Hello, new to this group but I have read a lot of helpful and useful info. WARNING -- LONG. Last paragraph sums up what i need.
I will try to make this quick and to the point but it is a bit complicated and i apologize if too much back story..but it may (or may not) be important and help understand my dilemma.
BACKSTORY:-- My story is i have worked in Thailand for about 6 years teaching. My last teaching job was at a major university where i gave my resignation last year Sept 2018 because mainly, I had another outside Thailand short term job lined up to start in Jan of 2019. Thought i could use some visa runs to keep in in Thailand until then..which i did with no problems. The "new" outside Thailand job contacted me to later around start of 2019, long after i already resigned, and said they could only offer me a freelance position to work remotely. As you know, that would be difficult with staying in Thailand as I wouldnt have the proper visas and i had to decline the freelance.
MAIN---Since my teaching job was very niche (I taught animation) and hard to find a new position quickly, I decided to take some time off in 2019 and work on my reel, portfolio and update my CV, etc for future work.
I read up on visa rules and asked around. I was told the acceptable ways to do visas was via border run 2 times/yr and a tourist visa. This is based on information from many and I did that and had no problems until that tourist visa ran out this Aug. It used to be that then you could fly out an return and get a visa because it wasnt land based. Well that has all changed..
I was denied entry because of "too many stamps" in since 2019. I had never recieved any warning stamps, i had never had anyone at any immigration before say otherwise about this and as far as i knew it was acceptable because companies were doing it for you..and still. Yet i was denied entry and most my things from 6 years in thailand is stuck in my apartment with my fiance. I had worked all those years and took 1 break and it didnt matter about any of my past work....i have a Thai bank book with money that shows 4 years of steady deposits from the uni to prove i was employed, the old ID card from the school, and my work permits before should be in the system to be verified (assuming immigration or IO actually have the ability to check that).
In any case, I am looking for options to return to at least get my stuff, talk with my fiance about getting a new place just for her etc...because i think i am done trying to teach and be of value to Thailand. But i do need to tie up loose ends. I maybe may have to teach again (English this time) to get a job just to get those permits while do that , idk.
Anyone have some idea about my options? I am not married, though we want to be, so i cannot do the marriage visa. I have a Thai bank accnt with over 400k bht that has has that or more since like 2015. So i can prove there is ample money there (but enough for requirement?). I dont know about the type O visa as i dont know what i need to qualify. Also my work documents are stuck in Thailand such as tax info, so i cant even show that.
Any help is is much appreciated.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user outlines their complicated visa situation after previously being denied entry to Thailand due to having too many immigration stamps. They had been living and working in Thailand for six years before resigning to pursue a job opportunity that fell through. After visa runs and using a tourist visa, they got denied entry at the airport and are now seeking advice on how to return to Thailand to retrieve their belongings and resolve loose ends. Suggestions from the community include applying for a Non-O visa based on age or marriage, trying for a tourist visa in a nearby country, or utilizing land border crossings.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.