| As the holidays approach in Europe and America, | | | | resources decreased. However, the plan seems |
| many Europeans, Britons, Americans, Canadians, | | | | to have had some positive effects as there has |
| and Australians begin to ponder the prospect of a | | | | supposedly been an increase in tourist visa |
| holiday in the Kingdom of Thailand. Long term | | | | applications (possibly due to the fact that visa |
| immigration and visa issues are a major concern | | | | exemptions are now harder to come by). |
| for many prospective long term tourists. | | | | Even though first-time tourist visa applications are |
| However, much like Shangri-La there seem to be | | | | being reluctantly approved, later applications for |
| more impediments to returning to this paradise. | | | | the same category are being critically reviewed. |
| Most notable among these obstacles is the | | | | The Royal Thai Consulate in Penang, the on-again |
| plethora of competing visa regulations being | | | | off-again visa run destination for most farangs in |
| promulgated from the ordinance drafting machine | | | | Thailand has made the policy that they will not |
| that is Thai Immigration. To add confusion to | | | | issue multiple tourist visas. This seems to be the |
| complexity, many of the regional Consulates and | | | | prevailing attitude throughout the region, with |
| Embassies are running things according to their | | | | some exceptions. As a consequence, those |
| own rules in a similar manner to the way a local | | | | wishing to remain for a longer period than 3 |
| chieftain runs his own fiefdom. | | | | months might be wise to seek out a |
| The rules get more complicated, but the game | | | | non-immigrant visa rather than using exemptions |
| continues. Hopefully this will provide some insight | | | | or tourist visas. |
| for those looking to stay in the Kingdom for a | | | | The Rise of the Non-Immigrant Visa |
| long (or short) period of time. | | | | It appears that non-immigrant visa applications are |
| Thailand Visa Exemption Stamps | | | | on the rise. Although tourist visas technically are |
| First and foremost on the minds of short term | | | | classified as non-immigrant, for these purposes |
| travelers is the issue of Thailand visa exemptions. | | | | we are talking about B visas, O visas, and |
| The visa exemption stamp is the 30 day stamp | | | | retirement visas. O visas are always popular with |
| given to most tourists arriving at the Airport. | | | | those staying in Thailand long term as they allow |
| Currently Thai Immigration is giving 30 day | | | | for 90 days per entry. Should one acquire a 1 |
| exemption stamps at the airport to anyone | | | | year multiple entry visa, then it could be utilized 4 |
| holding a passport from a country on the | | | | times for a duration of stay amounting to 90 |
| exemption list (US, UK, CA, most EU, AU, NZ, | | | | days per entry. The Business visa is also popular |
| etc). Technically, these stamps are supposed to | | | | for those who may be looking at making their |
| given an infinite number of times, provided the | | | | vacation more full time by attempting to gain |
| entrant is always coming through the airport. That | | | | employment and applying for a work permit. |
| being said, I have heard reports that this is not | | | | Acquiring a Thai business visa can be a difficult |
| the case and more than about 3 entrances will | | | | task, particularly if one does not have company |
| get your passport heavily scrutinized (they can | | | | sponsorship, but it is a highly flexible visa from |
| always turn you away as well). | | | | legal standpoint. Finally the retirement visa: perfect |
| Currently, at land borders, entrants seeking visa | | | | for those over 50 who can prove financial |
| exemption stamps are only given 15 days of | | | | resources to cover their living expenses. The only |
| lawful presence. This is important to note because | | | | major downside to this one is the fact that |
| local immigration requires at least 21 days of | | | | employment is prohibited, but in general it is much |
| status to process a visa extension or conversion. | | | | easier to obtain than some other categories. |
| Therefore, the immigration officers have | | | | Those interested in possible employment should |
| effectively barred long term status to those | | | | look at the Business visa. |
| entering Thailand via a land border without a | | | | In my opinion, the non-immigrant visa categories |
| proper visa. If you are looking to stay long term, | | | | will become more popular as the border run is |
| do not go about it this way. | | | | slowly phased out, but then again this time next |
| Thailand Tourist Visas: Free If You Can Get One | | | | year we could be talking about how no such visas |
| After the less than spectacular tourist numbers | | | | get issued anymore. Acquiring long term Thai |
| last year, the Thai government announced a fee | | | | immigration status in the Kingdom of Thailand can |
| waiver for all Tourist visas sought abroad. This led | | | | be difficult. Therefore, one should plan accordingly |
| to something of a backlash from Consulates | | | | if still at home because: prior planning prevents |
| overseas as the workload increased and the | | | | police detention. |