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Can my fiancée and son perform a border run from Hat Yai to Kota Bharu for a new visa exemption?

Visa Exempt Entry Visa Run NON-O visa Immigration Rules Thai Consulate Visa Requirements Sungai Kolok Border Single Entry Tourist Visa Teaching Visa (Non-B)Student Visa (ED)

Apr 30, 2019

7 years ago

Renier **********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Guys.. I assume you get these questions a lot. My fiance and son is on a (first time) visa exempt here in Hat yai and it has been extended already at immigration.  So now its the border/visa run for them.. I do want to confirm the latest immigration laws though, as it changes often and people tell different stories.  

Can they go down through Sungai Kolok to Kota Baru, stay 2 nights and re enter Thailand and get another 30 days at border? Or will they need to apply and obtain a visa at the consulate in Kota Baru?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The question centers on whether the user's fiancée and son can make a visa run from Hat Yai to Kota Bharu, Malaysia, to obtain a new 30-day visa exemption upon re-entry to Thailand, as they are currently on a visa exempt entry which has already been extended. Various comments discuss different visa options, including applying for a NON-O visa for the child or obtaining a Single Entry Tourist Visa at the Thai Consulate, with suggestions varying based on nationality, as South African passport holders can utilize the visa exemption twice a year. Other posts reinforce the idea that rules are subject to change and emphasize the importance of knowing specific immigration details for each nationality.

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Renier **********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hey good people. Yesterday at Hat Yai immigration I was being told this: my son (almost 5) SHOULD get a Non O or a Non ED visa at an embassy or consulate outside of Thailand. Thereafter he can follow / shadow my visa for as long as mine is valid. I also have to mention that these kind officers were themselves not quite sure about the

requirements but that this would be the safest and legal proceeding. God bless you all.

7 years ago

Renier **********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I will confirm at immigration todayabout my son shadowing my Non B and if I only need to extend his visa monthly or what.... the are very vague on this matter. ( apparently up to 14 yrs they dont need a visa) As soon as I know what's what, I will post again here..

7 years ago

Tod *********

the rule is children under 15 cannot be fined for overstay and children under 18 cannot be banned for overstay.

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Renier **********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Attention: Thanks to all and pardon for late replies.. They got a 30 day Visa Exempt at Pedang Besar and luckily we had a Thai girl from my agency to accompany them as the immigration officer was FULL OF IT apparently and it took the Thai girl quite a while even to convince her... anyway, she started working now and will go for her Non B soon...

7 years ago

Renier **********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Robert you are a star. I am teaching. My fiance did her TEFL and already got placement in a school, so she awaits her contract and would then have to return to Malaysia for her Non B. My son is already enrolled at a school foe the new semester and awaits starting of the new semester to get his student number and letter from director etc and then he will accompany my fiance to Malaysia for his ED visa. Pretty much planned out, was just not sure about this upcoming (next week) visa run... Any last comments?

7 years ago

Robert *******

Thanks, people with S/A passports can use two times the 30 day Visa Exempt Entry by land borders in a calendar year. Depending on how long they plan to stay, I would advice seeing your travel plans to apply for the Single Entry Tourist Visa at the Thai Consulate in Kota Bharu. This will give them 60 days of stay and can extend once with another 30 days. If they like to stay longer in Thailand they have to look for a visa that fits their purpose of stay, there is no option to connect their stay with yours as it is only your fiance..

7 years ago

Robert *******

I read the comments, but without knowing the country of origin of the passports there is no way to answer the question. Be aware that not every passport holder can enter Malaysia and not every passport holder can apply for a Thai visa in Malaysia or doing Visa Exempt Entries into Thailand. The advice could end up in big problems by assuming which passport people have.

7 years ago

Renier **********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Pete Awl, thanks for that. You have you had experiences with Sungai Kolok? Some people around here advise them to go there.

7 years ago

Renier **********************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Robert, South African passport. Part of the 57 country receiving visa exemption..

7 years ago

Reply to

Renier **********************

James ********

And if you are employed at job with a Thai work permit...if you marry your fiance' you could get her a visa as your spouse...(with assist from your employer)...and son too.

7 years ago

James ********

Did you get the student visa for your fiance son? If so his mother/fiance could apply for a visa as his parent.

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7 years ago

Ellie *******

They can enter on visa exempt again. Depends on there plan how long they are going to stay, gettin SETV could be good option especially they already planning to stay 2 nights..

7 years ago

Jussi ********

Yes they can, up to them and stay 30 or 60 days accordingly and extend 30 days again. But they can't do it all year long. If you are on a non-imm visa one of them can follow you on that but I think for both it's not possible.

7 years ago

Reply to

Jussi ********

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