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Answered8 months ago

Can I get a 30-day extension on my Thai entry given my visa history?

Marx *******
asked Mar 7, 2026
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Hello everyone, would need a word of advice here concerning a possible 30 days extension. Here are all my recent trips to Thailand:

- February 2024 to May 2024 = 60 days on arrival + 30 days extension without issues + 30 days thanks to visa run

- August 2025 to October 2025 = 60 days on arrival + 30 days extension without issues

- January 2026 to March 2025 = 60 days on arrival... hoping to get a 30 day extension

Do you think they could refuse the 30 days extension this time? Thanks
Answer summary
The post asks for advice on the possibility of obtaining a 30-day extension on a visa after a series of visits to Thailand. The comments provide various insights into current immigration practices, noting that extensions are subject to the discretion of immigration officers based on an individual's travel history. Users discuss the ambiguity of immigration policies and the potential for different outcomes based on one’s visa-exempt entry usage. Some suggest that a 7-day extension is more likely in this context, while others emphasize the need for documented proof of genuine tourism.
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Michael *******
Michael *******
You might struggle January 26 - March 25 going back in time
Marx *******
Marx *******
OP
Well it's actually 25 months, first entry was on February 2024, and now it's March 2026. 8 months out of 25 months. Not that it's better for my situation but let's see. Thanks for the feedback
Michael *******
Michael *******
Marx Grout I think you will be fine,
Marx *******
Marx *******
OP
I guess i ll have to try, thanks a lot boss for taking the time
John *********
John *********
They very likely will refuse. You will have been in Kingdom 9 months out of 14. Sounds like you're trying to live here.
Wannikea *********
Wannikea *********
It's a coin toss and up to the IO. It's been 4 months since you've been here, You haven't been doing back-to-back visa exempt entries, if you went back to your own country before you recently came it would kind of look in your favor.
GrayPom*******
GrayPom*******
Visit another country and have Vip assistance upon arrival. This was what we did last month
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
There are no new "visa rules" and there is no new law.

There is no “reset” when a new calendar year begins.

There is no limit of two visa-exemptions within a 1-year period, and definitely not within a calendar. This is simply not true.

What has changed, mandated from above, is the strict scrutinizing of your number of visa-exempt entries and the thorough check on "visa runners" (actually they meant to say "back-to-back border runners").The new approach taken by border officials is intended to ensure that the option to do a "visa run" is not abused.

Now as far as regarding extensions on visa-exempt entries, it does appear that the Immigration offices are indeed only issuing 7-day extensions if you already got one previous 30-day extension on any visa exempt entry. The count is 60 + 30 + 60 + 7 = 157 days maximum within a 1-year period, regardless of whether you arrive by air or land.

This is not standardized. The decision is made upon the discretion of the individual immigration officer.

Unfortunately, there are some reports of tourist extensions on top of the 60-days being denied for those having arrived across a land border, while there have been some cases under the same circumstances where an extension was granted.

Fact is right now, it is subjective and up to the decision of the officer you are standing in front of when you wish to enter the country. They decide if you are a "real tourist" or if they think you are milking the visa exempt entry program.

There is just no clear directive as far as what's what, there are no official rules, however after a few interviews with Immigration top officers, a few basic patterns have crystallized.

Some people with a 30-days extension already on a previous visa exempt entry reported getting another 30-days extension without any issue, however some have reported they only got a 7-days extension issued. Your experience might vary from that.

The 7-day extension is a REAL extension. It is not the same as the stamp "application for extension denied, you have 7 days to leave the Kingdom" even if for some people it looks like the “7-days grace period”.

I have already seen the stamp of a 7-days extension, it takes up half of a passport page.

Visa-exempt entries themselves are not limited, even though some believe that unlimited visa-free entries are possible by air. It is irrelevant if you enter via a land border or by air.

Visa-exempt entries are not limited to two entries per year. This is not correct.

This is a misconception, and some agents and lawyers spread this information to make profit from panicked people.

Many agents and Immigration Volunteers are warning you should not believe those alleged news telling you that visa-exempt entries are limited to two per year. It simply is not true.

In the past, visa-exempt entries were limited to two across a land border, this old rule was discontinued on July 15th, 2024.

On the paper, visa-exempt entries by air or across land and sea were “unlimited” after this date. LET ME EXPLAIN: this wording “unlimited” is not a fixed rule of Immigration – THEY decide when your “personal limit” is up.

On a few conditions, but always at the individual discretion of the border official, multiple visa-exempt entries are possible - like four, five or even more times, if you do not milk the system.

The entry history in your passport and your profile on Immigration’s Central Computer must prove that your stays were short-term holidays (like only 2-4 weeks).

Some Immigration officers will tell you the total number of visa-exempt days should not exceed 150 days, some will tell you the limit is 157 days. It remains unclear – because there is no official rule, there is no official limit. There are only guidelines on how to treat repeated entries.

Your best proof that you are not milking the visa-free system is when you can show that you returned to your home country between each visa-exempt stay, or stayed abroad for a long time. And when you always are able to show an onward travel proof

The new approach was aimed to prohibit "visa runs," where you only entered a neighboring country briefly and then immediately re-entered.

You must be able to prove your short holiday at the Immigration counter—for example, with proof of onward travel or a return journey, such as a flight ticket. A border official would then rather consider you being a "genuine" tourist based on short holiday trips within a year. They expect to see on their Central Computer that you never maximized any of these visa-exempt holidays.

What is crystal-clear: "per year" means "within a one-year period”.

Some people still say it means “calendar year”, yet this does not make much sense. We have received many confirmations after January 1st, 2026, that nothing “had reset in the new calendar year”. The count is based on a rolling year.

Those who want to play safe should obtain a single-entry tourist visa in advance for stays of up to 60 days, with the option to extend for 30 more days.

ATTENTION: Aquiring a tourist visa after you have accumulated a few visa exempt stays, does NOT “clean the slate”. Touristic entries on a tourist visa will also be frowned upon when you start to misuse them. To use a tourist visa directly after you have maximized visa-exempt stays, does not free you from the obligations. The Immigration officer won’t be fooled.

For people who like to spend half a year in South East Asia and who like to make Thailand the hub for other travels, the 6-months multi-entry Tourist Visa is the choice
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
Nongnuch Kamdee Sorry you're wrong.

I did a turnaround to Loas in early January and had no problems at all . Over and back took an hour , was given a 60 day visa exempt entry and my passport was reset in the new calendar year.

Was informed by my Thai friend who's an Immigration Officer that it does reset at the start of a new calender year.
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Graeme Edgar there is no reset. You will soon find out by yourself, like hundreds of others have already found out. Your girlfriend is wrong. Good Luck - because that's what you will need
Marx *******
Marx *******
OP
Thanks for all the proper details, well appreciated. In the case I leave the country at the end of march and come back for song kran (2 weeks gap), I could still be refused at immigration at the airport right? Thanks
Michael ************
Michael ************
Marx Grout just keep 200B on you to use the "express" lane at the airport
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Michael O'Sullivan a VIP entry lane would cost a little bit more than 200 Baht . . . it can be bought for 4500 Baht. You cannot just show up in the Express lane and expect to be handled for 200 shabby Baht
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Marx Grout nobody can answer this question, as it is solely upon discretion of the officer you stand in front of. You should have all three famous proofs ready to show if asked. An onward travel proof for two weeks after entry is a pretty good proof
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Marx Grout . . maybe you get lucky and get a 30-days extension issued. We can't know for sure
Khun **********
Khun **********
One can décide to give you another doesn’t.
Dave *******
Dave *******
The decision is solely based on the Immigration officers review of your travel history and whether they think you are taking advantage of visa exemption program . No one on this page can tell whether you will get the extension or not
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
You’ve only had one visit in the last year so I think you will be ok.
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Ralph Tyson wrong. . . . .Immigration looks up the whole recent 365-days period. A new calendar year does NOT reset anything
Ralph *******
Ralph *******
Nongnuch Kamdee Yes I know. But in the last 365 days he’s only visited once, with a 30 day extension.
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
Ralph Tyson which means that he has to expect a 7-days extension
Darren *******
Darren *******
Ralph Tyson and now he's coming to the end of his second 60 day visit
Nongnuch ********
Nongnuch ********
You probably won't get issued a 30 days extension, but spend the 1900 THB for only 7-days extension. You should make up your mind if these 7 days are worth to spend 1900 Baht for
Robin *******
Robin *******
Yes ,, I’d say you don’t look like a proper tourist
Darren *******
Darren *******
Quite likely yes, based on your travel history I wouldn't be surprised if you got 7 days.

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