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Does a Remark Stamp in My Passport Affect Future Visa Applications in Thailand?
Jan 6, 2020
6 years ago
Matt *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI’m really curious about this.
Does anyone know if having the “Remark: The holder of this passport travels to Thailand under a tourist visa several times which may result in the refusal of a visa in the future.” stamp in your passport after getting a visa in savannakhet forbid you from applying for another tourist visa only at that specific consulate in savannakhet? Or does it apply for all consulates in other countries, more specifically, if you go back to your home country and apply for an METV there and they see the remark? Would it be better to just apply for a new passport and start fresh with no visas? I’m thinking since the METV is $200 I could just get a new passport and not worry about it rather than apply for the METV, they see the stamp and then deny my application and I lose out on the $200.
Does anyone know if having the “Remark: The holder of this passport travels to Thailand under a tourist visa several times which may result in the refusal of a visa in the future.” stamp in your passport after getting a visa in savannakhet forbid you from applying for another tourist visa only at that specific consulate in savannakhet? Or does it apply for all consulates in other countries, more specifically, if you go back to your home country and apply for an METV there and they see the remark? Would it be better to just apply for a new passport and start fresh with no visas? I’m thinking since the METV is $200 I could just get a new passport and not worry about it rather than apply for the METV, they see the stamp and then deny my application and I lose out on the $200.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The presence of a specific remark stamp indicating multiple tourist visa entries may impact your ability to obtain future tourist visas, not only at the consulate where it was issued but potentially at others as well. New passport applications might bypass this issue due to lack of shared databases among consulates, but caution is advised as immigration officers have discretion upon entry. It’s recommended to prepare a proper plan and consider alternative visa options based on your situation.
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Bart **********
I’ve had this stamp in the past and after getting a new passport it was never mentioned since and even got a visa from the same consulate (Vientiane) back then.
James ********
@Bart *********
and that is OK...as Consulates are yet to be linked to Thai Immigration computers. But upon arrival seeking entry, that's when the Thai Immigration Officer may question your history.Reply to
James ********
Reply
Tod *********
Just so people know what the O/P is talking about. These are some of those "this person has a LOT of tourist visas" stamps from consulates around here
Tod *********
As a rule those "remark" stamps USED to only affect you getting a new tourist visa the consulate that issued that stamp <- note that I said USED TO..:O
Now we are seeing other thai consulates in S/E Asia denying people tourist visas who have a previous tourist visa with that stamp even if it wasn't issued at the consulate you are trying to get the new visa from.
Now whether that stamp on a thai tourist visa from Savannakhet will affect you when you apply for a 6 month tourist visa in the USA? No one can tell you with any accuracy either way.
I would say that your logic of getting a new passport is sound, seeing as consulates (at this time) do not share an online database and can't tell how many tourist visas or entries to thailand you have without looking for the stamps in your passport.
Good Luck,
Now we are seeing other thai consulates in S/E Asia denying people tourist visas who have a previous tourist visa with that stamp even if it wasn't issued at the consulate you are trying to get the new visa from.
Now whether that stamp on a thai tourist visa from Savannakhet will affect you when you apply for a 6 month tourist visa in the USA? No one can tell you with any accuracy either way.
I would say that your logic of getting a new passport is sound, seeing as consulates (at this time) do not share an online database and can't tell how many tourist visas or entries to thailand you have without looking for the stamps in your passport.
Good Luck,
James ********
Matt with your history of back to back use of tourist visas, visa exempt entries, border runs and extensions...
Be prepared with a Plan B upon arrival as Thai Immigration likely will ask you questions on next arrival into Thailand.
Having a new passport or having a new visa in it will not guarantee you entry into Thailand. It will be the Immigration Officer who will decide.
Be prepared with a Plan B upon arrival as Thai Immigration likely will ask you questions on next arrival into Thailand.
Having a new passport or having a new visa in it will not guarantee you entry into Thailand. It will be the Immigration Officer who will decide.
Ivan ************
@Ma**
With your history, it is advisable to avoid flying into Bangkok airports, even with a METV. Better to fly to a neighbouring country and enter by land.James ********
Let me sum it up.
You were living in Thailand 9 months in 2019.
You have returned home to USA and now will apply for a METV in 2020 which if granted will mean another 6-9 months of living in Thailand in 2020... Multi-entry.
You need to get the correct visa for Thailand.
If you have 500,000 Thai baht buy the 5 year Thai Elite Visa...that is 100,000 Thai baht a year US $3300 ...$260. Monthly...for peace of mind coming and going to Thailand...
compare that cost to your current situation and costs of getting visas and border runs.
If you are age 50+ get the O-A visa for retirement ....
If you have a Thai girlfriend...get married.
Get a job with legal work permit in Thailand or enroll in a university course of study.
Or stay out of Thailand for 7+ months and try reentry with a METV.
And before your next attempt to enter be sure to ask Amornrat for advice.
Good Luck
You were living in Thailand 9 months in 2019.
You have returned home to USA and now will apply for a METV in 2020 which if granted will mean another 6-9 months of living in Thailand in 2020... Multi-entry.
You need to get the correct visa for Thailand.
If you have 500,000 Thai baht buy the 5 year Thai Elite Visa...that is 100,000 Thai baht a year US $3300 ...$260. Monthly...for peace of mind coming and going to Thailand...
compare that cost to your current situation and costs of getting visas and border runs.
If you are age 50+ get the O-A visa for retirement ....
If you have a Thai girlfriend...get married.
Get a job with legal work permit in Thailand or enroll in a university course of study.
Or stay out of Thailand for 7+ months and try reentry with a METV.
And before your next attempt to enter be sure to ask Amornrat for advice.
Good Luck
Matt *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
Yes I also have the required documents to show proof of onward travel out of Thailand, 20,000฿ in cash and airbnb accommodation. The only thing I am worried about is if the stamp is going to effect my application I submit to the consulate in my passport country
Reply to
Matt *******
Reply
James ********
And
It's gonna be a crap shoot, you can try HCMC, Hanoi or Yangon. Although there are reports that they are looking with a more critical eye at people with many tourist visas in their passports.
I'd say sooner or later you're going to have to face the fact that you can't live here on tourist visas as easy as you once could.
@Tod ********
answered:It's gonna be a crap shoot, you can try HCMC, Hanoi or Yangon. Although there are reports that they are looking with a more critical eye at people with many tourist visas in their passports.
I'd say sooner or later you're going to have to face the fact that you can't live here on tourist visas as easy as you once could.
Matt *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
I decided to go for the METV route instead of tourist visas since I am constantly traveling in and out. I guess it is just a gamble then whether or not my application will be accepted or not.Reply to
Matt *******
Reply
James ********
@Amornrat *********
answered :Once you have the remark other Consulates in the region, in 90% the cases, will not issue you a new Tourist Visa. As other members suggested a new passport really is not a big help. I'll not give a guideline on how to beat the system, but it is basically still easy to stay up to 18 month without major hassle, after that the air get's thinner. Reflect your situation and make a proper plan.
James ********
Matt...you asked this question before on August 31, 2019. The answers given are exactly the same. .
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9/James ********
How many months were you in Thailand in 2019?
Matt *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
9 months i have a single entry tourist visa from Bali and Savannakhet and they stamped my passport first visit. now I am back my home country and considering applying for an METV.Reply to
Matt *******
Reply
Matty ******
does getting a new passport stop them from seeing ur immigration history into thailand?
James **************
The embassies outside of thailand or not linked to the immigration databas, so getting a new passport and applying for a visa would be ok. But the problen could be at Thai immigration side as your history will show up.
Ivan ************
It doesn't stop immigration at the border but it does stop the consulate seeing the history when applying for a visa, and may allow you to get a visa you wouldn't otherwise. The two are not synced up, that consulate red stamp is not in immigration's computer and the consulates don't have access to immigration's entry history. So getting a new passport can still be worthwhile if you have this stamp.
Some consulates in the region have been reported recently to want to see the old passport if you rock up with a brand new one, particularly if the brand new one was obtained in Thailand, but this wouldn't likely be an issue if OP was seeking a METV in his home country.
Some consulates in the region have been reported recently to want to see the old passport if you rock up with a brand new one, particularly if the brand new one was obtained in Thailand, but this wouldn't likely be an issue if OP was seeking a METV in his home country.
Donna ********
I was stood behind the immigration desk at Don Mueang last week when my partner was clearing out of the country and saw that his last 3 passport photos popped up on the screen when the IO scanned his passport. Along with his fingerprints and entry photo. So yes, they know previous passport entries from your current one, it's all recorded.
James ********
@Matty *****
nope...a new passport is linked to his old passport upon arrival into Thailand...the Thai Immigration Officer will see your full history.Dave *******
@Matty *****
id say no it’s all in the computer systemReply to
Dave *******
Reply
Jeremy ********
It may or may not mater, each consulate/embassy does their own thing and will sometimes disregard other embassies/consulates warnings...
Reply to
Jeremy ********
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