Answered8 years ago
What alternatives do I have for obtaining a visa to regularly visit Thailand without a Non Immigrant B visa?
Apologies in advance for the long post.
Whilst travelling around Asia for a year I used Thailand as a base and spent the majority of my time there. Therefore I was travelling in and out of the country on visa exemptions. (This was an extended holiday and I did not work)
I returned to the UK last August. I then returned for a Christmas holiday with a tourist visa issued by the Thai Embassy. I was stopped by immigration in Bangkok and told this would be the last time I could enter on a tourist visa and was told I would need a non immigrant B visa in future.
Today I contacted the Thai Consulate in Cardiff for further advice. They told me the only way I could do this now would be to get a letter from one of my friends who are business owners to say I intended to apply for a work permit when next in Thailand. However this is not the case. Apparently I also can no longer apply for the B visa in order to train Muay Thai (which I do) as this has recently been declassified to a hobby in the past couple of months. (Even though the Thai Embassy website says differently).
Does anybody have any other suggestions as I would like to continue to visit my friends on a regular basis for a break as I work hard whilst in the UK. The only other alternative I can think of is to set up a business in Thailand in order to apply for a business visa.
Any advice or alternate suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Whilst travelling around Asia for a year I used Thailand as a base and spent the majority of my time there. Therefore I was travelling in and out of the country on visa exemptions. (This was an extended holiday and I did not work)
I returned to the UK last August. I then returned for a Christmas holiday with a tourist visa issued by the Thai Embassy. I was stopped by immigration in Bangkok and told this would be the last time I could enter on a tourist visa and was told I would need a non immigrant B visa in future.
Today I contacted the Thai Consulate in Cardiff for further advice. They told me the only way I could do this now would be to get a letter from one of my friends who are business owners to say I intended to apply for a work permit when next in Thailand. However this is not the case. Apparently I also can no longer apply for the B visa in order to train Muay Thai (which I do) as this has recently been declassified to a hobby in the past couple of months. (Even though the Thai Embassy website says differently).
Does anybody have any other suggestions as I would like to continue to visit my friends on a regular basis for a break as I work hard whilst in the UK. The only other alternative I can think of is to set up a business in Thailand in order to apply for a business visa.
Any advice or alternate suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Answer summary
The poster shares their experience of frequently entering Thailand on different visa types and having recently been advised that they can no longer use a tourist visa due to their travel history. They are exploring alternatives to continue visiting Thailand without needing a Non Immigrant B visa or work permit, as their plans include training in Muay Thai and visiting friends. The comments suggest various options, including the Thai Elite visa, education visas for Muay Thai training, changing residency to a neighboring country, and considerations around multiple entry tourist visas. Some commenters also highlight immigration restrictions against frequent visitors.
26 repliesnewest first
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Robert *******
And I think all options are mentioned. Get a visa that fits your purpose of stay. Thanks all for the contributions, the OP have enough information to make up his mind. Good luck.
Richard *********
Another easier option for you is to get the Thai Elite visa. Problem solved.
Jelly ******
If you only want to visit a couple of times a year one option could be to land in a neighboring country and get in by a land border. Next to all reports of issues similar to yours comes from people landing in Don Muang or Suvarnabhumi.
Jelly ******
@Robert ******
yes exactly. A couple = 2Robert *******
But that couple of times a year is limited to 2 times a year if they use the Visa Exempt Entry.
Robert *******
You mention different things, you like to visit friends on regular basis, than the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa will suit that purpose to visit Thailand, you like to train Muay Thai, than the ED visa suits that purpose. If you are engaged in any work or profession during your stay inside Thailand you need a Work Permit and a Non Immigrant B visa to suits that purpose of stay inside Thailand. Just choose the visa that fits your purpose of stay.
Robert *******
There is no rule of being inside Thailand of to many times, those who claim to be denied on this rule refuse to show the reason of denial in their passport. Sorry, but I do not believe these stories without any proof.
Mark *******
METV is a bad recommendation as we've seen many people spend the money for one and denied entry when they come to Thailand because they have been here 'too many times'.
Ross ********
Change your base to Vietnam or Cambodia come back in 6 months
Miki *******
ED visa study thai ... simple ...
Tod *********
You get an ED visa to study Muay Thai and google is your friend. There are more than few Muay Thai schools scattered around thailand that offer ED visa support if you enroll in their school.
David **********
Unfortunately most immigration officers interpret the rules different, as far as I am aware there is no limit to how many tourist visas you can get,
Before coming to Thailand i saw on their website you can only stay a maximum of 180 days, but that is an old and obsolete rule to my knowledge,.
I know this doesn't really help.
My thinking is some io's may still go by those rules.
Before coming to Thailand i saw on their website you can only stay a maximum of 180 days, but that is an old and obsolete rule to my knowledge,.
I know this doesn't really help.
My thinking is some io's may still go by those rules.
Mark *******
There are ed visas (language or self defence) but these are meant to be a long term committed to staying in Thailand....not hopping back and forth.
Thailand doesn't want recurring visitors at the moment. Even people with legitimate tourist visas are being denied entry if they've been here too many times. The Elite visa would seem the only real option and simply not worth the money. You're likely better off going to a different country.
Thailand doesn't want recurring visitors at the moment. Even people with legitimate tourist visas are being denied entry if they've been here too many times. The Elite visa would seem the only real option and simply not worth the money. You're likely better off going to a different country.
Kieran *******
Who says the Muay Thai visa is no longer possible...?
Darshan *****
change passport? learn self defence or Thai?
Pascal ********
Changing passport not help you, the io can see your travel history on his screen
Darshan *****
I did. You live and work in the UK and want to visit Thailand regularly. Many many do that without any problems. I used to visit Thailand four or five times a year on visa exempt. What am I missing?
Liam ************
OP@Simon ******
thank you for the advice. But my post is pretty comprehensive. Perhaps read it first.
John *********
If you have 500,000 baht to spare the Elite visa is good for 5 years.
Douglas *******
It looks like a large figure but spread over 5 years it's not that much and you treated like a VIP, escorted thru immigration, free limos to and from the airport, first class lounge access, bank acco7nt and so on. If you are a regular visitor it's worth it.
Liam ************
OP@John ********
I’m well aware of that. Waiting for a lottery win.
Alex ********
This seems similar to the post about the gentleman who was denied from "visiting too many times"? (I realize he has yet to post the denial reason from his passport) Interested as well because I have family in Thailand and plan on coming back often after visiting for the first time.
Brianna *********
following.
Liam ************
OP@Alex *******
no problem mate. Having followed this page for a while I’m weary of how I may come across but I’m genuinely at a loss at what I can do.Alex ********
Not trying to imply that you were Liam!! Sorry if you thought so, just thought the admins might think that. Post applies to my interests as well!
Liam ************
OP@Alex *******
I didn’t see that post. I can assure you I’m not hiding anything.Activity
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