How can I obtain a tourist visa for Thailand if I can't leave my passport in port while working on a ship?

Dec 21, 2018
6 years ago
Milos ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
In need for guidance on this unique case.

Im trying to get a tourist visa before Feb 10 but I work on the ship and i cannot leave my passport in any of the Asian ports I go to, only for a day (Malaysia Vietnam Singapore as well as Koh samui and pattaya).

My passport is issued in Montenegro.

Is there any way around this?

Please help!

Thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on obtaining a tourist visa for Thailand before February 10 while unable to leave their passport in any Asian ports during their ship work. Commenters suggest options including applying through a reliable port agent, considering a second passport, and the necessity to obtain the visa beforehand from a Thai consulate, which typically requires at least two days for processing.
Milos ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you. Will try that :)
Leo **********************
Milos possible any "good" port agent can take care of this for you. Ask your Captain. ๐Ÿ˜‰
Leo **********************
This is not solving your problem. But as a sailor you can apply for a second passport. But then you cold try to let the passport, with the visa, sent per fast track courier to a few ports ahead to the office of the ships agent in that port.
Ivan ************
@Benj****
you have to specifically ask for it and have a good justification but most countries will do this. Certainly my home country (Ireland) and the US will issue a second passport if you can justify you need it, and having to frequently leave your passport for visa applications can be a justification.

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David ************
@Benjamin *****
Anericans can have two passports. Depends on countries visited or logistics.
Leo **********************
@Sc***
yes I did call the Embassy of Thailand in The Hague or this is allowed. As my "old" passport did have around 11 months validity left. Now I not need to renew my passport for 10 years. It made my life a little easier in Thailand.
Scott ********
@Leo *********************
Depending on your interpretation youโ€™re using one passport, your current and valid passport. Youโ€™re carrying around your old passport, not valid for travel, because it has your current visa in it. So you need both to enter Thailand using that visa but no one in another country cares about your old expired passport.
Tris *******
Also have two from the same country you just need a letter from your employer explaining why you require a second passport when you apply.

But I can confirm they are linked in the immigration system, and for those of us who work overseas and holiday in Thailand in our time off it's becoming increasingly difficult to enter as a tourist.
Leo **********************
Benjamin that is a different situation. BUT it can, in The Netherlands anyhow, be also. I traveled from Amsterdam to Thailand with my multi Non-O visa still valid in my old passport.only the personal data page made invalled. So my Visa still valid. As long NOT punch the valid visapage. Other whise the visa will be invaled. But using the new passport to travel into Thailand. And getting my 90 allowed days stamped in my new passport. So ussing 2 passports. But that is another still as what I mean with 2 passports. These 2 passports will, most likely, have the same validity dates.
Benjamin ******
@Leo *********************
Good to know. I didn't know that. As someone who's not a sailor, and who's an American, the US Embassy wants my old passport, where they punch a hole in it making it invalid. I can only have one passport at a time.
Leo **********************
@Benj****
yes same country indeed. Basicly every business man, or lady ๐Ÿ˜Š, can issue a second passport. Exactly for this kind of issues you need to travel abroad already but next week you need a visa for another country. So then one passport stays at a embassy. And on the other passport you travel in the mean time. Also a second passport can be important when travel to conflicting country's. ๐Ÿ˜‰
Benjamin ******
Interesting. I didn't know a sailor can get more then one passport. It's the same country, I suppose?
Benjamin ******
None. You do not qualify for a visa exempt or visa on arrival. It will take at least 2 days to get a tourist visa.
Robert *******
Every Thai consulate you apply in the morning and pick up the next working day in the afternoon. There is no 1 day service. And seeing that you are from Montenegro, you need the tourist visa before you can enter Thailand.
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