METV confusion, not helped by immigration office

[ThaiRebound]

Hi All,

 

I have an METV from US valid until Sep. 24, 2019. My assumption, based on (poor?) memory, was that I could extend 30 days at the 60-day mark at the Immigration Office (Udon Thani). Following the 30 expiry, I could cross over and back at border (Vientienne), receiving another 60 days, which I could extend for another 30 days at Immig Offc UD again.

 

 

I was told at Immigration Office by one of the long-time staff workers (immigration officer, maybe) that, because 9/24 was the latest I could stay, I should go to Laos at the 60 day mark to renew for the second 60-day set to start. That would place the validity of visa until the very end of July. I am very confused right now. Confused about my understanding of how the visa works and how to proceed. Kindly disabuse me of my ignorance and set me straight as to proper course of action if longest possible stay in Thailand is the goal. 

 

 

Incidentally, I also have a naughtiness-stamp in my passport from my prior cross back into the Kingdom before I'd returned to US to obtain METV. Could that have any impact on anything, and, if so, likelihood?

Much thanks,

TR

[BritTim]

I think the immigration official was suggesting it made sense to do more border runs rather than getting extensions all the time. Depending on how easy it is for you to do a border run, the official might be right. You can do as many border runs as you like up until Sep 24, 2019, receiving a fresh 60-day stay each time. To maximise use of the visa, you probably want to do the last border run around Sep 23, 2019 and (with your visa then expired) extend the last 60-day entry for a further 30 days in Nov 2019. If you prefer to do extensions, there is absolutely no official reason why you cannot, but the immigration officials might be irritated that you are making them work when you have an alternative.

 

The stamp from the Vientiane embassy makes absolutely no difference to either border hops or extensions.

[fhickson]

How many entering and exiting airline tickets did you have to show when applying for that visa in the USA?

[ThaiRebound]

had arrangements for both to show them but the ticket to return to US had been cancelled prior showing it. 

Edited May 18, 2019 by ThaiRebound

[riclag]

 At the embassy in LA, I usually show a cheapy flight to Malaysia on or a little before the  59th day! I only secure one .I was told one flight out would be sufficient 

[ThaiRebound]

Hi BritTim, I don't understand how it could be easier to do border run than extension. Extension is in-town, and crossover is both more time consuming and requiring more financial cost. 

 

My question is whether I can do extension at immigration (30), then do border crossover and back (60). That would leave me until the end of August, and then I could do a 30 day extension again? 

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, ThaiRebound said:

My question is whether I can do extension at immigration (30), then do border crossover and back (60). That would leave me until the end of August, and then I could do a 30 day extension again? 

You can do that if you want to. There is no rule that says you cannot do it.

Then you could do a border hop for another 60 day entry as long as you do it on or before September 24th. And then another 30 day extension.

[BritTim]

36 minutes ago, ThaiRebound said:

Hi BritTim, I don't understand how it could be easier to do border run than extension. Extension is in-town, and crossover is both more time consuming and requiring more financial cost. 

It depends on where you live. From some parts of Bangkok, a border bounce to Ban Phu Nam Ron (which, remember, gives you 60 days) works out slightly cheaper than an extension (giving 30 days) and going to Chaengwattana immigration is a hassle, saving only a few hours.

 

From where you live, fewer border bounces may be justified by more visits to the immigration office. I do not know your location, so have no way of knowing.

[ubonjoe]

21 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I do not know your location, so have no way of knowing.

He mentioned Udon Thani immigration in the OP. Not exactly a very busy office.

It also means he would be doing the border hop at Nong Khai to Laos. The VOA for Laos and transport to there could easily exceed 1900 baht.

[ThaiRebound]

UJ, Thanks for the clarification. Can you please help sort out a/the strategy here? 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

13 minutes ago, ThaiRebound said:

Can you please help sort out a/the strategy here? 

As I wrote in a earlier post there is no rule that states you cannot apply for the 30 day extension.

Just continue with your plans.

Then do the last entry your visa allows on or before September 24 then extend that 60 days for another 30 days.

[BritTim]

6 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

He mentioned Udon Thani immigration in the OP. Not exactly a very busy office.

It also means he would be doing the border hop at Nong Khai to Laos. The VOA for Laos and transport to there could easily exceed 1900 baht.

Yes, that is true, especially if he does not have US dollars for the VOA and needs to foot the penalty for paying in baht. Transport costs to the Friendship bridge at Nong Khai can vary a lot depending on exactly where he is, as can transport costs to Udon Thani immigration. I am pretty sure one border hop would be cheaper than two extensions (both cumulatively amounting to 60 days) but he also needs to consider what works best to be making the final border hop around Sep 23. If he has a permission to stay ending late August, it may well be that an extension would be more sensible than a border hop because you would only need 30 days.

[ThaiRebound]

UJ, just to confirm I understand correctly, you suggest: 

 

1. extend for 30 at UT Immigration

2. cross over and back before that expires (providing and additional 60 days)

3. then extend 30 at UT immigration again (possible if August 27th or so?)

If 3 is not an option, can I safely get 30 day under visa exemption returning from Laos?  

[Ozman52]

18 hours ago, fhickson said:

How many entering and exiting airline tickets did you have to show when applying for that visa in the USA?

I just did a SETV from KL, with a return ticket 88 days from fly in. No problems. Have also been told of travel agents issuing issuing fake ticket printouts for B100 (I'm assuming they make a booking and then cancel) which embassy/consulates accept as they simply don't have time/resources to check every ticket presented.

[fhickson]

 

2 hours ago, ThaiRebound said:

UJ, just to confirm I understand correctly, you suggest: 

 

1. extend for 30 at UT Immigration

2. cross over and back before that expires (providing and additional 60 days)

3. then extend 30 at UT immigration again (possible if August 27th or so?)

If 3 is not an option, can I safely get 30 day under visa exemption returning from Laos?  

If i were you id simply hop a border every 60 days. Visiting immigration is typically a whole day deal, and you feel drained afterwards.

 

I learned to like the border hop and would even stay the night in a neighboring country and look around.

 

Thats why your here right? Not to save 1000 baht.

 

Dont do the mini van thing where they rush you through though. Slow independent travel using bus or train is the way to go.

Edited May 19, 2019 by fhickson

[ThaiRebound]

6 minutes ago, fhickson said:

 

If i were you id simply hop a border every 60 days. Visiting immigration is typically a whole day deal, and you feel drained afterwards.

 

I learned to like the border hop and would even stay the night in a neighboring country and look around.

 

Thats why your here right? Not to save 1000 baht.

 

Dont do the mini van thing where they rush you through though. Slow independent travel using bus or train is the way to go.

It's 10 minutes to do. Crossing the border is expensive, time consuming, and stressful. This kind of fun is like pulling glass out of your foot. 

[edwardandtubs]

15 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

He mentioned Udon Thani immigration in the OP. Not exactly a very busy office.

It also means he would be doing the border hop at Nong Khai to Laos. The VOA for Laos and transport to there could easily exceed 1900 baht.

200 baht each way for the van direct to the border + 35 dollars for the visa is considerably less than 1900 baht and gets you 2 months instead of one. Wouldn't take long and not at all stressful. I imagine that's why he was recommended to do it that way.

[ubonjoe]

12 hours ago, ThaiRebound said:

UJ, just to confirm I understand correctly, you suggest: 

 

1. extend for 30 at UT Immigration

2. cross over and back before that expires (providing and additional 60 days)

3. then extend 30 at UT immigration again (possible if August 27th or so?)

If 3 is not an option, can I safely get 30 day under visa exemption returning from Laos?  

1, 2, and 3 yes. No problem for 3.

If you leave and re-enter the country prior to September 24th if that is is date you visa expires you can get another 60 days and a 30 day extension of it.

[tingtongtourist]

If you are thinking about which option to do, you might consider:

 

option A

2 month + extension 

border run 

2 month + extension

border run (just before visa expiry then back in for another three months

 

option B

3 Border runs (just before each 2 month entry expires)  

 

for me its option A

only because of one less border run i have to do.

which are expensive,

extra space taken on passport from other country visa, 

time consuming,

stress with dealing with IMMs and scammers at the border and a hassle to travel to and from consulate.

 

the vans are convenient but more expensive.

cramped up in a tiny seat many hours.

the drivers can be maniacs 

and you can be seated next to some D'head farang chewing on your ear for hours!

all up, not much fun!

 

also i did tend to loose more days doing B method because cant always leave 1 day before visa expires due to the calender fall and other issues. 

 

but of course if you staying very close to a border the issues might be different

 

 

[ThaiRebound]

UJ, thank you, heaps!

TTT, everything you said. Can't underestimate the psychological toll of those minivan rides, even if I survive.

[fhickson]

15 hours ago, ThaiRebound said:

It's 10 minutes to do. Crossing the border is expensive, time consuming, and stressful. This kind of fun is like pulling glass out of your foot. 

I guess you have your answer then. Do the extensions. What's the problem?

[lagavulin1]

On 5/19/2019 at 9:24 AM, ubonjoe said:

He mentioned Udon Thani immigration in the OP. Not exactly a very busy office.

It also means he would be doing the border hop at Nong Khai to Laos. The VOA for Laos and transport to there could easily exceed 1900 baht.

I've only done one hop at Nong Khai and the Lao visa was USD 30 already. 

[ThaiRebound]

2 hours ago, fhickson said:

I guess you have your answer then. Do the extensions. What's the problem?

UJ cleared it up, thanks

[ThaiRebound]

2 hours ago, lagavulin1 said:

I've only done one hop at Nong Khai and the Lao visa was USD 30 already. 

I think it's $30 plus $1 (rich stupid foreigner tax)

[edwardandtubs]

On 5/20/2019 at 3:57 PM, ThaiRebound said:

I think it's $30 plus $1 (rich stupid foreigner tax)

You pay the $1 extra if you apply outside normal office hours. This has nothing to do with you being rich and stupid.

[jacko45k]

On 5/22/2019 at 1:42 PM, edwardandtubs said:

You pay the $1 extra if you apply outside normal office hours. This has nothing to do with you being rich and stupid.

But it helps.

[ThaiRebound]

On 5/23/2019 at 12:35 AM, jacko45k said:

But it helps.

It's helped me for miles! Just to tag on another question: Can I do the border run (see which below) on Sunday? Should it be before a certain time of day to cross over and cross back?

 

On 5/19/2019 at 9:59 PM, tingtongtourist said:

 

option A

2 month + extension 

border run 

2 month + extension

border run (just before visa expiry then back in for another three months

 

 

[jacko45k]

7 minutes ago, ThaiRebound said:

Can I do the border run (see which below) on Sunday? Should it be before a certain time of day to cross over and cross back?

I hope someone else can respond as I am not sure. I believe bridge at Nong Khai closes at 10pm BUT immigration at 6pm. They open at 7 or 8am so there is your window.

[ubonjoe]

9 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I hope someone else can respond as I am not sure. I believe bridge at Nong Khai closes at 10pm BUT immigration at 6pm. They open at 7 or 8am so there is your window.

Immigration at Nong Khai is open until 10 pm. If the bridge is open they are open. The bridge opens at 6am.

The Lao visa on arrival office does not open until 7 or 8 am though.

[ThaiRebound]

Thanks. And the Laos visa on arrival closes at...?