Can a US citizen be denied a visa exemption stamp for entering Thailand more than twice in one year?

Jul 21, 2021
3 years ago
Nathan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello All,

I am a US citizen married to a Thai woman. I have been visiting with the visa exemption stamp.

The embassy website says that the US visa exemption stamp is only granted to a person twice per year. I'm currently already here on my 2nd exemption visa stamp issued this year.

My question is, has anyone here ever been denied for asking for the visa exemption stamp more than twice in one year? I will be heading home in the near future but, returning again after a few weeks.

I believe I can apply for a visa based on marriage but the exemption stamp is pretty convenient and free.

Thanks in advance for the input!
962
views
0
likes
22
all likes
10
replies
0
images
5
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
A US citizen married to a Thai woman inquired about the possibility of being denied a visa exemption stamp after using the exemption twice in a calendar year. Community responses clarified that, historically, individuals can obtain two visa exempt entries by land or unlimited by air, provided it's not deemed as abuse by immigration officials. It was pointed out that previously, travelers faced minimal issues with multiple entries, especially with outbound tickets, and no recent denials have been reported since COVID-19 policies have relaxed. However, the advice emphasized researching the appropriate visa, such as a multiple entry Non-O visa based on marriage, to ensure long-term access without complications.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Benjamin ******
I'm shutting this down:

1. NEVER Trust what a foreigner embassy says about Thailand immigration policies. The foreign embassy has no motivation to verify the information as correct.

2. A person from a visa exempt country can have TWO visa exempt stamps, by land, in a calendar year.

3. A person from a visa exempt country can have UNLIMITED visa exempt stamps, by air, in a calendar year, as long as the immigration officer does not believe the visa exempt system is being abused.

4. IF an immigration officer believes the visa exempt stamp is being abused, they will reject the entry, and a person will go to the Immigration Detention Center until they can get another flight out of Thailand. However, there has been NO reports of any rejections since the airports reopened to international travel.

5. The groups advice is to always get the right visa for your needs. If you are married to a Thai national, and you are frequently traveling in and out of the country, get a one year multiple entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai national. It's only 5K THB in local currency, and it'll give you a peace of mind that you won't be rejected at the airport.

Thank you
Matti *********
Pre-covid used to have 20 to 30 visa exempt entries a year when working outside. Never any issues.
Nathan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Matti *********
@Nathan ********
I guess the thing was that each stay was only few days or two weeks the most. So they see that I was not abusing the system to stay long periods.
Cole ***********
If you have an outbound ticket then you should be OK. I used to visit 8-10 times a year. Rarely for more than a week and always with a return ticket.
Nathan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cole **********
Thank you! That's makes me feel a bit better.
Tod *********
the OLD rule was you could get two visa exempt entries per year entering by LAND, and there was no real official limit based on entering by air.

Given the current covid shit show going on along with the fact that land borders are closed AND the more stringent entry requirements I don't think you're gonna have any issues entering by air with a visa exempt entry for the foreseeable future

AND

if when you were stamping in you got grief, the next time you could get a tourist visa from the thai consulate in the US before you came again
Nathan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
thank you!
Benjamin ******
>The embassy website says that the US visa exemption stamp is only granted to a person twice per year.

First rule to remember about visiting Thailand is never, ever, trust the information that's posted on your country's embassy website. They are always the last to know about changes, and they have no obligation to keep the information updated.

>My question is, has anyone here ever been denied for asking for the visa exemption stamp more than twice in one year?

IN PRE-COVID-19 days, a person is allowed TWO visa exempts by land in a calendar year, and "unlimited" visa exempts by air, until the immigration officer believes the unlimited visa exempts are being abused. Since COVID-19 happened, I have not heard of ANYONE being denied entry on a visa exempt yet.

>I believe I can apply for a visa based on marriage but the exemption stamp is pretty convenient and free.

It sounds like you're one of these people who work overseas, and visits Thailand once or twice a month. I highly recommend contacting your nearest Thai embassy and seeing if they sell a multiple entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai national. This visa is valid for a year, and on each entry allows a person to stay for 90 days (so if timed correctly, you may be able to stay as much as 15 months or more). There has been no rejections on people entering multiple entry visas based on marriage to Thai nationals.
Nathan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
Thank you so much! Your assumption of my situation is correct. I always enter by air so, seems this should be a non issue.

Appreciate the thorough response!
Thai Visa Advice
... members ยท 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice