Answered9 years ago
Can I do two land border crossings in Thailand within the same calendar year using a visa exemption?
Hello everyone! I have a USA passport and my visa exempt entry will expire on 30 November. Can I do 2 land crossings in this calendar year and get visa exempt entries at Malaysia border as I am in Phuket, for example first land crossing on November 28 November and second on December 26 and then I will have 2 land crossing options in the next calendar year? I want to stay as long as possible and pay least visa fee possible. After this I guess I have to visit Penang Thai embassy for 90 days tourist visa? Any advice from the pros would be highly appreciated! 🙏
Answer summary
A USA passport holder can perform two land border crossings to obtain visa exemptions in one calendar year, but must manage timing carefully. They can cross on November 28 and again on December 26, extending their stay with local immigration services if needed. However, border policies may vary, and it's recommended to check the current regulations at the Malaysian border, as there could be fees or limitations for back-to-back entries. In addition to border runs, the option to obtain a 60-day tourist visa with a potential extension in Penang was also discussed, as it may provide a longer stay without the need for frequent crossings.
31 repliesnewest first
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Reiner *********
Just fly to Penang and get a 60 day tourist visa + extension 30 days may be easier with a propper visa or try the kl multiple 6 month tourist visa ......
Marco *********
Yes true but in Penang he must stay 3 days/3 nights facing lodging and more expenses; tourist visa have a cost of 150 ringgit (around 1,200 baht) if he goes by himself (using an agent costs around 1,800 baht), he must be lucky to be one of the 200 visa Penang Consulate apply per day (otherwise he would lose more days), he must show proof of lodging in Thailand (hotel booking for at least 14 days or a house rental contract) and a flight reservation out of Thailand within 60 days from the visa application day...
Marco *********
My pleasure!
Danny **********
@Marco ********
if only it were permanent! HahaBut cheers for the info on prices, haven't had to get a TR visa for awhile so it's good to know the price
Marco *********
Oh yes, true. for few months, if im not wrong since august 2016 till february 2017, Government cancelled the visa fee on all Tourist visa issued in any thai consulates/embassy around the world.
Danny **********
@Marco ********
not saying you are wrong, just saying prices change without notice here!Marco *********
Now Penang Consulate accept only 200 visa per day and only from 9 to 11am.
They give back passports the day after at 2pm.
If you fly from phuket to penang you must arrive the night before your visa apply day, and stay 3 nights because there are no more flights in the afternoon. In any case, if you have a car and drive back to phuket, at least 2 nights.
Tourist visa fee for tourist visa has always been 150 ringgit (1200 baht), if you add agent fee (can be
They give back passports the day after at 2pm.
If you fly from phuket to penang you must arrive the night before your visa apply day, and stay 3 nights because there are no more flights in the afternoon. In any case, if you have a car and drive back to phuket, at least 2 nights.
Tourist visa fee for tourist visa has always been 150 ringgit (1200 baht), if you add agent fee (can be
*****
ringgit) it becomes *********
baht, and even more because some agent charge 1500 baht instead of 150 ringgit...Danny **********
crazy how quickly things change in that case! I was there a couple nights, no visa fee and paid an agent 350 baht... got it next day. That was about 10 months ago
Danny **********
If you are going to the Malaysian border, it might be worth thinking about going a little further to Penang and getting the 60 tourist visa, can extend a month at immigration within Thailand. 3 months without having to leave the country. Once you get to the border its only a little bit further to Penang and it bags you an extra month.
Danny **********
look into the prices, as
@Marco ********
has mentioned in the comment below, it seems to be more costly than when I was there 10 months ago... things change here with zero notice! Or maybe I just got lucky
Vishal *******
OPThanks a lot, I will surely do that. I just want to know the sequence of visits to maximise my stay here.
Marco *********
Malaysian borders most of times don't give 30 day stamp to back-to-back travellers.
If you are lucky enough to get one (it depends on your passport "story") they would charge 1,000 baht.
Try Ranong (Myanmar border), more friendly and easy to get stamp: you would pay only 500 baht for Myanmar entry fee.
Then, after get your 30 day stamp, you don't need to exit the Country again, but just get a 30 day extension at Phuket Immigration (1,900 baht)
If you are lucky enough to get one (it depends on your passport "story") they would charge 1,000 baht.
Try Ranong (Myanmar border), more friendly and easy to get stamp: you would pay only 500 baht for Myanmar entry fee.
Then, after get your 30 day stamp, you don't need to exit the Country again, but just get a 30 day extension at Phuket Immigration (1,900 baht)
Marco *********
I replied to Tony Osborne who asked me about
By the way, borders run by land are limited at 2 per calendar year, but there is no limit for entries by airplane
*********
.By the way, borders run by land are limited at 2 per calendar year, but there is no limit for entries by airplane
Tony *********
2018 and 2019
2 runs in 1 year only
2 runs in 1 year only
Vishal *******
OP@Marco ********
. You have suggested 4 border runs in total in 2018. January, march, then leaving Thailand in June to get tourist visa and then border run in September and November? Please clarify! 🙏Marco *********
No
Vishal *******
OP@Marco ********
, if I do border run in January and march then am I still eligible for border run in September and November 2018? Thanks for your advice 🙏🙏
Christopher ***********
Brilliant
@Marco ********
!Tony *********
You should be on Master mind.
Hope everyone got that. 11 month's max
Hope everyone got that. 11 month's max
Vishal *******
OP@Tony ********
thank you.i will have to learn how this process works!Marco *********
Techically in this way you can stay 11 months:
June+July 60 day tourist visa
August extension
September 1st border run 2018
October extension
November 2nd border run 2018
December extension
January 1st border run 2019
February extension
March 2nd border run 2019
April extension
June+July 60 day tourist visa
August extension
September 1st border run 2018
October extension
November 2nd border run 2018
December extension
January 1st border run 2019
February extension
March 2nd border run 2019
April extension
Tony *********
So if you work it right you can do two runs in 2018 then two in 2019 with four extension and a visa on arival you could get ten months
Arivaing with a sixty day visa + runs and extension you could get a year and start again ?
Arivaing with a sixty day visa + runs and extension you could get a year and start again ?
Vishal *******
OP@Marco ********
, thanks a lot for your advice. You should be in the business of visa consultancy here in Thailand 😀👍Marco *********
Example:
30 nov: Border run to get new stamp till december 30th.
30 dec: extension of 30 days at Immigration.
30 jan: border run to get new stamp
28 feb: extension at immigration.
29 march: border run (2nd and last allowed for 2018).
27 april: extension at Immigration till 27 may 2018.
30 nov: Border run to get new stamp till december 30th.
30 dec: extension of 30 days at Immigration.
30 jan: border run to get new stamp
28 feb: extension at immigration.
29 march: border run (2nd and last allowed for 2018).
27 april: extension at Immigration till 27 may 2018.
Marco *********
Vishal, yes you are, but you need just one (november 30th or few days before); then, when your stamp is near to get expired, it is enough to get a 30 day extension at local Immigration. You don't need to do another border run.
You can do it next january (get 30 days, extend in Phuket) and next march
You can do it next january (get 30 days, extend in Phuket) and next march
Vishal *******
OP@Marco ********
,am I eligible for 2 land crossings in this calendar year? November 28 and December 26? I have not done any land crossings before.thanks for your advice.Marco *********
Malaysian borders just re-start to give 30 day stamp last week. Till then they did not give (despite of national official rule, by the way). You should get it if your passport doesn't show previous "1 year visa" but be adviced that you would pay an unofficial tip of 1,000 baht if you use Satun border or similar.
Ranong is also closer to Phuket.
In any case, after your stamp at border, you can extend by 30 more days at Phuket Immigration
Ranong is also closer to Phuket.
In any case, after your stamp at border, you can extend by 30 more days at Phuket Immigration
Vishal *******
OPMarco I have clean American passport with no prior entries as this is my first time to Thailand but I want to stay as long as possible with least amount of money and time spend on getting visas! Thanks for your reply.
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