the day required.......for a small commission of course.Ask around, it's fairly common.

I am surprised you recommend this, as I thought the money had to have been in your account already for 3 months. As to the alternative financial requirement, that of verified income, as of October you will need a letter from your embassy, and then another stamp from some Thai ministry verifying such letter. A trip to Bangkok or a courier needed, and of course you will pay.

 

As to doing trips out of Thailand, on a retirement visa one needs to purchase an exit/re-entry permit prior. The advantages of the retirement visa is you do not have to do such trips, nor go back to your home country for a 'new one'. Truly preferable for people who have no desire to travel

Edited August 29, 2007 by jacko

[HILLY 9]

I am surprised you recommend this, as I thought the money had to have been in your account already for 3 months. As to the alternative financial requirement, that of verified income, as of October you will need a letter from your embassy, and then another stamp from some Thai ministry verifying such letter. A trip to Bangkok or a courier needed, and of course you will pay.

 

As to doing trips out of Thailand, on a retirement visa one needs to purchase an exit/re-entry permit prior. The advantages of the retirement visa is you do not have to do such trips, nor go back to your home country for a 'new one'. Truly preferable for people who have no desire to travel

 

Right again Jacko and this is a thing of the past as money has to be proved to have come from overseas and has to have been there for 3 months before you apply.

 

On the second point however you can get a multi entry stamp with your retirement visa and you never need to get a permit any longer. I have not been to immigration once in the last 18 months apart from to renew my retirement visa.

[touristman 1]

I don't recommend doing anything illegal regarding visas.

 

I was just stating what i know to be the case upto last year at least.I'm 35 years old so i don't do this myself, but am aware of people who do this in Bangkok.All paperwork was sorted by the lawyer and the total charge was about 100 quid English................it's been done for years upto last year.I don't know about this year, maybe things have changed, but TIT so maybe not

 

As far as i know, it's done throught personal connections with the Bank and immigration..........so while the law may have changed, i'm not sure the corruption has

[snowmaan 0]

cheers guys

well its hull for the o visa for me then as im only 30 the visa runs should not be a problem as i will be working month on month off in africa

is there much hassel getting the visa and is it the thai embasy i go to in hull?

[lostinpattaya 0]

so i have heard a rumour that the 90 day rule is out the window is this right?

I think that this may be correct.I spend 2 weeks in Pattaya and then 2 weeks Australia and I just use the 30 day tourist visa.So each time I enter at Suvanabarmi the Immigration Officer usually spends 5 minutes trying to add up my days to check that I am under the 90/180 rule.However when I last entered 3 weeks ago this did not happen.Also the 90/180 day explanation/warnings notes which had been posted at the immigration desks have been removed.

[jacko 8,813]

cheers guys

well its hull for the o visa for me then as im only 30 the visa runs should not be a problem as i will be working month on month off in africa

is there much hassel getting the visa and is it the thai embasy i go to in hull?

Getting the visa is no hassle other than being in the UK long enough. You can go in person or apply by post. It is a consulate actually, the embassy is of course in London. If that doesn't work get a multiple entry tourist visa. Read here, Hull Consulate.

 

I think that this may be correct.I spend 2 weeks in Pattaya and then 2 weeks Australia and I just use the 30 day tourist visa.So each time I enter at Suvanabarmi the Immigration Officer usually spends 5 minutes trying to add up my days to check that I am under the 90/180 rule.However when I last entered 3 weeks ago this did not happen.Also the 90/180 day explanation/warnings notes which had been posted at the immigration desks have been removed.

Interesting. Maybe they have an automatic program now on their computers to add up your days! And they decided to clean up the messy notices..... maybe not too. Edited August 31, 2007 by jacko

[torrenova 644]

There has been no official withdrawl of the 90 in 180 rule as far as I am aware.

[friendlyric6411 0]

I have been to get visa in Hull . a few times . its easy in and out in 5 minutes , just ring them first and let them know you are coming , i have found them very acomadating and helpful.. when you go for your visa go into hull under the humber bridge , first right , then right again ,20yards then right again next to the jaguar garage, .

[joekicker 53]

so i have heard a rumour that the 90 day rule is out the window is this right?

 

I think that this may be correct.

 

1. Trying to "think" what the immigration guy at the airport might do is a terrible way to run your life. If you come to Thailand these days, THINK about getting a visa.

 

2. Trying to tell other people the state of affairs in Thailand going by what you "think" is perhaps not too instructive. I know you're trying to be helpful and don't mean a flame here, but other people should "think" about how useful it is to run their business according to what you "think" after a single incident where you're actually not sure what really happened.

 

3. Here's the latest skinny on the 90-rule:

 

Like all laws in Thailand, this 90-day rule will be enforced willy-nilly, catch-can and when the officials feel like it. What happened to you has nothing to do with the next guy in line, or the line next week.

 

Finally. Here's useful advice. If you're going to be in Thailand more than once this year, or if you're going to be in Thailand once, but more than a month, get a visa. They're cheap, dead easy to get in person or by mail and MIGHT save you some seriously inconvenient, expensive and upsetting hassle.

Edited September 1, 2007 by joekicker

[Eneukman 1]

3. Here's the latest skinny on the 90-rule:

 

Like all laws in Thailand, this 90-day rule will be enforced willy-nilly, catch-can and when the officials feel like it. What happened to you has nothing to do with the next guy in line, or the line next week.

 

Finally. Here's useful advice. If you're going to be in Thailand more than once this year, or if you're going to be in Thailand once, but more than a month, get a visa. They're cheap, dead easy to get in person or by mail and MIGHT save you some seriously inconvenient, expensive and upsetting hassle.

 

What Joe says may sound unbelievable, but it is the reality of life in Thailand.

 

As Joe says, get a visa if visiting on a regular basis or are staying for more than 30 days. It will save you a lot of hassle. Just remember to check the date you're stamped in until immediately after you passport has been handed back to you. it is far easier to correct mistakes on the spot than later.

 

Alan

[joekicker 53]

Just remember to check the date you're stamped in until immediately after you passport has been handed back to you. it is far easier to correct mistakes on the spot than later.

 

What he said.

Look, then leave the immigration desk.

[TrueScot 0]

Having read various webpages regarding visas for Thailand, I was under the impression that days spent in Thailand on a proper visa i.e the 60-day tourist visa or the 'O' non-immigrant visa did not count towards the 90 days in 180 rule. It only really affects people going in and out of the country using the 30-day entry visa.

 

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

[joekicker 53]

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

 

The 90-day rule refers only to people who do not have a stamped visa, i.e. people who arrive in Thailand without a visa and get a 30-day stay. Put another way: It has no affect in any manner on people who have a stamped visa when they arrive.

[TrueScot 0]

The 90-day rule refers only to people who do not have a stamped visa, i.e. people who arrive in Thailand without a visa and get a 30-day stay. Put another way: It has no affect in any manner on people who have a stamped visa when they arrive.

 

Yep, thats what I thought. Thanks.