Answered12 days ago
Can I enter Thailand for a third time this year without a visa?
Third trip to Thailand this year – visa question
I’ve been traveling to Thailand regularly since 2007, usually 3–4 times a year, staying for around two weeks each time.
I’ve already visited twice this year, in February and June, and I’ve now booked my third trip. I’m leaving in 10 days for a 14-day holiday.
I’ve recently read that Thailand now limit visa-free entries to twice per year.
I know I should have checked the rules more carefully before booking, but since I’ve never stayed longer than 15 days, I didn’t think the various changes would affect me.
I was aware of the changes to the visa-free stay from 60 days back to 30 days, but I completely missed the information about a possible limit of two entries per year.
According to the Thai embassy’s website, getting an e-Visa can take 14–30 days, so I’m worried I won’t have enough time before departure.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Were you able to enter Thailand for a third time in the same year without a visa, or is it possible to get one on arrival at the airport?
I’d really appreciate hearing about any recent experiences or advice.
Thanks in advance!
I’ve been traveling to Thailand regularly since 2007, usually 3–4 times a year, staying for around two weeks each time.
I’ve already visited twice this year, in February and June, and I’ve now booked my third trip. I’m leaving in 10 days for a 14-day holiday.
I’ve recently read that Thailand now limit visa-free entries to twice per year.
I know I should have checked the rules more carefully before booking, but since I’ve never stayed longer than 15 days, I didn’t think the various changes would affect me.
I was aware of the changes to the visa-free stay from 60 days back to 30 days, but I completely missed the information about a possible limit of two entries per year.
According to the Thai embassy’s website, getting an e-Visa can take 14–30 days, so I’m worried I won’t have enough time before departure.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Were you able to enter Thailand for a third time in the same year without a visa, or is it possible to get one on arrival at the airport?
I’d really appreciate hearing about any recent experiences or advice.
Thanks in advance!
Answer summary
The user is seeking advice on whether they can enter Thailand for a third time this year without a visa, following recent changes to visa policies. They have read about a limit of two visa-free entries per year but are unclear if this applies to air entries. Responses indicate that the limit primarily affects land entries, and many users report successfully entering Thailand multiple times within a year without issues.
45 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Craig ********
Also, remember if you have been before and you are visa exempt from one of the 33 allowed countries, you can use the egates
Craig ********
They are looking for a pattern. Does it look like you are trying to stay on tourist visas. Are you returning to your home country, or a third party country. Its not the number of entries, it is the pattern of stay. I have been 5 times already this year, and go again in December. All on visa exempt and about 14 days average. Before anyone says.. but the rules have changed, visit 5 was in September after the crack down on border runs and the reinforced 2 land crossings a year.
Krazye******
I wouldn't worry. As long as you didn't spend more than 90 days in total in the country they will not make any problems when you try to enter again
Markus ********
It's just pot luck now what immigration officer you get at the airport if rhey want to check you.but with the new egates you probably will just go through
Greg ***********
There is a limit of two visa-exempt entries across a land border within a 1-year period. However there is no such limit for entries via air. You can theoretically do 6 visa-exempt entries via air, within a 1-year period if each stay is no longer than 14 days and you always can show the famous three proofs (cash, accomodation, onward travel). Your travel pattern shows that you are a "real" tourist, not someone who tries to live in Thailand long-term
Malcolm *******
You are a welcome tourist , not someone trying live in Thailand on tourist visa's . You will have no problem at all .
John **********
There's no defined limit for entry by air, land or sea entry is capped at a maximum of 2 per annum, but every entry is at the discretion of the immigration officer you will stand in front of. For short entries such as yours of 2 weeks at a time there should be no problem, particularly if you have returned home in the interim
Joan **********
@John *********
Earlier this year, I spent 60 days in Thailand and fell in love with a Thai man. I then did a visa run with an agent and stayed another seven weeks before returning to my home country for about two months.I returned to Thailand, spent nine days in Bangkok while we arranged my partner’s passport, and then we travelled to Vietnam together for a month to spend more time together. When we returned to Thailand, I received another 60-day stamp because the new rules were not yet in effect. I stayed only 45 days before returning home.
Now I’m planning to apply for a 60-day tourist visa (TR). My flight is on 28 December, as I’ve always dreamed of celebrating New Year in Thailand. I also want to spend time with my partner and enjoy my holiday.
I haven’t applied yet, but I’m already nervous about whether my visa will be approved.
By the way, just out of curiosity, where do you get all this information from? 😊
John **********
@Joan *********
if I've calculated correctly you've already spent 163 days in Thailand this year without looking back 12 to 18 months as immigration tends to do. You might be lucky but in my view you are a prime candidate for at least being questioned by immigration. Make sure you have accommodation booked, or a letter of invitation from your friend with his Thai ID and house book, 20k baht or equivalent in cash and a ticket out. That makes it much more difficult for them to deny entryJohn **********
@Joan *********
someone who's spent as much time as you in Thailand is not viewed as a tourist, whatever you might think. 180 days in a calendar year actually makes you a tax resident for that year.John **********
@Joan *********
no I wouldn't. That would simply confirm the purpose of your visit isn't tourism
Nick *********
if your passport shows proof you only stayed a short time each visit, and you have a return ticket, you should be fine
Steve ********
There's a lot of misinformation about this. The limit is only for land arrivals. As long as you're going by plane, you're within the rules.
BTW, it speaks volumes about what a shambles the rules/messaging are: you should be exactly the sort of tourist they want (repeat visitor, obviously not living in Thailand), but they're making you think about rationing your visits.
BTW, it speaks volumes about what a shambles the rules/messaging are: you should be exactly the sort of tourist they want (repeat visitor, obviously not living in Thailand), but they're making you think about rationing your visits.
Rud **********
Happy Holidays > you have no problems.. just have your 20 k bath in your pocket and do your TDAC within 72 hours of arrival.. 🙏🏻
Nick *********
@Rud *********
he will need a fecking big pocket to have 20,000 baths in it. It will be much better for him if he brings 20,000 BAHTRud **********
Nick Exclubz And everyone understood ,but you just had to say it .. Your mom must be very proud of you 😵💫
Rud **********
Brunski BM .
The Thai government's July 2026 clarification says travellers may be asked to show:
Thai baht in cash;
an equivalent amount in another currency; or
documents evidencing payment of an equivalent amount.
It does not guarantee that a bank card, mobile banking app or ordinary bank statement will be accepted instead of cash. Therefore, carrying cash is the safest option.
These rules was implemented in the immigration law of 1979-80 ..
Checks haven’t been a priority in the past. However, the frequency of checks has increased in 2026, due to all the changes made with the aim of filtering out tourists they don’t want entering the country. So, feel free to challenge the system if you like, but please refrain from advising people to ignore the requirements that are actually in place. And past experiences don’t count; Thai immigration has changed its policy and has become much stricter.
The Thai government's July 2026 clarification says travellers may be asked to show:
Thai baht in cash;
an equivalent amount in another currency; or
documents evidencing payment of an equivalent amount.
It does not guarantee that a bank card, mobile banking app or ordinary bank statement will be accepted instead of cash. Therefore, carrying cash is the safest option.
These rules was implemented in the immigration law of 1979-80 ..
Checks haven’t been a priority in the past. However, the frequency of checks has increased in 2026, due to all the changes made with the aim of filtering out tourists they don’t want entering the country. So, feel free to challenge the system if you like, but please refrain from advising people to ignore the requirements that are actually in place. And past experiences don’t count; Thai immigration has changed its policy and has become much stricter.
Brunski ****
@Rud *********
and the bottom line is you don't need to have 20,000 baht in your pocket at all.
Colin *******
Land entry are limited to 2 a year, I am on my 4th tourist visa for 2026 and this last one was by land the other 3 by air.The immigration officer told me the next visa will be from an embassy not visa exemption.
John *********
Colin Crane get a proper online visa, you have been warned no more exemption stamps, obey the rules and enjoy Thailand remember Thai immigration are all powerful, you never want to fall on the wrong side of them, once you have a marker you will have problems
Colin *******
John Hampton Thx John, I am working on getting a retirement visa now, ihave a meeting with an agent next week
Anthony **********
The Thai embassy and consulates in Australia are now advising that only two visa free entries a year are now permitted . Yes , I realise that the embassies and immigration are run by different government departments and they don't always play well together , but this is the written advice that they have issued.
I have applied for a visa for my next trip , having been there 3 times in the last 12 months already.
I have applied for a visa for my next trip , having been there 3 times in the last 12 months already.
Greg ***********
Anthony Mcdonald not true. There is a limit of two visa-exempt entries across a land border within a 1-year period. However there is no such limit for entries via a flight. You can theoretically do 6 visa-exempt entries via air, within a 1-year period if each stay is no longer than 14 days and you always can show the famous three proofs (cash, accomodation, onward travel)
Joan **********
Greg Alexander The same restriction applies to citizens of certain other countries, not just Australia. Visa-exempt entries are limited to a maximum of two per year, regardless of whether you enter Thailand by air, land or sea. This also applies to citizens of Finland and Estonia, for example.
Anthony **********
Greg Alexander I am only repeating the written advice from the Thai embassy in Canberra. It is also the official advice from the Australian government safe traveller website. It may or may not be enforced , the Thai departments of foreign affairs and immigration do not always play well together and are controlled by different factions of the governing coalition.
I hope that the advice is wrong , but it is what it is .
I hope that the advice is wrong , but it is what it is .
Laurie **********
you'ii be fine,They are really after those people who are long stayers without appropriate visas
Gary ******
Who knows 🤷♂️, it Thailand , what is said today , will be different tomorrow
Motivate*********
2 limit boarder run
Greg ***********
MotivatedFrog4797 not true. There is a limit of two visa-exempt entries across a land border within a 1-year period. However there is no such limit for entries via a flight. You can theoretically do 10 visa-exempt entries within a 1-year period if each stay is no longer than 14 days and you always can show the famous three proofs (cash, accomodation, onward travel)
Motivate*********
Greg Alexander air 10 time
Richard *******
Good question mate .
I was similarly concerned
I was similarly concerned
Marcel **********
I always go 3 times a year. April 2 weeks, July 4 weeks and December 3 weeks. Never had any problems.
Ronny *********
Marcel Adriaans You can go so many times that you want (land crossings limited 2 a year), but from the moment you reach 150 days in the 18 months they will look closer to your travel history and that could limit your staying or even refuse to entert Mostly they want to limit your stay till 180 days par year and if you want to come longer you need to apply for the right Visa
Ralph *******
Ronny Liekens Where did you get the 150 days in 18 months rule from? I’ve never read of that before.
Greg ***********
Ronny Liekens your wires are crossed. The increased scrutiny starts up from 150 days within a 1-year period, not within 18 months
Ronny *********
Ralph Tyson The reason is that they do not want to you to stay more than 180 days in Thailand without a proper visa so 150 days plus the new days you want to enter could be more than 180 • No Official Hard Cap: There is no strict written law setting an exact mathematical cutoff at 150 days, giving individual immigration officers discretion at the border. And most will apply it
• Targeting Visa-Runners: The policy cracks down on people who leave Thailand briefly (visa runs) and return immediately on repeated tourist or visa-exempt entries to live in the country long-term without proper residency or long-term visas.
• Increased Scrutiny: Reaching or exceeding 150 days means officers may closely inspect your travel history, accommodation, proof of funds, return tickets, and the true purpose of your visit
• Targeting Visa-Runners: The policy cracks down on people who leave Thailand briefly (visa runs) and return immediately on repeated tourist or visa-exempt entries to live in the country long-term without proper residency or long-term visas.
• Increased Scrutiny: Reaching or exceeding 150 days means officers may closely inspect your travel history, accommodation, proof of funds, return tickets, and the true purpose of your visit
Marcel **********
Ronny Liekens never had a problem
Itellth********
There is no such rule by air, only from land entry, enjoy your trip. The recent ruling was actually the default a few years ago. it just reverted back to that, which was never meant for air entry.
Lee **********
Itellthetruth33 that’s wrong l pulled a few months ago and the guy said 4 visits it was my fifth but after an interview and proving stuff he let me in and got passport stamped , i’ve just made a visa awaiting it in uk as , l seen a post by government now 3 visits in a year under visa free
Alan **********
Lee Harrison OK, so you got pulled aside and questioned at your FIFTH entry. Were they all visa-exempt ? All via air ?
You say you seen(sic) "a post by government now 3 visits in a year under visa free". Any chance you have a link to that, or you remember where you saw it ?
TIA
You say you seen(sic) "a post by government now 3 visits in a year under visa free". Any chance you have a link to that, or you remember where you saw it ?
TIA
Darren *******
Lee Harrison I've entered 7 or 8 times this year, all by air, no issues at all. If you're a genuine tourist and not trying to live there under visa exemptions or tourist visas then no issues.
Itellth********
Lee Harrison Reread my comment. Everything is there. There is no such thing. Having no limit does not guaranteed entry. if they suspect that you are abusing the system (not a real tourist)' they can denied you. OP is never gonna get suspected with his history of being in Thailand very few days per year.
Lee **********
Itellthetruth33 you are wrong there is a limit on entry’s is why l was pulled !! they are changing the rules the officer who interviewed me told me !!! fact plus its been on enough of there own statements at late !!! l have had no problem for 26 years either, but im going back again in a week or so is why l have bought a visa !! because he said that would be in my interest!! he even agreed was stupid and they need to stop changing rules !! they hate it themselves
Breathtaking*************
OPItellthetruth33 thank you 🙏
Richard Alsop
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