Thread: Multiple entry Visa Necessary?

I have been doing a bunch of research on the Visa situation and seem to be getting contradicting messages.

I am a US citizen, so technically I don't need a visa to enter Thailand for 30 days. But to apply for a Non-Imm B WITHIN Thailand I need to have a job secured, and the paperwork in to BKK before those 30 days are up. UNLESS I get a multiple entry tourist Visa, which will allow me to exit Thailand by land and apply for a Non-Imm upon re-entry.

Is it realistic to expect to have the paperwork together for a non-imm B within the 30 days I am given on a tourist visa?

---Update---

correction: now I am reading on ajarn that you need to submit your non-imm B application 15 days before your tourist visa expires? That leaves me 15 days to interview, secure a job, get the paperwork together, and return to BKK. How does anybody do this!?

Originally Posted by mazaa

correction: now I am reading on ajarn that you need to submit your non-imm B application 15 days before your tourist visa expires? That leaves me 15 days to interview, secure a job, get the paperwork together, and return to BKK. How does anybody do this!?

If you have pre-arranged employment (not always a good option) then this is possible but really tight unless everyone is on the ball.

If you do not have pre-arranged employment then you will need to get an actual tourist visa (double entry if you are entering late in the year since job hunting is more difficult from Dec-Feb) if you are going to try to get it done without the need of a border run.

If you enter on a 30-day stamp then you can rest assured that you will be making a visa run to Laos (or another neighboring country) at least once to get a visa (tourist or non-b).

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Originally Posted by mazaa

30 days I am given on a tourist visa?

Permission of stay on a tourist visa is given for 60 days. Permission of stay on a visa exemption is given for 30 days if entered by air or 15 days if entered by border crossings with neighbouring countries.

Originally Posted by mazaa

Is it possible to apply directly to the consulate by mail?

Yes, you can apply by mail/courier to the Thai consulate (in LA) in the states if you are still in the US.
Royal Thai Consulate - General Los Angeles

If you are arriving in Nov/Dec you can pretty much count on needing more than 90 days to get everything worked out and transfer to a non-b.

Yes, a double entry visa will require a border run but you effectively get 6 months to get settled with one run to the border and back and not having to deal with a thai consulate/embassy/getting a new visa.

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Originally Posted by ttompatz

If you are arriving in Nov/Dec you can pretty much count on needing more than 90 days to get everything worked out and transfer to a non-b.

what about mid-october? I was under the impression that Sept-Oct were prime job-finding months...

Not bad for job hunting but it isn't like it will be next April.

The advantage of the multi-entry visa is that it takes the pressure off of taking whatever you can find out of desperation and gives you the luxury of finding something that works for you.

You are in the States, we are over here... do what you think is best....

Just remember.. this ain't Kansas there Toto.

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