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Can I return to Thailand after using COVID extensions and continue my stay?

Thailand visa rules Tourist visa Visa exemptions COVID extensions Thai immigration Entry requirements

Nov 28, 2021

3 years ago

Lee ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all,

I was in thailand on an exemption from january to october using covid extensions, can I come bac now and pick up where ii left off? I think before there was a limit on how many days a year you could be there as a tourist??

TIA

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user asks about returning to Thailand after a prolonged stay on COVID extensions, wondering if they can continue from where they left off. Comments advise caution, emphasizing that prior use of COVID extensions may complicate reentry. It's suggested that obtaining a visa for entry is preferable, along with proof of funds, a return ticket, and accommodation details. There is no fixed annual limit on days spent as a tourist, but entry procedures may have changed.

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James ********

May I add a word of caution.

Be prepared on return to be asked by Thai Immigration why you stay so long in Thailand?

I suggest you get a VISA to enter this time...don't try to enter visa exempt.

...And carry with you the equivalent of 20,000 Thai baht in CASH.

...No ATM card accepted...no bank balance statement accepted ...if asked to show 20,000 Thai baht upon entry by the Thai Immigration Officer.

...Have a return/departing airline ticket leaving Thailand to show the Thai immigration Officer if asked.

...have proof of pre-booked address of your stay for a few weeks from planned arrival.

We have reports of DENIED ENTRY into Thailand by Thai Immigration Officers for several persons who recently were like you...

...in Thailand long time using the COVID extension to extend their stays...

...depart for visit to their home country

...and then seek reentry to Thailand visa exempt.

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

>I think before there was a limit on how many days a year you could be there as a tourist??

There is no official limit to the amount of days you can spend inside Thailand each year as a tourist on a tourist visa or visa exempt.

3 years ago

Dirk *******

@Benjamin *****

I believe your answer to be partially correct and it highly depends on what country you reside in. For a tourist visa the Thai immigration clearly states 60 days with an extension possibility of 30 days. Foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may only do so for 30 days at one time with a maximum of 3 times in a 6-month period by flight and 2 times a year for overland crossing.

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*****

-tourist-visa

3 years ago

Dirk *******

Thanks

@Benjamin *****

. It's very disturbing to read an embassy, as the highest country authority abroad, is not knowing the rules in detail. I'm not very clear about "VISAs are issued by the Thai Consulates" as I always go to the Thai embassy. We have no Thai consulates in our small country.

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Dirk ******

> as the highest country authority abroad, is not knowing the rules in detail

I don't want to get into cultural theory, but the Thai government is organized much differently than the USA/ UK/ etc. In Thailand, the MFA and the Police Department are peers. Don't forget, there are 70+ immigration offices in Thailand, and each immigration office has slightly different policies for issuing the in-country visas and extension of stays 😮 .

Or, to use an American analogy, it's like going to the United State's Department of States's website to check on American driving laws.

>"VISAs are issued by the Thai Consulates"

To my knowledge, technically it's the consulates who issue the visas, but sometimes the consulate and embassy are in the same building. Not a big difference, all things considered.

3 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

@Dirk ******

I read it. It's the embassy trying to be helpful but having no clue what they are talking about. VISAs are issued by the Thai Consulates, who are overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Entry to Thailand (along with in-country visas and extension of stays) is performed by passport control, which is part of the immigration office, supervised by the Royal Thai Police.

The MFA and the Royal Thai Police do not communicate with each other.

There are reasons why passport control will reject a person from entering Thailand. I'm attaching those reasons. An invalid reason to reject a person from entering Thailand is the "3 times in a 6 month period" that's listed on the website. Generally, if they reject a person, it's because they don't have the funds to stay in Thailand (Section 12, Subsection 2).

3 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

Tod *********

If by "pick up where you left off" you mean can you come back and jump back on covid extensions, that answer would most likely be no, you can't do that at all.

You can either come in visa exempt and get stamped in for 30 days, or BUY a tourist visa from a thai consulate in your country before you come here and get stamped in for 60 days.

Either of those entries can be extend ONCE for 30 days for 1900baht

Now as far as once you're here and gotten your regular 30 day covid extension COULD you apply for a covid extension for 60 days, that'd be between you and the immigration office you'd deal with once you're here.

3 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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Can I leave Thailand and return on another 60-day tourist visa exemption after extending my current one?

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