Ask question

Can I extend my stay in Thailand after multiple visits within the same year?

Thai visa rules visa extension visa exempt entry tourist visa U.S. passport holders immigration regulations

April 25, 2018

6 years ago

Lev ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone,

I was in Thailand in January for 10 days and in April for 10 days. I want to go back to Thailand again, but this time I want to live there for 2 months. I plan on coming for 30 days and then extending my visa for 30 more days. 

Does anyone know if that would be possible to do since I have already visited Thailand twice so far this year. I am not really certain exactly what the immigration rules are. It seems like somewhat of a grey area. I read something that you can only enter the country so many times within a year. 

I have a U.S. passport but I live in a small city in China at the moment.

792

views

2

likes

29

all likes

18

replies

2

images

7

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The user inquires about the possibility of returning to Thailand after two previous visits within the same year, aiming to stay for two months by initially entering on a 30-day visa exempt entry and then extending it by another 30 days. Responses indicate there are no specific entry limits for visa exempt stays, suggesting they could successfully extend their stay without issues, especially if they follow required procedures like having proof of onward travel and accommodation.

Joe ***********

Should you choose to - you could first fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - go to the Thai Consulate there and get a 60 day tourist visa which can be Extended 30 days at Thai Immigration inside Thailand. Or even stop first in Hong Kong.

Like

Reply

Squid ****

No limit, if you are in and out a bit

Make sure to have cash, hotel booking, and plane ticket out of Thailand.

Like

Reply

Squid ****

No limit for air and visa entries - Land entries have a 2 per 12 month period max.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Squid ****

Reply

Tod *********

You shouldn't have any problem comin' in on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp and getting a 30 day extension at the immigration office here for 1900baht.

There is no official limit to visa exempt entries coming in by air. And the people they do target at passport control are people living here on back to back visa exempt or tourist visa stamps. Your entry history doesn't reflect that at all. You will be fine

Like

Reply

Tod *********

@Stephen *********

There are definite financial requirements for the 6 month METV and most consulates also have a residency requirement <- meaning you need to live legally in the country where you're applying for the visa. This makes most people have to go back to their country of passport origin to get an METV. The only consulates that don't have the residency requirement are the ones in Australia but they still have the financial requirements.

Like

Reply

Stephen **********

. Thank you for the clarification. I think it was 2012 I started having problems at immigration at Phuket airport and the immigration office in Patong have given mixed messages also. Are you able to confirm the requirements for multiple entry tv? When double/triple entry tv was replaced by metv I, along with everyone else applying, failed to meet the 6 months bank statement requirement. I opted for setv and modified my travel plans to comply.

Like

Reply

Tod *********

The 90 days total on visa exempt entries in 180 days went away November 28, 2008 when police order

********

went into effect. That is also when 15 days at the border went started.

Here's the old and the new rule about it side by side.

Like

Reply

Tod *********

, and I am stating that despite what is on the website (run by the ministry of foreign affairs NOT the immigration division) there is no official rule about how many visa exempt entries you can have by air in a period of time. There was an old rule that said you could have no more than 90 days worth of visa exempt entries in a 6 month period of time but that was rescinded a long time ago.

They just don't want people to live here and possibly work here illegally on 30 day visa exempt entries so they question people to make sure you're a real tourist.

Like

Reply

Richard *******

@Stephen *********

It is still on their website. But I have yet to hear of anyone knocked back on visa exempt at the airport because they have done it too many times.

Like

Reply

Stephen **********

I play buy their rules but have twice been blocked by the immigration computer system and was told only 3 entries in 12 months following a change in the law a few years back. On this trip...I left yesterday...I brought the current embassy document with me in case of any problems but it was ok. But that was on the website in January.

Like

Reply

Tod *********

Stephen Marshall that is not accurate, except for the two 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a year

Like

Reply

Stephen **********

.....the embassy in London says visa exempt entries are limited??

Like

Reply

Tod *********

Ian, In bangkok you use the main immigration office out at the Chaengwattana government complex

Like

Reply

Lev ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

wow your friend did it for a long time

Like

Reply

Karl ******************

@Lev **********

one of my "friends" made it for 3 years on back to back tourist visas before they Red stamped her and sent her home, I also know I guy that's on his 7 consecutive non O ED (one year single entry, 90 day stamp at immigration) even tho the agents say you can't do it for more than 3 years. Everything is possible in the land of smiles.

Like

Reply

Lev ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks!!

Like

Reply

Tod *********

Nope, no idea what makes them target certain people and not others. I know people who have been living here for years on back-2-back tourist visas or visa exempt entries and who have never been questioned at all when stamping into the country AND I know people who were questioned on their 4th visa exempt entry stamp.

As other people suggested make sure you have the 20K baht proof of funds and onward travel in 30 days if you're comin' in on a visa exempt entry just in case you're asked at passport control.

Like

Reply

Lev ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for your helpful response Tod. Do you know how long these people live in Thailand that get targeted? I might want to stay for longer...say about 6 months.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Lev ***********

Reply

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

Will I face issues returning to Thailand after multiple short stays with visa exempt entries?

24 comments

a month ago

Do I need a visa to visit Thailand after multiple trips this year?

3 comments

2 months ago

Can I use multiple passports to extend my stay in Thailand beyond the visa exemption limits?

64 comments

2 months ago

Is there a limit on how many times I can enter Thailand on a visa exemption as a U.S. citizen?

6 comments

2 months ago

When can I return to Thailand on a visa exemption or apply for a 60-day tourist visa after multiple entries?

9 comments

3 months ago

Is there a limit on the number of Visa Exempt 30-day entries into Thailand within a calendar year?

10 comments

4 months ago

Can I visit Thailand again under the visa exemption scheme if I've already done so twice this year?

6 comments

5 months ago

Can I re-enter Thailand for another 30 days after a visa-exempt stay and extend it for an additional 30 days?

10 comments

9 months ago

How many times a year can I receive a '30-day visa exemption' in Thailand?

29 comments

a year ago

Can I enter Thailand again on visa-exempt status after multiple entries and extensions?

22 comments

a year ago

Is it possible to return to Thailand for a third time after two previous visits this year?

10 comments

a year ago

Can I extend my visa-exempt stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days with multiple trips?

19 comments

a year ago

Can I enter Thailand multiple times without a visa, and what should I be aware of?

21 comments

2 years ago

Can I return to Thailand for another 30-day visa exemption after leaving for one month?

3 comments

2 years ago

Is it possible to re-enter Thailand with a visa exemption after a lengthy stay?

58 comments

3 years ago

Can I re-enter Thailand multiple times on a 30-day visa exempt and extensions?

14 comments

3 years ago

Can I Get a 30-Day Tourist Visa on Arrival After Multiple Entries to Thailand?

5 comments

5 years ago

How often can I re-enter Thailand to obtain a 30-day visa exemption, and what are my options for staying longer?

6 comments

5 years ago

What are the visa restrictions for entering Thailand more than two times within a year?

0 comments

6 years ago

Can I return to Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption after going to Bali?

0 comments

6 years ago

How many times can I enter Thailand on a Visa Exempt Entry in one year?

7 comments

6 years ago

What are the limits on visa-exempt entries to Thailand for Canadians?

7 comments

6 years ago

Can I use my Tourist visa and Visa Exempt Stamp for multiple entries into Thailand?

6 comments

6 years ago

When can I apply for a new 30-day tourist visa or visa-exempt entry in Thailand?

3 comments

7 years ago

Will repeatedly using visa exempt entries and 30-day extensions lead to problems with Thai immigration?

6 comments

a month ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.