Answered9 years ago
What issues could I face when entering Thailand on a 30-day visa exempt stamp after being denied a tourist visa in Ho Chi Minh City?
Just got denied a tourist visa in Ho Chi Minh. It was my 4th tourist visa in the past 2 years. What problems will I encounter trying to enter on a 30 day visa exempt stamp. I hold a US passport. Thanks!
Answer summary
The user expressed concern about potential issues entering Thailand with a 30-day visa exempt stamp after being denied a tourist visa in Ho Chi Minh City, citing this as their fourth tourist visa application in two years. Comments from the community included advice that entry via a 30-day exemption should generally not pose problems, provided they can show proof of onward travel and sufficient funds. However, entering with a history of multiple visa exemptions might prompt questions from immigration officials. Some users suggested applying for a visa in more accommodating locations like Hanoi or Vientiane, and emphasized the importance of avoiding a 'void' stamp in the passport.
43 repliesnewest first
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Kimberly *******
OPUpdate...flew direct from HCMC to Phuket and entered with a 30 day exempt stamp with no problems. Had a flight, hotel reservations and money, however was not asked for anything.
Ian **********
Just got my 4rth tourist visa done in Vientianne, laos. No questions asked no money proof to show.
Olga ********
Following
Jamila *********
Go to Hanoi they will give you that’s what I did ,they denied one in hochimin and the next day I took a bus to Hanoi submitted and picked my visa the following day .They don’t have that system to check if you had applied in Hochimin
Jamila *********
Yes and I got it
Luke ******
@Jamila ********
For future reference for this forum, because if I understand correctly from your profile your nationality is from what places like Vientiane define as "restricted countries", i.e. you need to apply in your home country, were you able to succesfully apply for a tourist visa in other places apart from Hanoi?Jamila *********
Mine was different she said since I’m from Africa I have to apply from Africa.but eventually I just took a bus to Hanoi and got one from there
Luke ******
@Jamila ********
Do you mind me asking, why did HCMC reject your application?
Terary **********
@Jamila ********
really a bus from HCMC to Hanoi - I have heard that is a hellish thing to do.Jamila *********
If you have that void stamp then it’s hard they will definitely see it
Jeremy ********
That’s a long bus ride
Jamila *********
They didn’t put anything
Kimberly *******
OPJamila did they put a visa in your passport with a “void” stamp or just deny you when you were trying to apply at HCMC?
Vy *****
Try Hanoi, I found it easier than HCMC.
Jen ********
👀 Following
Tod *********
@Kimb****
, you are unlikely to have any problems entering the country by air with a void tourist visa in your passport. :/ You're not the first foreigner this has happened to in the history of thailand believe me.
It's good you have proof of funds and proof of onward travel in case you're asked by passport control.
report back and let us know if you stamp into the country without issues. Good Luck (y)
Kimberly *******
OPThanks Tod...yeah I know. Am traveling with my father who is visiting from the US was hoping not to run into any problems. Oh well. Fingers crossed that all goes well in passport control. I’ll update everyone tomorrow.
Jason ******
Visa exemption is unlimited by air so if you fly back without a Tourist Visa it's not a problem, but I read a lot about Thai Embassys rejecting Visa applications after 4 Tourist Visas... Even if you go to another Embassy, they will see that your passport has "too many", so the only way around this is to apply for a new Passport and have completely blank new pages, then when they go through your passport they won't see any Visas at all and you will be able to get 4 more.
Robin *******
Charlotte Kosaseang same here. Is been questioned on visa exempt (Australia) and it was said I needed to get a visa next time..
Jason ******
Charlotte Kosaseang They will question you because the system will alert them when you have 6 Visa exemptions, so they will ask you questions like why are you coming in and out of Thailand so much? At the very most they will ask you to show proof of funds. If you can provide that, It's rare that you will get denied entry as I have over 13 exemption stamps in my passport, and that's because I only stayed for 4 days and traveled and came back a lot of time. I only get a Tourist Visa when I plan to stay more than 30 days and they understand that. If they see you are staying for 30 days and extending for 30 days multiple times, then that will raise red flags.
Kimberly *******
OPWas wondering if the “void” stamp on the tourist visa will give me problems. Will have a flight out in 30 days and cash on hand. Was planning on leaving Thailand in May anyways.
Tod *********
What was the reason you were denied?
Tod *********
@Oakley *****
sorry, I meant you create a new post. Or start a new topic. At the top of the group when you come to the page you should have a blank window with "write something" inside it. You write your question there and then hit the post button. The post 'bubble' looks like this at the top of the page
Robert *******
Under the top picture on the right is a search box, type in what you look for and enter.
Oakley ******
I'm Oldskool grammar educated. .at ease with a fountain pen and face to face etiquette. ..completely lost in this anti social network arena
If somebody would be kind enough to explain "new threads " and how to start one. .also how I view others comments. .especially "Jims " who I'm advised. .has commented previously on relevant visa issues
Thanks
If somebody would be kind enough to explain "new threads " and how to start one. .also how I view others comments. .especially "Jims " who I'm advised. .has commented previously on relevant visa issues
Thanks
Barry ******
With an ED visa you can apply for extensions every 3 months while you are still attending classes.
Oakley ******
My apologies. .3 months into smartphone
Tod *********
@Oak***
, your topic has nothing to do with the O/P being denied a tourist visa in HCMC, :O I suggest you start a new thread which asks about your options to bridge the time until you turn 50.
Jim *******
@Oakley *****
. There was a message from visa agent Jim in Penang here a couple of days ago. Check it out.Robert *******
Best option is fly back home and get the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, you can get 9 months of stay out of it. Some will suggest an ED visa and learn something, if you really want to study I agree, but if it is just for to stay in Thailand don't abuse this already very abused visa.
Tod *********
@Oakley *****
no you don't :/ you go to the immigration office and apply for an extension of stay every 90 days NOT leave the countryOakley ******
@Cody ******
..but even with Ed visa I still have to exit every 3 months
Cody *******
Self defence visas seem to be pretty lenient
*rephrase* self defence courses seem to be pretty lenient in terms of fulfilling attendance criteria for an ED visa
*rephrase* self defence courses seem to be pretty lenient in terms of fulfilling attendance criteria for an ED visa
Oakley ******
Lol. .so once I've had 3 from each of the neighboring countries I'm fxxxxxd
Hmmm. .I fall slightly short of requirements for retirement visa. ...any other options for long term ?
Hmmm. .I fall slightly short of requirements for retirement visa. ...any other options for long term ?
Tod *********
@Oakley *****
you run a high chance of getting the warning stamp from Penang going for another tourist visa there. No you cannot start fresh once you use another consulate :/ All the consulates look at how many tourist visas and stamps you have in your passport.
Oakley ******
@Sam *****
...let's say I get one from Vientiane. ..can I then start afresh in Pennang ?
Sam ******
@Oakley *****
Oakley Marx You better go to Vientiane. Its one of the most friendly Thai Consulates in The area.Oakley ******
I've got 3 tourist visas from pennang and have to renew current one on 18th this month ??? Can I get a fourth from pennang ?
Tod *********
@Kimberly ******
wow, that's the first denial I've heard of from HCMC and it wasn't just a 'you have too many so can't apply" but where they put the visa sticker into your passport and then stamp VOID on it :/Kimberly *******
OPGarrett Greenwald no, I have one that was issued in the US, one in Vientiane, one from HCMC one from KL. I applied and successfully got one last May here. Thought enough time went bye. Guess not.
Kimberly *******
OPTod they said I had “too many”. No notice...just a void stamp on the visa.
Ian ***************
Fly back in no problem, 30 days visa-exempt. Maybe try Thai consulate in Vientiane next time for SETV, more user-friendly.
Kimberly *******
OPThanks Leo, was on a trip here so I thought I would try.
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