Visa Run for a 60 day+ on a US passport

[frostfire 1,279]

Hay guys,

 

I have searched the boards and read about 10 reports on getting a visa stamp for a US passport, but the info is all dated or contradictory.

 

I am living in Pattaya, and currently am almost at my 60 of 90 days without a visa. (I got a stamp when I came in, and did one visa run on the last day of my original 30 - extending me until next week).

 

Now... I want to get a 60+ day tourist visa from the easiest/fastest/cheapest venue, but would also like to find one with a little fun to be had while waiting for my visa... Such as Cambodia, perhaps?

 

Of the posts I read, I saw that you could get a 60 day single entry in PP, but another post said that was impossible... Also read the same about Hanoi, but I am not optomistic about the mongering opertunities in Hanoi lol.

 

Any recomendations here guys? Will PP give me a visa, and how long does it take? And if so, can you give me some recomendations for hotel/fun?

 

Thanks,

 

Frosty

[CheshireTom 1,377]

You could go to any consulate and they could take the view that you are simply trying to abuse the 90 days in 180 rule. They are not obliged to give you a tourist visa on the back of two exemption stamps and the best you'll get is another 30 days exemption on your way back in.

[frostfire 1,279]

Yes tom, I know that...

 

But there are people here that do this all the time and know what locations will do it anyway. This is the info I need...

 

Frosty

[BigDUSA 71]

Some times 'tea money' discreetly offered can smooth the bureauocratic jungle. I'd head to the expat bars in Jomtiem and see if anyone is available at the immigration office. Years ago when the office was in Pattaya the women who operated the 7/11 type store in the alley leading to the office was married to the head of immigration and for a reasonable price could provide any visa you wanted. She came highly recommended by a number of old Asia hands.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Yes tom, I know that...

 

But there are people here that do this all the time and know what locations will do it anyway. This is the info I need...

 

Frosty

 

Frostfire,

 

I'm aware of that. The point that I was trying to make is that there is no "safe bet" anymore. Lots of guys get knock backs (particularly Phnom Penh and Penang ......... KL and Singapore were pretty much removed from the list of options quite some time ago) and in some cases" stamped "not to return". Vientiane is Laos seems to be the preferred option these days but it could change tomorrow.

[frostfire 1,279]

What was the reason for the "not to return"? Surely it wasnt just because they tried to get a visa.... were they over their stay or something?

 

Frosty

[CheshireTom 1,377]

What was the reason for the "not to return"? Surely it wasnt just because they tried to get a visa.... were they over their stay or something?

 

Frosty

 

They don't give a reason. Essentially it means they believe that you are simply attempting to circumvent the rules i.e. your stay pertains to something other than "tourism".

 

Your question would probably be better answered on Thai Visa (if you've not already posted there).

[joekicker 53]

They don't give a reason.

 

AND they don't have to. It's kind of like, well, the US Embassy's visa section. You get a clerk who's having a bad day, YOU have a bad day.

 

Here's the deal. Thailand has real, actual non-immigrant visas for people who want to stay here. There are a whole bunch of categories. Thai authorities figure that if you actually want to stay in Thailand, you should actually have a "real" visa and not pretend you're a tourist over and over again. This is a trend and it won't reverse. Eventually, almost everyone will have three choices: Get a real visa or take a hike or be Robin Hood.

[frostfire 1,279]

Thailand has real, actual non-immigrant visas for people who want to stay here

 

 

The problem with these visa's is that you either have to be Married, Over 50 years of age or Lie about why you are here. Unless I am missing something? (If so, please enlighten me!).

 

I am 33 years old (34 tomorrow, funnily enough), and while I do plan to get an ED visa, there are reasons I dont want to get it just yet (and its limited to 3 years anyway). So if you know of a foolproof way I can get a O visa or some other, please let me know...

 

 

Frosty

[joekicker 53]

Well, fair enough, frosty. But if you don't have a reason to stay here that falls in the many categories of people Thailand WANTS to stay here, then, well, you aren't welcome to stay here. Kind of like any other country, really.

 

There are all kinds of O visa categories, and I have no idea what might fit you, if any. Immigration has the lists, they're on the web in lots of different places.

[Emil 0]

The problem with these visa's is that you either have to be Married, Over 50 years of age or Lie about why you are here. Unless I am missing something? (If so, please enlighten me!).

 

I am 33 years old (34 tomorrow, funnily enough), and while I do plan to get an ED visa, there are reasons I dont want to get it just yet (and its limited to 3 years anyway). So if you know of a foolproof way I can get a O visa or some other, please let me know...

Frosty

 

I think they have one where if you open a business of a certain size and "X" amount of Thais working for you.

[joekicker 53]

I think they have one where if you open a business of a certain size and "X" amount of Thais working for you.

 

Definitely. There are all kinds of investment visas.

[bigdelta 46]

Have you considered Cambodia?Just get a business visa on arrival with no questions asked,and LEGALLY stay forever with extensions.

Just a thought.

[jacko 8,822]

Bite the bullet frosty and go to one of the visa run outifts... (Sportsman Soi 13... and Wetherspoons, soi Buakhao.....not sure whether Wetherspoons is still the HQ). They organise a run to Malaysia which is advertised on Sophon. Come back with a new tourist visa. I came to Thailand many years back with a triple entry tourist visa from the UK, got 8 months out of that.

[frostfire 1,279]

Bite the bullet frosty and go to one of the visa run outifts... (Sportsman Soi 13... and Wetherspoons, soi Buakhao.....not sure whether Wetherspoons is still the HQ). They organise a run to Malaysia which is advertised on Sophon. Come back with a new tourist visa. I came to Thailand many years back with a triple entry tourist visa from the UK, got 8 months out of that.

 

 

I solved my issue... but first, let me tell you what my issue was lol.

 

I called several of the visa outfits, and without exception they ALL wanted me to sit in a cramped minivan for the ride to Vientien, Laos (10+ hours each way). None of the services offered plane, train or any other (better/faster) mode of transport. (train is not faster, but more comfortable).

 

Sooo... I decided to just hop a plane to Udon Thani and wing it. (hoping to find a visa service there to continue the trip).

 

While sitting at the airport, I googled on my phone and found a outfit called Nong Khai Travel - I called the guy and he agreed to meet me at the border and handle all the paperwork, bribes, hotel, travel etc for 2000 baht (which included him picking me up at the bridge or the airport, drive in to Laos to the hotel, and pick up and return to the udon airport with the visa).

 

We did run in to a small hitch that wasted a day... I was late getting there. But all in all it went very smooth - he took care of everything and I sat back and did nothing in the VERY BORING vientien for 2 days.

 

I cant find his darn website now, but I will find it and edit this post with it for anyone interested.

 

Frosty

[jacko 8,822]

Well good for you and well done. I can certainly appreciatiate not wanting to be cramped into a hot minivan for umpteen hours..... very uncivilised. I thought some of the visa run outfits were offering a package (flight + 1 night hotel) to Penang for about 14K. I have been out of Thailand for a couple of weeks and these situations change rapidly!

 

I liked Vientienne, as a break from Pattaya. I just played 'Joe Tourist', and managed to find a bit of fun near the river... although ensuring the correct gender is a challenge.

Edited November 1, 2008 by jacko

[frostfire 1,279]

Thanks Jacko,

 

As to Penang, they might very well be offering flight packages there... I dont know. I only looked at the packages for Vientien, as I have read several places that Penang (as well as most other regional embassy's) were begining to refuse 60 day tourist visas.

 

Also, I still cannot find that website, but the guys phone number is: +66 812627500 (0812627500 for local people).

 

Frosty

[overseasplease 3]

Bite the bullet frosty and go to one of the visa run outifts... (Sportsman Soi 13... and Wetherspoons, soi Buakhao.....not sure whether Wetherspoons is still the HQ).

 

Glad you got it sorted Frosty

 

For the record the visa run place that was once at Wetherspoons on Buakhao is now at the Queen Vic on soi 6 (at least they told me they were in the process of heading there during or after October)

[jacko 8,822]

Glad you got it sorted Frosty

 

For the record the visa run place that was once at Wetherspoons on Buakhao is now at the Queen Vic on soi 6 (at least they told me they were in the process of heading there during or after October)

Thanks for that correction, I thought I saw something different on their advert!