What should I do with my visa situation in Thailand as an American passport holder with a complicated immigration history?

Mar 26, 2023
2 years ago
Bazooka ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello I have an American passport. I'm 30 years old. I have been on 2 education visas, 1 volunteer, 1 work permit and then different border runs and tourist visas on this current passport.

I have been told I'm not allowed to make another visa with my passport until I get a new one.

I have 20 days left on this visa and then I can do a border run for 45 days (from what I've been told).

Questions:

• can I simply go to the border and cross out and then easily come back in? Is anything required to do that other than my passport? I am in phuket and probably will go to Malaysia?

• can I get a new passport if I still have 5 years until it expires?

• if I can will they transfer all of the previous visas or just current?

•in 45 days, what if US embassy hasn't finished my new passport and it overseas before I received my passport? Any info on making new passport?

• would leaving to another country and going to that American embassy be of any use so they don't transfer all of the information?

Thanks u very much 🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, an American citizen with previous visa experience in Thailand, is facing difficulty obtaining a new visa due to their immigration history. They ask about the feasibility of doing a border run to Malaysia, obtaining a new passport, and the transfer of visa history. Responses indicate that while a new passport may transfer current visas, prior immigration records remain accessible to Thai authorities through their database. A border run is risky due to potential denial of entry based on past visa usage, and it is advised that they consider legitimate long-term visa options instead.
James ********
I believe that Bazooka is aware of the coming challenge to staying in Thailand longer. There is NO magic wand 🪄 solution. She can try the Border Bounce with an experienced border run service company to see if they will take her. And if the Thai immigration officer at the border allows her to re-enter.

Comments Closed
Álvaro **********
Information is not (only) in your passport, it's in the immigration system. Getting a new passport doesn't delete the history of the person.

If you get a new one, the current visa/permission of stay will be transferred - but again, rest of the history is in their system.

It depends on the country but usually you cannot get a new passport until less than one year to expire date. But you can get a new one if the current one is lost/stolen, or if you run out of pages - but I think US will give you extra pages instead of a new passport.

Regarding time frame, I'd say 45 days is pretty tight, even my country which is very fast doing it needs 3-6 weeks... But best bet is to ask directly to your US consulate.

With a lot of history like yours, a cross for a 45 days exemption is pretty dangerous, they could reject you. To be covered, you must have an onwards flight, at least
*****
baht (or equivalent) in cash and proof of hotel reservation or equivalent, and do it through a land border in where if rejected you can enter again the country you've just left.
James ********
Bazooka, at age 30, you truly have an extraordinary history of living in Thailand using 2 Ed Visas, Volunteer Visa, and Border Run Visa Exempt Entry... With extensions. I don't think you have missed any opportunity to live in Thailand.

I debated allowing your post. .

BUT will offer these suggestions...

1... Getting a New passport will NOT help you. The Thai Immigration Computer system will identify you with a New passport. Thai Immigration uses facial recognition software and your fingerprints also. They know you.

2. Do NOT fly into Thailand. You are at Great risk of being DENIED entry, as others have been recently with recent history of staying in Thailand as you.

3... Be VERY careful when you try to do a BORDER BOUNCE to get a NEW Visa Exempt Entry into Thailand. Use an experienced border run service company to take you... They know what you need to do and IF they believe that you will be successful in getting the new VISA EXEMPT entry stamp. DON'T TRY TO DO IT YOURSELF.

Good luck with your seeking to stay in Thailand. It's more than ever a challenge since COVID
Willem ****
One advise. Get a proper longstay visa not being a volunteer or education visa. If you have money then buy a Elite Visa. Otherwise you will be or are already redflagged and refused re-entry in the future.
John **********
@Willem ***
I suspect he'd struggle to get an elite visa with his history. No harm in trying I guess
Willem ****
@John *********
Her not him.
Frank **********
You have already abused the system. Go home.
Bazooka ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
I have kids, condo, car, bike... Ur very kind... Appreciate your love
James ********
@Bazooka *******
are you married to Thai?
Frank **********
Obviously you are trying to live in Thailand long term as seen by your history. That is why the agencies are refusing you Bazooka Humyummy. Abuse of the system is what brings scrutiny on other foreigners. Time to go home.
Robert *******
And you think when you make a new passport, the Thai Immigration Bureau will delete all your information on their database to please your way of living in Thailand?
Max ********
@Robert ******
I know people who have been on volunteer visas with extensive histories, and when they entered with a new passport with no stamps they had no questions asked at all about their history, so actually when you re enter they likely dont cross check your biometrics to their database, they only collect them
Bazooka ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
I don't think anything, I don't know anything. I've always just paid a service but the services are refusing me.
Álvaro **********
@Bazooka *******
that looks like you've been using shady visas, and they're cracking on them right now - thus nobody want to risk doing it again
John **********
@Bazooka *******
You need to pay attention to the fact the services are refusing you. It's highly unlikely you will be allowed to re-enter Thailand once you leave. You need to get an appropriate visa to live in Thailand but I question whether that is even possible for you with your history.
Robert *******
@Bazooka *******
Understand, there comes an and at the time of playing around and using a service.

I guess it is time to apply for the correct visa and correct Extension of Stay for the purpose you live in Thailand.
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