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Can Canadian expats extend their visa in Thailand through border runs while waiting for a retirement visa?

Visa ExtensionBorder RunsThailand ImmigrationCanadian ExpatsRetirement Visa
Nov 12, 2023
a year ago
Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
We are married Canadians, 60+, Like everyone we got 30 days visa free at the airport, we will extend 30 days at immigration in Hua Hin, then around 60 days, we will leave the country to Cambodia, and return a few days later, I assume we can get another 30 day visa free on our return at the BKK airport, and get a 30 day extension again, and repeat 1 more time, we only want/need 6 months total on this trip, we will apply for a retirement visa next year, will we be OK doing this?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Two Canadian expats, aged 60+, are seeking advice on extending their stay in Thailand after initially arriving with a 30-day visa exemption. They plan to extend their stay in Hua Hin, exit to Cambodia for a few days, and return for additional 30-day exemptions, ultimately hoping to stay for a total of six months before applying for a retirement visa. Responses indicate that their plan is generally acceptable, though they may face scrutiny during re-entry, and some suggest obtaining a tourist visa instead for a longer stay.
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Henrik *****
When going to Thailand for 31 - 60 ( 90 )days, the 60 days touristvisa is the best option.

It is cheaper than visaexcempt + 30 days extension.

No need of a onward ticket ( 90 days 1 onward ), if returnticket within 60 days.

It is easier to apply from the comfort of your home.

thaievisa.go.th

Not wasting holiday time to find, go to and waiting at a immigration office ( 90 you would need that ).

No need to leave Thailand in up to 90 days.
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 I have no idea how to get a 60 day tourist Visa here in Hua Hin, I will check with the immigration office tomorrow and find out if it is possible, I was under the impression I can only get a 30 day extension, not 60
a year ago
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Henrik *****
You need to apply before departure.
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 well then that's not an option, or helpful in my situation
a year ago
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Henrik *****
But helpful to avoid problems in the future.
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ****
 we will get a 1 year retirement visa when we move permanently in 2024
a year ago
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Klee **************
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Brown ********
Yep you'll be fine. Enjoy
a year ago
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Todd *********
Your plan is absolutely fine. Each time you enter visa exempt as a Canadian you will get thirty days. Each of which can be extended for 30 days. Exit fora few days and return for a new visa exempt is fine. If questioned at all (unlikely) simply explain that you are touring thailand and SE Asia for retirement destinations. And before you leave start arrangements for retirement visa. I’m one of the many Canadians retired here
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 this is exactly what I thought, I was just checking to see if any "rules" have changed.
a year ago
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Tim *******
@Klee *************
 Always best to be upfront and not evasive. Plus showing an outbound ticket should help.
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tim ******
 I am always upfront, never evasive, what I want to do is right here out in the open 
a year ago
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Tim *******
@Klee *************
 Good. Some people sabotage themselves by pretending and acting defensive. Was just trying to reassure you to be clear, hence having your outbound ticket ready for the last time you enter on this trip.
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tim ******
 it is easy to buy a onward ticket at onwardtickets.com in a few mins if needed
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tim ******
 no one has ever asked me for an onward ticket in 100’s of trips all over the world, 9 time coming into Thailand, not once, maybe Canadian passport??!
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Tim ******
 he doesn’t have anything to be evasive about. Many people do similar things in Thailand and all perfectly legal. Airport immigration won’t be asking him for an outbound flight.
a year ago
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Tim *******
@Todd ********
 I realize that, but yet some are even when a legitimate explanation would suffice. I'm sure you have heard it happen.
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 never been asked for an onward ticket
a year ago
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Klee **************
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Nigel *********
Maybe
a year ago
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Robin ********
Only supposed to do 90 days . What 1 official says another might differ . Best not to risk getting a black mark on your passport IMO .
a year ago
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Stuart *********
@Robin *******
 I have no idea what you are trying to infer here. Where do you come up with this absolute crap about you’re only allowed to do 90 days?

This type of advice just spurs fear into new travellers to Thailand and is just so way off the mark of what is really allowed.

A traveller to the SE Asian region, with a passport that allows a visa exempt entry is allowed to enter for 30 days, plus an extension for 30 days. They could then “border bounce” to get another free 30 day stamp and extend that once. They’re allowed 2 land border bounces in a calendar year using exempt or technically unlimited via air (until an immigration officer thinks they’re trying to stay long term on short term or no visas). But stating that you’re only allowed 90 days max is just wrong.
a year ago
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Robin ********
@Stuart ********
 giving my view of the laws politely . So watch your manners .
a year ago
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Stuart *********
@Robin *******
 My manners may have been harsh on this one, but your views of the laws are just wrong. Advising people with incorrect information is just the worst kind of information you can give.
a year ago
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Robin ********
@Stuart ********
 From what i've read its 90 days only . Any thing over , like i said before , can be passed by one official but then denied by another .
a year ago
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Stuart *********
@Robin *******
 You need a new reading source. Wherever you’re getting that from is wrong. Period.
a year ago
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Stuart *********
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
 this is exactly what I had been told, and was counting on. Thank you!!!!
a year ago
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Stuart *********
@Klee *************
 You should be perfectly fine doing what you’ve planned for this trip. Immigration are perfectly used to people travelling around the area using Thailand as a base. What they are generally looking for is people that are trying to “buck the system” by using short term visas to stay long term in Thailand or are possibly trying to work here with an incorrect visa.

The fact that you want to enter two times with a visa exempt entry is just not on their radar.
a year ago
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Stuart *********
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Todd *********
@Robin *******
 wrong. There is no
******
rule enforced
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robin *******
 what do you mean 90 days? 2 Visa free entries, and 1 -30 day extension?
a year ago
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Robin ********
@Klee *************
 you say you want to stay for 6 months but thats not supposed to be allowed . So to do more never mind what anybody says is a risk . I'm going 10th december for 90 days , got a 60 day before i travel and will do a visa run for a extra 30 when there . Saves leaving the country .
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robin *******
 so 1 return is OK, and 2 -30 day extensions are OK, but trying to get a 3rd visa free at the airport won't work and I will be denied entry to Thailand? If so I should only count on 120 days total? 2 visa free enteries and 2 -30 day extentions, and forget about pushing it further??
a year ago
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Robin ********
@Klee *************
 90 days only mate . Can enter on a 30 then ( but i'd do a 60 day ) do a visa run for an extra 30 , then would have to do a border run for another 30 . But entering with a 60 day visa means you can do a visa run for an extra 30 ( making a total of 90 days ) and then wouldn't have to do a border run .
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robin *******
 how do I get a 60 day visa in country? Just go to the immigration office?
a year ago
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Klee **************
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Brandon ************
You should be fine on your first trip, but you might be pulled out of line on your 2nd trip and asked why you're trying to live in Thailand without a long term visa. They'll probably still let you in after asking you questions for 45 minutes to an hour though.

You could just find a border bounce agency to drive you to the border and facilitate you getting out and back in without any issues for your 2nd trip.
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 we plan to get the 1 year retirement visa next year and move permanently, this is an exploratory trip for a bit less than 6 months. We are worried we will be denied at the airport, and all of our things will be in our condo in Hua Hin. It sounds like we will be OK the first time, and that will bring us to 120 days, then possibly the second time (not including our first arrival time) we may have issues???
a year ago
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Brown ********
@Klee *************
 you won't have an issue. I just flew in from KL Malaysia on my 3rd 30 day stamp. Since late November last year this is my 9th month in the country. 2 60 day visas, 2 extensions, 2 land border runs and now re entry at don muang this last time. I was sure to be interrogated but the officer didn't even ask to see my exit flight. So you'll be more extremely unlucky to be denied than lucky to be let in. Enjoy your stay
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Klee *************
 It's impossible to say if you will have issues or not. Each entry is at the discretion of the immigration officer you are standing in front of. They may grant you entry without a second look, or they may grill you for an hour. The odds of being denied entry completely will be quite low though. But they know someone who comes without a visa and gets an extension and maximizes 60 days, then leaves and returns soon after and does the same thing, then leaves and returns AGAIN is clearly not a normal tourist and is abusing the "tourist" entries.
a year ago
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Klee **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thank you, we will give it a try, first time should not be an issue, that gives us 120 days, we will chance it the second time I guess
a year ago
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Klee **************
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