Answered3 years ago
Can I extend my visa exempt stay in Thailand through border bounces?
Hello, can I arrive visa exempt, get a one month extension then do a border bounce and repeat the same two more times for a total of a 6 month stay? Would I run into any issues doing this? Thank you for your help.
Answer summary
The user inquires about the possibility of entering Thailand visa-exempt, obtaining a one-month extension, and utilizing border bounces to stay a total of six months. Responses indicate that while the plan may work, there are risks involved. Frequent border bounces may lead to questioning at immigration, especially if there's a history of back-to-back entries. Alternatives such as obtaining a Tourist visa or factoring in longer stays outside Thailand between entries are suggested to minimize complications.
29 repliesnewest first
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Henrik *****
Much easier and cheaper to go with 60 days tourist visa, with a 30 days extension, then no need to leave Thailand for 90 days.
Merv *******
It's all very well advising people to get a longer Visa before travel but not all of us have full vision or capability to make the online visa application the Embassy requires now .I'm retir,ed and live alone in UK ,could only stay with my Thai partner 75 days till mid Jan as incompetent UK medical insurance firm issued required cover too late for notarisation and submission for oa visa when I had online assistance no longer available.Avoid IMG like the plague.
Marc ********
theoretically yes.
Todd *********
Your plan is perfectly fine. And you won’t encounter issues. You are permitted two land border entries per year. So no problem for your 6 month plan. And if you wish longer, fly out to neighbouring country to get a 60 day tourist visa and fly back in
Jonathan **************************
@Todd ********
One small issue - if you have two back-to-back visa exemptions and extensions in your passport, and then decide to go out and get a visa, you may well be pulled aside at immigration and questioned when you try to re-enter.This happened to me at CNX airport a month ago, even though I already had the visa approved - and I was asked to show my bank balance, onward flight ticket and hotel booking; the same documents I'd already had to show in Kuala Lumpur to get the visa in the first place.
Jonathan **************************
All I'm saying is, if you have back to back visa-exempt stamps, be prepared to be questioned, and have the three proofs.
Todd *********
@Jonathan *************************
true enough… and that’s what all foreigners entering other countries can reasonably anticipate. Especially if your circumstances for tourist or education visa or visa exempt entries start piling up and it becomes apparent that tourism may not be your actual activity. Every country in the world has immigration. And they are just doing their jobsTodd *********
Jonathan Daniel James Handforth I agree. But not sure why people are concerned about being questioned by immigration… it’s their job. I assume you chose entry thru Bangkok?
They did their job, asked for the three proofs, questioned you and predictably let you back in. No problem.
They did their job, asked for the three proofs, questioned you and predictably let you back in. No problem.
Paul ***********
OP@Todd ********
thank you sir.Todd *********
@Paul **********
I can appreciate the consular annoyances also. Your plan involves exit every 60 days, but there are plenty of agencies to assist you with that in Thailand. EnjoyTodd *********
@Paul **********
and guaranteed re-entry stamp. All good. It’s a long day each time, but totally workable and not expensive at allPaul ***********
OP@Todd ********
yes, I already looked into it. 3500 baht for round trip van service, cambodia visa, and assistance through the process. Yes its annoying, yes I have to be there at 5 am, but I'll deal with it.
Bob **********
You can do 2 border bounces by land per calendar year but you can fly why not get a tourist visa before you come that will give you 60+ 30 days
Paul ***********
OP@Bob *********
because although I live within walking distance to the Thai consulate in NYC, they refuse to let me do it in person. Whenever I try using the E visa site I have problems with uploads. I'm not the most savvy guy when it comes to this stuff.Bob **********
@Paul **********
ok come on the 30 day exempt extend then go to Laos and apply for the tourist visa there and spend a couple days you’ll enjoy Laos
Frank **********
@Paul **********
then you need to have someone help you.Frank **********
@Paul **********
believe me I am 68 and I have a hard time understanding why different places like banks and government agencies require. All I can say is Thais love paperwork and their little stamps with ink pads. LolPaul ***********
OP@Frank *********
agreed. It's not so easy to find. I'm retired, and all the peeps I know are dinosaurs like me.i can't understand why they won't accept documents at the consulate!Steve ********
If you're doing back to back with little time out of the country you will almost definitely at the very least be questioned. The alternatives are to get a proper Tourist visa (METV can give you up to nine months), or spend time in another country between each entry. By just trying border bounces immigration will simply assume you're working in the country
Steve ********
@Kenny ******
Depends on your entry patternsSteve ********
@Kenny ******
What stamp? Every foreigner is here on a stamp
Henrik ****
@Kenny ******
, you are surely running out of luck very soon with this extensive travel history of staying in Thailand without a real visa.Steve ********
@Kenny ******
Ok, that's visa exempt. How long have you been in Thailand, and how long have you been here in the last 12 months?
Kenny *******
@Steve *******
just the entry stamp you get when you arrive in Thailand off the plane. Sorry I don't know the proper term, I do appreciate your help hereSteve ********
@Kenny ******
Unless you tell me what stamp I can't advise
To**
@Steve *******
what is METV?Steve ********
@To**
Multi Entry Tourist Visa
Us *****
@Steve *******
listen to Steve. METV gives you up to 9 months. But seriously, just fly out to 2 different places and see SE Asia for a couple of days. Don't do a land border bounce, you're wasting 2 days of your life.
Jo **********
most likely depends on your travel history over the last 3 years to Thailand. do you have an excessive amount of stamps
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