@Sharon ******

😅😂 for 7 days on an Australian passport the odds of this being asked for proof is 0.3

But sure go off 😅😂

@Sharon ******

not quite? Lol how so

Australians can visit for 60 days without a visa.

That's all you really need to know.

@Monisha ****************

just make sure to get the old one back & bring both!

**Definitely show both to the immig. Officer when you enter - he does nottt want a tourist exempt stamp in the new passport or that will be a whole new debacle to deal with!

@Ellie ******

do you mean we can now only report online up to a week before the due date but within a week (or less) before the due date we have to do it in-person?

That's strange but thanks for saying - I hadnt heard that!

@Ellie ******

yes thanks I'm aware they're asking about the initial visa not the extension

But what I said was just pertaining to the bank account as they'd asked about it being in their name or not

Your info was accurate and detailed for the initial visa part but inevitably they'll also be wanting the year extension which, if some are unaware of the bank situation, may wait or delay getting the bank account and not reach the 2 months 'seasoning' in time

**edit** oh really? Didn't know the op also needs the account before the initial non-o....? Can't that be from a foreign bank account though? Not necessarily a Thai account...?

As per the bank account: it should be a Thai bank account and in the foreigners' own name ...

Generally speaking, after he gets the initial 90 day visa, you and him can go to a bank and open an account (it usually can't be done on a tourist stamp but a longterm visa stamp will work) -- if doing the money in the bank route (which seems maybe the only option for US citizens) do this step within the first few weeks of obtaining the non-o stamp, to ensure it meets the 2 months "seasoning" time prior to applying for the 1 year extension

Can I ask what document(s) it was that your employer couldn't get?

I'm about to go through this and it might be worthwhile to know

I have input on this because a.) I was just living in hatyai and b.) I've also recently entered on a few visa exemptions after 5 years on a non-b + yearly extensions for work

1st off: Hatyai is NOT a major airport and they *likely* won't ask you for anything if it's your first time using an exemption. I'm on my 3rd back to back visa-exempt entry since Feb. and just flew into hatyai Monday (barely spent 12 hrs in malaysia) and all he said was "next time you should get a visa" [which I will be getting a new non-b so that's not a problem]

2ndly, related... they're looking for people who are overusing visa exemptions and tourist visas, sometimes even an Ed visa in order to stay here [and the presumption is work too] which is not okay and illegal. You're not one of those people at all :)

Coming back after a decent legal stay for work as a tourist is completely normal and not a red flag at all. Don't worry :) you have a legitimate reason. If they ask anything you can honestly say 'I've finished working and I'm here for 30-60 days before I go home"

That's completely okay and nothing that will flag the immigration officer as suspicious!

@Ade *****

because airport immigration are known for questioning Ed visa holders more stringently (because Ed visa holders really "shouldn't" be traveling around if they're here specifically to study) -- at least I think this is the reason