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Can US citizens on a 30-day stamp in Thailand extend their stay and apply for a tourist visa later?

Visas Visa Extension Tourist Visa Thai Immigration Work Permit Non-Immigrant B Visa Non-Immigrant O Visa

Jan 22, 2019

6 years ago

Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello! we are US citizens currently in Thailand on free 30 day stamp. We want to stay as long as we can since we will be taking certification classes in February (does not qualify for ED visa) and want to stay and hopefully find a job here. We have trip to Vietnam scheduled for the end of our 30 days but that falls during the  new year holiday, so consulate is closed. Do think we could just do another 30 day stamp and then at the end of that go somewhere else and apply for a tourist visa?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A group of US citizens currently in Thailand on a free 30-day visa stamp are inquiring about extending their stay while they take certification classes and job hunting. They explore options such as obtaining another 30-day stamp after their trip to Vietnam and applying for a tourist visa subsequently. The discussion highlights the feasibility of making multiple visa exempt entries, legal employment requirements, the potential impact of multiple entries on future visa applications, and the appropriate visa pathways for working in Thailand.

Robert *******

Thanks, How long do you like to stay in Thailand? What are your ages? Do you have University degree to become a Teacher in English lessons in Thailand? Do you need to work to provide an income for long stays in Thailand? just a few questions to start with.

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Benjamin ******

@Salli ***************

a teacher assistant does quality for a work permit, HOWEVER, you legally can not teach as a teacher assistant.

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

just saw that requirement recently, he is working on it.

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James ********

you are right!

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James ********

@Salli ***************

really up to the school...if they want...usually they know how to make it work. Key is that you are not a Teacher. That has specific requirements. Speaking of that...Does your husband have a recent Police Report from your last residence in USA. Now is required of all Teachers.

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

i am not one to break rules, i cant work i won't!

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Robert *******

Please explain what happens if caught, than at least she can make up her own mind of working illegal?

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

not worth it! it is a freelance thing so i just wont do any while here

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Robert *******

@Salli ***************

You work in Thailand, does not matter if this work is just typing letters on a key board. You are psychically in Thailand, use Thai internet etc to do your job. Therefor you need a Work Permit and Non Immigrant B visa. Don't let you get fooled by many who tell you, it is okay it is no problem, unless they explain you the punishment of working illegal and on incorrect visa. Than you can make a choice for yourself if you think it is worth it.

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James ********

@Salli ***************

no problem if not living in Thailand...otherwise. Shhhhh...Mum is the word

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

would a teaching assistant qualify for a work visa or would i still go for the non Imm O visa once my hubby gets a job?

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Robert *******

Once your husband has the work permit and the non Immigrant B visa, you can apply for the non Immigrant O visa depending on your husband who works in Thailand.

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

eek! even if we arent living here and it is not for local company? looks like i will be taking a hiatus from work for awhile! (was extremely part time, wont miss much)

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Robert *******

If not enough time, you can as mentioned above visit the Thai Consulate for the Single Entry Tourist Visa for another 60 days and extend this with 30 days if needed.

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James ********

@Salli ***************

look at Teachers in Thailand Facebook forum.

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Robert *******

As you have now the Visa Exempt Entry and already a trip planned, just come back for a new Visa Exempt Entry, before this ends extend these 30 days at a local Immigration Office. That way you got 60 days to find a job for your husband

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James ********

@Salli ***************

do not mention you are working online. Not legal. No work permit available. Explore getting a teachers assistant position ...possibly at same school your husband.

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Robert *******

For yourself and yes I know I'm going to get lots of people upset, working remote is not allowed in Thailand, unless you get the Work Permit and Non Immigrant B visa.

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Terary **********

@Salli ***************

Jobs are easy to find, along with visa assistance. I mean real easy.. Many people without qualifications become teachers.

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

he is looking!

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

yup, know that :)

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James ********

@Salli ***************

your husband probably can get a teachers job now. No certification really needed...TEFL etc.

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Robert *******

@Salli ***************

Thanks, that means your husband has to find a job and apply with documents of his employer for the Work Permit and the Non Immigrant B visa.

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

my husband is a licensed teacher, cert is just to increase chance of job offers, for me i don't have a degree (did major in Education and worked in special ed, but no degree. I do currently work remotely for a US company, but would like a job here if possible.

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Salli ****************

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

i guess my main concern is will having two exempt 30 day stamps make it harder to get a tourist visa?

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Joseph Michael Pedro III still looking at the options to find the best place

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Terary **********

I avoid the 30 day exempt for emergency. There is a limit of 2 per year if by land (get the reference?). The issue with 'by air' exempt is that if denied, you can get stuck in an airport and force to fly back to home country or country of origin.

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Danny *****

Salli Jennings-Swift Don't think so, but the thoughts of any individual visa officer are unknown (not different from any other country in the world)...

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Danny *****

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Terary **********

Welcome to Thailand.. Visas can be confusing at first - but you're in the right place.. ( Dear administrators I refrained from giving advice as I am sure there will be great advice to follow).

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Robert *******

I love the phrase: We want to stay as long as we can. This could be depending on so many factors and all of you start giving advice about a visa exempt entry and tourist visa and than others start with Immigration got crankier with these visa if you like to stay as long as you can.

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Danny *****

I'll just back out then. Thanks for the tip.

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Robert *******

Does not matter, some try to give advice and the next one says it is no good. Find out what the OP really want and start giving advice. Don't just assume the easy way out.

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Danny *****

Truth or not Rob?

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Danny *****

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Benjamin ******

You can get two 30 day visa exampt by land. Also, a single entry tourist visa is good for 2 months. You can get them in laos. When they think you are living here on a tourist visa, they will either stop you from entering Thailand, or stop giving you visas. Also remembered, do not work on the tourist visa and to get the proper visa as soon as possible.

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James ********

Extend your current stay at Thai Immigration for 30 days. Then go to Udon Thani...take van or bus to Nong Khai...cross to Vientiane...apply for 60 day Tourist Visa...return by way of Nong Khai, Udon Thani...extend for added 30 days at Thai Immigration. Good luck.

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Evert ******

@Salli ***************

yes no problem!

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Danny *****

@Salli ***************

Yes, but immigration tends to get crankier the more of those stamps that you have...

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Danny *****

Oops. OK the first suggestion still applies. Probably cheaper in the long term.

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James ********

@Salli ***************

yes

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Salli ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

we already have a trip booked at the end of our current 30 days. so couldnt i just do another 30 stamp when we fly back?

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James ********

they are already in Thailand on exempt entry 30 days

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Danny *****

Fly to Brisbane and get a METV. Or get one in the US before leaving?

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Danny *****

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Danny *****

Probably, once or twice. But don't work here without a work permit. It really is not very difficult to get legal if you are not skint. Do it.

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Danny *****

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