Is a retirement visa multiple entry?

@Stuart ********

with the same rule as to entry and stay? That is, that you could enter on the last day of the validity period and still stay for 30 days if that is the length of stay granted?

@Stuart ********

was your language “issued from a consulate” intended as limiting language? Are you saying, for example, that a visa obtained online might have different rules?

Some people here will treat you like an idiot who can’t read, but it’s a legitimate question because different countries interpret the “valid until” date differently.

The visa will have a start date and end date for the period of validity and a length of stay. You can enter the country any time during the validity period. But assume that you have a length of stay of 30 days. Some countries take the view that you must leave the country by the end of the validity period even if you entered the country only a couple of days before. Other countries take the view that as long as you have entered the country before the expiration of the validity period, you can stay there for the full 30 days even if that period ends after the end if the validity period.

I don’t recall what the rule is in Thailand, but the answer is probably on the web page of the relevant government office. It’s usually in a FAQ section somewhere.

Many countries have an onward travel requirement. It’s very rare that I get asked for it (never in Thailand). Usually I tell them I don’t know for sure how long I will stay and that I’ll buy a ticket when it’s time to leave. One time, when I encountered some resistance I showed my bank balance on my banking app, and that was sufficient. On a couple of occasions I was asked to sign a form indemnifying the airline if I get turned back at the immigration desk upon arrival and the airline has to take me back. Only once out of about 65 countries (Vanuatu) did I actually have to buy an onward ticket at the airline check in counter. I’ve never been asked to show onward travel arrangements when I arrived in a country that has such a requirement. It seems that it’s the airlines that care about this because of the financial risk if they have to take you back.

There are some websites that purport to help you get around these problems by getting you a confirmed flight out of the country and then cancelling the booking 48 hours later, giving you time to get into the relevant country. I’ve never used such a service, but someone here probably has.

and Long Table in Bangkok. Blue Elephant in Phuket Town.

@กะลาสี ****

it’s a mess. The local airline office gives an answer that’s at odds with information on the website. I’ll just fly through Singapore instead.

@กะลาสี ****

thanks. Is it clear that when Skyscanner says “connect in airport” that means that your luggage is checked through to the final destination so that you don’t have to pass through Immigration to collect your bags? I didn’t see anything on the Skyscannner website confirming that.

@Jo *********

just fly to Cambodia and back to Thailand. All you need is a negative PCR test and vaccination certificate. You probably can use the same PCR test to leave and come back.

So . . . The real question is not whether she is in violation of Thai law or whether or not she is a guest in Thailand. These are just dumb irrelevant responses. The inquiry is whether anyone has ever confronted this problem and what is the best way to deal with it.

If you have no direct experience on this point, just keep your irrelevant opinions to yourself.