Can I extend my visa exemption by traveling to Malaysia for 24 hours?

Aug 23, 2024
3 months ago
Alex ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My visa exemption extension is going to run out on the 1st September. Am I right in thinking if I fly to Malaysia before then and come back I will receive a new 60 day stamp?

Also, can I just come back the next day from Malaysia? Like a 24 hour trip.

Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquired about extending their visa exemption by leaving Thailand for Malaysia and returning the next day to receive a new 60-day stamp. Comments suggest potential issues with doing this too frequently, highlighting the importance of having a legitimate backstory for travel and recommending obtaining a 30-day extension at the immigration office instead. Some users advised using land border runs rather than air travel to avoid suspicion from immigration officials.
Biff *******
If this visit is a ‘stand alone’ visit, ie you haven’t been doing back to back visa exempt, in and outs, you should be ok flying in and out to somewhere like KL same day or one nighting in KL but I’d have a flight back to my home country within the 60 days you’ll be expecting in my back pocket in case you’re questioned by immigration when you come back.

If you have been in and out back to back a couple of times, or a few times, definitely use a visa service for a land border bounce.
Wolf ******
Keep in mind the 60 day-exemption is a tourist exemption.

You want to live in Thailand, maybe consider an other option; immigration officer think like this.
Pa***
Just do a border run. You will received 2 months stamp aswell :)
Tod *********
The real question is; Did you already get the one 30 day extension you can get at the immigration office for 1900baht on this current visa exempt entry stamp?

If you didn't and your objective is to stay IN thailand, take the 30 day extension before you decide to bounce out and back

AND

just a word of advice use a service and bounce out and back by LAND rather than fly out and back (especially just being out a day or two)

You sure ain't fooling the officers at passport control at the airport when you fly back in. They'll know you did it just to get a new free 60 day entry stamp
Johannes *****
@Tod ********
really? When I did my first Visa run in 2016 I fly out in the morning from HKT to KL and arrive in the afternoon at BKK. No problems …
Tod *********
@Johannes ****
you noticed this isn't 2016 right? 😉 the days of those types of border bounces went the way of the dinosaur, people ARE getting pulled aside trying same day (even next day) bouncing out and back by air AND people are getting denied entry and shipped back out of thailand on their dime too..

The scrutiny has gotten worse now that it's 60 day free entry
Alex ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
yeah I already got the extension.

How long would I need to stay in Malaysia to avoid pissing off the immigration officers realistically?

This is my first ever time doing a border hop. First time in Thailand.
Tod *********
@Alex **********
There is no "how long would I have to stay out" rule, if they think you're trying to milk free stamp entries they can pull you aside and question you entering by air

I would contact a service where you're located and bounce by LAND with them, they already set it up so you can get out and back the same day without any issue.

That's why I said use a service 🙂
Alex ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
the visa run site is saying we're required to spend 2 nights in Laos now though. Is there any alternative that's faster?
Tim *****
@Alex **********
where are you? Cambodia is easy. Stay 1 night and come back.

But you can only walk over the border and get a visa exemption tourist visa 2 times per year…
Graham ******
@Alex **********
that's a Visa Run not a border bounce
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