What Are the Best Visa Options for Extended Stay in Thailand Given Recent Entry History?

Question

Hi I'm looking for some advice please on best way to proceed given recent entry history to Thailand in last 15 months.

5 Visa exemptions (3 UK Passport, 2 Australian Passport as we are dual citizens)

2 SETV (Australian passport)

None of these have been extended beyond the standard times but were mostly maxed out. Gaps between visits were 3 months, 1 month, 1 month, 3 days, 1 month, 5 days

I sailed through BKK last weekend on the last visa exempt, but my partner was stopped and questioned about number of visits and intentions here. They were allowed to pass through after a discussion away from the passport desks, but given a stern warning of no more visa exempts and to get a visa in future. They were also told this was 'flagged on the system'. This conversation was expected so I want to plan the rest of the time in Thailand carefully.

Our intention is to remain in Thailand from now until 8 June 2020. And then we will be leaving and not expected to come back for at least 18 months.

My question is what is the best way to maximise the chances of entry between 22 February and 8 June. My thoughts would be:

1. Extend the current Visa Exempt entry for 30 days taking us to 22 March.

2. Go to Penang or HK on 16 March and get a SETV. Return to Thailand on 20 March. SETV is then valid until 18 May.

3. Extend the SETV by 30 days which then exceeds our target of 8 June.

I'm assuming that having been allowed in, and that our next flight booked is HK, we should be able to obtain the first extension this month. My question is whether it now makes sense to go to Penang or HK for the SETV or if we should go instead to somewhere returnable by land.

FYI I can consider METV but the cost of returning from UK or Australia makes this less attractive. Next time we visit we will go for METV. I don't think I'd use Visa Exempt again.

Any advice gratefully received. If it helps we don't work here and live from savings, but are not quite of retirement age yet.

Ask Thailand · Answer

A user seeks guidance on how to navigate their visa options and extended stay in Thailand, given a complex recent entry history involving multiple visa exemptions and tourist visas. They plan to remain in Thailand until June 8, 2020, and have received warnings from officials about their frequent entries. The discussion revolves around getting extensions for their current visa exempt status and obtaining a Single-Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) after a short trip abroad, with various commenters providing advice on entering by land versus air, visa options, and long-term planning.

Darren ******** · Answer

Thanks all I really appreciate your comments. I’m eligible for retirement visa in 18 months and my husband we will get elite for him. Or we will go for METV at that time and live 9 months in Thailand and 3 months back home.

For now I think I’ll go for the extension and next get a SETV and return by Hua Hin or land. I’m hoping to cross into Thailand only one more time this way

James ******** · Answer

Simple solution..

Do Two land border crossing entries...Each will give you 30 days...plus 30 days extension each available at Thai Immigration 1,900 Thai baht each......That gives you both 4 added months in Thailand. Then leave as planned.

Do NOT Fly into Thailand.

Robert ******* · Answer

Flying is is still very good, but for those who managed to get a longer history of short time visa's and visa exempts to live inside Thailand, the airports in Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Chang Mai are not the best to use as they ask questions and tell you, you need a visa.

Smaller airports like Had Yai, Surat Thani, Koh Samui or Hua HIn are no problem. But what ever you decide, you keep on pushing until the moment you get denied entry. Time to bite the bullet and decide to go play elsewhere or get the visa that fits your purpose of stay in Thailand.

Jason *********** · Answer

Flying in is a horrible idea.  As Tod mentioned , enter by land

Tod ********* · Answer

It's your previous entry history (and the fact you're staying here an extended time on visa exempt and tourist visa entries) that causes the scrutiny when flying in. Even using another passport doesn't mean they can't SEE the entry history in the other passport their system matches against surname, DOB, sex, etc, it'll call up alternate passports linked to your name for sure.

Benjamin ****** · Answer

1. There's no such thing as a "'flagged on the system'.". It exists to scare you.

2. You'll need to figure out a long term visa for your needs. I don't know if a METV will actually work from your home country to enter. An elite visa may be best for your needs.

3. You can get a 30 day extension, AND (I think) you can still get your two visa exempts by land. Each visa exempt can be extended by another 30 days at immigration. You can get two visa exempts by land in a calendar year.

4. Being a "dual national" doesn't mean you can get more visa exempt entries. Everythings cross referenced through biometrics, like your fingerprints, your face, date of birth, etc.

Tod ********* · Answer

You won't have a problem getting a 30 day extension

Tod ********* · Answer

How ever you get your tourist visas enter the country BY LAND. You run a higher risk flying in.

And seeing as the year just clicked over you are allowed TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31) so you might as well get them and extend each of those by 30 days too

What Are the Best Visa Options for Extended Stay in Thailand Given Recent Entry History?

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