The Visa Exemption and Visa Runs in Thailand
March 14, 2010 by Pattaya Girls
Filed under Uncategorized
Author: Peter Dickinsonbr
Source: ezinearticles.combr
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Tourists arriving in Thailand without a valid visa in their passport do not have to worry because they will have the passport stamped at the immigration desk. Many visitors believe that the stamp in their passport is a visa. It is not, it is a Visa Exemption Stamp. This stamp allows the passport holder to remain in Thailand for a period of thirty days. Immigration procedures are normally hassle free and the visitor will proceed a greeting and a smile. Sometimes though visitors may be asked to provide evidence that they have enough cash to support themselves during their holiday.
The Visa Exemption stamp does not apply to the citizens of all countries. Some are expected to have obtained a proper visa in their own country before they left. Diplomatic agreements mean that some countries will get more than thirty days. Wherever you are coming from it is best to check with the Thai Embassy a month or more before your departure from your home country.
The Visa Exemption is also granted to visitors arriving by land border but these are different in that only give 15 days.
Whether you are given 30 or 15 days it is highly advised that you do not overstay your granted allocation. There are heavy fines in place for those who do and there is even a possibility of imprisonment as well as a fine. If you make it to the airport or land border you will only be fined.
To extend your visa exemption is straightforward enough but you will have to leave the country and re-enter. This is commonly known as the Visa Run.
The Visa Run is simple enough. Most Hotels and travel agents are well used to the procedure and can advise. Every day of the week there are coaches and minibuses heading towards the borders. Some services are described as luxury and charge a little more. Shop around. It is often worthwhile paying that little bit extra for what is a very tedious, tiring and boring bus ride.
You could of course do it yourself but unless you have your own car you will have to rely on public transport. This will make a long day much longer. None of the main tourist spots in Thailand are anywhere near a border.
The Visa Run can be a bit of an adventure. You see parts of Thailand that the average tourist never sees. You will meet people on you run who will be very different from you and sometimes friendships are formed.
Crossing the border and back will give you another 15 days in Thailand. Fly out and back and you will get another 30 days. A return flight to Singapore can sometimes be a worthwhile consideration. It is a case of examining your options. The possibility exists to leave Thailand by land and stop outside for one or two days and here you can then get a proper Tourist Visa which will allow you to stay for 60 or 90 days. It could well be worth it.
The land and water visa run to Myanmar is quite special and could be a tourist trip of its own. Similarly trips to Laos or Cambodia for visa extensions can turn an ordinary holiday into an adventure.
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pAfter more than 40 years working in private, commercial and National zoos in the capacity of keeper, head keeper and curator Peter Dickinson started to travel. He sold house and all his possessions and hit the road. He has traveled extensively in Turkey, Southern India and much of South East Asia. In his travels he has visited over 200 zoos and writes about these in his blog a target=_new href=http://zoonewsdigest.blogspot.com/ rel=nofollowhttp://zoonewsdigest.blogspot.com//a or on Hubpages a target=_new href=http://hubpages.com/profile/Peter+Dickinson rel=nofollowhttp://hubpages.com/profile/Peter+Dickinson/a Peter earns his living as an international independent zoo consultant, critic and writer./pbr
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Visa Laws in the Kingdom of Thailand
November 20, 2009 by Pattaya Girls
Filed under Thailand Travel Guide
As per the Visa Exemption Rule, the Kingdom of Thailand allows foreigners from various nations to enter as well as stay here for a limited period of time. In other words, foreigners from countries that are covered in the exemption rule are allowed to stay in Thailand for a period of up to 30 days, for which there is no need for a visa application. Al though not a single visa can exceed a period of 30 days, the exemption rule permits foreign nationals to stay in the country for a period of maximum 90 days within a period of six months.
However, this rule is applicable only to foreigners coming here for tourism purposes. No matter you are a foreigner from a country not included in the exemption law or from one included in the exemption law, it is essential to apply for a visa if you want to stay in the country for a period exceeding 30 days.
Depending upon the changing requirements and purposes of people, there are different types of visas. A visa is simply a permit or consent issued by the Royal Thai Embassies or Royal Thai Consulate General to a foreigner who wishes to stay here for a particular period of time. The visa duration varies based on a number of factors, which may be up to three months, six months, or sometimes up to one year.
However, a visa is never issued for a period less than three months. Most popular among the visa issued by the Thai embassy is tourist visa, which is alternatively known as travel visa or visit visa. A tourist visa is usually granted for a period of up to 30 days or up to 60 days. Thailand issues a 60-day visa to nationals of almost 40 countries, and for nationals of about 19 countries, visa with a scheme, namely, visa on arrival, is issued. Even though the travel visa for Thailand is quite complex, its requirements are same for everyone. Among the requirements for applying for tourist visa is a valid passport from the home country, two passport size photos, and completed as well as signed application forms.
Business work visa is another popular type of visa issued in Thailand. It falls under the category of non immigrant visa group, and is also known as non-immigrant visa work or Business ‘B’ Visa. A business work visa is regarded as a first step to apply for a work permit in Thailand. When business work visa is issued for the first time, it is given for a period up to three months. But, you may get either double entry or sometimes even one year multiple entry visa when you apply it for second time.
However, you are required to leave the country every three months. But there is an exception and you may get a valid one year business visa, if you acquire work permit through an approved program of Board of Investment (BOI.) Likewise, in this case, you needn’t have to leave Thailand every three months. But, you have to comply with a lot of paper works provided you leave the country for holiday purposes. Nevertheless, this is not applicable for normal entry visa. Some of the requirements for obtaining a work visa are sponsorship of Thai company, VAT certificate, withholding tax, and letter of employment.
Different types of visas in Thailand also include Ed Visa (Education Visa), which is usually issued to students who are interested in studying in the country. An Ed Visa must be applied at least a month prior to the trip to Thailand. Of the requirements in order to get this visa are a valid passport and a letter from the admission department of college or university you are going to study. Transit visa, diplomatic visa, and courtesy visa are the other popular types of visas issued by the embassies.
Nowadays, a plethora of law firms, immigration agencies, and other service providers are in the scenario to render to a host of services in dealing with visa laws as well as requirements. With an expert team consisting of professional migration consultants, these service providers undertake a myriad of activities in connection with obtaining work permits as well as visas and visas for a number of destinations located worldwide.
Some of them even provide the services of expert immigration attorneys for scrutinizing the authenticity of documents. There are also certain service providers who assist you in securing an Australia visa, the US visa, and the UK visa, apart from visas for other countries such as New Zealand and South Africa.
For nearly 30 years, Bamrung Suvicha Apisakdi Law Associates (BSA Law) has focused on providing reliable legal advice and services to the Thai and foreign business community in Thailand. We provide international standards of legal services while retaining the customs of the Thai business culture.