Visas

[trevlin 0]

Just after some visa advice. We are coming from UK to stay in Pattaya for 4 Months. Just wondering what kind of visa we should start with. Thinking maybe single entry tourist visa to give us 60 days then extend it.After that a visa run to give us another 30 days. Any help for us. Many thanks

[js007 795]

Just after some visa advice. We are coming from UK to stay in Pattaya for 4 Months. Just wondering what kind of visa we should start with. Thinking maybe single entry tourist visa to give us 60 days then extend it.After that a visa run to give us another 30 days. Any help for us. Many thanks

Or, what about a double entry visa in case you decide to stay longer? Each 60 day stay could be extended for another 30 days. After 90 days, a visa run.

[jacko 8,866]

Or, what about a double entry visa in case you decide to stay longer? Each 60 day stay could be extended for another 30 days. After 90 days, a visa run.

I thought they were no longer available.... having been replaced by the METV.

The requirements for one of those is shown here.

 

.

Edited April 20, 2016 by jacko

[Fatboyfat 361]

I thought they were no longer available.... having been replaced by the METV.

The requirements for one of those is shown here.

 

.

You are right...And a nice little "earner" it is for them too!

[js007 795]

I guess I haven't been paying attention.

 

Is it still possible to convert both types of visas to a retirement visa once you're in Thailand?

[nkped 1,208]

I guess I haven't been paying attention.

 

Is it still possible to convert both types of visas to a retirement visa once you're in Thailand?

Haven't seen anything to suggest you could not do so, but I converted off the old version tourist visa last year so that isn't personal experience.

[js007 795]

The new rules seem a bit Draconian, if you ask me. Lots of documentation, just for a tourist visa. Six months of bank statements showing in excess of $7K? With the "raised seal" of the bank? Do they even do that? Airline tickets, hotel reservations, etc.

 

It would be easier just to skip Thailand and head to Cambodia, Vietnam, or Malaysia.

[jacko 8,866]

I guess I haven't been paying attention.

 

Is it still possible to convert both types of visas to a retirement visa once you're in Thailand?

Just semantics but I believe you convert it to a non-Imm O visa, then obtain an extension of stay, based on retirement, on that.

I believe they are doing them at Jomtiem again.

Edited April 22, 2016 by jacko

[nkped 1,208]

The new rules seem a bit Draconian, if you ask me. Lots of documentation, just for a tourist visa. Six months of bank statements showing in excess of $7K? With the "raised seal" of the bank? Do they even do that? Airline tickets, hotel reservations, etc.

 

It would be easier just to skip Thailand and head to Cambodia, Vietnam, or Malaysia.

 

The Los Angeles consulate website is informative on the requirements for the multi entry visa. It looks like they only want one bank statement. http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=32 Yes, some of the other requirements would be a pain. The single entry visa with less onerous requirements is still available.

[Grandpollo 366]

I guess I haven't been paying attention.

 

Is it still possible to convert both types of visas to a retirement visa once you're in Thailand?

With the right lawyer you can start with only a visa exemption to wind up with a retirement visa. Of course if this was PA the idea of spending more than $2 makes that idea impossible.

[js007 795]

With the right lawyer you can start with only a visa exemption to wind up with a retirement visa. Of course if this was PA the idea of spending more than $2 makes that idea impossible.

I did it myself, once upon a time. I almost did it in one trip to immigration, but they sent me back to get a "letter" from my Thai bank. It's too bad they don't make it simpler, or extend the validity of the visa to five or ten years.

[Idefix 2,275]

With the right lawyer you can start with only a visa exemption to wind up with a retirement visa.

Why would you want or need a lawyer for that???

At Jomtien you can convert nearly any visa - or no-visa (exemption) - in a non-O single entry

if the aim is to get an extension because being over 50,

and if you have all the documentation required for this extension.

[trevlin 0]

What is the nearest place to do a visa run? Many thanks

[jacko 8,866]

What is the nearest place to do a visa run? Many thanks

Cambodian Border at Pailin (presuming you are in Pattaya area).....due East.

Plenty of Visa Run outfits running mini-buses out that way, offering a package breakfast in Pattaya, early, crazy drive to the border, over and back, then scary drive back arriving back around 6-7 hours later.

Here is one outfit.

[trevlin 0]

Thanks for the info.