Can I extend my 60-day visa exemption by 30 days and still return to Thailand for another 60 days?

Visa Rules Visa Exemption Tourist Visa Visa Extensions Thai Immigration Non-O Visa Border Runs

Dec 27, 2024

a month ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Two years ago I came to Thailand on a 60 day visa, extended it by 30 days. Left the country and came back with another 60 days visa. Extended that by 30 days. That gave me 180 days and I went back home after that. 

This time I’m told that extending the 60 day visa exemption by 30 days will mean that I won’t be able to leave and come back with another 60 days exemption. 

Is this true? I’m an American (if that matters)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user inquires about the implications of extending a 60-day visa exemption by 30 days in Thailand and whether this affects the ability to obtain another 60-day exemption upon re-entry. Comments clarify that while consecutive use of 60-day exemptions and extensions can raise eyebrows at immigration, extending a 60-day visa exemption does not inherently prevent future entries under the same exemption, although excessive use might lead to additional scrutiny.

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Wannikea *********

So you bought a visa 2 years ago and bought another one last year? You can certainly enter visa exempt without any grief.

a month ago

Hector ********

Just read Greg ODea’s response. That is the definitive answer. IF somebody told you that, they know nothing or you misunderstood.

a month ago

Greg ******

You can get the 60 day stamp after a border bounce and then get a 30 day extension BUT if you start stringing together too many consecutive 60 day exemptions/30 day extensions, you might subsequently be denied entry or counseled to get a long term visa as it would begin to look like you’re more of a resident than a tourist. The exemptions and extensions are intended for tourist stays, not as workarounds for living in Thailand without a long term visa.

a month ago

James ********

@Greg *****

correct ✅

Thai Immigration Officers are becoming more strict on questioning those who have been in Thailand using back to back visa exempt entry plus extensions.

Over 1,000 people at BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok and DMG Don Mueang airport Bangkok were denied entry in the recent week. And returned to their initial flight departure city at travelers expense.

Mostly for multiple uses of the visa exempt entry with extensions.

Suggest you use a land border crossing if you try to get a second visa exempt entry. And use an experienced border run service company to take you with same day return.

They PRE-ARRANGE your exit and reentry to get the New 60 day STAMP as Visa Exempt Entry.

a month ago

Terrence ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg *****

I only spend the winter months here. I string together two visas with extensions and then I’m gone for 6 months.

a month ago

Reply to

Terrence ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok. Good to know. Someone told me that.

a month ago

Katrin *******

@Terrence **********

Someone who? Immigration officer?

a month ago

Terrence ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Katrin ******

no just some know-it-all on another group.

a month ago

Graham ******

@Terrence **********

more like a know-it-not 555

a month ago

Reply to

Graham ******

Wylie *******

False

a month ago

Paul ********

I came aug 9 n.got 60 plus extension..boder.bonumce for 60 and got another exyesion.last week to make time toapply for Ret non O...sothey gave me 170 days plus

a month ago

Tod *********

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗜’𝗺 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟲𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝟯𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝟲𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

And who or where is telling you that if you get a 30 day extension on a free stamp entry you can't get another visa exempt entry?

As in what person or what immigration office is telling you this?

a month ago

Colin *********

@Tod ********

I get the impression that you think there's no problems with back to back visa exempts and extensions and this is from multiple comments you've made recently. Am I right or wrong? If I'm wrong, then so would

@James *******

be with his comment on this post, so is someone wrong, other than perhaps me and my understanding of your comment?

a month ago

James ********

@Colin ********

what I said Is what Tod Daniels says also.

We are in agreement with the fact that living in Thailand with many visa exempt entry or even Tourist Visas with extensions is going to be questioned by Thai Immigration Officers now more than before.

In fact I quote Tod Daniels...on another forum...

"BEFORE the rule change in July that moved free stamp entry from 30 days to 60 days, people WERE able to stay long term bouncing out and back every 60 days and they really weren't given much scrutiny stamping in at the airports.

I believe this last week between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang they denied over 1000 people (many who thought they'd just bounce out/back to milk another 60 day stamp 😮 ) Those people were shipped back out on their dime.. 😕

They have got a LOT harder on "living here on free stamp entries" since that rule change"

a month ago

Reply to

James ********

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Can I get another 60-day tourist visa after extending my visa exemption in Thailand, or do I need to exit to Cambodia?

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